Pest management decisions in an integrated pest management (IPM) program are based on information collected from the field in a systematic manner. The practice of IPM depends on field monitoring of pest populations and crop developments, which is often referred to as "field scouting." Implementation of IPM field scouting may be performed by (1) a grower as a do-it-yourself option, (2) a field scout or consultant under contract, or (3) commercial ag-service personnel, who include field scouting as part of a service to their clients. IPM practices may be implemented by anyone if procedures are clearly understood and field information is collected and recorded in an accurate and timely manner.

If an IPM program is provided to growers by either a public agency or private enterprise, the program may include one or two service functions that may or may not be performed by the same individual. The first function is field scouting, which includes the collection of periodic field observations. The second function is pest management recommendations, which includes consultation on the interpretation of field observations collected regarding management actions needed.

In IPM programs contracted to growers, the provision of recommendations may or may not be included in the package of services provided. Growers who are familiar with pest management decision making procedures may want to contract for only the field scouting service. Growers who are unfamiliar with the process may want both the field scouting services plus pest management recommendations.

The Field Scout

The party who performs the field scouting activity in an IPM program is referred to as the "field scout." This individual is responsible for collection of field observations and may or may not be responsible for making pest management recommendations. In many IPM programs, it is assumed that the field scout's role is to collect field observations and not provide recommendations.

The tasks of the field scout include (1) making accurate identifications of pests and related crop injury present in the field, (2) determining the abundance of the pest populations and degree of injury present, (3) noting relevant parameters related to crop development, and (4) recording all field observations in manner that can be forwarded to the party making the final decisions regarding pest management actions to be taken. Such a task applied to one or more crop production systems requires mastering a significant amount of knowledge in agricultural biology and sampling methods.

Given the complications of the field scouting task and the value of the crop acreage scouted, it is essential that the field scout be competent, dependable, and be committed to performing the job over a number of growing seasons to become an effective and experienced field biologist. Although a field scout may function under the supervision of an experienced agriculturalist, it is important to recognize that significant decisions will be based on the field scout's observations. As a result, the success or failure of a pest management program depends on the performance of the field scout.

Factors in Effective Field Scouting Systems:

The Ohio IPM program has had more than a decade of experience in the training and support of field scouts operating under Ohio State University (OSU) Extension county-based field scouting programs. The programs that have remained effective over time have had one key ingredient, namely the continuity of experienced field scouts. The factor most responsible for terminating field scouting programs is the repeated employment of inexperienced field scouts to service growers.

Factors contributing to field scout turnover and termination of pest management programs are that field scouting is seasonal and field scout salaries are often near the minimum wage. To counter the problem of seasonal employment, it is essential that the field scouting role be either (1) included as part of full time employment, (2) identified as a second job that can be worked around another source of employment, or (3) undertaken by a party only interested in seasonal employment but on a recurring basis. The problem of low wages for field scouts can be corrected over time as a field scout gains the experience and efficiency to monitor significant acreage.

In Medina and Wayne counties, where OSU Extension IPM programs have operated for over a decade, a field scout was employed on a full year basis as an IPM program assistant. During the growing season, the IPM program assistant would scout fields and supervise temporary field scouts hired to supplement the program if contracted acreage exceeded that which could be handled by a single individual. Although fees received from growers for scouting fields did not cover the full salary of an OSU Extension program assistant, the county program rationalized that the additional expense could be justified by additional duties. Such duties may include services on consumer horticulture, winter training to growers on pesticide applicator safety, or other responsibilities. The presence of the field scout on the county OSU Extension staff also insured that someone was working on signing up growers during the off season to continue participation in the local IPM program.

In the Licking County OSU Extension IPM program, field scouting services are primarily handled by a school teacher who with the assistance of his family can service nearly 2,000 acres of crop land. By working evenings and weekends in the spring and full time in the summer, the school teacher is able to generate nearly $7,000 of supplemental income annually as a field scout. In the Licking County program, the participating growers function similar to a cooperative and contract directly with the field scout on a fee per acre basis (ca. $4.00 per acre). In turn, the field scout handles his own travel expenditures and eliminates OSU Extension county program administrative overhead of handling of fees and travel costs. It should be noted that this arrangement has developed over a period of seven years, and a novice field scout may earn considerably less until he/she developed the efficiency and expertise to scout significant acreage as a part time job. However, the Licking County case does demonstrate that field scouting can be a profitable second job if an individual develops the necessary skills and cultivates the trust of a group of growers.

