Farm Bill Still Stalled  

The 2012 Farm Bill, which was held up in Congress before the November elections, is back on center stage. The Democratic-led Senate has already passed its version of the farm bill, but Republican House leaders stopped action on the bill before the election, saying there weren't enough votes. Senate Agriculture Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) has stated that she is prepared to merge the House and Senate versions, but Doug Heye, a spokesman for House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, said no decisions have been made on how to move the farm bill.

Funding for Research Faces Big Cuts

Continuing funding cuts at the state and federal level are threatening the research capacity for almonds and other California crops. Reduced federal spending for the USDA Agricultural Research Service last year eliminated funds for some 120 ARS scientists and staff overnight; 10 research stations and programs closed in 2011. All this leaves major gaps in the maintenance and further development of integrated pest management in almonds.  For the full story, see this article from the Western Farm Press. 

USDA Seeks Suggestions for Projects

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is inviting stakeholders to submit suggestions for fiscal year 2013 projects to implement Section 10201 of the 2008 Farm Bill. This Section authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make $50 million available for 2013 projects in one of six goal areas: enhancing plant pest/disease analysis and survey; targeting domestic inspection activities at vulnerable points in the safeguarding continuum; enhancing and strengthening pest identification and technology; safeguarding nursery production; enhancing mitigation capabilities; and conducting outreach and education about these issues.  To submit your project ideas for IPM, go to the APHIS 10201 webpage.

Latest Draft of Discussion Paper Reflects IPM Voice Recommendations

Collins Queries NIFA on Consolidation

IPM Voice, in cooperation with Jim Dill the Maine IPM coordinator, recently met with Senator Collins' office to seek her involvement in IPM issues.  In response, Senator Collins -- a key member of the Senate Appropriations Committee -- submitted a question to NIFA about consolidation and its effect on IPM programs. The response did not necessarily break new ground, but the step that she took in submitting the question signals to NIFA that there is support on Capitol Hill for IPM.  

IPM Practitioner's Directory Now Available 

The IPM Practitioner's 2012 Directory of Least-Toxic Pest Control Products is now available online. This Directory lists more than 2,000 products such as baits, traps, pheromones, microbials, biocontrol agents, and other materials needed for IPM.

Contact information is provided for more than 600 national and international suppliers. The Directory can be found at the following link: http://www.birc.org/Directory.htm  

Upcoming IPM Meetings and Conferences  

December 10-13: The North Central Weed Science Society (NCWSS) Annual Meeting will be held at the St. Louis Hyatt Regency. Click here to register and download the program.

January 7-9, 2013: The 77th Purdue Pest Management Conference in West Lafayette, Indiana. To see program content and to register, click here. 

January 7-9, 2013: The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and the Professional Landscape Network (PLANET) will host the fourth annual Lawn Care Summit in Orlando, Florida. See the program brochure in PDF format here.

January 9-11, 2013: The Texas A&M Urban Pest Management Conference and Workshop in Bryan, TX. Program and registration information. 

IPM Voice is an independent, non-profit organization advocating for integrated pest management (IPM) that is genuinely progressive and seeks continuous improvement of environmental, social and economic conditions through application of accepted scientific principles.  IPM Voice was formed in 2010 by more than 35 professionals working to expand the benefits IPM has provided to agriculture and communities for more than 40 years.