1. Core 4 Pest Management Joseph K. Bagdon USDA - NRCS
National Water and Climate Center
Core Four

2. From rootworm and borer scouting...
Core Four

3. To cultivation for weed control...
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4. To the use of hooded sprayers and certified seed…
Pest management is an integral part of overall crop management and it can be tremendously complex and diverse.
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5. Core 4 Pest Management
Integrate pest management, which includes weed, insect and disease management, with:
Conservation Tillage/Residue Management
Crop Nutrient Management
Conservation Buffers
and other Conservation Practices
Pest Management is not a stand alone practice. It MUST be part of the overall cropping system.
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6. Agroecosystems Residue Management Management Management Conservation
Nutrient
Management
Pest
Management
The core 4 practices are part of a management system for agroecosystems.
They are not intended to work independently, but rather as an integrated system.
Therefore you can not plan them independently.
If you change one component it will effect the others.
Conservation
Buffers
Core Four

7. Pest Management and Residue Management Nutrient Management
Reduces erosion and runoff
Increases organic matter and microbial activity
Nutrient Management
Optimizes growth
Conservation Buffers
Capture sediment at the edge of the field
Increase infiltration
Pest Management is not a stand alone practice. It MUST be part of the overall cropping system.
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8. NRCS Pest Management To help support Core 4:
Revising NRCS Pest Management Policy
Revising National Pest Management Standard
Developed new Pest Management Job Sheet
Pest Management is a component of a Conservation Plan
Based on our Pest Management Standard
Includes Practice Specifications
Core 4 Pest Management Training is not meant to stand alone. It serves as an introduction to the full blown NEDC Nutrient and Pest Management course which will come online later this year. Core 4 Pest Management Training can also serve as a foundation for more detailed Extension, state agency and CCA training in pest management.
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9. Pest Management Implementation
Purposes:
enhance crop quality and quantity
minimize negative impacts to identified resource concerns (SWAPA+H)
Targeting:
impaired or threatened water bodies identified through monitoring and/or modeling
EPA TMDL - SDWA implementation
EPA Pesticide Management Plan implementation
Pest Management is very different from most NRCS conservation practices. Managing pests to enhance crop quality and quantity is obviously the primary goal of pest management from the producer’s point of view, but the primary NRCS goal is to accomplish this without negatively impacting the environment. Most conservation practices focus on maximizing positive benefits, but from an NRCS standpoint, the primary goal of this practice is to minimize negative impacts to natural resources while others (the producer, Extension, CCA’s and crop consultants) focus on maximizing crop quality and quantity. Effective conservation plans, therefore, MUST be cooperatively developed with whoever is making pest management and pesticide use recommendations. IPM should be fully utilized where it’s available.
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10. Policy NRCS role in pest management
Evaluate environmental risks associated with pest management
Develop appropriate mitigation alternatives for decision-maker consideration
Encourage widespread adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs that help protect natural resources
Assist landowners with development and implementation of an acceptable Pest Management component of the overall conservation plan
Pest Management is very different from most NRCS conservation practices. Managing pests to enhance crop quality and quantity is obviously the primary goal of pest management from the producer’s point of view, but the primary NRCS goal is to accomplish this without negatively impacting the environment. Most conservation practices focus on maximizing positive benefits, but from an NRCS standpoint, the primary goal of this practice is to minimize negative impacts to natural resources while others (the producer, Extension, CCA’s and crop consultants) focus on maximizing crop quality and quantity. Effective conservation plans, therefore, MUST be cooperatively developed with whoever is making pest management and pesticide use recommendations. IPM should be fully utilized where it’s available.
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11. Policy
Certification
All persons who review or approve plans for pest management will be certified through a certification program accepted by NRCS in the state involved. A person who develops a pest management component of the overall conservation plan does not have to be certified.
Pest Management is very different from most NRCS conservation practices. Managing pests to enhance crop quality and quantity is obviously the primary goal of pest management from the producer’s point of view, but the primary NRCS goal is to accomplish this without negatively impacting the environment. Most conservation practices focus on maximizing positive benefits, but from an NRCS standpoint, the primary goal of this practice is to minimize negative impacts to natural resources while others (the producer, Extension, CCA’s and crop consultants) focus on maximizing crop quality and quantity. Effective conservation plans, therefore, MUST be cooperatively developed with whoever is making pest management and pesticide use recommendations. IPM should be fully utilized where it’s available.
