PEST MANAGEMENT
Definition:
Utilizing environmentally sensitive prevention, avoidance, monitoring, and suppression strategies to manage weeds, insects, diseases, animals, and other organisms (including invasive and non-invasive species) that directly or indirectly cause damage or annoyance.
Background:
Pest management is an essential practice in the commercial production of cranberries. Wisconsin NRCS offers a Pest Management Conservation Practice Standard (code 595) and Wisconsin Conservation Planning Technical Note WI-2. The 595 standard establishes the minimum criteria for pest management plans in Wisconsin, while the technical note provides additional guidance in the development of a pest management plan. Please visit the Wisconsin NRCS Technical Notes webpage to obtain a copy of Wisconsin Conservation Planning Technical Note WI-2.
Growers are not required, by law, to have a pest management plan that meets the 595 standard. NRCS encourages growers to implement pest management plans that meet the criteria included in the 595 standard, through the NRCS conservation planning process and through conservation programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Pest management is an important component of a cranberry conservation plan.
Financial assistance for pest management may be available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) or the WSCGA. Contact your conservation planner, your local NRCS office, or the WSCGA for more information.
Links:
Guidelines and Standards
USDA - NRCS Electronic Field Office Technical Guide: Section IV of the eFOTG includes the NRCS Conservation Practice Standards, including Pest Management (595).
Wisconsin NRCS Technical Notes: Wisconsin Conservation Planning Technical Note WI-2 can be downloaded from this website; it includes guidance for writing a pest management plan in Wisconsin.
How-to-Scout (97 KB): Pest scouting guidelines from the WSCGA Grower Resource Notebook.
Education, Publications, and Planning Aids
Wisconsin Cranberry Crop Management Library: Includes cranberry nutrient management publications and links to the Cranberry Crop Management Newsletters and Cranberry School Proceedings.
Maps
NRCS Web Soil Survey: An online application from the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that may be used to generate soil maps.
DNR Maps: An online mapping utility, provided by the Wisconsin DNR, which can be used to generate farm maps based on aerial photography or topographic maps.