KY FY24 Orchard Survey 1S.0124.01

Grants and Contracts Details

Description

Metastorm Orchard 2024 Abstract (348 words) Kentucky has approximately 550 farms (US rank 13th) and nearly 1,000 acres in apple production. The average yield varies from 450,000 to 750,000 bushels per year with cash values ranging from $24.M to $40.6M per year. In addition to being a site for local food production, Kentucky''s orchards are tremendously popular as venues for playgrounds, concerts, festivals, school tours, corn mazes, and weddings. Orchards as sites of agritourism are estimated to contribute $10B to Kentucky''s tourism industry. Many apple orchards also grow peaches, although this is not as large of a commodity in Kentucky, with 203 farms growing 371 acres of peaches (USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service). The list of pests in this survey reflect the fact that many orchards, particularly the larger growers, grow both of these commodities. This survey will allow us to trap for 4 insect pests of concern to the orchard industry and conduct a visual survey for an additional pest, Spotted Lanternfly. This survey program will pinpoint potential problems so they may be quickly eradicated before they become infestations that require the expenditure of large amounts of time and money to eradicate. To ensure excellent coverage statewide, six University of Kentucky employees and one independent contractor will conduct this survey. We will conduct a trapping survey in 10-11 orchards designed to detect four insect pests: Summer Fruit Tortrix, False Codling Moth, Asian Spongy Moth, and an Ambrosia Beetle (Megaplatypus mutatus). We will follow the trap and lure guidelines on the CAPS Resource and Collaboration website. Surveyors will visit each orchard 5 times to set the traps, change the lures according to protocol, take insect samples, and remove the traps. Trap placement from spring to fall 2024 will encompass the life cycles of the target insects. Surveyors will also conduct a visual survey for Spotted Lanternfly during each visit to the orchard. The establishment of any of these pests would have large negative impacts on the state’s valuable orchard industry. Accomplishment reports will be completed and submitted in the timeframe specified in the agreement and data will be uploaded to the NAPIS database. Prior Experience: We received Farm Bill/PPA funding to conduct surveys in orchards each year from FY13 to FY21 and in FY23. No target pests have been found. Below is a short summary from each year. ? FY13: 10 orchards (9 counties, central and western KY), 153 samples ? FY14: reduced funding, 6 orchards (5 counties, western KY), 79 samples ? FY15: 10 orchards (10 counties, central and western KY), 127 samples ? FY16: 10 orchards (10 counties, central and western KY), 136 samples ? FY17: 8 orchards (8 counties, central and western KY), 87 samples ? FY18: 10 orchards (10 counties, central and western KY), 155 samples ? FY19: 10 orchards (10 counties, central, western, northern, and eastern KY), 130 samples ? FY20: 11 orchards (10 counties, central, western, northern, and eastern KY), 184 samples ? FY21: 11 orchards (10 counties, central, western, and eastern KY), 146 samples ? FY23: 10 orchards (10 counties, central, western, and eastern KY), survey began in May 2023 The midyear accomplishment report for FY23 is not due until December 1, 2023. Since we did not receive funding for the Orchard Commodity Survey in FY22, I uploaded the FY21 final accomplishment report for the Orchard Commodity Survey. For every year of funding, we have submitted a midyear and final report outlining our accomplishments, demonstrating how much of the state was impacted by this survey and the number of samples collected. The State Survey Coordinator enters all survey data into NAPIS at the end of each survey season and updates survey results on the KY CAPS webpage (www.UnluckyForKentucky.com). Milestones May – September/October 2024: contact property owners for permission to conduct survey, obtain supplies to conduct survey, survey activities conducted: traps set in May, traps monitored and lures changed monthly, visual surveys for SLF conducted during each site visit, traps removed in the fall, approval and payment of invoices submitted by independent contractor, SSC will enter any positive survey results into NAPIS as soon as possible when detected November 2024: submit any remaining samples from the survey season, final payments to independent contractor, SSC prepares and submits midyear accomplishment report December 2024: final survey results received from Mississippi Entomological Museum, SSC enters all negative survey results into NAPIS January-April 2025: SSC prepares final accomplishment report, SSC updates survey results on the KY CAPS webpage (www.unluckyforkentucky.com). Weekly: The SSC will maintain a budget spreadsheet and will compare it to the University of Kentucky accounting system to ensure that funds are being allocated appropriately and time is charged correctly. The SSC will update an account list accessible to all employees working on this project to show funds remaining to be spent on supplies and travel. Frequently During Field Season: The SSC will be in constant communication with field and laboratory staff to ensure that the survey is progressing during the season and that samples are transported and received at the proper laboratory for further analysis. Throughout the Project: The SPHD, PSS, and SPRO will be notified immediately if any problems are encountered or if target insects are found during the survey.
StatusActive
Effective start/end date5/1/244/30/25

Funding

  • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: $19,684.00

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