Nova Scotia Apples - Integrated Pest Management and Integrated Fruit Production
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IPM

Integrated Pest Management & Integrated Fruit Production

Orchardists in Nova Scotia follow a program known as IPM or Integrated Pest Management.  In this program, insecticides are used in the orchard only when it is known that it is necessary to prevent crop loss.  Most growers know the important insects which attack their fruit crops, and make a habit of checking for those insects.  Private and company scouts are also employed to do this service for growers.

In the IPM system, natural enemies of pests are utilized to control them.  However, if populations of these beneficial insects are not sufficient to control the pest population, then a control product must be applied.  This is a responsible system which considers both economics and the environment.  It also helps to alleviate other problems such as pesticide resistance and outbreaks of secondary pests.
 
IFP - Integrated Fruit Production
A relatively new concept in the world of fruit production is know as IFP or Integrated Fruit Production.  At the heart of this program is integrated pest management.  However, IFP goes beyond that in that it looks at the whole orchard system from the planting of trees through to storage and packing of the harvested fruit.

In IFP, the whole fruit growing system is considered.  Cultural practices, environmental management, safety, record keeping and education are all a part of integrated fruit production.  As a result of practicing IFP, the following goals can be achieved:
• production of optimum yields of quality fruit
• achievement of a standard of sustainable food production
• production of a safe, high quality food product for consumers

The end result is an economic and environmentally sustainable food production system.

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