ICM is a process involving the efficient use of pesticides and nutrients in an economically and environmentally responsible manner. Many producers now practice ICM without financial assistance after recognizing the value of an ICM plan. A full-color publication featuring 6 producers in Indiana's HUAs who practice ICM will soon be ready for release from Purdue Extension Agronomy. Extension offers intensive workshops on nutrient and manure management to small groups of producers. Extension staff visit each farm to take a manure sample for analysis prior to the workshop.
Producers bring their recent soil test records to the workshop.
During the workshop producers learn how to credit manure nutrients and determine appropriate manure application rates based on soil tests. They use their own data to develop a nutrient management plan for at least one field. They also learn how to record and track the information over time in a recordkeeping file folder for each field. This file is also used to record pesticide use, planting and harvest information, and soil tests. Follow-up meeting with producer to discuss results and assist with any planning needed.