Issues and Challenges in Implementing Stored Grain Integrated (Insect) Pest Management Programs in the US Bhadriraju Subramanyam (Subi) Department of Grain Science and Industry Kansas State University Manhattan, KS Presented at the 9 th International Working Conference on Stored-Product Protection, October 2006, Campinas, Brazil

Farm storage Flour mill Farm storage Flour mill Country Elevator Livestock Terminal Elevator Export Consumer Grain (Wheat) Flow Patterns

IPM tools Bin/silo sanitationBin/silo sanitation Residual products for empty structuresResidual products for empty structures Grain sanitationGrain sanitation Use of grain spreaders, leveling, coringUse of grain spreaders, leveling, coring Application of a protectantApplication of a protectant Temperature monitoringTemperature monitoring Grain turningGrain turning Exclusion practicesExclusion practices Biological controlBiological control FumigationFumigation Many of the tactics are underutilized by producers (farmers) and commercial grain managersMany of the tactics are underutilized by producers (farmers) and commercial grain managers

The true meaning of IPM Use of multiple tactics that are compatibleUse of multiple tactics that are compatible Use of sampling information for decision-making (treat or fail to treat)Use of sampling information for decision-making (treat or fail to treat) Use of insecticides as a last resortUse of insecticides as a last resort Evaluation of costs and benefits of tactics usedEvaluation of costs and benefits of tactics used

Management of insects in stored grain on the farm and in the marketing system is with insecticides (protectants and fumigants)

Pesticide Use on Wheat – USDA- National Ag. Statistics Service Survey states surveyed; 1956 reports; 82% of US production in the marketing system

USDA-NASS Survey 1997 Crop Did not include on-farm usageDid not include on-farm usage 3.6 billion bushels of wheat handled in the 14 states surveyed3.6 billion bushels of wheat handled in the 14 states surveyed 14.21% of wheat treated with insecticides14.21% of wheat treated with insecticides 175,300 lb of insecticides applied175,300 lb of insecticides applied

USDA-NASS Survey Aluminum phosphide (Phosphine) 11.56%Aluminum phosphide (Phosphine) 11.56% Chlorpyrifos-methyl (Reldan) 1.35%Chlorpyrifos-methyl (Reldan) 1.35% Lindane (seed treatments) 0.02%Lindane (seed treatments) 0.02% Malathion 1.47%Malathion 1.47% Methyl bromide 0.35%Methyl bromide 0.35% Diatomaceous earth 0.22%Diatomaceous earth 0.22%

Pesticide Residues in Wheat USDA’s Pesticide Data ProgramUSDA’s Pesticide Data Program Started 1991Started 1991 –Respond to food safety and marketing concerns –Protect public health –Provide data to the EPA to assess dietary risks posed by pesticides

USDA’s PDP Data, samples were analyzed for residues

309 out of 340 samples (91%) had pesticide residues USDA’s PDP Data, 1996

USDA’s PDP Data, out of 623 samples (80%) had pesticide residues

Conflicts between surveys NASS survey shows only 15% of grain was treatedNASS survey shows only 15% of grain was treated PDP surveys show 80-91% of the grain had detectable residuesPDP surveys show 80-91% of the grain had detectable residues 1) A substantial amount of farm-stored grain1) A substantial amount of farm-stored grain was treated was treated 2) A high degree of blending occurred during marketing and detectable residues were transferred to all of the bulk2) A high degree of blending occurred during marketing and detectable residues were transferred to all of the bulk

Possible reasons why we do not have viable IPM programs

Hard and agonizing facts Fewer institutions involved in stored grain researchFewer institutions involved in stored grain research –Purdue, Oklahoma State University, Kansas State University, USDA, Grain Marketing & Production Research Center –Entomologists, Ag. Engineers, Mycologists, Ag. Economists Fewer people involved in stored grain extensionFewer people involved in stored grain extension –Direct link to end users is missing, unless you are working on a research project –Decreased extension funding over the years

Research projects have a narrow focus Research on insect management is limited to a single optionResearch on insect management is limited to a single option Most research “ideas” are funding driven, and not necessarily identified by the “end-users”Most research “ideas” are funding driven, and not necessarily identified by the “end-users” Emphasis on publications rather than on altering bad practices followed by grain managersEmphasis on publications rather than on altering bad practices followed by grain managers Research is not implemented as “end-user managed trials” (no stakeholder input)Research is not implemented as “end-user managed trials” (no stakeholder input) Some integrated projects (combining 2 tactics)Some integrated projects (combining 2 tactics) Some success stories to reduce number of fumigations- but still reliance is on insecticidesSome success stories to reduce number of fumigations- but still reliance is on insecticides –Oklahoma State University –Areawide project

Technology transfer Our pest profile has not changed in more than 30 yearsOur pest profile has not changed in more than 30 years Lack of an effective infrastructure to impart stored grain IPM principles and practices to end usersLack of an effective infrastructure to impart stored grain IPM principles and practices to end users Information provided on individual rather than on a combination of tacticsInformation provided on individual rather than on a combination of tactics Little understanding of what it takes to change behavior of grain managers to adopt proper pest management practicesLittle understanding of what it takes to change behavior of grain managers to adopt proper pest management practices –Level of education versus adoption –Is it cost or is it lack of commitment to change?

Some possible solutions 1) Are research questions identified by producers, elevator managers, or the grain industry?1) Are research questions identified by producers, elevator managers, or the grain industry? –Focus groups (12-15 individuals) –Conduct relevant research based on needs 2) Do we need more research or just become better at using existing knowledge?2) Do we need more research or just become better at using existing knowledge? –End-user managed trials –Educational sessions –Follow-up surveys to determine if suggested best management practices were implemented

The new face of IPM Driven by multinational corporationsDriven by multinational corporations Specific set of IPM practices shall be implementedSpecific set of IPM practices shall be implemented IPM may be driven by preferences of consumers (organic products)IPM may be driven by preferences of consumers (organic products) –We have not even addressed needs of organic grain managers-a real challenge!