Q.Pest & Weed Management
What is the best integrated pest management approach for small farms?
A.
IPM combines monitoring (scouting for pests at thresholds), biological controls (beneficial insects, crop rotation), cultural practices (resistant varieties, sanitation, timing), and selective chemical use only when other methods fail. The goal is sustainable pest suppression rather than eradication. Most small farms benefit from focused IPM on their highest-value crops first.
Variety review and crop calendar pages cover IPM-aligned practices.