Integrated Crop Management

ICM practices adopted by Iowa farmers

For years extension educators have promoted various Integrated Crop Management (ICM) techniques. Integrated Crop Management is a sustainable approach to managing crop production that uses a combination of biological, cultural, and chemical tactics to reduce pests to tolerable levels that minimize economic, health, and environmental risks. Many producers selectively use ICM practices, but few implement the total package.

In the fall of 1993, ISU Extension's Integrated Pest Management program [1] initiated a two-year statewide ICM training program demonstrating that a complete ICM package is profitable and environmentally responsible.

For the program, ISU Extension provided digitized soil maps, soil sampling from a major soil mapping unit, scouting services, and appropriate crop management recommendations. Crop enterprise records were kept and summarized to provide accurate economic analysis.


This article originally appeared on page 77 of the IC-478(10) -- May 26, 1997 issue.

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