>Although IPM approaches have always included insecticide tools, there are
other approaches that can be effectively incorporated with IPM giving
chemicals the position of the last resort in the chain of preferred options
that need be applied first. Note that the current practice of seed
treatment is the opposite: it applies chemicals as the first applied option
instead of the last resort.


Although IPM if you don't parse words Seed coatings do not fir IPM.  But the
were never claimed as part of IPM.   Its playing games with words.   The
goal of the seed coatings was to be proactive, not reactive.   We as a bee
group like that concept of IPM and treatment free.   AS a crop grower its
not as clean.
Take root worms as an example.   By the time you know you have a problem its
to late.  Yields have been effected how to measure? Pretty hard to actually.
Same way with any of the aphids and leafhoppers.   Not to mention that when
the outbreak occurs weather and plant growth play a huge portion in how fas
you can respond.

Crop rotation has a slight effect on pest,  but that is not the main goal of
rotations.  Less inputs in the terms of fertilizers and nitrogen are the
basis of rotations.  The cheap cost of nitrogen in the last 30 years has cut
out a lot of the hay production (alfalfa and clover tilled in fixed a lot of
nitrogen)

I whole heartedly agree that additional spraying on top of the promised
systemic cures is bad.  (double dipping in input cost)  don't try to apply
beekeeping thoughts and words to AG.  IPM may be a term in some coast,  but
proactive and reactive are the general guidelines for the bigger areas.

I also am darn sure that in general they will be successful in the selling
of both.  Farmers are right now getting pinched again (crop prices are
horrible and a bumper year will keep them down) any salesman that can pitch
the promise of a slight yield bump will sell.
And yes,  that bugs the snot out of me.  Not even as a beekeeper,  but as
the guys feeding the world as a group take this stuff and swallow it.

Charles

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