Measuring the unmeasurable? A Method to quantify adoption of integrated pest management practices in temperate arable farming systems

Managing pests, whether insects, weeds or diseases is a key component of arable cropping in temperate climates and the integration of the key means of control is fundamental to achieving this. Using a survey of arable farmers across Ireland and the UK, in combination with a metric to determine levels of integrated pest management (IPM) practised, differences between the countries in levels and familiarity with IPM were identified. Levels of familiarity, relationships between the farmer and advisor, area of land farmed and country of origin were identified as key drivers in the levels of IPM practised.