I 



A substantial percentage (56?.) indicated savings in pesticide " 

 costs and application costs, suggesting that growers other than 

 those directly participating in the pilot program have been able 



3. If it were possible to expand the pilot program into your area, 

 would you wish to receive IPM scouting and grower advisement 

 for a fee of $20-25/acre? 



45 Yes 36 No 



Personnel and logistical considerations have limited the 

 number of pilot program participants. However, such a positive 

 response to this question may indicate a strong potential for 

 private scout/consultants to offer IPM services in the future. 



Sixty percent of those with less than 20 acres responded with 

 a "yes" answer to Question #3. In spite of this interest, it may 

 be difficult for private scout/consultants to accommodate these 

 smaller growers unless a substantial number of orchards located 

 reasonably close to one another can be contracted. 



4. Po you feel that grower education, training, and informational 

 needs would be adequately met once IPM pilot program funding 

 ends, utilizing levels of Plant Pathology, Entomology, and 

 County Extension staff input as before the initiation of the 

 apple IPM program? 



16 Yes 61. No 



Seventy percent of respondents acknowledged the difficulty of 

 adequately meeting grower needs in a fast- changing agricultural 

 environment with staff input levels that existed before the apple 

 IPM pilot program. As noted in the cover letter that accompanied 

 the questionnaire, federal funds which have for the period 1978- 

 1982 been earmarked for apple IPM, will in 1983 be mandated for 

 im.plementing IPM in other commodities. It is possible, therefore, 

 that many of the benefits noted by growers (Question #2) resulting 

 from the IPM pilot program will be difficult to maintain. 



Prokopy and Groden indicated plans to continue with an ongoing 

 format of IPM information transfer via monthly IPM training sessions 

 in grower orchards in spring and summer after 1982. Inasmuch as 

 Prokopy and Manning have substantial research and teaching respon- 

 sibilities, they may not be able to adequately respond to the high 

 volume of day-to-day questions from growers regarding pest manage- 

 ment decisions presently being handled by IPM program specialists 

 Coli (insects and mites) and Becker (diseases). Also, building a 



The Annual March Entomology Message to Massachusetts Fruit Growers, 

 1982. 



