Accurate, real-world data are critical to evaluating the success and economic outcomes of integrated pest management (IPM). Without benchmarks, industries cannot track their progress.

The Crop Pest Losses Impact Assessment Signature Program of the Western IPM Center supports the development of data on costs and impacts of pest insects, weeds and plant pathogens and their management in western crops.

Funding. This program is funded as a Signature Program of the Western IPM Center. Our activities are leveraged by resources from the Arizona Pest Management Center and USDA-NIFA Crop Protection and Pest Management, Extension Implementation Program.  

We work directly with licensed pest control advisors and crop consultants who serve as primary decision makers for pest management. By engaging the most knowledgeable stakeholders, we gather the most accurate data possible in our Annual Crop Pest Losses surveys. Data collected includes:

• Number and location of acres surveyed
• Potential and actual crop yields
• Estimated yield losses by pest type (e.g., insects, weeds, plant diseases) and other factors (e.g., weather, management issues)
• Estimated yield losses linked to specific key pests
• Crop management practices and costs
• Technology costs
• Pesticide use and costs
• General discussion on pest issues during the year or crop season
  

Data developed through the Crop Pest Losses Impact Assessment Program have yielded many benefits to crop industries and researchers, including:

• Improved understanding of how specific pests and management practices impact production costs and outcomes
• Identification of industry needs and priorities for research, education and pesticide registrations to address current production challenges
• Early identification of emerging pest trends, which can enable a proactive industry response
• Over the long-term, annual survey data reveals trends and shifts in practice that provide important benchmarks for crop industries
• As part of the survey process, pest managers develop data that can be used to promote the value of their services to grower-clients
• At meetings, pest managers gain access to the latest IPM research from Extension specialists

• Data have been used in Extension publications and presentations to promote adoption of IPM technologies that reduce pests as well as risks to applicators and the environment
• Data have been used to educate growers, pest managers, regulatory officials, government officials, university administrators and other researchers
• Data have supported special pesticide registrations such as Special Local Needs (Section 24c labels) and Emergency exemptions (Section 18 labels)
• Data have been cited in several funded grant proposals, to demonstrate needs as well as progress in IPM
• Data collected among many Pacific Northwest specialty crop industries have been used to generate Integrated Pest Management Strategic Plans that identify research, education and regulatory priorities of those industries
• Data are used to inform stakeholder comments on EPA pesticide registration reviews, including potential label changes that can impact growers. EPA, more often than not, has indicated
• Data have been shared internationally to support industry transitions to more sustainable practices (e.g., in Brazilian and Mexican cotton growing regions)
• Data developed provides an objective means for assessing the impacts of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in crop production systems.

Meetings are designed as an interactive technical dialog between pest managers and researchers, typically Extension scientists. We incentivize the process and make it worthwhile for participants who provide critical real-world knowledge.  

• We conduct dedicated annual meetings with pest management experts for each crop. Typically, these are the licensed professionals who advise growers.
• Whenever possible, we conduct face-to-face live meetings to encourage interactive dialog on pest management practices and emerging pest issues.
• Surveys are typically presented in an interactive electronic format, and include data cross-verification and easy revisions for participants. This helps to ensure the quality of the collected data.
• Facilitators are available to assist participants and answer questions.
• The agenda includes educational presentations and resources on timely topics. We present the most recent pest management research available to participants.
• Participants earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
• Through grant funding, we are often able to provide travel reimbursement and incentives for participation.
• Mail and online surveys are available to those who cannot attend in person.

We can Help!

We can support start-up efforts for surveys in other states and commodities through the Western IPM Center Signature Program. We have expertise and can provide resources that can be customized to fit the needs of various commodity groups. Travel and other expenses associated with initiating a survey can be covered through this program. What is needed to succeed is commitment from a local contact with ties to stakeholders in the commodity of interest. Please contact us for more information. 

Cotton Pest Losses 2015 questionnaire pdf. For an editable version of this survey, please contact Peter Ellsworth (See above)

Lettuce Pest Losses 2014 questionnaire pdf

Melon Pest Losses Survey 2009 questionnaire pdf

Presentations & Reports

PPT files availalbe upon request.

Cotton Pest Losses Workshop presentation & instructions pdf

Lettuce Pest Losses Workshop presentation & instructions (coming soon)

Melon Pest Losses Workshop presentation & instructions pdf

Report: 2015 Insecticide Usage on Arizona Lettuce pdf John C. Palumbo.

 Data, publications and presentations related to head lettuce and melon insect losses are available on this site.

This material is based upon work that is supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA NIFA), through the Western Integrated Pest Management Center. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.