>It looks like IPM can be supported from either an apicultural or a field
crop interest.  And the experts are speaking on this.  This is very
positive, and more importantly makes the solution of IPM tangible and
relevant to all sides.

I've amazed that farmers have bought the sales pitch for seed treatments
without demanding better data for return on investment.  Studies from Italy
also found no benefit unless rootworm populations were high.  It costs
about $12/acre to treat the seed, and most farmers appear to consider that
cost as risk insurance.  The problem with that thinking is that such
universal overuse of any pesticide will insure that they will rapidly breed
for resistant pests, and thus end the usefulness of that particular
pesticide.

Krupke's study is a breath of fresh air, in which he looks at actual
economic benefit (or lack thereof).  This is the sort of information that
may help to wean agriculture off the indiscriminate use of pesticides, and
toward IPM.


-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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