What makes a person an IPM practitioner is hard to define. There are many management tactics that can be used for pest management, but which combination would constitute the ultimate IPM program? The answer to this question is very complicated and involves specifics about each individual farm, changing environmental patterns, the farmer's knowledge level, government policy, cost of each tactic versus its benefit, ease of use, etc. In reality, there is no one formula for the ideal IPM program and no one is a complete IPM practitioner. On the other hand, no one is a complete non-IPM practitioner. So how can we measure adoption of IPM? First, we must realize that IPM adoption is along a continuum with each individual farmer starting at a different point. Therefore, we should not try to measure adoption, but progress along the continuum from the point a farmer started. The question we should ask is can a farmer improve his IPM program given his current practices and resource limitations. If so, what practices can be introduced into his crop management program. The first step toward developing a viable IPM program is to assess the farmer's resource base (land, labor, capital, equipment, etc.), the complex of pests that attack his or her crops, his crop production system, and how he or she will use the crops. Once this is accomplished, we can begin to identify management tactics that will fit his or her crop production system, resource base, and still meet his or her management goals. These tactics should then be implemented and their value assessed over time and adjustments made when and if necessary. No IPM program is static. Changes should be made to accommodate changes in the pest complex and management goals of the farmer.

Although the set of IPM management tactics needed will change over time and will differ between farms, several aspects of an IPM program are static: 1) the need to scout and 2) the use of sound economic thresholds. Which scouting procedures are needed may vary, but some form of scouting will be necessary. However, only those pests of concern need to be scouted for. Field scouting and pest monitoring is the IPM practitioners method of collecting timely information about field health and pest infestations. Without this information, the need for management and the proper timing of a control tactic cannot be determined. It is difficult to call one's self an IPM practitioner if good field monitoring methods are not followed. Table 34 contains a list of IPM practices that can serve as a guideline to measure your level of IPM adoption. Check those practices that you use on your farm and see where you stand. Don't feel bad if you can only check a few practices. They may be all you need. Use the table as a guide to help you improve your level of IPM understanding and adoption.