Private Pesticide Applicator Permit Training to be held in Double Springs on February 19, 2013

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System will hold a training and exam session needed to get a new permit or renew an existing permit. This program will be held on Tuesday, February 19, 2013, at the Traders and Farmers Bank Bernice Hilton Walker Building upstairs meeting room in Double Springs. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. No pre-registration is required. There will be no charge for this program, but the three-year permit from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries costs $25. At this program, we will cover the basics needed for the exam. Producers also have the option to use a take-home self-study packet at any time of year; however, most people find it more convenient to take the test at this class. Most farmers in Winston County get this permit so that they can buy Grazon (2,4-D+picloram) for pasture weed control. This herbicide does an excellent job on dogfennel, which is also known as summer cedar. The 2012 growing season was a severe fall armyworm year, and many of the more economical insecticides used on fall armyworms are restricted. This permit will allow the holder to buy any restricted use pesticide, including those needed for fall armyworms. For more information, call Mike Henshaw at (205) 489-5376.