Survey Results

Page: Purpose and Confirmation

1. I understand that the information I am about to give will be used to focus IPM research and Extension program delivery. Every effort will be made to protect this information and my confidentiality. Any public reports of study findings will be based on grouped data and will not reveal individual responses. Results of this study may be used for publications, presentations, or shared with industry or agri-business. There will be no penalty against me for NOT taking or completing this survey.
	answered question		70
	skipped question		0
		Response Percent	Response Count
I understand and agree		100.0%	70
I decline to participate (exit survey now, click Exit Survey link in upper right hand corner)		0.0%	0

Page: Educational IPM Considerations - Section 1/9

2. How do you maintain and update your pest management knowledge? Select all that apply. Pest refers to insects, diseases, weeds, & nematodes. Pesticide refers to herbicides, fungicides, & insecticides
	answered question		70
	skipped question		0
		Response Percent	Response Count
Join the local or state vegetable grower association(s)		34.3%	24
Annually attend state or regional vegetable meetings, including field days		94.3%	66
Annually obtain the latest state or regional vegetable production guide		42.9%	30
Maintain additional reference materials (books, manuals, bulletins, etc.) on crop pest management		67.1%	47
Experiment with new IPM practices on your farm as contract allows (new varieties, new scouting techniques, etc.) and gauge their success		47.1%	33

3. Select all that are appropriate. If you receive the state vegetable pest management newsletter, how does it arrive?
	answered question		68
	skipped question		2
		Response Percent	Response Count
by FAX		2.9%	2
by e-mail (actual newsletter or link to internet site)		39.7%	27
by postal mail		26.5%	18
DO NOT receive newsletter		36.8%	25

4. How often do you use the following sources for pest management information
	answered question					70
	skipped question					0
	never	rarely	occasionally	usually	Rating Average	Rating Count
Extension specialists	12.7% (8)	30.2% (19)	46.0% (29)	11.1% (7)	2.56	63
Independent crop consultants	6.2% (4)	20.0% (13)	36.9% (24)	36.9% (24)	3.05	65
Industry representatives (processor, chemical, & fertilizer dealers, etc.)	0.0% (0)	1.4% (1)	30.4% (21)	68.1% (47)	3.67	69
Other farmers	0.0% (0)	13.8% (8)	69.0% (40)	17.2% (10)	3.03	58
Internet searches	17.3% (9)	40.4% (21)	36.5% (19)	5.8% (3)	2.31	52

5. How else do you learn about disease, insect, or weed management practices?
	answered question	9
	skipped question	61
		Response Count
		9

Page: Record keeping for IPM - Section 2/9

6. Select all the different forms of record keeping performed on your farm in 2005.
	answered question		70
	skipped question		0
		Response Percent	Response Count
Weed field maps (in season or after harvest to guide herbicide applications)		22.9%	16
Pesticides used (fungicides, herbicides, insecticides)		100.0%	70
Planting dates		98.6%	69
Field locations		97.1%	68
Cultivars planted		85.7%	60
Fertilizer applications		95.7%	67
Harvest yields		92.9%	65

7. How are your records (pesticides & pests) usually kept?
	answered question			70
	skipped question			0
	Never	Sometimes	Usually	Rating Count
Written on paper (notebook)	0.0% (0)	9.1% (6)	90.9% (60)	66
Recorded in a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)	71.8% (28)	17.9% (7)	10.3% (4)	39
Recorded in a computer	10.9% (6)	27.3% (15)	61.8% (34)	55
Records kept by custom applicator	35.7% (15)	35.7% (15)	28.6% (12)	42
Other means not listed	70.6% (12)	11.8% (2)	17.6% (3)	17

Page: Pre-plant IPM Considerations - Section 3/9

8. Please select as many of the following that apply to your farm operation in 2005. Pest refers to insects, diseases, weeds, & nematodes. Pesticide refers to herbicides, fungicides, & insecticides
	answered question		70
	skipped question		0
		Response Percent	Response Count
Soil test fields on a regular schedule; amend soil with fertilizer and lime according to guidelines		95.7%	67
Select fields that have good surface and subsurface drainage		98.6%	69
Select fields that have not grown tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, or potatoes for at least the previous two years		97.1%	68
Select fields at a distance from last year's tomato, eggplant, or potato fields to reduce potential colorado potato beetle infestation		25.7%	18
Use previous field history and pest pressure to guide field selection		62.9%	44
Select cultivars well adapted for your growing area (usually processor provides this service)		78.6%	55
Select cultivars with good tolerance or resistance to local pests (usually processor provides this service)		65.7%	46
Raise transplants in isolation from ornamental crops to avoid diseases (usually processor provides this service)		50.0%	35
Select disease-free seed and weed free planting media (usually processor provides this service)		54.3%	38
Select seed commercially treated with fungicide and disinfected (acid, chlorine, or hot water; usually processor provides this service)		47.1%	33
Prohibit smoking around transplants		34.3%	24
Keep tomato seed lots separated from each other (usually processor provides this service)		48.6%	34
Keep tomato transplants separated from other vegetable transplants (usually processor provides this service)		45.7%	32
Apply fixed copper sprays in greenhouse according to label directions for bacterial disease management (usually processor provides this service)		45.7%	32
Use a combination of fall/spring tillage and fall/spring herbicide application to control established perennials		85.7%	60
High pressure wash machinery shared between fields (w/ or w/o disinfectant) to prevent spread of pests		20.0%	14
Plant tomatoes after a herbicide resistant crop for decreased weed pressure		75.7%	53
Based on field history, apply burndown and residual herbicides for weed control before, at, or after planting as directed by label		68.6%	48
In addition to herbicides, plan other weed management practices based on your knowledge of weeds present in the field		68.6%	48
Use stale seedbed for weed control		15.7%	11
Calibrate pesticide sprayer(s) annually		82.9%	58
Use proper spray application equipment (nozzle type, drop nozzles, etc.)		98.6%	69
Take steps to minimize non-target pesticide drift (nozzle pressure, boom height, wind speed, etc.)		92.9%	65

