Producers need to consider all options in weed management. With the resulting reduced use of chemicals and higher quality yields, more producers should be encouraged to invest in the use of those crops. Even with the doubling of the percentage of herbicide-resistant soybeans planted, more than half do not use them. Increased usage should be promoted. Thirteen different IPM tactics were utilized by more than half the producers, with rotating crops being number one.
Additional education is needed to provide producers with the knowledge to use other tactics.
Additional information for producers is readily available. During the winter months, a listing of Pesticide Update Meetings is available at the same number. Training sessions should be developed to improve producers ability to scout, identify, and manage problems found in their crops. Additional work needs to be done to encourage those who have not yet adopted an IPM program to do so. Greater cooperation between County Extension Offices, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, farm organizations, and producers needs to be established to speed dissemination of current best practices in farming.