As I prepare this newspaper article for this week’s paper, one of the other things on my agenda for this week is to start working on the scheduling of the upcoming pesticide re-certifications for those who will need re-certified by March 31, 2016. This is a big year, as we have approximately 250 license holders in Adams/Brown/Highland Counties to re-certify in the next few months. This consists of three hours of educational updates every three years for those who hold a private applicator’s license.

I was recently involved in a meeting on the OSU campus where discussion of some proposed changes in this re-certification came to light. These changes would increase the amount of training needed every three years among other things. I have included the article that was in this week’s CORN newsletter from Mary Ann Rose who is with the Pesticide Education Program for Ohio State University Extension. For ease of looking up and reading more information about this at the links at the bottom of her article go to corn.osu.edu and the links will be there.

“The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a minimum age (18) and stricter standards for certifying applicators of restricted use pesticides (RUPs). For commercial applicators in Ohio, there is no distinction between RUP and non-RUP users, hence these new proposals potentially affect the certification and recertification of all licensed commercial pesticide applicators in Ohio whether or not they actually use restricted use pesticides. Private applicators are only required to be licensed in Ohio if they use RUPs.

Much of what is proposed for the stricter federal standard is already required by Ohio Law; for example, Ohio pesticide applicators already take closed book exams, must recertify on a three-year schedule, and keep pesticide records. The proposed changes would however significantly increase the recertification requirements for Ohio pesticide applicators. The EPA has proposed that all applicators will be required to take six units (50 minutes) of core plus three (private) or six (commercial) units per category every three years. An Ohio commercial applicator licensed in one category that is now required to take five hours of recertification would have to attend twelve 50-minute sessions every three years. An Ohio private applicator licensed in one category that now needs 3 hours of training to recertify would have to attend nine 50-minute sessions every three years. Applicators would be required to present identification at exams and recertification programs. For private applicators, the fumigation category would be split into soil and non-soil fumigation categories. There also would be an annual training requirement and minimum age of 18 for trained service persons, which under current Ohio law only require a single, verified training prior to occupational exposure to pesticides.”

The public may comment on the EPA’s proposal through Nov. 23 but there have been formal requests for an extension to the deadline. Comments may be submitted to the EPA at http://www.regulations.gov in docket number EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0183. Learn more about the proposal and certification for pesticide applicators: http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/epa-proposes-stronger-standards-people-applying-riskiest-pesticides

Cow Calf Conference at Morehead State

On Saturday, Nov. 7 there will be a program offered at the Morehead State University Farm for Cow/Calf producers. The farm is located on KY 377 before you get to Morehead. It is approximately 40 miles from Aberdeen.

The conference will begin at 9 a.m. with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. The cost is $10 which includes lunch. For more information contact Dennis Perry at (606) 783-9342 or by cell at (606) 776-0800.

Sessions will include Dave Maples, Exe. VP of Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association discussing the Future of Cattle Industry; Nick Hammept of Circle A Angus Ranch from Missouri discussing Overall Profitability for Cow/Calf Producers; Dr. Michelle Arnold VDM, ABVP Ruminant Veterinarian from UK discussing Medicated Feed for Beef Cattle; and Dr. Troy Wistuba, Animal Nutritional Specialist discussing Nutritional Supplements for Beef Cattle.

Dates to Remember

Nov. 3-5: COBA Select Sires AI class at United Producers 6 p.m. Call 614-878-5333 for more information or to register.

Nov. 9: Pesticide Testing at the Old Y Restaurant at noon.

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