The importance of economics in the adoption of BC programs: Use of budgets and case studies

Economic analyses when considering adoption of conservation BC programs are a valuable input for decision making. In the end, if revenues do not surpass costs, it is unlikely that growers will adopt such programs. In this study, we estimate the costs of adopting pest management programs, which include non-organophosphate insecticides that, based on information from other aspects of our SCRI grant, are expected to conserve or disrupt BC agents to varying degrees. Uncertainties associated with BC effectiveness will be depicted through a series of sensitivity analyses based on several pest program scenarios reflecting the effects of different non-organophosphate pesticides on BC agents. The model includes effects of shorter reentry times on costs and environmental effects associated with use of such pesticides. By modeling growers’ expected profits we aim to provide a tool that will allow growers assess the costs and economic benefits associated with pest management programs that conserve BC.