Integrated Fruit Production (IFP) is a progressive orchard management system designed to produce quality fruit using environmentally responsible production techniques.  By implementing IFP practices, producers will reduce the risk of pesticide pollution in local waterways and of affecting endangered salmon and steelhead.

The IFP Network, or IFPnet, looks to help implement IFP practices by using the data collected from weather stations placed in area orchards.  Currently, 47 weather stations make up the IFP Network.  Each station collects environmental data every 15 minutes and transmits these data via radio telemetry or the Internet to a central web server.  The server posts data on the Internet.  The data are used by producers, orchard managers, pesticide applicators, and crop consultants to make pest/disease management decisions.  With this data, Orchardists will be able to use new generation soft pesticides.

Funding for The Dalles IFP Network has come from:  Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB), Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Northern Wasco PUD, Wasco County Fruit and Produce League, UAP Northwest and local area orchard growers.

Integrated Fruit Production Network (IFPnet) began providing advanced IPM disease/pest models for specific orchard sites to accurately determine when to apply pesticides.  Orchard growers use a network of 95 weather stations located in orchards throughout the Mid-Columbia region of Oregon and Washington and a web-based interface (www.ifpnet.com).  The Wy'East Resource Conservation & Development Council (Wy'East), in cooperation with the Wasco Fruit and Produce League in 2001 and Hood River Growers and Shippers began operation of the IFPnet in 2003.

How IFPnet Works. 
IFPnet allows growers to collect precise weather data from specific weather stations to calculate pest and disease degree-day models. Through a network of 95 remote weather stations and a web-based interface, growers use the degree-day models and data to assist them in making better decisions and precise timed application of new generation pesticides. 

Growers have full access to data from stations on or near the orchard blocks they are managing.  Also, growers can purchase weather stations in locations of their choosing to add to the IFPnet and sites.  The data from these stations are available to all growers accessing the IFPnet.  The project started with 15 weather stations in The Dalles and has continued to grow.

Use of IFPnet
In a recent telephone survey of 19 growers in Hood River and Wasco Counties shows;

• 84% use the IFPnet website.  Of those, 100% find it “extremely” useful and find the information gained from the site to be adequate.
• Of those that farm near a stream, 93% are more cautious spraying now than they were 5 years ago
• All have implemented IFP practices on their farm in one way or another.

For Assistance
For information or assistance in accessing weather stations and pest models call:

Mike Land, Technician, at 541-993-1190, or email mjland@gorge.net
Merlin Berg, RC&D Coordinator, at 541-296-2391 x117.

1. IFPnet is made available through the support of the grower organizations, state, federal and foundations. 
2. Each grower has their own account where they can customize and run as many degree-day models on as many orchard blocks as desired.  For example, the grower can run a coddling moth model on one field and run different models on other orchard blocks simultaneously.
3. The degree-day model allows growers the information needed to precisely target new generation pesticide applications to pests and diseases. 
4. Growers using IFPnet can access degree-day models through their personal computers without manually inputting sensor data, unlike other Internet access, degree-day models available.
5. The IFPnet can alert a grower instantly when a weather variable (i.e. wind or temperature) reaches a specified reading. Through the individual grower’s account, the grower can set up the system to trigger an alarm/s which will call and/or email the grower when any of programmed weather variable reaches the programmed setting.  IFPnet will call or email any number of people that have been programmed into the system.  For example, this allows spray crews to cancel spraying if the wind is to strong, preventing spray drift.
6. Growers can receive USDA cost share through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Security Program to purchase weather stations and use IFPnet.