Reducing pesticide use and crop loss by applying weather information from the Network for Environment and Weather Awareness (NEWA)

2007 Impact statement
  • Carroll, Juliet Evelyn

abstract

The impact of the Network for Environment & Weather Awareness (NEWA) on pest and crop management was evaluated via a survey conducted by The Survey Research Institute, Cornell University. The phone survey was completed with 682 people, including 129 NEWA users and 553 non-users, an 88 percent response rate. Twenty-four questions ascertained the impact of NEWA. NEWA users reported that they can save, on average, 19,500 dollars per year in spray costs and prevent, on average, 264,000 dollars per year in crop loss as a direct result of using NEWA pest forecast models. Those managing large acreages of high-value crops reported they can save up to half a million dollars in spray costs and prevent up to 4 million dollars in crop loss using NEWA. Temperature, precipitation and weather forecasts were the most important weather information. NEWA users primarily seek weather data. Sixty percent are using the NEWA pest forecast models. They suggested more instructions on how to use NEWA information to make it easier to access and interpret. Putting more weather stations in the network was most frequently selected for how to improve NEWA. NEWA has positive impact on reduction of pesticide use: 81 percent agreed that NEWA helps reduce the number of pesticide sprays and 92 percent agreed that NEWA improves the timing of pesticide sprays. NEWA pest forecasts enhance IPM decision-making: 96 percent agreed. Over 99 percent of NEWA users would recommend NEWA to farmers.

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issue being addressed

Weather information is crucial to managing pests and is pivotal to IPM practices. NEWA was established in 1996 to serve fruit and vegetable growers by delivering weather data from weather stations on farms to a website displaying the weather information and associated pest risk forecast outputs. Member fees were charged to offset costs until 2002 when NYS IPM assumed full responsibility for the network. Outcomes and impacts of NEWA have not been assessed since 1999. Since open access to the NEWA website in 2002, it is being visited by twice as many users (over 128,000 visits in 2007). At this time, therefore, it was imperative to survey key users of NEWA, as well as non-users, in order to quantify its impact, plan for future improvements, and justify future funding.

response

Survey questions were developed by Carroll, reviewed by Petzoldt, TenEyck and Gibbons and finalized by the Survey Research Institute into a questionnaire. Surveys were developed and designed to last approximately 5 minutes and to help assure a high level of meaningful responses. The survey aimed to determine the impact of the NYS IPM Program’s Network for Environment & Weather Awareness (NEWA) on pest and crop management of four major commodities, onions, potatoes, grapes, and apples. The survey was aimed at those who might not use or be aware of NEWA, as well as those who do use NEWA in an effort to identify reasons why they may not be using the NEWA system. An anonymously sourced database of registered NEWA users, apple, grape, onion, and potato farmers and industry personnel was developed. Surveys were conducted over the phone by trained SRI interviewers. The SRI collated the survey responses and Carroll analyzed the results.

impact assessment

NEWA has a positive impact on IPM practice for producers of high value crops, which translates into economic gains, environmental stewardship, and sustainability. Sixty percent of farmers using NEWA are using pest forecast models while over 99 percent of NEWA users would recommend NEWA to other farmers. NEWA needs pest forecast models for other crops, a better web interface, and more weather stations in the network. NEWA users reported that they can save, on average, 19,500 dollars per year in spray costs and prevent, on average, 264,000 dollars per year in crop loss as a direct result of using NEWA pest forecast models. Those managing large acreages of high-value crops reported they can save up to half a million dollars in spray costs and prevent up to 4 million dollars in crop loss using NEWA. NEWA helps reduce the number of sprays applied to control pests – 81 percent agreed with this statement (19 percent strongly). NEWA improves the timing of my spray applications – 92 percent agreed with this statement (28 percent strongly). These results show that NEWA has a positive impact on reduction of pesticide use and associated risks. NEWA pest forecasts enhance IPM decision-making – 96 percent of users agreed with this statement (32 percent strongly) and no one disagreed with this statement. When non-users were asked what would motivate them to use NEWA, 13 percent selected “improved IPM decision-making” as their top choice.

academic priority area

has geographic focus

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funding source description

  • Special Grants
  • New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets

collaborators

  • Empire State Potato Growers, Inc.
  • Suffolk County Cornell Cooperative Extension
  • Cornell Survey Research Institute
  • New York State Horticultural Society
  • Lake Erie Regional Grape Program
  • Yates County Cornell Cooperative Extension
  • Cornell Vegetable Program
  • Northeastern NY Commercial Fruit Program
  • Wyoming County Cornell Cooperative Extension
  • Finger Lakes Grape Program

key personnel

  • Curt Petzoldt
  • John Gibbons
  • Cheryl TenEyck

mission focus

From CALS annual faculty reporting. Imported on August 5, 2008