CONSERVATION PLANNING AND PEST MANAGEMENT USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Dee Carlson
Today s Discussion Introduction to what NRCS does and how conservation planning NRCS and pest management NRCS financial assistance programs WinPST environmental risk assessment tool
Conservation Planning Is voluntary Is on-going Addresses ecological and human concerns Considers on-site and off-site impacts Works to achieve a sustainable system Based on the premise that clients will make and implement decisions if they understand their problems and opportunities for improvement
NRCS Planning Process 1. Collection and analysis Identify problems Resource inventory Analyze data 2. Decision support Formulate and evaluate alternatives 3. Application and Evaluation Implement the plan Assure it is working
Resource Concerns SWAPA Soil Water Air Plants Animals
Resource Inventory and Analysis What are the problems to be addressed? Type of pests? Impact of pests? Pesticides used? Impacts of pesticides and other suppression activities? Fields directly adjacent to water body? Pesticide storage within close proximity to wellhead? Sensitive areas present? Excessive erosion? Furrow irrigation with runoff?
NRCS Role in Pest Management Evaluate environmental risks associated with pesticide use and pest suppression methods Develop appropriate mitigation alternatives to minimize environmental risks Assist clients to adopt IPM Assist clients to develop and implement a pest management component of their overall conservation plan The NRCS pest management practice is not designed to manage pests!?!? 7
Partnerships We cannot succeed alone. We maintain very close ties to: Extension Crop Consultants State Agricultural Agencies Commodity Groups Agrichemical Dealers Anyone else who influences recommendations
Integrated Pest Management (595) A site-specific combination of pest prevention, pest avoidance, pest monitoring, and pest suppression strategies. Purpose: To prevent or mitigate off-site pesticide risks to water quality To prevent or mitigate off-site pesticide risks associated with drift and volatilization Prevent or mitigate on-site pesticide risks to pollinators and beneficial insects Prevent or mitigate the risks of pest suppression methods to soil, water, air, plants, animals and humans
Objectives of Pest Management Address pest problems through appropriate pest management practices Assure that pest control practices do not negatively impact other resources
What s in a Pest Management Plan? Plan map Location of sensitive areas Environmental risk analysis - WinPST Recommended mitigating practices Pest prevention and avoidance strategies, where applicable Scouting plan Monitoring plan (e.g., weather data) Accepted pest thresholds, where applicable Implementation records, O&M
Producer Records Producer should provide records of all pesticides used and for all pest suppression strategies Records should include rate and application method Attachment 1 PESTICIDE DATA COLLECTION SHEET Crop Target Pest Product Name or Active Ingredient (AI) % AI Broadcast or Banded Application: Surface, Foliar, or Soil Incorporated Rate: Standard, Low, or Ultra Low NOTE: For Restricted Use pesticides, producer MUST keep records according to USDA requirements
Hazard Determination Soil Ratings Pesticide Ratings Loss Potential Toxicity Hazard Rating
Evaluate Environmental Risk using WinPST
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan ahead (use preventive strategies where possible) Scouting and pest inventory Use multiple pest management tools Cultural Mechanical Biological Chemical Treat only if needed (thresholds)
Evaluate Pesticide Hazards
Develop Recommendations
Mitigation Measures (Agronomy tech note #5)
Solutions: Examples of on-site Practices available through EQIP Residue management Grassed waterway Sediment control structure/basin Irrigation system conversions Filter strips Riparian buffers Irrigation Water mgt
Working with NRCS Technical assistance Financial assistance Over 400,000 acres of pest mgt in Idaho over last 5 years How to qualify as an Ag producer: Meet eligibility requirements through FSA Used to implement conservation practices that address resource concern(s) Programs are competitive applications are ranked and those that address multiple resource concerns are given priority
NRCS Programs - EQIP Environmental Quality Incentives Program Several levels of pest management for cost share Basic, dry crop /row crop: (scouting, monitoring, mapping, recordkeeping) High Intensity (Prevention / Avoidance, using Crop Consultants, develop and implement an IPM Plan) Precision (incorporate technologies such as green seeker, directed spray, overlap reduction with GPS guided equipment, drift reduction, etc. Small scale Ag (10 ac.), High Tunnel, Range/Pasture
NRCS Programs - CSP Conservation Stewardship Program Rewards landowners that demonstrate good stewardship Requires landowners to adopt practices that further improve resource condition Pest management practices are available Also includes opportunities to cooperate with local research and demonstration projects (OnePlan IPM)
NRCS Grants - CIG Conservation Innovation Grant Competitive grant for innovative approaches and technologies Demonstration and pilot projects (no research) Assist with adoption of innovative approach or technology proven elsewhere, but new to local area Assist with modification of proven technology for local conditions Must involve EQIP-eligible landowners http://www.id.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig/index.html
Questions?? If interested in programs or you need technical assistance on your land, contact your local USDA Service Center dee.carlson@id.usda.gov 208-685-6985
WinPST Background and DEMO
Windows Pesticide Screening Tool Basic level screening tool Soils properties Pesticide properties Management Climate Limited risk assessment
Soil/Site Factors in WinPST Soil surface texture Surface horizon thickness Organic matter content at surface Subsurface texture Hydrologic soil group Slope Preferential flow potential High water table
Pesticide Properties in WinPST Based on properties of active ingredients (no information on adjuvants or inert ingredients) Solubility Soil half-life Organic carbon partitioning coefficient (Koc)
Management in WinPST Extent of application to field (i.e. broadcast vs. banding/spot treatment) Rate of application Method of application (foliar, surface, incorporated) Likelihood of rainfall/irrigation following application
WinPST Demonstration