Project Overview

Reports

Commodities

• Agronomic: corn, soybeans, wheat

Target Pests

Practices

• Pest Management: pesticide resistance management, pesticides

Problem or Opportunity

Over the past decade, social science research on the pest resistance management has centered on growers. One major finding, however, is that growers can’t manage resistance alone - there is a need for collaborative, community-based management to combat over-reliance on chemical control and encourage Integrated Pest Management.

Fundamental to any collaborative management is the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders. For pest resistance management, this includes growers as well as those who influence and advise them. To make progress, it is now necessary to understand the perspectives and practices of their influencers and advisors. 

Approach

An exploratory attempt at understanding CCA perspectives is currently underway, with the Weed Science Society of America facilitating a series of regional listening sessions with crop advisors over the winter of 2021/2022.

We propose expanding this work by conducting a representative survey of Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs) in the U.S. This would parallel a previous national survey of farmers completed by the PI in 2016, aiding in our understanding of how CCAs think, communicate, and contribute to on-farm pest resistance management decisions.  

Project Objectives

Objectives include:

• Conducting a nationally representative survey on Certified Crop Advisors’ perspectives and practices related to pest resistance management
  • Test and expand on findings from listening sessions
  • Conduct regional and statewide comparative analyses, determining where CCAs are most effective and where they may need additional training or support.
• Comparing CCA perspectives and recommendations with what growers think and do about pest resistance.
• Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed academic journals, extension publications, and news media (including media specifically targeted at the formal CCA organization)
• Present findings at academic conferences and a CCA-supported webinar
• Use the approach and findings of this study to support a USDA AFRI grant proposal to expand this research to additional stakeholder groups.

 Anticipated Impact

It is anticipated that this research will aid in CCAs’ understanding of their own roles within pest resistance management, including strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in knowledge or training. Specific to the North Central Region, regional CCAs will be able to compare their approaches and effectiveness to other regions, creating an opportunity for collaborative learning, support, and expansion. Additionally, university scientists will obtain a clearer picture of the sources influencing farmer decision-making related to pest resistance issues and be able to draw on this knowledge to better facilitate community resistance management initiatives. Finally, the results of this study will be used to support a future USDA AFRI grant focused on assessing the roles of a multitude of agricultural stakeholders in the effort to manage pest resistance.

On a broad scale, this supports economic, environmental and social sustainability of the U.S. agricultural system. Enhanced knowledge of the human dimensions of pest resistance are vital to coordinating effective management that protects yields, ensures a safe and regular supply of agricultural products, and facilitates best management practices for environmental and human health.

Objectives include:

• Conducting a nationally representative survey on Certified Crop Advisors’ perspectives and practices related to pest resistance management
  • Test and expand on findings from listening sessions
  • Conduct regional and statewide comparative analyses, determining where CCAs are most effective and where they may need additional training or support.
• Comparing CCA perspectives and recommendations with what growers think and do about pest resistance.
• Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed academic journals, extension publications, and news media (including media specifically targeted at the formal CCA organization)
• Present findings at academic conferences and a CCA-supported webinar
• Use the approach and findings of this study to support a USDA AFRI grant proposal to expand this research to additional stakeholder groups.