22 - 



more than once per season than non-IPM growers. (There was no substantial 

 difference in the type of sprayer used, except that all the growers who use 

 backpack-type sprayers were in the IPM category.) Further, a majority of 

 IPM growers were equally likely to spray less or the same compared to ten 

 years ago. The percentage saying they spray more often was fairly small in 

 both cases. 



Table 2. How often do you calibrate your sprayer? 



IPM growers Non-IPM Growers 



Less than once per season 18.6* 19.0* 



Once per season 27.9 61.9 



More than once per season 53-5 19.1 



Do you spray 



More? 9.3 15.0 



Less? 60.5 '♦2.5 



The same compared to 10 years ago? 30.2 't2.5 



*Percentage of respondents in each category. 



Table 3 indicates that a substantial majority (72^) of IPM growers used 

 scouting to decide when a pesticide treatment was needed, and another 11% 

 used a combination of techniques ("other"). Less than half of the non-IPM 

 growers gave these two responses. While nearly a third of the non-IPM 

 growers said they used the county agent for information on when to spray, in 

 most cases, we believe, this means that they used the Pest Alert and 

 Code-A-Phone messages. Thus, while some growers may be using IPM-generated 

 information, they may not be making the best use of this information if they 

 are not backing it up with their own scouting observations. It is possible 

 that reliance on the Pest Alert messages may be counterproductive if growers 

 treat for pests mentioned in the message regardless of whether they actually 

 have a problem with these pests on their farm. 



Table 3. How do you decide when a pesticide treatment is needed? 



IPM Growers Non-IPM Growers 



Neighbors are treating 0* 2. A* 



Scouting determines need 71.7 36.6 



By the calendar 10.9 17.1 



County agent information** 6.9 31.7 



Other 10.9 12.1 



♦Percentage of respondents in each category, 

 **Pest Alert messages. 



