Integrated crop management (ICM)/integrated farm management (IFM)
Overview
This standard covers the implementation of Integrated Crop Management (ICM)/Integrated Farm Management (IFM) practices, combining the ability to produce high quality food with sensitivity for the environment and whilst maintaining a financially profitable business for the farmer.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
P1 ensure the breadth and depth of knowledge required to implement ICM/IFM practices in an on-farm situation is understood
P2 identify with farmers the ways in which Crop Protection Management Plan’s, EISs and the aim to enhance biodiversity, can be balanced into an Integrated Farm Management system for each individual farm
P3 give advice as part of the on-farm agronomy which combines best practice in crop protection, with the aims and objectives of BETA
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
Site, crop rotation and varietal choice
K1 the significance of the various factors influencing choice of rotation including the effect of site features
K2 how site factors affect cropping and crop management decisions and is an essential part of creating an ICM plan
K3 the environmental impact of contrasting rotations
K4 how to assess the effect of varietal choice and seed quality on achieving the aim of ICM
K5 the end use for which the crop is intended
Soil management and crop nutrition
K6 how to identify and assess soil properties in relation to agricultural management and for the prevention of soil erosion
K7 how a knowledge of soil texture informs decisions in ICM
K8 the value and use of technology in planned cultivation systems
K9 the factors to be taken into account for fertiliser management plans for a field situation
K10 how to assess the environmental impact of management decisions and the policy adjustments required by legislation and codes of good practice appreciate the value and use of technology in water resource and irrigation management
K11 the efficiency of the operation and safety of a range of equipment
K12 the suitability and legality of fertiliser storage and organic manures (e.g. FYM) and associated signs
K13 the content of RB 209 (fertiliser recommendations for agricultural and horticultural crops)
K14 the appropriate law and good practice procedures for the transport and application of fertilisers
K15 the impact of fertilisers application on conservation areas
K16 why it is important to appreciate the relationship between ground-water and nitrates/NVZs and the protection of water quality
K17 the relationship between agricultural sources of phosphate and eutrophication
Crop protection
K18 the importance of crop monitoring in evaluating crop protection problems and in the design of integrated control strategies
K19 the value of existing information technology and expert systems used in crop protection decision making
K20 the consequences of pesticide application and the significance of reduced/restricted use and developments in biotechnology
K21 the conditions and procedures required for safe accurate and economic application
K22 the techniques for the safe disposal of chemicals and their containers
K23 the requirements of legislation, codes of conduct and safe working practices
K24 alternative methods of pest and disease control other than chemicals
K25 the actions that can be taken to manage pesticide resistance
Wildlife and landscape management
K26 the interrelationships between enterprises in a land use system
K27 the role of government and non-government organisations involved with conservation issues
K28 the factors which contribute to the conservation status of an area
K29 the criteria involved in selecting specially protected areas
K30 the practical conservation measures on the farm
Auditing and management
K31 the importance of detailed records, planning and good management in a successful ICM/IFM system
K32 how to identify long- and short-term farm business objectives
K33 the importance of familiarising staff and contractors with farm policies and objectives
K34 methods of evaluating current farm practice and of reviewing performance with targets and timescales for improvement
K35 how to identify key management functions to achieve best practice in line with safety and legal requirements
Quality and safety within the food chain
K36 the issues of key importance to food quality and safety within the food chain
K37 the main food safety legislation and its implications for integrated farm management
K38 the key systems and standards for managing food quality and safety
K39 the philosophy and principles underlying these systems and standards
Energy, farm waste and pollution management
K40 the range and scale of farm waste production, the likely re-use and
K41 recycling opportunities and potential pollution risks
K42 how to analyse the practical, environmental and financial implications of such wastes
K43 the appropriate legislation and codes of good agricultural practice
K44 the need to improve the efficiency of energy use
K45 waste minimisation and resource management techniques
K46 how to initiate a specific farm waste and energy management plan based on the information provided