CMA Benefits

CMA producers cite many reasons for joining a CMA. Recently a milk producer in Bedford County revealed he did not sidedress nitrogen on corn this year because his consultant, through chlorophyll testing, found nitrogen levels adequate for optimum economic production. On 100 acres of corn he saved around $2,300.

Besides anecdotal accounts of CMA benefits, research conducted on crop management data collected by 21 West Branch CMA producers from 1997 through 2000 indicate CMA benefits are numerous and significant. For example, data from the Pennsylvania Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) indicated 44 and 57% of all Pennsylvania corn acres were treated with insecticides in 1998 and 2000, respectively. (NASS collects pesticide use data every other year.) In the CMA study group, 59% and 24% of acres were treated, respectively. Thus, more acres were treated by CMA members than general farmers in 1998, while fewer acres were treated in 2000. The two year average difference in use by CMA producers was 18%. Based on total pounds of insecticides reported by NASS data, 51 fewer tons of insecticide active ingredients would have been applied in Pennsylvania if the 18% reduction in corn insecticides for 1998 and 2000 had been achieved by all Pennsylvania corn producers.

CMA members achieve pesticide use efficiency because CMA personnel scout members' fields every seven to ten days during the growing season and assist producers in developing extension-supported integrated pest management systems that incorporate cultural control methods. Thus, pesticides are used only when pest populations exceed an economic threshold and after careful consideration of cultural control options.

CMA members are also serious about nutrient management. Based on the same study of 21 West Branch producers from 1998 through 2000, 42% of nitrogen available for corn production came from manures, 30% came from commercial fertilizer, and 28% came from previous legume crops. If average nitrogen cost for the 4 year period had been $.21/pound and the average corn crop required 130 pounds of nitrogen/acre, the total cost of nitrogen/acre, if manure and legume nitrogen were not considered, would have been $28.60. Since CMA producers accounted for manure and legume nitrogen, they spent only $8.60/acre. This, of course, represents a significant reduction ($20/acre) in costs.