Page 45 - 2019 Ag Mag

KMAland 2019 45

researchers and extension staff er Larry Buss, a successful team he and other industries’ represen-
and staff from the Iowa Depart- of diverse stakeholders has been tation establishes a good balance:
ment of Agriculture and Land meeting every other month since he and others can contribute
Stewardship—created the Iowa spring 2017 to trial, demonstrate what they learn from company
Pest Resistance Management and promote solutions to herbi- research to farmers, and take back
Program (IPRMP) in 2017. The cide, and more recently fungi- local concerns to the companies
IPRMP is an effort involving all cide, resistance issues that plague who may not have as strong of a
sectors of agriculture in support- growers in the area. presence in more rural areas.
ing voluntary, community-led “The Harrison County project “For me, as a representative of
resistance management. Local, is a great example of a commu- an ag company, I like [being part
community-led projects have nity coming together to address of the project] because it shows
the highest chance for success, resistance,” said Iowa Secretary that we’re involved in agriculture
as what may work in one area of of Agriculture Mike Naig. “The outside of just topics that con-
Iowa may not be feasible in an- network of volunteers shares a tribute to the bottom line,” Swal-
other. passion for responsible resis- well said. “I started (in this indus-
Tapping into years of experi- tance management and they are try) before Roundup Ready crops
ence and expertise of local farm- working together to bring their were introduced. I saw what it
ers and agriculture professionals knowledge and passion to local was like to have a secret weapon,
is crucial to formulate plans and farmers and landowners.” While then I saw that weapon lose some
focus on practices that are most the introduction of Palmer ama- effectiveness and I can think of
suitable for the unique chal- ranth was the initial inspiration, things that the industry could
lenges in each region. Commu- the Harrison project has grown have done differently to mitigate
nity-based projects are being to include herbicide resistant wa- resistance development.”
implemented across the state of terhemp, marestail and giant rag- Pest resistance development is
Iowa, each focused on an insect weed, as well as fungicide resis- complex, and new instances of
or weed resistance issue. Four tance. Buss and his neighbors use pest resistance continue to be
projects are in various stages their farms to demonstrate man- discovered. Should pest resis-
of development: western corn agement techniques, host field tance continue to develop, pro-
rootworm resistance to Bt traits days and hold monthly meetings duction of the crops that support
in northeast Iowa; pyrethroid to discuss solutions and share the world’s population will be-
resistance in soybean aphid in opinions with their community come increasingly expensive and
northwestern Iowa; herbicide re- members that encompass lend- complex. Fortunately, scientists,
sistance in waterhemp in central ers, seed dealers and chemical farmers and private industry are
Iowa; and Palmer amaranth and dealers, to name a few. already making a difference in
herbicide resistant weeds in Har- “One company, one product, their communities.
rison County in southwest Iowa. one university, can’t be the sole Now is the time to protect Iowa
inventor of the best practices for crops, and you can help. Contact
Grabbing the Weed by their area,” said John Swalwell, a Evan Sivesind (sivesind@iastate.
the Roots retail agronomist with Asgrow- edu) to learn about potential
Dekalb working with the pilot projects in your area.
The Harrison County Pest Re- project in Harrison County. “It To learn more about pest resis-
sistance Project*is a prime exam- takes everyone involved at all tance, and find out ways you can
ple of the success that is possible levels to identify the most effi- help, visit our website: Protectio-
with these community projects. cient solutions.” wacrops.org.
Led and organized by local farm- Overall, Swalwell believes that