Aligning Insect IPM Programs with a Cropping Systems Perspective: Cover Crops and Cultural Pest Control in Wisconsin Organic Corn and Soybean

Abstract

This article presents a conversation among researcher, agroecology student, and farmers about the association between cover crops and seedcorn maggot in organic grain crops. Survey data showed that Wisconsin organic farmers would use cover crop management, insect degree day forecasting, and planting date cultural controls, given appropriate knowledge context and extension information provision. We developed electronic and print resources and engaged with farmers and educators nationally through the eOrganic Community of Practice. Project outcomes exemplify student and farmer ability to effect change in land grant university extension recommendations through integrated pest management content and delivery aligned with a cropping systems perspective.

Keywords:

• agroecology
• corn
• cover crops
• integrated pest management
• organic
• seedcorn maggot
• soybean

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Duncan Hilchey for helpful discussion, and two anonymous reviewers for comments on previous versions of the manuscript. They also thank David Stoltenberg and James Stute for input on the survey questionnaire content and validity, and Wisconsin organic farmers for sharing their experience and perspectives on organic pest management. K. M. Holm conducted the farmer survey as part of her public practice Masters in Agroecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This project was funded in part by a USDA Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative Grant 2010-51300-21282.