In a number of other Ohio counties, OSU Extension programs have had field scouts such as spouses or retired people who are only interested in seasonal employment and have performed effectively for limited periods of time (3 or 4 years). However, programs dependent on field scout personnel not committed to repeated seasons of field scouting invariably terminate over time.

Many county IPM programs have experimented with temporary employment of students. Although students may be effective on a short term basis, if they are good they will find higher paying jobs after a growing season or two. Furthermore, employment of students does not build program continuity and the task of finding good students interested in field scouting is very difficult.

In the final analysis, effective field scouting programs depend on the development of experienced field scouts who offer growers service on a year after year basis and can perform the service efficiently. An inexperienced field scout must inspect nearly every field scouted on a weekly basis which is time consuming and costly. In comparison, an experienced field scout will selectively prioritize field sites, minimize time wasted, make field scouting into a profitable service, and gain the respect of growers served.

Field Scout Training and Technical Support:

The Ohio IPM Program will provide training and technical field support to field programs providing IPM services to growers on a wide range of crops. One-on-one field training of new scouts is provided on a biweekly basis when local training and supervision is not available. A handbook of IPM scouting methods and reference materials are provided as training materials. Regional field sessions are scheduled on a monthly basis in areas where a number of field scouts are operating to enable field scouts to compare field results and learn new scouting techniques. The Ohio IPM Newsletter provides weekly updates on current field developments.

Economics of Field Scouting:

Contracts for field scouting services on field crops (corn, soybeans, and alfalfa) range from $3.00 to $5.00 per acre depending on acreage and size of field sites committed. Contracts generally require sign-up of minimum acreage, and fees charged per acre are often based on a sliding scale. Field scouting of high value crops (vegetables, fruit and ornamentals) may range from $5.00 to $20.00 per acre depending on the crop value and relative importance of pest management operations.

Field scout salaries may range from minimum wage to $10.00 per hour, if one assumes efficient operation on an acreage contract.

Associated costs of scouting include transportation, cost of monitoring tools (traps, sweep net, weather instruments, etc.) if needed, training materials, and administrative overhead, if applicable.

Benefits to growers include (1) reduction of risk and prevention of losses by early detection of pest problems, (2) potential reduction of pesticide costs if unnecessary treatments are prevented, and (3) general value of having periodic information on status of crop which represents a reduction of grower's time applied to periodic field inspection.

In the case of field crop IPM programs, five or more growers committed to employing the services of a field scout may collectively support an IPM field scouting program if each contracts an average of 200 acres at $4.00 per acre.

Limited field scouting services may be offered to growers on a basis other than a flat acreage fee. Monitoring of corn rootworm beetle activity in late July and August has been done on a visit per field basis (i.e. $10.00 per inspection until a decision is made whether fields require soil insecticide treatment following year or not). Consultants sometimes charge for sampling of potato leafhopper on alfalfa based on an acreage/ visit basis. Annual weed inspections and other one time inspections may be billed on a one- time basis. Assessment of potential bean leaf beetle on soybeans may be limited to a contracting a few weeks of field scouting during July and early August.

Ag-Chemical Service Industry Field Scouting:

Field scouting may be included with the field services provided by ag-chemical dealers. To some parties, the provision field scouting services and recommendations by dealers of pesticides represents a conflict of interest. However, the ag-service industry has the best interest of growers in mind, and competition for business depends on providing service. The risk of selling fewer pesticides is minimal compared to the gain of long term business, which may include more significant sales in seed and fertilizer.

Ag-chemical dealerships, especially those having applicator services, often have a trained field agronomist who maintains extensive records on growers' fields. The provision of IPM field scouting services is equivalent to providing soil testing services in support of fertilizer sales. The ag-service industry is currently experimenting with systems of certification of field advisors which include pest management services.

The Pest Management Information Network:

The provision of field scouting services and pest management recommendations depends on information networks, where all parties in the field, public and private, exchange information. Awareness of the field development of pest problems depends on communications within the ag community. Pest management decisions on a field should be field specific and based on scouting reports, but the operational timing of field pest detection and assessment operations is optimized when area wide information is shared via a pest management information network.

Traditional pest management information networks were based on weekly newsletters, radio spots, newspaper columns, and telephone communications. With the expanded use of computer based bulletin boards, FAX machines and other forms of telecommunications, opportunities exist for more rapid exchange of pest management information.

One role of OSU Extension/IPM programs is facilitating the transfer of IPM information throughout the ag community. Such networking of information on pest management provides support for field scouting activities within both public agencies and private enterprise.

Copyright 1993, The Ohio State University

OPMS Circular # FC-2 SCOUTING
Prepared by: Harold R. Willson, Dept. of Entomology
January 1990