AgEcon Search

AgEcon Search >
       University of Minnesota >
          Department of Applied Economics >
             Staff Papers >

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://purl.umn.edu/13237

Title: ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF USING A BORDER TREATMENT FOR REDUCING ORGANOPHOSPHATE USE IN SEED POTATO PRODUCTION
Authors: Olson, Kent D.
Badibanga, Thaddee Mutumba
Radcliffe, Edward B.
Carroll, Matthew
MacRae, Ian
Ragsdale, David W.
Authors (Email): Olson, Kent D. (kdolson@umn.edu)
Issue Date: 2004
Series/Report no.: Staff Paper P04-8
Abstract: Recent research shows initial colonization of potato fields by winged green peach aphid is concentrated at field edges. This suggests that insecticides applied only to field margins during initial colonization would largely eliminate a colonizing aphid population, conserve natural enemies in the field center, and reduce insecticide use. To better understand the costs and benefits of reducing organophosphate use, the six participating growers were interviewed to ascertain their reason for participating and their satisfaction with the border only treatment method as well as their estimated net economic benefits. Five of the farms ranked cost reduction as the most important reason for participating. The sixth farm ranked reducing virus spread as the most important reason with cost reduction as their second most important reason. The average cost savings over all 28 participating fields of using the border treatment is estimated to be $23.85 per acre for the entire field-a 93% savings. Almost all the farmers found the border treatment method to be successful at aphid control. None of the farmers observed any impact on the physical yield of seed potato. All the fields were certified during the summer except for one of Farmer F's fields that was lost because of off type. In conclusion, the border treatment method seems likely to be adopted by many farmers since the potential cost saving is large and farmers dislike Monitor. However, some farmers may resist the method due to scouting requirements and costs. Also, farmers with fields that do not meet the uniformity requirements of the border treatment will not be successful in their use of the border method.
URI: http://purl.umn.edu/13237
Institution/Association: University of Minnesota>Department of Applied Economics>Staff Papers
Total Pages: 13
Language: English
Collections:Staff Papers

Files in This Item:

File SizeFormat
p04-08.pdf32KbPDFView/Open
Recommend this item

All items in AgEcon Search are protected by copyright.

 

 

Brought to you by the University of Minnesota Department of Applied Economics and the University of Minnesota Libraries with cooperation from the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

All papers are in Acrobat (.pdf) format. Get Adobe Reader

Contact Us

Powered by: