-15- 



system of pest management and information transfer, and then fail 

 to provide growers and scouts with continued extension staff 

 support . 



Questionnaire respondents' second choice here was to have IPM 

 related training and information provided by the Regional Fruit 

 Agents. Thus, it would seem desirable to intensify efforts to 

 better utilize Regional Agent skills, grower contacts, and field 

 observations as part of the overall statewide IPM effort. How- 

 ever, the uncertainties associated with county funding for 

 Extension may limit the extent to which this can be accomplished. 



9. Should private IPM scouts be available for a reasonable cost, 

 say $20-25/acre, I would: 



(5) 5^ Not choose to hire one for scouting my orchard. 

 (4) 80^ Hire one to scout my acreage only. 



(2) 179^ Hire one in cooperation with some other grower(s3 . 



(3) 9_3 Rely on chemical company fieldmen for assistance in 



daily or weekly spray decision making, 

 (1) 191 Rely on County Extension staff for assistance in daily 

 or weekly spray decision making. 



Due to budget uncertainties mentioned above, it is questionable 

 whether the respondents' first choice is realistic. Of course, 

 it would be the least costly to the grower. A substantial number 

 of growers appear willing to hire private IPM scouts either alone 

 or in cooperation with other growers. Numerous growers, however, 

 would continue to rely on the traditional sources of advice con- 

 cerning spray decisions, such as fieldmen from chemical companies. 



Summary 



It appears that substantial numbers of growers believe they 

 have benefited from the apple IPM program. A majority of respon- 

 dents also felt that the level of extension input prior to the 

 IPM Apple Program may not be adequate for present needs and that 

 an IPM specialist with multi-disciplinary responsibilities should 

 be continued at the University. This person would supplement the 

 activities of present extension faculty and serve as a resource 

 and liason person between practicing IPM growers, private scouts, 

 and University extension personnel. 



Finally, while respondents would prefer funding for such a 

 position to come from Federal sources, a substantial number feel 

 costs for a specialist position and for private scouting should be 

 borne partially by the growers. 



