The “2004 and 2005 Dry Bean Grower Survey of Pest Problems and Pesticide Use in Minnesota and North Dakota” is available through the North Dakota State University Extension Service. This survey is supported by the Northarvest Bean Growers Association.

The objectives of the survey include:

• Provide information on class and variety, which is useful in supporting research on variety improvement.
• Provide information on major production problems.
• Provide information on major weed, disease and insect problems, which may change dramatically from year to year. This data frequently is used to support the need for registration of new pesticides.
• Provide information on pesticide use. This information is used by the Environmental Protection Agency, IR-4 minor use registration program and chemical companies. It can be used in section 18 requests for specific exemptions to use new products.
• Provide information on the major pest problems. This information and grower comments help determine research and Extension Service needs and shape priorities. Comments from the surveys are circulated to Northarvest directors and to research and Extension faculty at NDSU and University of Minnesota.

""This is the growers' opportunity to tell the Extension Service and Northarvest board of directors about their problems and needs,"" says Janet Knodel, NDSU Extension Service entomologist.

""The data on varieties has made it possible to trace the rising and waning of varieties and to determine what portion of the bean crop was planted to rust-resistant varieties,"" she says. ""It provides information on the value of the breeding program to the producer, which also is useful for legislative considerations.""

Previous surveys also have tracked the prevalence of certain weed, disease and insect problems in North Dakota and Minnesota. Differences in production between North Dakota and Minnesota are documented. The surveys periodically have been conducted since 1987.

The “2004 and 2005 Dry Bean Grower Survey of Pest Problems and Pesticide Use in Minnesota and North Dakota” (PP 1265) is available through the NDSU Agriculture Communication Distribution Center at (701) 231-7882 or dctr@ndsu.edu.

NDSU Agriculture Communication