IPM in NRCS Programs

Joe Bagdon (joseph.bagdon@ma.usda.gov)

USDA - NRCS National Water & Climate CenterAmherst, Massachusetts

NRCS Pest Management Primary NRCS roles:• Evaluate site-specific environmental risks– “SWAPA+H”

• Plan appropriate mitigation techniques– IPM and other management techniques

• Including pesticide application rate, method & timing

–Conservation Practices• Including Residue Mgt., Irrigation Water Mgt. & Buffers

• Help support the adoption of IPM–Available IPM is required by the NRCS Pest Management

(595) standard - “PAMS”

Pest Management Environmental Risk Analysis

Biological control risks? Cultural control risks?• Erosion & soil quality impacts (tillage)

Pesticide control risks?• Direct impacts

–Applicator safety–Worker protection–Beneficials (including pollinators)–Wildlife (in the field)

Pest Management Environmental Risk Analysis

Pesticide control risks?• Indirect impacts–Soil quality - leaching to soil microorganisms–Air quality - drift and volatilization–Water quality - runoff and leaching

• Windows Pesticide Screening Tool (WIN-PST)– Human drinking water– Fish habitat

Basic Mitigation Categories:

1. Reduce quantity of pesticide applied (IPM)

2. Utilize less hazardous pesticides (IPM)

3. Prevent pesticide from moving away from point of efficacy in the field (IPM)

4. Prevent pesticide from leaving the field - bottom of root zone - edge of field (Conservation Practices)

NRCS Pest Management

Applying the NRCS Pest Management Standard (595) means that:• Environmental risks are evaluated for natural

resource concerns (WIN-PST)• Appropriate mitigation (including IPM) is

included in the conservation plan to meet Field Office Technical Guide quality criteria

• Pest management is integrated with other components of the conservation plan

NRCS Pest Management Applying the 595 standard helps:• Producers get credit for their mitigation–Many practices are already in place!–Environmental benefits of IPM are recognized!

• Justify USDA program payments• Reduce the regulatory burden• Conserve natural resources!

NRCS Programs

Environmental Quality Incentives Program• Most challenged resources get first priority • Incentives to try new practices (3 year limit)• Conservation Innovation Grants

Conservation Security Program• To maintain and enhance natural resources• Rewards the best farmers and ranchers who are

meeting the highest standards of conservation and environmental management on their operations

Conservation Security Program

Tiered structure for contract payments• Tier I, Tier II, Tier III

– More conservation equals more contract dollars

• Multiple payment components– Annual stewardship component for base level treatment– Annual existing practice component – maintenance– Enhancement component - exceptional conservation

effort and additional practices beyond the minimum – One-time new practice component

Conservation Security Program

“Enhancement activities” include:• Exceeding the requirements of a participation tier• Improving a priority resource • Participating in an on-farm conservation research,

demonstration, or pilot project• Gaining the cooperation of at least 75% of the

producers in a targeted watershed• Assessment and evaluation activities like water

quality sampling

Conservation Security Program

Level 1 Enhancement:• Apply more mitigation than required

Level 2 Enhancement:• Use only “Low” hazard alternatives

Level 3 Enhancement:• Use “High Intensity” IPM Systems

– Focus on pest prevention and avoidance– Utilize low risk biological controls and pheromones– Judicious use of other low risk suppression techniques

only when monitoring indicates action threshold exceeded– Sustainable Ag and Certified Organic practices OK– IPM specifications for high intensity system will be state

and commodity specific so they must be developed in cooperation with local IPM specialists

“Enhancement Activities” FY04 CSP - Pest Management

Agrichemical Handling Facility (Interim) Alley Cropping Conservation Crop Rotation to break pest

cycles and decrease pest pressure Establish Filter Strips or Riparian Buffers Incorporate pesticides with tillage or irrigation

water to reduce runoff potential Increase area of Constructed Wetland to trap

runoff and drainage flow)

“Enhancement Activities” FY04 CSP - Pest Management

Reduce pesticide application by using low rates, spot treatment, banding etc.

Substitute non-chemical control methods Use pesticide formulations/adjuvants that

reduce drift Use 2 crop types in 3 years Use 3 crop types in 4 years Use beneficial insect control

“Enhancement Activities” FY04 CSP - Pest Management

Use only pesticides with WIN-PST hazard ratings of “Low” or “Very Low”

Utilize GPS technology for banding and spot treatment of pesticides

Utilize only pesticide application equipment such as: Hooded sprayer, direct injection sprayer, GPS guided sprayer, band applications, spot treatments

Utilize organic pesticide management

“Enhancement Activities” FY04 CSP - Pest Management

Utilize pesticides which have a WIN-PST Soil/Pesticide Interaction Loss Potential and Hazard Rating of “Low” or “Very Low”

Develop refuge habitat for beneficial insects, use pheromones, etc.

FY04 CSP

FY 2004• 2,200 participants • $41 million• 1.9 million privately-owned acres• 18 watersheds in 22 states• 37% Tier I ($20K max)• 40% Tier II ($35K max)• 23% Tier III ($45K max)

FY 2005• Greatly expanded nationwide based on funding?

Suggestions

Have strong IPM representation on NRCS State Technical Committees

Offer to help NRCS with the state-specific versions of their conservation practice standards for Pest Management (595)• IPM by commodity• IPM principles - PAMS

Focus on the primary goals of NRCS programs - reducing non-point source pollution to protect water, air and soil quality, and IPM should get its share of the pie!