Not just data, but a scientific basis for predictable performance.
Successful brands are an end-result of a strong technical foundation. AgriThority understands the value of a strong platform for product launches; because the producer’s choice of agriculture and animal health inputs requires a business decision and a significant investment. Marketers can move forward with confidence because that foundation is predicated on successful, predictable product performance in the field, across many environments.
Producers benefit, too. AgriThority has unmatched strength in the development of best management practices (BMPs) in animal health, agronomic and horticultural crop production, and in the development of product use within those BMPs.
Best Management Practice Development Services
Background
Change in diseases,pest complexes, parasites, production systems, and overall agricultual landscape has been rapid in recent years. Industry recognition of the changes, both from basic manufacturers and academics, has fueled momentum for the concept of developing and prioritizing the Best Management Practices (BMPs) for animal agriculture, small animals, specific crops, landscapes, and geographies. There is a widespread need for consensus as to what those BMPs are and where specific products and practices fit within the context of the overall system.
Understanding the system in part and attempting to piecemeal an approach to product fit and recommendations is increasingly viewed as a fractured approach at best and counter-productive at worst. Current crop production systems bundle traits, crop protection inputs, and genetic potential in the same package; therefore, a holistic approach to understanding and using BMPs is critical. As new technology is developed, there is a need for everyone from academics, sales, distribution channels, and R&D to understand the system from a BMP standpoint. A common message to the growers and influencers is a cornerstone of BMP adoption and new product introduction.
Objectives of Facilitated Workshops for BMP development
- Develop the best management practices for a specific animal, crop or
agricultural production system through a multi-discipline group of university
researchers, extension specialists and consultants with industry support.
- Enhance working relationship among key influencers by supporting them in a multi-discipline discussion group to formulate unbiased assessments and recommendations in an environment of open dialogue.
- Publish recommended production practices in a report from the group that is available for them to disseminate and present.
Two Brief Case Histories of BMP Development
First Forty Days and Fruiting to Finish Initiative in Cotton
Beginning in 2004, facilitated workshops involving invited cotton experts were convened every 8-12 months. Initial workshops focused on identifying a prioritizing the critical areas of early-season management in cotton. Subsequent workshops focused on building consensus concerning the most important and agreed-upon BMPs. Workshops averaged 20-30 attendees. Due to the size of the US cotton belt and academic support, an Upper South and Lower South group of experts met separately and worked simultaneously. Participants repeatedly expressed a desire for the process to continue and greatly valued the multi-disciplinary interaction in response surveys. The Fruiting to Finish portion of the project was an outgrowth and extension due to interest by participants and the industry in general. Workshops and publications were underwritten by Bayer CropScience and the National Cotton Council.
Deliverable Results of First Forty Days and Fruiting to Finish
- White Paper produced in Dec., 2006 and presentation made to Beltwide Cotton Conferences general session in Jan., 2007.
- Four regional seminars with producers and consultants held in early 2008.
- Final publication delivered in early 2008.
- The First Forty Days: The Most Critical Period in Cotton Production
Vegetable Entomologists Initiative
More than 20 vegetable entomologists representing different regions of the country convened for a workshop in May, 2008. The primary workshop goal was to brainstorm issues, challenges and opportunities in the control of insects and mites in vegetable crops, and to develop contemporary BMPs that minimize issues and challenges, and maximize opportunities by optimizing the performance of new technologies for controlling insects and mites. Based on the First Forty Days process model used in cotton, BMPs were identified, prioritized, and discussed. Several issues in vegetable production were brought forth and attendees widely agreed that the process should continue to include other disciplines and expand the overall scope of the project. Workshops have been underwritten to date by Bayer CropScience. This is an ongoing project.
Deliverable Results of the Vegetable Entomologists Workshop
- White paper produced, published and distributed in fall of 2008
- Best Management Practices for Pest Control in Vegetables
- Workshop principles have recently been presented and reported in Western Farm Press. SEE STORY