Severe rodent infestations in the California’s Central Valley have caused damage and agricultural loss to a growing number of crops. CDFA and CAPCA have developed resources for growers to navigate control tools and better understand the scope of the challenge.
New Crop Steward Rodent Monitoring Feature
Using anonymized county-level data streams, CAPCA has developed a one-of-a-kind, comprehensive pest-monitoring map in the Crop Steward app to track rat infestation levels across the state. This tool aims to provide PCAs and growers with current reported levels, potential early warning, and the tools and strategic framework needed to combat emerging pest challenges, ensuring the agricultural community remains informed and ready.
Insights gained from current rat monitoring efforts are already informing the development of a broader blueprint to guide responses to maintenance-rated pests. CAPCA plans to expand data integration beyond rats for enhanced real-time pest monitoring and early detection, so that solutions can be found promptly. PCAs can sign up for Crop Steward for free at cropsteward.com.
CAPCA will share more detailed information about the Crop Steward rat map and future pest management strategies at the CAPCA Annual Conference in October. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about new developments and participate in discussions to shape the industry’s response to maintenance-level pests.
Other Resources
WG Best Practices for Managing Rodents
Learn more about the new Crop Steward Rodent Monitoring Feature at the Western Growers field day on May 27th, in Soledad, CA, highlighting vegetated ditches, sediment basins, and cover crops can help to meet Ag order 4.0 requirements, potential food safety concerns of these practices and other benefits of non-crop vegetation on farms. Register for the field day here.