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Fire Ant Suppression
| Name | Mark J. Talbert | | Situation | It is estimated that Fairfield County Farmers experience agricultural losses to $680,000 per year because of reduced crop/hay losses, machinery breakdowns, machinery inefficiencies,livestock losses, and reduced forage production. Fire ant colonies/mounds are ubiquitous on Fairfield farms with estimates exceeding 150 per acre in some areas.
| | Response | The agent has conducted six educational programs on Fire Ant Suppression with 113 participants completing programs. In addition, the agent is collaborating with Extension Specialist Tim Davis on a three to five year USDA funded program to study the effects of different treatment methods on 300 acres of contiguous pasture/hay land. As part of this program, I have helped Tim at the Greelyville sites and the Calhoun Falls site. I am baiting sites to count fire ants, collecting native insects, and releasing pyseudacteon flies. | | Impact | All (100%) of the participants who completed programs reported knowledge gained and 75% reported adopting practices as a result of attending the meetings. We are 1½ years into the study of different treatment methods. No conclusions can be assessed yet from the study, however, preliminary data is showing some progress. |
Last update7/3/2008
This website is maintained by Michelle Holmes.
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