Agrimanagement Newsletter 2009-10

October 2009

Washington Friends of Foundation for Environmental Agriculture Education: Jennifer Kinkead USAg Analytical Services 1-800-244-0573 Ron Britt Ron Britt & Assoc 509-966-9681 Ted Durfey Natural Selection Farms 509-837-3501 Walt Grigg Nutra-Cal CSI Chemical Corp.

509-952-7558 Don Jameson Agrimanagement, Inc. 509-453-4851 Laura L. Mrachek Cascade Analytical, Inc. 800-545-4206 Wheatland Bank 509-452-1128 Dave Murray davem@wheatlandbank.com Wes Schut wess@wheatlandbank.com Contact Numbers: Office:

453-4851

Don Jameson

945-0549

Scott Stephen 949-8843 Lisa Brain

949-8840

Dave Marshall 949-0760

N-Use Research N research for the mint commission has been completed on two native fields. Research has been with the participation of Matt and John Lommers. Other cooperators were Ed Boob of Husch & Husch, and with the lab contribution of USAg of Pasco. There are results to evaluate on two cuttings of each field. Of key interest was the performance of Agrotain and Agrotain Plus. A short synopsis of this will come out in the next issue of the Mint Drops publication.

Agrimanagement is considering applying to do some additional N management studies in 2010. If you have ideas for this or would like to be a cooperator, let us know.

We would also be interested if our clients have thoughts or questions about seeing mint research done on: ∗ Water management timing and intensity. ∗ Nematode management treatment products and effectiveness. ∗ Particular questions of other fertilizer nutrients. ∗ Growing mint with bio-nutrient products, such as composts, N-fixers, etc.

So, if you have an interest in participating on a farm testing research idea with the Washington Mint Commission support, let us know.

One interesting point is that the use of Agrotain products will qualify in 2010 for NRCS C.S.P. program support money. However, the enrollment period may be past.

Mint Root Borer & Nematodes

The 2009 year seems to have been one of heavier mint root borer pressure. We have found them in variable populations. Also this year in peppermint and scotch, we have been doing some concurrent nematode sampling at the time of the mint root borer sampling.

These results are re-affirming to several principles. ∗ Fields going into mint next spring should be tested for nematodes or verticillum levels now. ∗

The principle nematodes of concern are root lesion, root-knot

∗ At Agrimanagement, our goal is to provide our clients with essential information that will help them make better management decisions. We hope by sending out timely email updates like this, we can quickly keep you up-to-date on items of interest or service work options. www.agrimgt.com

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The roots of intended mother fields (or the field you buy from) should be tested now to give you information before digging and planting.

There can be logic in applying Mocap to a mother field now, in October at the latest date water is available and to wait for soil temperatures to drop below 50ºF. Warm or high organic matter soils will degrade Mocap sooner. After a 1st and a 2nd year of Mocap the microbe types that degrade it are elevated and more significant to reducing its residual life.

The nematode populations we often see, can likely justify both an October Mocap application, and also 1 or 2 Vydate applications at appropriate times in 2010. These spring Vydate applications likely need to be timed to degree day accumulation as developed for potatoes, the root-flush period and vegetative height (probably best at 4-5” of height) or, also spring samples.

Always follow label guidelines for best efficacy.