Annual
Cotton Plowdown Deadline to Manage Pink Bollworm
It’s that
time of year again when cotton growers are required to comply with the Cotton
Plowdown Regulations.
The
regulations were established in 1967 to combat the threat of spreading
populations of Pink Bollworm, a worldwide pest of cotton. With grower support,
the California Department of Food and Agricultural established regulations that
required anyone planting cotton in the San Joaquin Valley to shred and uproot
cotton stalks, and then mix the debris with the soil. Doing this was shown to
kill overwintering Pink Bollworm larvae.
Growers
were also prohibited from planting cotton prior to March 10th in an effort to
provide a host-free period for any moths that might survive the winter and want
a place to lay eggs in the spring.
To-date,
the program has been very successful in managing Pink Bollworm in the Valley,
and is the longest running area-wide integrated pest control program in the
world.
The date
for compliance with the Cotton Plowdown Regulations is rapidly approaching. All
cotton stalks must be shredded, uprooted, and plowed by December 20, 2013.
Starting on the 20th, the staff of the County Agricultural
Commissioner/Sealer’s Office will be citing fields that are not in compliance
with the regulations. Fines for non-compliance are set at $500 plus $5.00 per
acre.
With the
dry weather this fall and lack of fog, growers should have plenty of time to
comply.
If you have
any questions regarding the Cotton Plowdown Regulations and their enforcement contact
Dennis Haines, Staff Biologist in the office of Tulare County Agricultural
Commissioner/Sealer (559) 684-3350.
Labels: 2013, Annual Cotton Plowdown Deadline, Cotton plowdown regulations compliance set for December 20, Cotton Plowdown to Manage Pink Bollworm, Tulare County Ag Commissioner Cotton Plowdown