New York`s vegetable farmers are able to make sound IPM based pest management decisions, thus reducing pesticides, increasing profits and sustaining a safe and plentify food supply.

Commercial vegetable producers, both conventional and organic, face many pressures to remain competitive within the industry. The market demands high quality at a low price while expecting all the food safety issues to be satisfied. Vegetable producers want IPM information on pest and production practices that will aid them in making better management decisions. This information will accomplish their needs to reduce pesticides, increase profitability and satisfy food safety and environmental marketplace demands.

Multiple techniques have been employed to bring the commercial vegetable growers of NY the IPM information they need and are looking for. During the summer, twi-light educational meetings are held every month during the growing season in counties throughout eastern NY. Topic for the twi-light meetings are chosen by grower advisory groups. At these meetings, small trials are highlighted, Cornell facility are invited out to talk about their research, and growers share their success in various production techniques.
The Pest Status Report (PSR), a weekly email newsletter is sent out to over 200 vegetable growers throughout NY. A Monthly "Vegetable IPM Newsletter" is also produced going to most of the eastern NY counties.
Various field trials and demonstrations are carried out throughout Eastern NY. Various IPM technique demonstrations were done in Albany, Fulton, Montgomery, Herkimer, Washington, Clinton, Columbia, Ulster and Orange counties.

As a result of the newsletter, trials and demonstrations growers are better able to make sound management decisions based on proven research. They are reducing pesticides, increasing production/profits while doing so in a sustainable, safe way to the environment.
The highlight of 2005 was a large potato trial. Potato varieties were evaluated in the field for leafhopper resistance. After harvest, the varieties were then evaluated for cooking characteristics. The potato culinary evaluations were carried out by Schenectady County Community College (SCCC) Culinary Arts students. As a result of this trial, growers will be better able to market potatoes and increase profitability. Over 1000 acres of potatoes are affected by this work. The pumpkin variety trial held in Dutchess and Herkimer counties helped grower chose varieties that will be more insect and disease resistant. Over 2000 acres of pumpkin production are affected. Sweet corn growers use IPM information to time or reduce pesticide sprays on their crops. 2000 acres of sweet corn are affected. Tomato producers are able to increase production, with higher quality on less acreage, using fewer pesticides. Over 200 acres of tomato production are affected. The newsletter information that is sent out reaches 500+ commercial vegetable growers giving them timely information that will enable them to reduce pesticides, increase productivity through reduce loss and increase quality.
With attendance of 800 commercial vegetable producers at the 26 various meetings held throughout 2005, the IPM program in Eastern NY is reaching it intended audience.

Ruth Hazzard (UMass Cooperative Extenion)