Youth excel at regional crop scouting competition

Monday, October 9, 2023

Youth from five states put their Integrated Pest Management (IPM) skills to the test at the Regional Youth Crop Scouting Competition on September 18, 2023. The competition, hosted by the University of Nebraska, brought together teams from Iowa, Nebraska, Indiana, Minnesota, and Illinois.

The competition aimed to educate young participants about the fundamentals of IPM and its importance in sustainable agriculture. Teams faced questions and tasks related to pest identification, pest management, crop disorders, crop staging, and responsible pesticide use.

Iowa teams excelled at the competition, securing first and fourth place. Clayton County Team 1 clinched first place, while Clayton County Team 2 tied for fourth place. Both teams were coached by Joe and Suzanne Shirbroun.

The Iowa 4-H Foundation provided funding to support Iowa teams' participation in the competition. The event was sponsored by the Nebraska Independent Crop Consultant Association, Nebraska Soybean Board, Ward Laboratories, and UNL's Doctor of Plant Health Program, in collaboration with Nebraska Extension.

What is IPM?

IPM is a science-based decision-making process that integrates multiple pest control strategies to suppress pest populations below economically damaging thresholds. IPM programs use a combination of biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tactics to manage pests in a way that minimizes risks to human health and the environment.

Why is IPM important?

IPM is important for a number of reasons. First, it can help farmers to save money on pest control costs. Second, IPM can help to reduce the use of pesticides, which can have negative impacts on human health and the environment. Third, IPM can help to preserve the effectiveness of pesticides by preventing pests from developing resistance.

The importance of youth agriculture:

Youth agriculture is essential for the future of sustainable agriculture. By educating youth about the importance of IPM and other sustainable farming practices, we can prepare them to be the next generation of farmers and environmental stewards.

The Regional Youth Crop Scouting Competition is a great example of how we can educate and inspire youth to pursue careers in sustainable agriculture. Congratulations to the Iowa teams for their outstanding achievements at the competition!