Empowering Agricultural Professionals in the Midwest to Support Beneficial Birds and Discourage Pest Birds

Commodities

Practices

• Education and Training: demonstration, extension, networking, workshop
• Natural Resources/Environment: biodiversity, carbon sequestration, drift/runoff buffers, hedgerows, hedges - grass, hedges - woody, riparian buffers, wildlife
• Pest Management: biological control, cultural control, integrated pest management

In the Midwest, perching birds and raptors play a vital role in controlling farm pests. Many farmers see these birds as beneficial (Kross et al. 2018) and want professional assistance with determining how to support their reduction of insect pests and rodents, and how to manage pest birds when they cause trouble (Bardenhagen, et al. 2020). The majority of bird species that visit farms are beneficial during nesting season when they provide critical pest control services. We can encourage them year-round by increasing farm habitat and diversity with cost-effective on-the-ground integrated pest management (IPM) practices. If pest birds are a problem, they can be discouraged with specific practices during the short periods when they cause damage.

To increase adoption of bird-friendly and bird-deterrent practices on Midwest farms, agricultural professionals and farmers must be trained on the latest research, tools and resources that support and manage the roles of birds on farms. To that end, WFA is developing a comprehensive education project to empower agricultural professionals to help farmers adopt sustainable pest management practices, reduce reliance on pesticides and support biodiversity. Key components of the project that will reach at least 1,450 agricultural professionals and farmers include a new publication focused on best practices for nesting structures; three videos that highlight farmers and researchers; two field days to demonstrate practices; a 10-webinar online training course led by instructors who have conducted avian pest control research, and/or have experience with farm conservation practices and pest management strategies; and an online resource library.  

Products we will produce include:  

• Five-minute videos: We will create three short videos highlighting farmer success with practices and research that supports avian IPM. Topics we anticipate covering include 1) using songbird nest boxes to support pest control on row crop farms; 2) conserving prairies that support beneficial birds for pest control in corn and soybean fields; 3) using habitat to support beneficial birds in cucurbit production. 
• Publication: We will produce printed and online versions of the Nesting Structures for Beneficial Songbirds on the Farm for the Midwest. This publication will address how to match the existing landscape (e.g. open field or forest edge) to the bird species that will likely be drawn there, concerns when placing the box, correct nest box designs and proper installation. It will also cover monitoring and maintenance activities that will support the long-term success of the nest boxes.  
• On-Farm Field Days: We will co-host two on-farm field days for agricultural professionals and farmers that will be ½ day long with multiple speakers and presentations, including a farm walk. 
• Online Training Course: We will create a 10-webinar interactive online training course to empower agricultural professionals and farmers to incorporate practices that foster beneficial birds and manage pest birds. The course topics and one-hour classes will be: 

• • Class 1: Introduction and overview to birds as pest control allies on a farm 
  • Class 2: Beneficial songbirds for pest control and the insects they eat 
  • Class 3: Beneficial raptors for pest control 
  • Class 4: Nest boxes and perches and the birds who use them 
  • Class 5: Field edge habitat supporting beneficial birds in a multitude of crops  
  • Class 6: Prairies supporting avian pest control in adjacent corn and soybeans  
  • Class 7: Forestry stewardship for supporting birds in maple syrup production 
  • Class 8: Learning to co-exist and manage pest birds 
  • Class 9: Keeping farms safe for beneficial birds                                                              
  • Class 10: Habitat diversification to increase beneficial bird species 

• Online Resource Library: We will compile the following in an online resource library, with downloadable pdfs (existing and newly created) videos (created through this project), for a wider reach of agricultural professionals and farmers to learn from during the classes and to use later when giving presentations themselves: 

• • Recorded webinars in the online training course  
  • Three 5-minute videos 
  • Newly produced publication (Nesting Structures) 
  • WFA’s previously produced bird resources that support the online courses (Supporting Beneficial Birds and Managing Pest Birds and Beneficial Bird Native Plant Chart)