Biopesticide Industry Alliance

Biopesticide Industry Alliance. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Line On Agriculture.

Bill Stoneman, is the Executive Director of the Biopesticide Industry Alliance (BPIA) an organization of 70 member companies involved in the development and marketing of biological pesticides. We talked recently about what the difference is of a biopesticide.

STONEMAN: The primary difference is that most of these are biologically derived. They may be a microorganism, a fungi or a bacteria. Ot they might be a biochemical material. Those are the primary differences versus say a synthesized chemistry. Some are naturally derived materials either through fermentation or plant extraction or even mined minerals can be used.

Stoneman was representing his company at the recent Potato Expo and he talked about how potato producers can benefit.

STONEMAN: With potato growers we actually have 7 or 8 member companies that are displaying here and they have a variety of products. So each of our member companies that’s here has something that they offer to the potato industry.

And he discusses the efficacy of these bio-based pesticides.

STONEMAN: Almost in every case we are as efficacious as the chemical materials. It takes proper use and management. It takes proper handling. And it takes putting them into the right situation. If you use a microorganism you can’t put it out on a hot day in the bright sunshine and expect it to be effective. It needs to be applied at the right timing for the right problem. Biopesticides to tend to be a bit specific. In other words they aren’t generally a broad spectrum materials although some are. They need to be put on the right pest as well.

That’s today’s Line On Agriculture. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.