DEVELOPING AN ECOSYSTEM LEVEL GRAZED PASTURE IPM ASSESSMENT TOOL

This ARDP applied research (single function) projectis a multidisciplinary, multistate effort to develop an ecosystems level Grazed Pasture IPM (GP-IPM) assessment.It will address the Plant Protection Tools and Tactics and Diversified IPM Systems CPPM focus areas, and Applied Research Program Area Priorities (i) to develop tools and tactics needed for pest management systems through monitoring and decision support, and (ii) increased understanding of interactions among tactics. Specifically, it will develop a new GP-IPM tool to monitor pest and beneficial invertebrate populations, support management decisions, and increase understanding of interactions between pests, parasites, beneficials, and management practices, to offer farmers sustainable management recommendations tailored to their whole pasture ecosystem. The three main objective align with national roadmap goals [a, b, and c]:Cattle pasture Tick Risk - identify tick species present on cattle pastures, associated animal and human health risks, report on invasive Asian Longhorned Tick, and investigate how tick populations are influenced by grazing and pasture management. [b,c].GP-IPM development phase - develop a protocol for holistic GP-IPM assessment, conduct on-farm trials, collaborate with stakeholders to create report and cost-effective management recommendations. [a,b,c].GP-IPM refinement phase - work with participating farmers and veterinarians to incorporate feedback into the protocol, conduct second on-farm trial, produce final GP-IPM assessment, and evaluate outcomes. [a,b,c].This project partners research and extension specialists in agronomy, ecology, entomology, and IPM, large animal veterinarians, and farmers working across VT, NYS, NH, and MA.By increasing collaboration, the goal is to help farmers incorporate multiple tactics that benefit the whole pasture ecosystem, reducing pests and pesticide inputs while improving beneficial species, environmental outcomes, and herd health.