A free 2014 calendar featuring wheat pests of Montana is now available at Montana State University and MSU Extension offices around the state.
Titled “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” the calendar shows Pesticide Education Specialist Cecil Tharp on the cover with a noxious weed in his mouth and his hands at his sides, holding his weapons against weeds and insects. Among the “good” – featured in January, April, July and October – is MSU’s Schutter Diagnostic Lab which processes more than 2,000 samples every year to identify diseases, insects, plants and mushrooms. Among the “bad” – showcased in February, May, August and November -- is the evolution of agricultural pests to survive control measures. Among the “ugly,” seen in the remaining months, are improper pesticide use and herbicide resistance.
“The management of pests can be a daunting task, complicated by multiple management options, a wide array of pests, complicated safety issues and revenue losses,” Tharp said. “The calendar was a parody of the ‘Good, Bad and Ugly’ movie starring Clint Eastwood because pest managers are in a showdown that they need to be prepared for through education and good management decisions.”
Each month in the calendar contains colorful photos of subjects that include MSU students and staff, noxious weeds, insect pests, sheep, Montana fields, and MSU research centers. A memorable year, 2014 is the 100-year anniversary of the creation of the national Cooperative Extension System. In addition to other significant dates, the calendar notes that “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” movie premiered in Italian theaters on Dec. 15, 1966 and Dec. 23, 1967 in U.S. theatres.
The calendar project was spearheaded by MSU Extension Plant Pathology Specialist Mary Burrows and produced by MSU faculty and staff with a grant from the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee.
To view the calendar online, go to http://www.msuextension.org/plantpath/pdfs/IPM%20calendar%202014.pdf
For a free calendar, visit local MSU Extension offices or contact Burrows at [email protected] or (406) 994-7766.
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