A season-long on-farm soybean IPM education program played a key role in communicating with farmers about the potential arrival of Asian soybean rust, its identification and management, and the surge in awareness of other foliar diseases. Since 2005, three soybean diseases never before detected in NY have been observed (frog eye spot, sudden death syndrome and brown stem rot). Concern about soybean rust motivated TAg farmers to scout soybean fields, thus they became aware of soybean diseases and other pests never before noticed.\n\nA test of knowledge of soybean pest and agronomic concepts was given at the beginning and the end of the program. From 2005 to 2007, average scores were at least 20 points higher at the end of the season. As a result of TAg programs from 2005 to 2007, 71 participants from 58 farms in NY will implement or will try to implement IPM on at least 85% of the 13,330 acres of soybeans that they manage. They will scout for soybean aphids and foliar diseases, and will use economic thresholds to make IPM decisions. Farmers will now base decisions regarding insecticides for soybean aphid on scouting observations rather than on what their neighbors are doing.\n\nImproved management of pests through combinations of tactics has helped mitigate the risks to soybean production in NY. Discussions and camaraderie during on-farm TAg Team meetings led to the development of strengthened neighbor relationships and the building of trust among farmers and extension educators.
impact statement issue
For many dairy and cash grain crop farmers, soybeans fit well with crop rotations, provide a useful homegrown source of livestock feed, and offer a valuable cash crop option. In New York State, soybean acreage has increased nearly 10-fold since 1986. In 2007, 203,000 acres of soybeans were predicted to be harvested in NY, the largest acreage on record. The trend in expansion is expected to continue as local markets are enhanced by availability of commercial roasters and oil processing plants, favorable yield potential and commodity prices, and a continued increase in interest in soy biodiesel. As soybean acreage has increased, so have producer questions regarding crop protection.\n\nSoybean pest concerns have been minimal in NY, generally restricted to weeds, and minor insect, disease and vertebrate pests. Two recently introduced invasive species, soybean aphid and Asian soybean rust, have heightened grower interest in soybean IPM. While unfortunate for their potential impacts on soybean production and profitability, concern over managing these pests provides an opportunity for educating farmers about IPM implementation. With the risk of two new invasive pests, numerous other occasionally severe pests, as well as ongoing weed management challenges, it is crucial to implement an educational delivery method that Cooperative Extension and other personnel can easily use in IPM outreach.
impact statement response
An IPM education program was initiated in 2005 to teach sound pest management decision-making and to improve soybean profitability while protecting the environment. The model for the program was the Tactical Agriculture, or TAg Team Program. The TAg team program is a season-long, on-farm, IPM and ICM (Integrated Crop Management) educational program for field crop producers, originally designed for use in field corn and alfalfa. The program is a flexible way to meet the unique local needs of a small group of farmers over the duration of a growing season. \nWe identified IPM and ICM needs, and we developed a soybean educational curriculum based on the identified key topics. Teaching resources were designed for use at field meetings, including in-field teaching modules, scouting forms, and pest identification cards. Additional resources were available from other soybean producing areas.\n\nFrom 2005 to 2007, 11 soybean TAg teams were implemented in 8 counties in NY. Soybean TAg meetings took place approximately once a month to enable direct observation of disease, insect, and weed pest outbreaks as they occurred. Discussions assisted participants with making economically and environmentally viable management decisions, and encouraged farmers' interest in pest identification and knowledge of management options. TAg participants brought their own experience and expertise, which enriched discussion and contributed to the group's overall learning process.
impact statement summary
On-farm IPM (integrated pest management) education programs were initiated with soybean farmers to teach sound pest management decision-making and to improve farm profitability while protecting the environment. Extension efforts of the Livestock and Field Crops Team of the NYS IPM Program focus on the use of on-farm education in small learning groups. These groups, called Tactical Agriculture, or TAg, Teams, met at local soybean farms on a regular basis over the course of a growing season from 2005 to 2007. On-farm locations of TAg meetings enabled direct observation of disease, insect, and weed pest outbreaks, assisted farmer participants with making economically and environmentally viable management decisions, and encouraged farmers' interest in pest identification and discussion of management options. As a result of their participation in soybean TAg teams from 2005 to 2007, 71 participants from 58 farms in 8 counties in New York State will implement or will try to implement IPM on at least 85% of the 13,330 acres of soybeans that they manage.
