Crop Pest Survey will No longer be Conducted
The Plant Pest Survey Program of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has been collecting data on insects, diseases and weeds in some form or other since the 1950’s when surveys for European corn borer were initiated. Since that beginning, the mission of the Plant Pest Survey Program has been to provide current information on the abundance and distribution of important pests of Minnesota field crops.
Two years ago, the survey was renamed the Crop Pest Survey and refocused to collect data on pests for which agricultural professionals could potentially mitigate with current-year management tactics.
The summer field staff that collected pest and disease information provided a valuable service that was carried out with respect for the growers who used the information. The Department recognizes the value in the Crop Pest Survey; however, the current state budget cannot support the effort. Thank you to all the growers that cooperated with the MDA field survey staff in the past and to the Crop Pest Survey staff for their dedication.
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