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Weed & Pest Management
(IPM) Facts
What is it?
It's a comprehensive approach to fine tuning
on-farm management of harmful weeds and pests. Today we have improved
methods for control of weeds, insects and diseases. Management
strategies that allow for better control, with minimum risk to the
environment. Resistant plants, cultural controls, soil amendments,
beneficial insects, natural enemies, barriers, physical treatments,
behavioral disruptants, biological and conventional pesticides are
some of these management strategies.
Increases Profits
Inputs such as mechanical cultivation, pesticides,
fertilizers and tillage trips cost money. By using best management
practices to apply these inputs when they are actually needed, growers
can reduce costs. Weed and pest management can help match the best
method of control with the optimum time to maximize benefits of the
control. Thus, weed and pest management can improve the bottom line
for growers.
Reduces Risks
Weed and pest management results in fewer herbicide and
any other applications, at reduced rates, using the safest and most
effective formulations. This minimizes risk associated with the
application including accidents, drift, and any potential toxic
effects on non-target species. Scouting helps avoid unexpected pest
outbreaks, which can cause heavy losses if not caught and treated.
Protects the Environment
By using mechanical cultivation, pesticides,
fertilizers and tillage only when necessary, growers protect the
environment, by reducing sediment, and polluted runoff from entering
our lakes, streams and rivers. Utilizing scouting and selecting the
appropriate control for the weed or pest identified, supports the
biological integrity of all life on earth.
Management Tips
- Soil Management – improves organic
matter of the soil
- Cultural Practices – improves soil
tilth
- Planting – ideal timing
- Pest Trapping – track infestations
- Monitoring – scouting to determine
threshold level
- Forecasting – weather information
for spraying
- Biological Controls – inhibit pest
populations
- Thresholds – level of pest that
causes economic loss
- Chemical Controls – most
effective, appropriate product
- Record Keeping – for future
management decisions
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