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South Okanagan Photos

SIR – Sterile Insect Release program – drawing attention in the world

award impOur Region

OK SIR’s control region stretches from Salmon Arm in the North down to Osoyoos in the South.

This includes all or portions of four regional districts including the Regional District of the Okanagan Similkameen, the Regional District of the Central Okanagan, the Regional District of the North Okanagan and the Columbia Shuswap Regional District.

SIR officials state on new website – 90 percent reduction of codling moth but the news is getting even better for apple growers.

There is a 96 percent reduction of pesticide use
There is a 94 percent reduction in moth captures

In 90 percent of the system area – less than .2 percent is affected.

Recently in the North Okanagan – SIR tried a limited application of chemical to see the result. It failed and the board has returned to its roots of sterilizing moths in the Osoyoos rearing facility.

A presentation to the board of the RDOS was impressive with no tax increase for services rendered in 6 years. The system has a 3.2 million dollar operating budget. Unlike the industrial orchards of Washington state – Okanagan farms average 4.6 acres.

SIR hopes to assist in Australia and Italy on using similar techniques on limiting the effects of pests.

SIR recently won an international award for its programme. sir