Orchard Commodity Survey

Orchard Survey Abstract 2023 Abstract (374 words) In 2017, Kentucky had 554 farms (US rank 13th) and 962 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. Kentucky''s orchards have also grown tremendously in popularity as venues for playgrounds, concerts, festivals, school tours, corn mazes, and weddings. These 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 in 2012 (USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service). The list of pests in this survey reflect the fact that many orchards 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. We will also survey for plum pox virus in orchards that grow peaches. 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 11-12 orchards that is designed to detect four insect pests: Summer Fruit Tortrix, False Codling Moth, Asian Gypsy 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 late spring/early summer to fall 2023 will encompass the life cycles of the target insects. Each surveyor will also conduct a visual survey for Spotted Lanternfly during each visit to the orchard. In the spring/early summer, surveyors will conduct a plum pox virus survey if the orchard has peaches. 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.