Integrated Pest Management: Enhancing Sustainable Farming Practices

In this Tramlines podcast episode, Agrii’s Ruth Mann and Dom Pendergrast discuss the essential components of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and how it supports sustainable farming and crop productivity.

What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

Ruth Mann: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) involves creating bespoke crop management plans that consider each crop’s specific needs, weather conditions, and the farm's long-term productivity goals. Essentially, it’s about combining soil health, nutrient management, appropriate seed varieties, and pest control methods to achieve optimal productivity sustainably.

How Does IPM Support Sustainable Farming?

Ruth Mann: IPM aligns with the UK government’s 25-year environmental management plan. Defra encourages growers to adopt IPM to demonstrate environmentally sensitive farming practices. IPM involves using the right building blocks—such as soil health, crop rotation, and bio solutions—in a way that improves overall productivity and environmental impact.

Why Bio Solutions are Crucial in IPM

Dom Pendergrast: Bio solutions play a significant role in IPM by improving nutrient utilisation and offering biological pest control. In horticulture, we’ve had to move faster toward bio solutions than in arable farming. Bio solutions are critical in managing pests sustainably without relying solely on conventional chemicals, which helps maintain crop health and quality.

Key Building Blocks of Integrated Pest Management

Ruth Mann: Here are the main elements of an IPM approach:

• Soil Health: Analyse soil pH, organic matter, and nutrient levels to optimise crop growth and reduce pest pressure.
• Crop Rotation: Strategically rotate crops to manage pest and disease risk while enhancing soil health for future crops.
• Cultivation Techniques: Use appropriate cultivation methods based on soil type and weed pressure to support crop hygiene and soil structure.
• Crop Varieties: Select disease-resistant varieties that fit your management goals and environmental conditions.
• Beneficial Organisms: Encourage beneficial insects to reduce pest populations, potentially lowering insecticide use.
• Balanced Nutrition: Ensure the crop has balanced nutrients to support strong growth from the outset.
• Monitoring Pests and Diseases: Regularly monitor for pests, weeds, and diseases to apply timely and effective control measures.
• Application of Protection Products: Use bio solutions and traditional products at optimal times for maximum effectiveness, leveraging decision-support tools for precision.
  
  
  

How IPM Builds on Existing Crop Management Practices

Ruth Mann: Many farmers are already using IPM principles. The difference lies in integrating these elements more effectively. For instance, selecting a suitable cultivation method based on the crop variety and applying plant protection products at the right growth stage are examples of IPM in action. It’s about using decision-support systems to make the best possible choices.

Case Study: IPM in Strawberry Production

Dom Pendergrast: In horticulture, there’s a strong focus on IPM due to pressure to reduce pesticide use and maintain beneficial insect populations. In our recent strawberry project, we worked with a commercial grower to develop an IPM programme focused on controlling powdery mildew. Over two years, we integrated bio solutions with conventional methods to create a tailored, sustainable approach.

Our results showed improved yield, better disease control, and higher-quality strawberries with no pesticide residues, which is vital in a consumer-facing crop. This approach also shortened the re-entry period, benefiting “pick-your-own” operations.

The Long-Term Benefits of a Sustainable IPM Strategy

Ruth Mann: IPM is about looking at long-term productivity. Building soil organic matter through cover crops, for example, benefits future crop cycles. Technologies like ground sensors and drones help us monitor nutrient levels and crop health, allowing us to apply nutrients and protection products precisely when needed, increasing yield and reducing waste.

Top Tips for Implementing IPM on Your Farm

Dom Pendergrast: Engage with the Green Horizons project and consult with your agronomist. IPM is about situational approaches—using the right tools for your specific circumstances. Your agronomist can bring together data and insights to guide you effectively.

Ruth Mann: Collect as much data as possible. Data from your fields, weather conditions, and pest activity can reveal trends and help you refine your IPM plan over time. Agronomists bring a wealth of knowledge from different farm environments, so work closely with them to optimise your practices.

Thinking of IPM as a Long-Term Investment

Ruth Mann: IPM is a tailored, long-term approach unique to each farm. It’s not about what works this year, but building strategies that improve productivity sustainably over multiple seasons. This means enhancing soil, selecting resilient crops, and integrating pest management practices for ongoing benefits.

Listen to the full episode of Tramlines on your favourite podcast platform for more insights from Ruth Mann and Dom Pendergrast on implementing Integrated Pest Management in UK agriculture.