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12. Plan Components plan and soil map of managed fields if applicable
location of sensitive resources and setbacks if applicable
crop sequence and rotation if applicable
identification of target pests (and IPM scheme for monitoring pest pressure when available)
Pest Management is very different from most NRCS conservation practices. Managing pests to enhance crop quality and quantity is obviously the primary goal of pest management from the producer’s point of view, but the primary NRCS goal is to accomplish this without negatively impacting the environment. Most conservation practices focus on maximizing positive benefits, but from an NRCS standpoint, the primary goal of this practice is to minimize negative impacts to natural resources while others (the producer, Extension, CCA’s and crop consultants) focus on maximizing crop quality and quantity. Effective conservation plans, therefore, MUST be cooperatively developed with whoever is making pest management and pesticide use recommendations. IPM should be fully utilized where it’s available.
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13. Plan Components
recommended* methods of pest management (biological, cultural, mechanical or chemical), including rates, product and form, timing, and method of applying pest management * Note: pesticide recommendations come from Extension and other pest control advisors, not NRCS
Pest Management is very different from most NRCS conservation practices. Managing pests to enhance crop quality and quantity is obviously the primary goal of pest management from the producer’s point of view, but the primary NRCS goal is to accomplish this without negatively impacting the environment. Most conservation practices focus on maximizing positive benefits, but from an NRCS standpoint, the primary goal of this practice is to minimize negative impacts to natural resources while others (the producer, Extension, CCA’s and crop consultants) focus on maximizing crop quality and quantity. Effective conservation plans, therefore, MUST be cooperatively developed with whoever is making pest management and pesticide use recommendations. IPM should be fully utilized where it’s available.
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14. Plan Components
results of pest management environmental assessments (SPISP, WIN-PST, NAPRA, RUSLE etc.) and a narrative describing potential impacts on non-target plants and animals, through soil, water and air resources as appropriate
operation and maintenance instructions
Pest Management is very different from most NRCS conservation practices. Managing pests to enhance crop quality and quantity is obviously the primary goal of pest management from the producer’s point of view, but the primary NRCS goal is to accomplish this without negatively impacting the environment. Most conservation practices focus on maximizing positive benefits, but from an NRCS standpoint, the primary goal of this practice is to minimize negative impacts to natural resources while others (the producer, Extension, CCA’s and crop consultants) focus on maximizing crop quality and quantity. Effective conservation plans, therefore, MUST be cooperatively developed with whoever is making pest management and pesticide use recommendations. IPM should be fully utilized where it’s available.
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15. Standard
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs that strive to balance economics, efficacy and environmental risks will be utilized where available.
If IPM programs are not available, the level of pest control must be the minimum necessary to meet the producer’s objectives for commodity quantity and quality.
Pest Management is very different from most NRCS conservation practices. Managing pests to enhance crop quality and quantity is obviously the primary goal of pest management from the producer’s point of view, but the primary NRCS goal is to accomplish this without negatively impacting the environment. Most conservation practices focus on maximizing positive benefits, but from an NRCS standpoint, the primary goal of this practice is to minimize negative impacts to natural resources while others (the producer, Extension, CCA’s and crop consultants) focus on maximizing crop quality and quantity. Effective conservation plans, therefore, MUST be cooperatively developed with whoever is making pest management and pesticide use recommendations. IPM should be fully utilized where it’s available.
Core Four

16. Standard
An appropriate set of mitigation techniques must be implemented to address the environmental risks of pest management activities in order to adequately treat identified resource concerns. Mitigation techniques include practices like filter strips and crop rotation, and management techniques like application timing and method.
Pest Management is very different from most NRCS conservation practices. Managing pests to enhance crop quality and quantity is obviously the primary goal of pest management from the producer’s point of view, but the primary NRCS goal is to accomplish this without negatively impacting the environment. Most conservation practices focus on maximizing positive benefits, but from an NRCS standpoint, the primary goal of this practice is to minimize negative impacts to natural resources while others (the producer, Extension, CCA’s and crop consultants) focus on maximizing crop quality and quantity. Effective conservation plans, therefore, MUST be cooperatively developed with whoever is making pest management and pesticide use recommendations. IPM should be fully utilized where it’s available.
Core Four

