IR-4 Project Celebrates 60 Years of Impact for Growers
February 10, 2023 This year, The IR-4 Project commemorates 60 years of operation. Since its establishment by land grant universities and the USDA in 1963, IR-4 has championed specialty crop growers by facilitating the registration of safe, effective pest management solutions to meet their unique needs.
According to an economic impact study by Michigan State University in 2022, IR-4 contributes $8.97 billion annually to the gross domestic product. Additionally, seven jobs today can be attributed to every $1,000 of public investment in IR-4.
IR-4 has secured more than 23,000 pest management product registrations through EPA for food crops, and countless others for ornamental crops. Putting farmers’ needs first, IR-4 assesses a range of tools — including reduced-risk chemical and bio-based pesticides, as well as emerging technologies and integrated solutions.
Notable registrations facilitated by IR-4 include Chlorantraniliprole (a reduced-risk conventional pesticide) and Spinosad (a bio-based insecticide approved for both conventional and organic growers). As a result of IR-4’s submissions, these products are approved by EPA for use on numerous specialty crops. IR-4 has also secured several biopesticides to manage Varroa mites in honeybee colonies. These registrations help reduce dietary exposure to pesticides, increase growers’ pest management options, and secure the vitality of the U.S. food supply.
Federally funded through USDA, IR-4 works closely with the Agricultural Research Service and National Institute for Food and Agriculture to find pest management solutions.
Through the robust research infrastructure of USDA-ARS, IR-4 has access to field and analytical laboratory sites across the country. IR-4 study directors and USDA-ARS scientists work synergistically to execute studies under Good Laboratory Practice protocols. Without this partnership, the current scope and efficiency of IR-4’s research would not be possible.
Dr. Joseph Munyaneza (National Program Leader, Specialty Crops for USDA-ARS) and Dr. Alvin Simmons (Research Entomologist for USDA-ARS) provide leadership on these joint research efforts. Dr. Simmons is based at the U.S. Vegetable Laboratory in Charleston, SC. He serves IR-4 as Coordinator for USDA-ARS research stations, and as a member of the IR-4 Project Management Committee.
“USDA-ARS is a partner with IR-4 in conducting research on specialty crops, including fruits, nuts, vegetables, and floral crops,” says Dr. Alvin Simmons, Research Entomologist for USDA-ARS. “Based on a Michigan State University economic impact study, ARS’ contributions to the IR-4 Project results in $1.3 billion dollars in annual impact.”
Headquartered at NC State University since 2021 (formerly at Rutgers University), IR-4 works nationwide through four regional offices, each collaborating with growers, commodity groups, state liaisons, land grant university researchers, extension, and industry leaders to determine research priorities and conduct studies. IR-4 also works with international partners to harmonize pesticide regulations, spearheading the effort to streamline crop grouping across agencies.
As the future of pest management grows increasingly complex, IR-4 and USDA-ARS aim to guide the specialty crop community forward with collaborative, pragmatic, and data-driven solutions. Visit the IR-4project.org for more information.
The organization will be sharing stories of impact throughout 2023 to commemorate its 60-year milestone.
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