Implementing IPM on farm - Experiences from leading growersDaniel Fragapane, Werribee South VIC

Werribee South vegetable grower, Daniel Fragapane, runs a 42 hectare farm growing cauliflowers and broccoli for supermarket chain ALDI.

In the past, the farm has grown a range of other vegetables including capsicums, zucchini and cucumbers.

Daniel has been responsible for pest control since he left school and began working full-time on the farm, about 15 years ago.

Initially, Daniel followed the same pest management approach used by his father Julian. This was primarily an insecticide-based strategy, involving weekly applications of broad-spectrum insecticides.

Daniel changed to an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach, however, following a recommendation from his cousins who had successfully adopted IPM, after encountering a pest problem with their crops.

Daniel contacted an IPM consultant and proceeded to implement IPM across the farm. Unlike his cousins, who changed to using IPM because of a problem, Daniel changed because it seemed like a good idea.

ChallengesFor many farmers, changing practice can be difficult and worrying, but for Daniel the transition was relatively stress free.

The main challenge Daniel experienced was scheduling control options at specific times, such as application of the caterpillar control spray Dipel. UV light degrades Dipel, so it is important to apply after the peak of UV has passed, particularly in summer.

Also timing spray application so that it is not washed off by irrigation can be a problem in hot weather.

This project has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the vegetable levy and funds from the Australian Government.

Key Messages• DanielFragapaneadoptedIPMonhisWerribee

Southfarmfollowingarecommendationfromhiscousins.

• Danielhasbeenimpressedwiththeresultshe’sseeninthiscrop,followingtheuseofIPM

• ThebiggestchallengeforDanielhasbeenschedulingcontroloptionsatspecifictimes,suchasavoidingpeakUVperiodsforcaterpillarcontrolwithproductssuchasDipelinsummer.

• Danielhasmanagedthesechallengesthroughacombinationoftargetedcontrol,includingstrategiclocationsprayingratherthanwholeoffarm,andusingalternativeproductswhenrequired.

ICP1/051/1701

Werribee South vegetable grower, Daniel Fragapane

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Implementing IPM on farm - experiences from leading growers

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Given the overwhelming positive results of implementing IPM, Daniel has found the few challenges he has encountered, such as timing of sprays, can be accommodated either by strategic spraying of parts of the farm, instead of the whole farm, or using alternative products that are easier to apply when UV and irrigation is a problem.

Decision-makingAlthough Daniel feels that he would continue to use IPM without the help of consultants, he continues to have his crops monitored by IPM Technologies.

Daniel has found receiving external advice provides him with a good assessment of where he is up to with his pest management strategy and supports him with the information he needs to make decisions on what to do next.

“ Unlike his cousins, who changed to using IPM because of a problem, Daniel changed

because it seemed like a good idea ”