MN Fruit & Vegetable IPM News - Vol. 2, No. 2

This past spring, we have experienced one of the warmest weather systems in recent history. For southern Minnesota, you would have to go back to 1920’s to find a warmer April. Now, however, we appear to be back to normal (wind chills at 32F for southern MN). Regardless of the weather this year, it is never to late to plan or think about planning for the upcoming season and what you will do to monitor and manage insect, disease and weed pests. As many of you know, I am a firm believer in the benefits of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and also believe that IPM can be viewed as an excellent risk management tool. Within the realm of Agricultural Risk Management, IPM primarily assists growers in reducing their Production Risk; consequently, IPM should be a KEY part of your annual planning.

To help you accelerate your use of IPM tips and tricks (also known as tactics and strategies), I thought that a brief review of some key concepts, including the advantages of IPM Planning, might be helpful. As I am writing to a broad audience, with a variety of experience, I realize that some of the following is already obvious. However, I have elected to include some basic IPM and business concepts in one article in an attempt to provide cohesion and improved understanding of the need for IPM within the context of annual planning, review and risk management. One caveat for organic or organic-certified growers: although some specific tactics and time-frames will differ, many of the following principles should also be applicable.

IPM Basics and Planning Review:

IPM is both a concept and practice. For growers and crop consultants, transitioning from theoretical benefits of IPM to actual practice in the field can be a challenge, especially for high-value (high-risk) crops. Many definitions of IPM have been offered. Over the years and most recently within USDA, the following definition has been developed to reflect the key elements of the IPM concept: “IPM is the use of complementary control tactics (e.g., crop rotation, resistant varieties) to manage pests within a sustainable production system that minimizes economic, environmental and health risks.” Insecticides or other chemical controls should only be used when necessary, based on pest monitoring information and potential economic impact. By definition, to use complementary multiple pest control tactics requires planning ahead.

A few years ago at the Upper Midwest Fruit and Vegetable Conference, I put together a checklist of IPM activities that growers should keep in mind, and review throughout the year. As you will see, many of these activities can occur during the winter months, and by reviewing the previous year’s activity. However, regardless of the time of year, you can benefit from keeping these principles in mind. Key activities related to IPM include:

Profit Check: this is not always initially mentioned in many IPM texts, but it is a good place to start, and typically helps get your adrenalin flowing (positive or negative). Beginning with the question: what was my net revenue after all costs are accounted for? …helps you focus on the need for planning, and provides a clear reason for spending the time to review each of the following details. A good place to start is last year’s tax return, followed by your detailed records of input costs and income, and new ideas about marketing your product.
Take time to Write it down:it is difficult to gain a better understanding of what is working well and what is not, if you are not taking notes, recording yields and quality, costs, and other outcomes of your IPM and farming programs. This tip, provide by Brian Flood, Del Monte Corp., always seems obvious. However, it is a key step. If you feel you are not currently taking good records, find a system (computer spreadsheet, note-pad, whatever works for you), and start using it. Keep in mind you need to “write it down” in a way that makes sense. Stashing a stack of field records in your truck’s glovebox, will not automatically help you with the New-year plan. If notes are not dated, or too convoluted or cumbersome to read, it will be difficult to muster the necessary fortitude to plan. The older we get, the less reliance we can place on long (or short) term memory.
Procrastinator?: know yourself. Based on my personal experience (working with others of course), if you fall into this category, plan to do everything on this list sooner than you think it should be done. If you have time to get around to it, you might consider reading a good book on procrastination.
Take time to Review: If you keep profits in mind, and you have some written records to review, you will now be ready to review what you wrote down. It is critical to ask the following: What worked? What didn’t work and why? Make use of your extension and industry contacts to help solve past pest problems. Get a 2^nd opinion. Review crop performance (quality and yield), marketing connections, new ideas for marketing, and all aspects of your operation, especially as they impact pest management performance.
Whole-farm Perspective: think about your farm from a whole-farm, or systems approach, and all the variables (agricultural or otherwise) that affect your current and projected profits. Marketing opportunities (or concerns) should be a #1 rationale for what and how much to plant. However, you must also keep in mind the need (and space) for ample Crop Rotations, for effective management of soil-borne plant pathogens, and to some extent weed and insect management. Other examples of questions to consider, from a whole-farm perspective, include: should I own or rent land, should I consider renting more land, and the economic implications of each scenario. As I was just reminded April 15^th, this aspect of long-term planning should include your tax accountant.
Variety Check: planning for each new season should begin with a review of your crop varieties. Despite what dealers may say, how well did they yield on your farm, under your soil types, etc.? As part of this process, and if you are not already doing so, consider conducting small variety tests on your farm.
Environmental Check: as most of you are in this business for the long-term, this planning reminder would not be complete about discussing the environment within and near your farm. I do not have the space here to fully discuss all aspects of maintaining the environmental integrity of your farm. Clearly, much has been written, and I know that from talking with many of you, that environmental goals are a key part of your operation. Check with your county extension office to review what Conservation Reserve programs might apply to your area. Again, IPM, when used properly, is also compatible with environmental as well as economic goals. I will discuss this more in the future as well.

Final Note: Given the uncertainties of agricultural production, the goal of planning is not necessarily a final, perfect plan. As noted by one of our former Presidents, it's the process.

"In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indespensible." (Dwight Eisenhower)

I realize this is a very brief overview, but is intended to encourage you to continue to refine your operation as it relates to IPM. During 2005, I will periodically provide some additional views on the value and risks of IPM within the context of high-value fruit and vegetable crop production. To increase the odds that these esays will be useful to your operation, feel free to send me your comments/questions, at: hutch002@umn.edu

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Co-Editors: Bill Hutchison ( hutch002@umn.edu), Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, Jeanne Ciborowski, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Ag. Resources Management and Development Division, and Suzanne Wold-Burkness ( woldx018@umn.edu), Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota

The Newsletter is published weekly from May through August, cooperatively, by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the University of Minnesota (U of MN). Reports are posted on the U of MN and MDA web sites on Fridays. If you have suggestions and/or comments, please send your contributions by 4 p.m., Wednesday to Jeanne Ciborowski, 651-297-3217, jeanne.ciborowski@state.mn.us , MDA, 90 W. Plato Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55107-2094. You can access the Newsletter at the U of MN web site in htm format at: www.vegedge.umn.edu/MNFruit&VegNews/mnindex.htm and at the MDA web site in pdf format at: www.mda.state.mn.us/biocon/fruitreports/

Partial funding for this publication is provided through partnership agreements with the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (MFVGA) and the United States Department of Agriculture – Risk Management Agency (RMA). These institutions are equal opportunity providers.

DISCLAIMER

Reference to products in this publication is not intended to be an endorsement to the exclusion of others which may have similar uses. Any person using products listed in this publication assumes full responsibility for their use in accordance with current manufacturer directions.

The University, including the Minnesota Extension Service, is an equal opportunity educator and employer. ©1999-2005 Minnesota Extension Service, University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Contact copyright@extension.umn.edu for information on reproduction or use of this material.