OLD_SERA003: Southern Region Information Exchange Group for IPM
Statement of Issues and Justification
Project's Primary Website is at http:http://www.cipm.info/ent/Southern_Region/SERAIEG/ (direct link can be found under LINKS)Losses due to pests and efforts to control pests are major obstacles to cost effective crop and livestock production in the Southern Region. In addition, the cost of controlling pests in recreational areas, home landscapes, public and commercial facilities and households combined with the environmental concerns associated with pesticide-dependant control tactics makes IPM a high priority in the Southern Region and the U.S. This multitude of pest situations combined with the numerous pest disciplines makes the coordination of all aspects of IPM critical. Historically, IPM has revolved around entomology and row crops with less emphasis on plant pathology, weed science, nematology, and other related disciplines and in areas other than crop production. However, for IPM to be truly effective, all aspects must be integrated. SERA003 originated with the Experiment Station and Extension Directors naming individuals from each state to provide recommendations on coordination of the IPM activities in the region. Continued development and implementation of IPM strategies under current funding will increasingly depend on effective coordination at the geographical, institutional and disciplinary levels. This need for coordination is as great or greater today than when this SERA-IEG was formed.
SERA003 has annually brought research and extension professionals together to discuss research and education projects related to integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Since its formation this group has consistently impacted the Southern Region IPM grants program by providing input on funding priorities and on mechanisms to encourage participation by representatives of all pest management disciplines and from all southern region states. SERA003 has developed a forum for reporting accomplishments of previously funded IPM grants. To this objective, the group has hosted principal investigator presentations at annual meetings providing a regional overview of successes and outcomes from project funding. The group meeting has also provided an annual forum for the state IPM Coordinators and interested research scientists to meet with the CSREES IPM Program Leader to review progress in each state, discuss reporting mechanisms and make plans for future programs. Since the inception of the Pest Management Centers through USDA/CSREES this SERA has taken the lead in developing linkages with the Center Directors who are now included as members and this SERA provides significant input as to policy, procedures and methods in operations of the Southern Region Pest Management Center.
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