Agricultural Integrated Pest ManagementPlan of Work

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Hardin County CES

Title:
Agricultural Integrated Pest Management
MAP:
Best Management Practices and Education for Safe Food, Farms & Families
Agents Involved:
Adams, Shepherd, Aldenderfer
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Integrated Pest Management
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Pest ID
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Plant Disease ID
Situation:

Chemical application at its best is simultaneously safe, effective, economical, and environmentally-conscious. Achieving each of these attributes for plant pest management is an ongoing educational process for a variety of applicator groups, including farm managers and workers, gardeners, crop advisors, point-of-sale employees, and industry and government agency representatives. This process will include educational sessions, hands-on demonstrations, test plots, coordinated recommendations, and site-specific farm visits by various extension personnel. In addition to timely and relevant updates on new chemicals, focus areas are chemical safety, efficacious usage, and integration of diversified approaches alongside chemicals. Attention to these foci will benefit not only applicators, but anyone who comes in contact with agricultural fields or uses Kentucky food, fuel, and fiber crops as part of everyday life. Those directly involved in food production understand that fertilizers, chemicals and pesticides are a necessary part of sustainable agriculture. However, agriculture also cannot turn a blind eye to the possible environmental implications these products can pose if used incorrectly. Because of this, members of the Hardin County Extension Council, the Hardin County Grain Committee, and Hardin County Cattlemen's Association Board recognize and encourage Extension's need to continue Integrated Resource Management based training for all aspects of livestock, crop and horticulture production in Hardin County.  Also allows County and City administrators to meet state MS-4 Standards/Requirements.

Long-Term Outcomes:
-Maximize profits for commercial ag producers
-Minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area
-Reduction of drift related complaints and damage
-Reduction in rate of pesticide resistance development in pests, weeds, pathogens
-Improve sustainability of crop production systems
-Reduction of crop injury due to pesticide applications (rate, compatibility, application conditions)
Intermediate Outcomes:
-Successfully complete PAT and training workers in worker protection standards (WPS)
-Use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease, weeds so that producers may specifically control target pests.
-Use diagnostic, agent, specialist recommendations
-Compare chemical options based on time, availability, cost, companion tactics
-Design effective spray schedules for plant pest management
-Evaluate chemical storage, handling, and disposal
-Adopt one or more storage,handling, disposal recommendations
-Adopt recommended application techniques
-Calibrate sprayer, select appropriate nozzles and pressure, test spray water
-Record chemical use, frequency, timing, tank mixes
-Select materials based on REI, PHI, residues
-Communicate with owners/users of pesticide-sensitive areas (beeyards, sensitive crops, etc.). Producers become more aware of surroundings when making applications.
Initial Outcomes:
-Demonstrate proper use of sprayers and equipment related to application (calibration, nozzle selection, boom height, etc.)
-Identify active ingredients in chemical products and relate to modes of action
-Read and comprehend directions for applying chemicals (timing, application conditions)
-Observe proper chemical handling, storage, and cleanup in home, farm, or business
-Chemical selection, mixing, compatibility, adjuvants
-Understanding drift mitigation methods
-Understanding IPM (triggers to spray, thresholds, etc.)
-Identify pesticide-sensitive areas around fields
-Increase understanding of homeowner/gardener pest management tactics
Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Identify active ingredients in chemical products and relate to modes of action

Indicator: Reduction in spread of, and increasing control of herbicide resistant weeds in Hardin County

Method: Visual observation from farmers, retailers and crop consultants.

Timeline: On-going


Intermediate Outcome: Successfully complete PAT and training workers in Worker Protection Standards

Indicator: Increase in the number of Certified Private Applicators in Hardin County

Method: Number of PAT cards issued.

Timeline: On-going


Long-term Outcome: Reduction in rate of pesticide resistance development in livestock and plant pests, weeds, pathogens

Indicator: Less spread and development of pesticide resistant weeds, pests, and pathogens on farms in Hardin County

Method: Visual observation, Pest survey data

Timeline: On-going

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmers, Ag Retailers, Crop Consultants

Project or Activity: Field Days

Content or Curriculum: Resistant weeds and pests, new pesticide/chemical technology, IPM strategies

Inputs: UK Research, UK and Industry Specialists, Agents, Farmers

Date: Summer 2021, 2022, 2023


Audience: Farmers, Ag Retailers, Crop Consultants

Project or Activity: Early Bird Grain Meeting and UK Beef Bash

Content or Curriculum: UK Research, Recommendations, Current Events/Technology

Inputs: UK Research, UK Specialists

Date: Winter/Fall 2021, 2022, 2023


Audience: Farmers, Gardeners, Homeowners, Extension Master Gardeners

Project or Activity: Private Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT)

Content or Curriculum: UK PAT Program/Videos

Inputs: UK Research, Specialists, PAT Videos

Date: Winter/Spring 2021, 2022, 2023

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