June 29, 2023

Pest Management Solutions for Specialty Crops and Specialty Uses

The following is a recap of news and updates announced by The IR-4 Project during the month of June.

IR-4 Hosts Borlaug Fellows for International MRL Capacity Building

In May, IR-4 hosted the 2023 USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) IR-4 Project Borlaug Fellows, in partnership with NC State University CALS International Programs The FAS Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship Program promotes food security and economic growth by providing training and collaborative research opportunities to Fellows from developing and middle-income countries.

People of IR-4: Allison Robinson

The IR-4 Project is a tapestry of talented individuals, spanning our headquarters, regional offices, and research sites nationwide. In celebration of IR-4's 60th year, we are highlighting some of the exceptional people who drive IR-4's mission forward. Meet our first featured researcher: Allison Robinson!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Keep an eye on our events web page for updates—more events info coming soon!

INDUSTRY TECHNOLOGY SESSION — Registration is still open!

Thursday, July 20, 2023 | Virtual

In preparation for the Food Use Workshop, this annual event gives companies the opportunity to present updates on products already in IR-4 research, as well as new technologies. Visit the ITS event webpage to register and find more details.

FOOD USE WORKSHOP — Registration is now open!

September 12-14, 2023 | Raleigh, NC (virtual option available)

Research priorities for residue studies, efficacy and crop safety research, and integrated solutions projects for 2024 will be identified during this workshop. Visit the FUW event webpage to register and learn more.

ENVIRONMENTAL HORTICULTURE WORKSHOP — Registration coming in July!

October 10-12, 2023 | Little Rock, AR (virtual option available)

Research priorities for the 2024-2025 environmental horticulture research cycle will be identified during this workshop. Visit the EHC event webpage for more. Registration will open in July.

The EHC Grower & Extension survey, which helps shape the next research cycle with green industry pest management needs, is accepting responses until September 1. Fill out the survey on the Grower Needs page.

Complete the Survey

Interested in Becoming a Sponsor?

IR-4's busy event calendar wouldn't be possible without the support of our sponsors. Interested in joining as a sponsor this year? Reach out to ir-4_project@ncsu.edu.

We are grateful for your support!

RESEARCH UPDATES

FOOD CROP TOLERANCE SUCCESSES

The following tolerance successes were added to our website in April 2023 (find them under Food Crop Successes & Stories):

Fomesafen (Federal register date: May 9, 2023)

ENVIRONMENTAL HORTICULTURE UPDATES

The EHC Program released one new research summary in June:

Abamectin Crop Safety Summary

Abamectin has been registered since 1987 for environmental horticulture crops, initially for leafminers and spider mites on annuals and herbaceous perennials. In 2000, woody ornamentals plus aphids, thrips, whiteflies and other mite groups were added to the Avid 1.5 EC label. Learn more in our latest crop safety summary.

Visit our website

This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award numbers 2022-79111-38469 and 2021-34383-34848 with substantial cooperation and support from the State Agricultural Experiment Stations, USDA-ARS and USDA-FAS. In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.