Through on-farm education field crop producers learn and adopt IPM and ICM practices that help make them more profitable while protecting the environment and human health.

Field crop production in NYS have many pest related issues and management challenges. Field crops comprise about 85% of agricultural crops grown and harvested in New York State. It is important that field crop producers learn to protect the environment, optimize net profitability, and reduce health risks relative to using IPM.

On-farm IPM education in small learning groups has been shown to increase participation and rates of adoption with the target audiences. The NYS IPM Field Crops and Livestock Team has developed an extension program where small groups of field crop producers meet at each others farms on a regular basis over the course of a growing season. When you meet with producers on a regular basis in a training program they will retain more knowledge and are willing to use the IPM practices that are being taught. The original program is called Tactical Agriculture (TAg) which is an experiential, hands-on integrated pest and crop management educational program for field crop producers, and other agribusiness personnel in field corn and alfalfa. Active in New York State since 1990, the TAg program teaches producers to better manage field crops, protect the environment, optimize net profitability, and reduce health risks. More recently we have used the TAg structure to start new programs like the Wheat TAg, Soybean TAg, Advanced TAg and Organic Grains and Forage TAg.

In Eastern NYS we conducted on-farm education in Lewis, Oneida, and Essex Counties. Traditional TAg was implemented in Lewis County with a team of 7 field crop producers and consultants. Collectively, this year's producers indicated in and exit survey they utilized their IPM and ICM training on the approximately 1050 acres of corn, alfalfa, and other field crops. We implemented a new program called, "Soybean TAg" in Oneida County. The NYS IPM Field Crop Team prepared lesson plans and curriculum to enhance the field meetings. In Oneida County a test of current knowledge was administered prior to the program, and producers answered on average fewer than half of the questions correctly. At the completion of the program, producers answered close to 85% of the same questions correctly. Results from evaluation materials indicate that IPM will be implemented on 1000 acres of soybeans managed by TAg participants. In cooperation with Anita Deming in Essex County we started an organic IPM grain and forage educational program this last year. We met with 4 organic producers of soybeans, winter and spring wheat, alfalfa and grass hay. At the completion of the program we conducted a survey and determined that the organic producers were going to implement organic IPM practices on close to 1500 acres. We are planning to expand the Organic TAg program to other counties in Eastern NYS in 2006.

Integrated Pest Management

• State or Municipal (e.g., NYSDAM)
• -New York State Integrated Pest Management Program -New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets -Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences -NE Soybean Board

• Keith Waldron
• Jeff Miller
• Anita Deming
• Jen Beckman
• Julie Stavisky