Perceptions of pest risk and differences in IPM uptake by arable farmers and agronomists in Scotland

Henry E. Creissen; JE Meador

doi:10.5281/zenodo.7330343

Perceptions of pest risk and differences in IPM uptake by arable farmers and agronomists in Scotland

Henry E. Creissen, JE Meador

Research output: Book/Report/Policy Brief/Technical Brief › Commissioned report › peer-review

86 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Pesticide use remains an important tool in managing pest, weed and disease risks to crops and maintaining profitable production. There are several drivers for reducing reliance on pesticides and promoting the uptake of more sustainable practices through integrated pest management (IPM). By identifying IPM information networks it may be possible to improve the flow of information to farmers by targeting their preferred information sources. Better informed farmers and agronomists can make better IPM decisions. Therefore, this project undertook a telephone survey of 267 arable and mixed arable/livestock farmers and 26 agronomists to collect information on currently perceived invertebrate pest and disease threats in Scotland, the level of IPM uptake, and the information sources they relied upon.
Some of the key findings include:

The agronomist group/company had the biggest influence on farmers IPM score.
Many other factors were found to influence IPM uptake including farmer age, location and size of enterprise.
Agronomists and farmers acquire IPM knowledge from a range of information sources the most popular being their peers, research organisations, farming press, levy boards and professional memberships.
The biggest barrier to further IPM uptake was 'time and effort required to increase knowledge of IPM’ for farmers.

The research also identified a number of ways in which information flows could be improved to increase IPM uptake including developing a knowledge transfer and exchange strategy for both farmers and agronomists that utilises the most effective outlets such as farming press, levy boards, research organisations and professional memberships. Please see the full report and associated policy summary to read all the outcomes and recommendations from this project.

Original language	English
Publisher	Plant Health Centre
Commissioning body	Plant Health Centre
Number of pages	46
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7330343
Publication status	Print publication - 16 Nov 2022

Bibliographical note

Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, modified or stored in a retrieval system without the prior written permission of PHC management. While every effort is made to ensure that the information given here is accurate, no legal responsibility is accepted for any errors, omissions or misleading statements. All statements, views and opinions expressed in this paper are attributable to the author(s) who contribute to the activities of the PHC and do not necessarily represent those of the host institutions or funders.

Keywords

IPM
arable farmers
agronomists
enablers of change

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.5281/zenodo.7330343Licence: CC BY-NC-ND

phc2020_05_pest_risk_perception_and_ipm_uptake_final_reportFinal published version, 1.09 MB
phc2020_05_pest_risk_perception_and_ipm_uptake_policy_summaryFinal published version, 488 KBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

https://www.planthealthcentre.scot/publications/perceptions-pest-risk-and-differences-ipm-uptake-arable-farmers-and-agronomistsLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

'Reducing Inputs: Integrated Pest Management' (Webinar)
Creissen, H. (Speaker)
22 Feb 2023
Activity: Talk, evidence or presentation types › Invited talk
IPM experiences from Scotland
Creissen, H. (Speaker)
10 Mar 2023
Activity: Talk, evidence or presentation types › Invited talk

IPM-N: Mapping information networks that influence farmer behaviours related to IPM adoption (MINIF)
Meador, E. (PI) & Creissen, H. (CoI)
31/03/21 → 30/09/21
Project: Research

Cite this

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abstract = "Pesticide use remains an important tool in managing pest, weed and disease risks to crops and maintaining profitable production. There are several drivers for reducing reliance on pesticides and promoting the uptake of more sustainable practices through integrated pest management (IPM). By identifying IPM information networks it may be possible to improve the flow of information to farmers by targeting their preferred information sources. Better informed farmers and agronomists can make better IPM decisions. Therefore, this project undertook a telephone survey of 267 arable and mixed arable/livestock farmers and 26 agronomists to collect information on currently perceived invertebrate pest and disease threats in Scotland, the level of IPM uptake, and the information sources they relied upon. Some of the key findings include:The agronomist group/company had the biggest influence on farmers IPM score.Many other factors were found to influence IPM uptake including farmer age, location and size of enterprise.Agronomists and farmers acquire IPM knowledge from a range of information sources the most popular being their peers, research organisations, farming press, levy boards and professional memberships.The biggest barrier to further IPM uptake was 'time and effort required to increase knowledge of IPM{\textquoteright} for farmers.The research also identified a number of ways in which information flows could be improved to increase IPM uptake including developing a knowledge transfer and exchange strategy for both farmers and agronomists that utilises the most effective outlets such as farming press, levy boards, research organisations and professional memberships. Please see the full report and associated policy summary to read all the outcomes and recommendations from this project. ",

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AB - Pesticide use remains an important tool in managing pest, weed and disease risks to crops and maintaining profitable production. There are several drivers for reducing reliance on pesticides and promoting the uptake of more sustainable practices through integrated pest management (IPM). By identifying IPM information networks it may be possible to improve the flow of information to farmers by targeting their preferred information sources. Better informed farmers and agronomists can make better IPM decisions. Therefore, this project undertook a telephone survey of 267 arable and mixed arable/livestock farmers and 26 agronomists to collect information on currently perceived invertebrate pest and disease threats in Scotland, the level of IPM uptake, and the information sources they relied upon. Some of the key findings include:The agronomist group/company had the biggest influence on farmers IPM score.Many other factors were found to influence IPM uptake including farmer age, location and size of enterprise.Agronomists and farmers acquire IPM knowledge from a range of information sources the most popular being their peers, research organisations, farming press, levy boards and professional memberships.The biggest barrier to further IPM uptake was 'time and effort required to increase knowledge of IPM’ for farmers.The research also identified a number of ways in which information flows could be improved to increase IPM uptake including developing a knowledge transfer and exchange strategy for both farmers and agronomists that utilises the most effective outlets such as farming press, levy boards, research organisations and professional memberships. Please see the full report and associated policy summary to read all the outcomes and recommendations from this project.

KW - IPM

KW - arable farmers

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DO - 10.5281/zenodo.7330343

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PB - Plant Health Centre

ER -

Perceptions of pest risk and differences in IPM uptake by arable farmers and agronomists in Scotland

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Activities

'Reducing Inputs: Integrated Pest Management' (Webinar)

IPM experiences from Scotland

Projects

IPM-N: Mapping information networks that influence farmer behaviours related to IPM adoption (MINIF)

Cite this