Author: Nikita

Statewide Notification

AKA Spray Days is the new DPR program that launches on February 24, 2025, requiring all restricted material applications to be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of application and 48 hours in advance for fumigant materials. The regulations require compliance to start on February 24th, but DPR has up till March 26th to make Spray Days data available to the public.

What does this mean to me?

If you are a PCA in California recommending a restricted use material that requires a Notice of Intent, your timing between NOI and application may have changed depending on your current county conditions.

DPR has created a SprayDays Information Sheet for Growers and Pesticide Applicators to help address common question and concerns

Do I need to submit my NOI differently?

This regulation change requires electronic submission of your NOI to the county to meet the timing requirements above for Statewide Notification. If you are having issues submitting electronically, see Help My Internet is Down below for more information on conditions to submit a paper NOI.

Please note if you are already using a third party compliance system that submits your recommendation to CalAg Permits, you need to take no further action on submission, only note the updated submission window which may have changed depending on your county conditions.

For more information on Third Party Compliance Software tips see Compliance Software Tips

You can see the full updated text of regulations at:
https://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/legbills/rulepkgs/23-003/dpr_23-003_oal_final_text_notification_revised.pdf

What has changed?

From an application perspective, two uniform notification windows have been applied statewide for both restricted materials and fumigants – 24 hours for Restricted Materials and 48 hours for Fumigants.

All NOIs once approved (once NOI is submitted, regardless of approved by CAC or not is live-“intended applications” will be in the system. This includes any NOI in error or deleted) by County Ag Commissioner will be made publicly available on Spray Days to interested parties in a 1 mile block radius (base line, meridian, township, range, and section, not a standard GIS measurement) based on the address they enter into the system. At this time, there is not broad public access to all NOIs.

What is the same?

The Commissioner may grant an exemption to the time requirements outlined in subsections (c), (d), and (e) if the Commissioner allow less than the 24 hours notice if s/he determines that because of the nature of the commodity or pest problem safe and effective pest control cannot be attained or when 24 hours are not necessary to adequately evaluate the  The Commissioner shall note in www.CalAgPermits.org that an exemption was granted at the time the Commissioner grants the exemption. An NOI is just that, a Notice of Intent, if you do not need to apply, need to apply later or require an exemption to apply earlier for safety, communicate with your County Ag Commissioner staff. Applications are dynamic based on a variables that include need (commodity and/or pest) and application safety variables including weather.

Help, I need to apply now!

Contact your Ag Commissioner directly. Local discretion stayed intact with this regulation change, your County Ag Commissioner can exercise distention to waive the 24 or 48 hour notification under special circumstances if the application safety is at risk based on timing factors like weather. If you don’t know how to contact your Ag Commissioner visit the statewide association website at: County Info | CACASA and click on the permit county.

Help, my internet is down. What are my options to file a paper NOI?

See CCR 6434 (e) “undue hardship”. CAC has discretion to accept paper NOI, but note that the NOI’s will need to be received by the CAC earlier to provide time for CAC to enter that NOI digitally.

To see/search the full text of the final regulation text visit:
https://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/legbills/rulepkgs/23-003/dpr_23-003_oal_final_text_notification_revised.pdf

Help, someone is trespassing on my property during an application – what do I do?

Contact your local law enforcement and ag commissioner. This has been an ongoing concern expressed by Agriculture during the process of developing these regulations – in addition, have your trespassing documented by your preferred commodity group or statewide representative – we want to know how often this is happening to document with decision makers the reality of our concerns.

More Information:

Visit DPR’s newly published, official SprayDays webpage: https://spraydays.cdpr.ca.gov

Compliance Software:


In December 2024, the County Ag Commissioners posed several questions to the Department of Pesticide Regulation. The feedback to these questions can be found here.

To learn more about the new regulations and system visit: https://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/pesticide_notification_network/

Wondering how to explain Statewide Notification to your neighbors or friends? You can find more information to help inform the public at: https://notificationsexplained.com/

Rats in the Valley

Rat Infestation Impact & Resources – Protecting Crops and Infrastructure with Strategic Solutions

Key Resources (on this page):

Rat Infestation Management: A Checklist

Essential Steps for Detection, Monitoring, and Control

CAPCA has been compiling resources and developing baseline monitoring for rat infestations. As these initiatives wrap up, the responsibility is moving to grower groups to tackle the challenge of abandoned acres.

With the recent spike in hot weather and early irrigation, we’ve heard about an increase in rat activity. It is crucial that Pest Control Advisers and growers—both those new to the issue and those continuing to manage high populations—have access to the latest information and effective strategies.

This checklist is designed by Advisers like you to help quickly identify signs of rat problems and implement proven management strategies, keeping your acres productive and protected.

DOWNLOAD THE CHECKLIST HERE

Claim Your Free Bait Stations:

Check out the industry-funded bait stations on topic 11 of the new CDFA and UC video resources!  If you haven’t already, request your two free bait stations by scanning the QR Code. You can add to your order and purchase additional stations on the same form.  Free bait stations are available while supplies last.

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New video resources by CDFA and UC:

Blog post with video links:

Video Series on Roof Rat Damage in Orchards: What Growers Need to Know – CDFA’s Planting Seeds BlogCDFA’s Planting Seeds Blog

Video Playlist link: 

Rat Management Training – YouTube

Program webpage with video links:

CDFA – Plant Health – Rat Management Resources

Rat infestations have caused significant damage to irrigation systems, trees, field equipment, wiring, and critical infrastructure across agricultural operations. In response, since the fall of 2024, CAPCA has been actively engaged in working to identify solutions and support for the rat infestations scattered across the Central Valley. 

The Vertebrate Pest Control Research Program has revised the CDFA label, Zinc Phosphide Treated Grain (2.0%). Refer to the updated label below on this page.

Additionally, the Office of Pesticide Consultation and Analysis has created an infographic to show which chemical options are allowed for rat control in various orchard and agricultural settings. See that infographic below.

For guidance on reporting procedures and insurance coverage eligibility, refer to the memo from Jack Roudebush, Advisor – Captive Strategist at HUB International Limited, available on this page.

CAPCA remains committed to bridging the gap between growers and industry leaders by disseminating vital knowledge and fostering collaborative solutions.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Given that this infestation has reached a level beyond maintenance and requires an area wide coordinated approach to address the issue, we have worked with UC along with various commodity groups to provide the most up-to-date information for PCAs to access. 

  • Prior guidance from UC: Managing Roof Rats and Deer Mice in Nut and Fruit Orchards can be found here.


Do you want to sign up to be part of the solution and be on a list of applicators available for Counties to reference when growers are in need of application services? Click here to join the list.