17. Standard
The requirement that the producer will maintain records of pest management for at least two years. Pesticide application records will be in accordance with USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's Pesticide Record Keeping Program and state specific requirements.
Pest Management is very different from most NRCS conservation practices. Managing pests to enhance crop quality and quantity is obviously the primary goal of pest management from the producer’s point of view, but the primary NRCS goal is to accomplish this without negatively impacting the environment. Most conservation practices focus on maximizing positive benefits, but from an NRCS standpoint, the primary goal of this practice is to minimize negative impacts to natural resources while others (the producer, Extension, CCA’s and crop consultants) focus on maximizing crop quality and quantity. Effective conservation plans, therefore, MUST be cooperatively developed with whoever is making pest management and pesticide use recommendations. IPM should be fully utilized where it’s available.
Core Four

18. Current Focus: Water Quality
Management factors that reduce the potential for pesticide movement below the rootzone and beyond the edge of the field (including management of crop, residue/tillage, water and pesticide(s)
Conservation Buffers that reduce pesticide movement beyond the edge of the field
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19. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Defined
Integrated pest management is an approach to pest control that combines biological, cultural and other alternatives to chemical control with the judicious use of pesticides. The objective of IPM is to maintain pest levels below economically damaging levels while minimizing harmful effects of pest control on human health and environmental resources.

20. Basic Concepts
A pest is any organism (plant or animal) judged by people as undesirable
Ecologically speaking, no organism is born a pest; it all depends on human perspective
Pest problems do not arise as independent or isolated events: Crops and pests are part of an agroecosystem

21. IPM Theory

22. Implementing IPM Theory
Use cultural methods, biological controls and other alternatives to pesticides to help delay resistance
Use field scouting, pest forecasting and economic thresholds to ensure that pesticides are only used for real pest problems
Match pesticides with site characteristics to minimize off-site environmental risks

23. Cultural Controls Crop rotation
Tillage operations that turn the soil and bury crop debris
Altering planting and harvest dates
Altering seeding rates/crop spacing
Seedbed preparation, fertilizer application and irrigation schedules that help plants outgrow pests

24. Cultural Controls
Sanitation practices such as cleaning tillage and harvesting equipment
Certified seed that is free of pathogens and weed seed
Cover crops
Trap crops
Pest resistant varieties

25. Biological Controls
Predators - free-living animals that eat other animals (insects)
Parasitoids - insect parasites of other insects
Pathogens - disease causing microorganisms

26. IPM Today

27. “Take Home” IPM Principles
There is no silver bullet.
Tolerate, don’t eradicate.
Treat the causes of pest outbreaks, not the symptoms.
If you kill the natural enemies, you inherit their job.
Pesticides are not a substitute for good farming.
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28. Pesticides in the Environment
Over 1.2 billion pounds of pesticide active ingredients are used annually in the USA
The Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is the primary legislation regulating pesticides in the USA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for the administration of FIFRA
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29. Pesticides in the Environment
FIFRA was amended by the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA)
EPA must now:
consider all non-occupational exposure pathways when establishing tolerances (drinking water exposure + exposure to pesticide residues in food)
screen pesticides for endocrine disruption
consider cumulative risks of pesticides that have common mechanisms of toxicity
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30. Pesticides in the Environment
Under FQPA EPA must also:
consider risks to infants and children when setting tolerances
expedite approval of "reduced risk" pesticides
report annually to Congress on progress of the pesticide re-registration program
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31. Pesticide Risk Assessment
Consider the potential for exposure to the pesticide
Consider the toxicological hazard posed by the pesticide
Characterize risk by combining pesticide exposure and toxicity
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32. Point Source Pesticide Exposure
Mixing/loading
Accidental spills
Container disposal
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33. Non-Point Source Pesticide Exposure
Field Leaching
Field Runoff
Field Erosion
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34. Environmental Risks of Pest Management
Chemical control
Risk of pesticides leaving the Agricultural Management Zone (AMZ) in soil, water and air, and negatively impacting non-target plants, animals and humans
[AMZ is bounded by the top of the crop canopy, the bottom of the rootzone, and the edge of the field]
Risk of harming beneficial organisms
Risk to personal safety (Worker Protection)
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35. Pesticides may degrade and/or move away from the point of application.
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36. Pesticide environmental fate is determined by many factors.
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37. Pesticide Environmental Fate
Pesticide Persistence and Mobility in Soil
Soil properties
Hydraulic loading on the soil
Crop management practices
Pesticide properties
Pesticide management factors
application methods
timing
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38. Pesticide Environmental Fate Properties and NRCS Soil/Pesticide Interaction Screening Procedure (SPISP) Pesticide Ratings

