Click here to print the 2023 LAVMA Annual Meeting Agenda.

Registration information is on the Annual Conference page

Monday January 23rd

(Click here to access the LAVMA Precertification Training Agenda)

• 8:00 Registration “first time test takers”
• 9:00 Class begins Exhibitor set up
  “Aquatic Weed Control, Latest Technologies” Chris Mudge
  “Safety, Label, SDS” Bryan Gueltig
  “Aquatic Weeds Current Practices” Daniel Hill
• 10:00 Registration begins for re-certification
  
• 12:00-1:15 Lunch on your own
• 4:00 Class Adjourns
• 4:30 LAVMA Board Meeting

Tuesday January 24th

• 7:00-8:00 Registration “Recertification”
• 8:00-8:15 Meeting called to order Ryan Duhon, President, Moderator
  Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance Randy Roark
  Introduction of Sherri Braddock “Executive Director”
• 8:15-8:30 Introduction of Special Guests
• 8:30-8:45 Introduction of Vendors
• 8:45-9:40 “Herbicide Rig Calibration” Randy Rankin Alabama DOT
  Calibration of equipment will be discussed as part of the regulatory requirement with applying products at specific rates as listed on herbicide labels. Different types of equipment and calibration methods will be shown as it relates to ensuring accurate applications to be able to achieve the desired results. Industrial site safety and techniques will be covered for roadside applications in dealing with safe operations, record keeping, and handling of complaints.
• 9:40-10:35 “Safety, Label and SDS sheets” Bryan Gueltig LSU Ag Center
  Applying herbicide safely is an extremely important part of what we do. The label is the “Law”. Bryan will discuss current safety standards, different PPE, understanding the label and reviewing the SDS sheets.
• 10:35-10:50 Break vendor visits
• 10:50-11:45 “Future of Herbicides” Dr. John Byrd Mississippi State
  The way the world sees herbicides and defending our role as applicators. This presentation goes into detail about the current regulatory changes being made at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for herbicide applications in the industrial markets. Assumptions are being made based on maximum rates, maximum number of applications, and on maximum amount of acres every year. This regulatory change is being brought about as it pertains to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and listing of threatened and endangered species across the United States.
• 11:45-12:00 “LDAF Update” Harry Schexnayder
• 12:00-1:20 Lunch vendor visits Ryan Ducote, Vice President, Moderator
• 1:20-2:10 “Biological Control” Dr. Rodrigo Diaz Louisiana State University
  Implementing the biological control of giant salvinia in southeastern USA.
• 2:20-2:30 Break
• 2:30-3:00 “Herbicide Spill and Cleanup” Ryan Duhon & Michael Stevens LADOTD
  June of 2022 DOTD had an herbicide tank split open after hours. What happened, how we cleaned it up and the dealings with LA. Dept. Of Ag.
• 3:00-3:30 “Equipment Tour” LDWF, Daniel Hill & East Baton Rouge Parish, James Avault
  Current issues faced with equipment. Unique problems EBR faces. Herbicide application boat and EBR spray truck.
• 3:30-4:00 Business Meeting, Awards, Elections
• 4:00 “LDAF Recertification and EPA Updates” Joe Ingrao
  EPA is revising the standards for the recertification of applicators. Revisions include Labeling, Safety, Environment, Pests, Pesticides, Equipment, Methods, Laws, Responsibilities and Professionalism.

2023 Speakers

Randy Rankin ALDOT
Was employed with ChemLawn Corporation for 20 years where, as a Lawn Care Specialist, he serviced a route of over 850 customers. Later, as a Field Manager, he was responsible for the agronomic training of new employees as well as the oversight of all lawn and horticultural services provided by the local Branch Office.

Since 2010 he has been employed by the Alabama Department of Transportation where for the last 9 years he has worked out of the Central Office providing applicator training and oversight for the operation and maintenance of a statewide fleet of 42 spray trucks plus additional tractor and skid mounted units.

Randy’s hobbies are enjoying his grandchildren and reading.

Bryan Gueltig LSU Ag Center
B.S. Education (Biology) from Miami University, Ohio. M.A.T in biology education. Taught secondary science over 20 years in Ohio, Mississippi and Louisiana. 2018 started with the pesticide safety program LSU Ag Center. Currently Pesticide Safety Education Coordinator LSU AgCenter.

John D. Byrd, Jr.
B.S. Agronomy from Clemson University M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Weed Science from N.C. State University. Extension Weed Control Specialist over 30 years at Mississippi State University. He has dealt with weed control issues in crops, residential landscapes, aquatic ecosystems, turf, timber and natural areas. His research areas focus on highway and utility rights of way, forage crops and invasive weeds. He has directed 19 graduate students and was on committees for 87 additional students.

Rodrigo Diaz
M.S. Texas A&M. PhD University of Florida. Rodrigo is an associate professor in the Entomology Department at LSU. Current projects include the biological control of giant salvinia, Roseau cane and air potato. 2020 became Associate Editor for the Journal of Aquatic Plant Management.

Ryan Duhon
B.S. Environmental Science from University of Louisiana at Lafayette. 17 years at the LADOTD in Roadside Development the last 5yrs. as the Manager.

Michael Stevens
B.S. Agriculture McNeese. 16yrs. taught secondary science. 11yrs. LA Dept. of Environmental Quality. Last 5 years LADOTD Roadside Coordinator.

Daniel Hill
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Aquatic Plant Control Program.

LDWF Biologist Manager- South Louisiana. The APC Biologist Managers serves as the statewide experts for the Aquatic Plant Program for the Office of Fisheries. This position represents the Department on all matters pertaining to this program and serves as the Department's liaison with federal, state, and local agencies concerning aquatic plants.

James Avault
B.S. Landscape Architecture Louisiana State University. ’92-‘95 Philip Moser, Landscape Firm. ’96 Obtained Landscape Architecture License. ’96-’17 Avault Associates Landscape Design/Build Firm. ’17- Present City of Baton Rouge Department of Maintenance, Landscape Architect/ Landscape Manager.

Christopher Mudge
B.S. and M.S. Agronomic Crops Louisiana State University. Ph.D. in Aquatic Weed Science University of Florida. He was on the Chemical Control Team in Vicksburg MS. Currently Adjunct Professor for LSU School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences. Current projects Include: Refining Foliar Herbicide Applications to Improve Control of Emergent Aquatic Plant Species.