THE VALUE OF PEST INFORMATION IN A DYNAMIC SETTING - THE CASE OF WEED-CONTROL

The value of weed scouting information for soil-applied and post-emerg ence weed management is estimated using a dynamic, whole-farm, stochas tic simulation model. The model simulates outcomes of four expected ut ility functions from management strategies using three levels of weed information. Results from a representative Minnesota com and soybean f arm indicate high value of weed seedling counts (for post-emergence co ntrol) but relatively low value of weed seed counts (for soil-applied control). While herbicide use is often reduced under information-based management, this is not always the case.