39. Sensitivity of Ground and Surface Water
Sensitivity refers to intrinsic physical and biological characteristics of a particular site that make it more or less susceptible to ground or surface water contamination
Sensitivity parameters include:
climate
soil characteristics (texture, depth,OM, slope)
distance to water bodies
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40. Vulnerability of Ground and Surface Water
Vulnerability refers to extrinsic management factors that could make a sensitive site more or less susceptible to ground or surface water contamination
Vulnerability parameters include:
pest management practices (including pesticide use practices)
cropping, tillage and irrigation practices
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41. Scales of Pesticide Environmental Risk Analysis
National assessments can be used to identify potential problem areas and set national workload priorities
Watershed level analysis can identify an effective set of management solutions
Field level analysis can be used to apportion management solutions site-specifically
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42. This map illustrates relative pesticide leaching risk workload on a national basis. Threshold Exceedence Units are based on risk acres per watershed, so larger watersheds with higher risk ratings have the most TEU’s. (For more information contact Robert Kellogg at NHQ)
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43. This map illustrates relative pesticide runoff risk workload on a national basis. Threshold Exceedence Units are based on risk acres per watershed, so larger watersheds with higher risk ratings have the most TEU’s. (For more information contact Robert Kellogg at NHQ)
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44. Field Office Tools:
Screening tools are available to help address identified water resource concerns in targeted areas
The Windows Pesticide Screening Tool (WIN-PST) evaluates the potential for off-site pesticide movement in water, and its relative potential to chronically impact humans and sensitive fish species (Risk = Exposure x Toxicity)
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45. WIN-PST Evaluates three pesticide loss pathways:
Leaching below the rootzone
Solution runoff beyond the edge of the field
Adsorbed runoff beyond the edge of the field
Includes considerations for:
Climate and Irrigation
Soil properties (and macropores)
Field-specific organic matter and topsoil depth
Apparent high water table
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46. WIN-PST Includes considerations for:
Crop residue management
Pesticide application methods
broadcast, banded, foliar, soil incorporated
Application Rates
standard, low, ultra low
Results designed to guide the site-specific choice of appropriate mitigation strategies for all recommended pesticide uses
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50. Solution Runoff: Human Risk
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52. Pesticide Trapping with Conservation Buffers
Pesticides vary in how tightly they are adsorbed to soil particles
Higher pesticide Koc values (> 1000) indicate strong adsorption to soil
Eroded soil carries the majority of this kind of pesticide leaving fields in runoff
Conservation buffers that are effective in trapping sediment will trap these pesticides
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53. Pesticide Trapping with Conservation Buffers
Pesticides with lower Koc values (< 300) tend to move more in water than adsorbed to sediment
To be effective in trapping this type of pesticide, buffers need to increase water infiltration or maximize contact of runoff with vegetation that may adsorb pesticide
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54. Other Environmental Risks of Pest Control
Biological control:
Risk of introducing species without any natural predators
Risk of organism resistance to other forms of pest control
Risk of wide swings in pest population with poorly matched predator life cycles
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55. Other Environmental Risks of Pest Control
Cultural control:
Risk of fugitive dust with tillage used to control pests
Risk of air emissions with equipment operation
Risk of increased runoff and erosion with tillage
Risk of crop damage and beneficial organism disruption with mechanical control devices
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56. In Summary, We Want To:
Integrate environmental risk into the pest management decision-making process
Apply appropriate mitigation strategies on a site-specific basis: Conservation Buffers
Consider pest management interrelationships with climate, and soil, water, nutrient and residue management, in order to minimize negative impacts to non-target plants, animals and humans
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