When will integrated pest management strategies be adopted? Example of the development and implementation of integrated pest management strategies in cropping systems in Victoria
Paul A. Horne A C , Jessica Page A and Cam Nicholson BA IPM Technologies, PO Box 560, Hurstbridge, Vic. 3099, Australia.
B Nicon Rural Services, 32 Stevens Street, Queenscliff, Vic. 3225, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: ipmtechnologies@bigpond.com
Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48(12) 1601-1607 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA08072
Submitted: 12 February 2008 Accepted: 21 July 2008 Published: 6 November 2008
Abstract
This paper discusses the development and implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for broadacre cropping in Victoria, Australia, with reference to other crops and also the levels of adoption of IPM in Australia and overseas. Levels and rates of adoption are mostly low but with some exceptions. The reasons for differing levels of adoption include the failure of strategies to successfully deal with all pests, the lack of motivation to change to using IPM given current successful pesticide-based controls, and the poor availability of IPM advisors in the field. This paper outlines how IPM strategies for wheat, barley and canola crops were developed and implemented using a collaborative approach between farmers, agronomists and entomologists. It was found that although there were no existing specific IPM strategies for the crops grown in the region of south-eastern Australia, there was sufficient information for farmers to start using an IPM approach. This paper gives a case study of implementing change to IPM from conventional pesticide spraying, including the development of a course in IPM for growers and agronomists. It focuses on the process of changing practices and information transfer rather than on entomological details.
Acknowledgements
We acknowledge the support for IPM provided by Grains Research and Development Corporation for funding of projects IPM00001 and IPM00002. This initial support was developed further by Southern Farming Systems (with particular involvement from former CEO, Col Hacking) and the Grain and Graze program, which allowed rapid extension of on-farm trials and extension support. The commercial demonstrations of IPM in cropping were totally dependant on the individual farmers who agreed to trials on their farms, and in particular Rowan Peel who was the very first. Without the support of Peter O’Loughlin and Agvise, the rapid involvement of farmers that we worked with would have been impossible and the collaboration of David Watson of AgVise and Steve Dickson (now at Crop Plus) was essential. The development of an IPM course for farmers and agronomists was made possible by the involvement of Rural Industries Skills Training in Hamilton, Victoria. For the implementation of IPM in a commercial, rather than research, environment we acknowledge the tireless efforts of Neil Hives. Finally, we would like to thank Drs Chris Anderson and Paul Umina for their support with the preparation of this paper, and Anna Cutler and Janet Horne for comments on the final manuscript.
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