9. Did we miss something in the above section? Is there a tactic or practice that you would like to share with us? If so, fill in the box. If not, please continue on with the survey...
	answered question	2
	skipped question	68
		Response Count
		2

Page: At-planting IPM Considerations - Section 4/9

10. Please select as many of the following that apply to your farm operation in 2005. Pest refers to insects, diseases, weeds, & nematodes. Pesticide refers to herbicides, fungicides, & insecticides
	answered question		70
	skipped question		0
		Response Percent	Response Count
Apply starter fertilizer solution at time of transplant		98.6%	69
Plant trap crop along edge of field for Colorado potato beetle management		2.9%	2
Wet plugs before transplanting		92.9%	65
Actively remove diseased transplants		50.0%	35

11. Did we miss something in the above section? Is there a tactic or practice that you would like to share with us? If so, fill in the box. If not, please continue on with the survey...
	answered question	0
	skipped question	70
		Response Count
		0

Page: In-season IPM Considerations - Section 5/9

12. Please select as many of the following that apply to your farm operation in 2005. Pest refers to insects, diseases, weeds, & nematodes. Pesticide refers to herbicides, fungicides, & insecticides.
	answered question		69
	skipped question		1
		Response Percent	Response Count
Use disease predictive models (TOMCAST, SkyBit, etc.) to determine fungicide sprays for early blight, anthracnose, and Septoria leaf spot		11.6%	8
Apply fixed copper sprays for bacterial disease management from transplant to early bloom		100.0%	69
Scout fields regularly to identify diseases, take corrective action if warranted		97.1%	67
If overhead irrigation is used, apply early in the day so foliage dries quickly		20.3%	14
Use drip irrigation to minimize foliage wetting and decrease foliar diseases		4.3%	3
Scout for Colorado potato beetle, treat if threshold is exceeded		63.8%	44
Scout for weeds		97.1%	67
Use cultivation, hoeing, and hand pulling to control weeds as needed		97.1%	67
Spot spray perennial weeds as needed		73.9%	51
Apply post emerge herbicides as needed		95.7%	66
Remove uncommon or new weeds from the field prior to seed production		47.8%	33
Select herbicides using resistance management guidelines		63.8%	44
Use trap data to help determine treatment for variegated cutworm		15.9%	11
Use trap data to help determine treatment for tomato fruitworm		18.8%	13
Use trap data to help determine treatment for European corn borer		23.2%	16

13. Which of the following pests do you scout for and treat if necessary?
	answered question		64
	skipped question		6
	Scout for insect	Treat if threshold is exceeded	Rating Count
Variegated cutworms	91.8% (45)	67.3% (33)	49
Tomato fruitworms	93.2% (55)	69.5% (41)	59
Hornworms	93.0% (40)	72.1% (31)	43
Stink bugs	88.5% (46)	78.8% (41)	52
Flea beetles	93.1% (27)	62.1% (18)	29
Aphids	91.9% (34)	67.6% (25)	37
European corn borer	94.1% (48)	72.5% (37)	51

14. Did we miss something in the above section? Is there a tactic or practice that you would like to share with us? If so, fill in the box. If not, please continue on with the survey...
	answered question	1
	skipped question	69
		Response Count
		1

Page: Harvest IPM Considerations - Section 6/9

15. Please select as many of the following statements that apply to your farm in 2005.
	answered question		70
	skipped question		0
		Response Percent	Response Count
Apply ethephon if needed to better time harvest		91.4%	64
Apply ethephon rates according to processor recommendations		97.1%	68
Near harvest, vary pesticide selection based on pre harvest interval (PHI) considerations		88.6%	62

16. Did we miss something in the above section? Is there a tactic or practice that you would like to share with us? If so, fill in the box. If not, please continue on with the survey...
	answered question	0
	skipped question	70
		Response Count
		0

