He runs the data through computerized insect and disease models and posts summaries on the PAWS web site as well as his own. The summaries also go into reports faxed to field men for packing houses, chemical dealers and other consultants who work with growers. This past spring, Smith helped pear producers fend off a fire blight infestation by posting predictions for favorable conditions several days before it rained. Fire blight is a bacterial disease that occurs when abnormally warm weather during bloom is followed by rain or even a heavy dew. The only way to avoid an infection is to spray just before or after it rains.
Big bucks hand on the decision.
Saving an unnecessary spray is good for the bottom line, both at the bank and in the environment, but saving a crop or trees from damage by making a critical spraying is just as important, if not more critical. The system has 161 subscribers Extension State Grower subscriptions Dr. Mary Hattendorf, PAWS System Coordinator WSU Prosser Irrigated Agriculture Res.