By Scout Nelson
North Dakota State University is preparing to launch a new Pest Management Tool for farmers in late spring 2026. The digital platform is designed to give growers quick and simple access to pest management information wherever they need it.
The new tool replaces an earlier app that launched in 2013. That version was later ended because maintenance costs became too high. NDSU then created a more sustainable plan through Agricultural Data Analytics.
NDSU Extension produces yearly guides for fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides. These guides are among the most requested Extension publications, with thousands of printed copies distributed each year. The new tool brings this important information together in an easy system.
Andrew Friskop, plant pathologist in NDSU’s Department of Plant Pathology, Microbiology and Biotechnology, has been working to make the tool a trusted source for pesticide use information. His goal has been to combine all three guides into one searchable database.
“One of the biggest challenges in Extension is making information that can be received by all ages,” says Friskop. “We do a great job at reaching our experienced agriculturalists. Some of the new generation of future agriculture leaders has been working with those growers to determine how to best provide information in a one-stop shop at their fingertips.”
The project has taken about two years to complete. NDSU experts in entomology, plant sciences, and plant pathology helped enter and organize the data. Vimlesh Kumar, NDSU Extension application development and analytics engineer, developed the new app from the ground up.
“The previous version was very basic, and it wasn’t fully integrated with the data from the guides,” says Kumar.
The tool uses a progressive web app format, making it easy to add to devices without expensive updates. Users can choose crops and pests to receive product details, use directions, effectiveness ratings, and current weather conditions such as temperature and humidity. It can also work offline on smartphones and desktops.
Printed guides will remain available through county offices. “We really look forward to getting feedback on everything included, whether it’s accessibility to additional tools that would be helpful to add,” says Friskop.
Photo Credit: north-dakota-state-university
Categories: North Dakota, Crops, General, Sustainable Agriculture