Page: Post Harvest IPM Considerations - Section 7/9

17. Please select as many of the following that apply to your farm in 2005. Pest refers to insects, diseases, weeds, & nematodes. Pesticide refers to herbicides, fungicides, & insecticides
	answered question		69
	skipped question		1
		Response Percent	Response Count
Plow down residue after harvest to reduce disease inoculum and overwintering insects		76.8%	53
Utilize chopper mounted on back of harvester to destroy vines and plant material		62.3%	43
Identify and evaluate successful practices, incorporate them in future years		89.9%	62
Establish cover crops for next years crop for soil erosion control or nitrogen management		46.4%	32

18. Did we miss something in the above section? Is there a tactic or practice that you would like to share with us? If so, fill in the box. If not, please continue on with the survey...
	answered question	0
	skipped question	70
		Response Count
		0

Page: Training needs for IPM - Section 8/9

19. Would you like to receive more training and education on pest management (scouting, pest monitoring, trapping, etc.)?
	answered question		67
	skipped question		3
		Response Percent	Response Count
Yes		85.1%	57
No		17.9%	12

20. How do you usually scout this crop? Select only one.
	answered question		70
	skipped question		0
		Response Percent	Response Count
Scout and monitor crop yourself		58.6%	41
Hire a consultant to scout and monitor the crop		8.6%	6
A mixture of self scouting and crop consultant		54.3%	38
Do not scout myself; Do not hire a crop consultant		0.0%	0
Other (please specify)		5.7%	4

Page:

21. Listed below are possible reasons for NOT scouting or hiring a crop consultant. Please select all appropriate responses.
	answered question		2
	skipped question		68
		Response Percent	Response Count
Too busy to self scout		0.0%	0
Not familiar enough with pests and scouting methods		0.0%	0
Too expensive to hire a crop consultant		50.0%	1
No crop consultant in my area		100.0%	2
No crop consultant working on my crop		100.0%	2
Other (please specify)		0.0%	0

Page: Last Section!

22. What is your primary market?
	answered question		69
	skipped question		1
		Response Percent	Response Count
Conventional fresh market produce		7.2%	5
Conventional processing		100.0%	69
Organic fresh market produce		0.0%	0
Organic processing		1.4%	1
Specialty label (IPM or Eco label, etc.)		0.0%	0

23. What percentage of your crop is
	answered question		70
	skipped question		0
		Response Percent	Response Count
Conventional fresh market produce		10.0%	7
Conventional processing		100.0%	70
Organic fresh market produce		0.0%	0
Organic processing		0.0%	0
Specialty label (IPM or Eco label, etc.)		0.0%	0

24. If you had to choose one area that causes you the most difficulty in producing tomatoes, what would it be?
	answered question		68
	skipped question		2
		Response Percent	Response Count
Insect Management (Stink bugs, hornworm, tomato fruitworm, etc.)		5.9%	4
Disease Management (Damping off, Early blight, Bacterial spot, etc.)		42.6%	29
Weed Management (Annual & Perennial weeds)		10.3%	7
Fertility (starter mixes, split applications, rates, etc.)		1.5%	1
Equipment (sprayers, planters, transplanters, etc.)		1.5%	1
Labor issues		14.7%	10
Other (please specify)		23.5%	16

25. My tomato acreage in 2005 was...
	answered question		70
	skipped question		0
		Response Percent	Response Count
0.1 - 5 A		0.0%	0
6 - 20 A		0.0%	0
21 - 50 A		1.4%	1
51 - 100 A		8.6%	6
101 - 300 A		72.9%	51
> 300 A		17.1%	12

26. My total vegetable acreage in 2005 was ...
	answered question		62
	skipped question		8
		Response Percent	Response Count
0.1 - 5 A		0.0%	0
6 - 20 A		0.0%	0
21 - 50 A		1.6%	1
51 - 100 A		6.5%	4
101 - 300 A		64.5%	40
> 300 A		27.4%	17

Page: Untitled Page

27. I have been growing vegetables for...
	answered question		68
	skipped question		2
		Response Percent	Response Count
less than 5 years		4.4%	3
6 - 10 years		14.7%	10
over 10 years		80.9%	55

28. I grow most or all of my processing tomatoes in:
	answered question		70
	skipped question		0
		Response Percent	Response Count
Indiana		54.3%	38
Michigan		5.7%	4
Ohio		40.0%	28

29. My county is... (optional)
	answered question	37
	skipped question	33
		Response Count
		37

30. If you have any general comments about the survey, please add them in the box provided below. Preliminary results for this survey will be announced through your State's vegetable newsletter in the spring of 2007 or sooner. If you have additional questions about the survey, please contact Jim Jasinski, jasinski.4@osu.edu. Thank you again for your time.
	answered question	68
	skipped question	2
		Response Count
		68