United States Department of Agriculture Pest Management Practices 1998 Summary August 1999 National Agricultural Statistics Service Sp Cr 1(99) 1998 Pest Management Practices Overview: The pest management practices in this report are based on data compiled from a survey conducted in the Fall of 1998. All results refer to responses from sampled producers concerning specific practices. The producers were asked how many acres of a specific commodity they had, and what pesticide management practices they used. The producers were asked a series of questions to which they responded yes or no. Pests were defined as weeds, insects, and diseases. If the respondent used a specific practice on a crop, it was assumed that the practice was used on all of the acres of that crop. For example, if a producer had 500 acres of wheat, and used field mapping of previous weed problems to assist in making weed management decisions, it was assumed that all 500 acres were mapped. For this report, each question has been categorized into one of four pest management categories: prevention, avoidance, monitoring, and suppression. See pages 32-33 for a copy of the actual questions used to collect these data. Not all possible questions regarding management practices in each category were asked. The data are published in two tables for each crop: percent of acres receiving the specific pest management practice and percent of farms utilizing the specific pest management practice. These percentages are published at the U.S. and regional level. For a specific crop, the percentages refer only to the farms and acres on which that crop is grown. If the percentage is less than one percent or there were too few reports to publish the percentage, an asterisk or double asterisk was used in the table. A blank indicates there were no reports of the practice being used. Prevention is the practice of keeping a pest population from infesting a crop or field. It includes such tactics as using pest-free seeds and transplants, preventing weeds from reproducing, choosing cultivars with genetic resistance to insects or disease, irrigation scheduling to avoid situations conducive to disease development, cleaning tillage and harvesting equipment between fields or operations, using field sanitation procedures, and eliminating alternate hosts or sites for insect pests and disease organisms. The following questions were categorized as prevention practices: Did you use practices such as tilling, mowing, burning, or chopping of field lanes or roadways to manage pests? Did you remove or plow down crop residues to control pests? Did you clean tillage or harvesting implements after completing fieldwork for the purpose of reducing the spread of weeds, diseases, or other pests? Did you use water management practices, such as controlled drainage or irrigation scheduling, excluding chemigation, to control pests? Avoidance may be practiced when pest populations exist in a field or site but the impact of the pest on the crop can be avoided through some cultural practice. Examples of avoidance tactics include crop rotation such that the crop of choice is not a host for the pest, choosing cultivars with genetic resistance to pests, using trap crops, choosing cultivars with maturity dates that may allow harvest before pest populations develop, fertilization programs to promote rapid crop development, and simply not planting certain areas of fields where pest populations are likely to cause crop failure. Some tactics for prevention and avoidance strategies may overlap. The following questions were categorized as avoidance practices: Did you use any seed varieties with Bt (Bacillus Thuringiensis) genes for insect resistance? Did you adjust planting or harvesting dates to control pests? Do you rotate crops for the purpose of controlling pests? Did you use seed varieties that were genetically modified to be resistant to plant pathogens or nematodes which cause plant diseases? Monitoring includes proper identification of pests through surveys or scouting programs, including trapping, weather monitoring, and soil testing where appropriate. The following questions were categorized as monitoring practices: Were any of the crops on this operation scouted for pests (weeds, insects, or disease) using a systematic method? Were electronic or written records kept to track the activity or numbers of different pests? Did you use field mapping of previous weed problems to assist you in making weed management decisions? Did you use soil analysis to detect the presence of pests, such as insects, disease, or nematodes? Did you use pheromones to monitor the presence of pests? Did you use weather monitoring to predict the need for pesticide applications? Suppression tactics include cultural practices such as narrow row spacings or optimized in-row plant populations, alternative tillage approaches such as no- till or strip-till systems, cover crops or mulches, or using crops with allelopathic potential in the rotation. Physical suppression tactics may include cultivation or mowing for weed control, baited or pheromone traps for certain insects, and temperature management or exclusion devices for insect and disease management. Biological controls, including mating disruption for insects, should be considered as alternatives to conventional pesticides, especially where long-term control of an especially troublesome pest species can be obtained. Chemical pesticides are important and some use will remain necessary. However, pesticides should be applied as a last resort in suppression systems. The following questions were categorized as suppression practices: Did you use any seed varieties that were genetically modified to be resistant to specific herbicides? Did you use scouting data and compare it to university or extension guidelines for infestation thresholds to determine when to take measures to control pests? Did you use topically applied biological pesticides such as Bt (Bacillus Thuringiensis), insect growth regulators, neem or other natural products to control pests? Did you use beneficial organisms (insects, nematodes, or fungi) to control pests? Did you maintain ground covers, mulches, or physical barriers to reduce pest problems? Did you adjust row spacing, plant density, or row direction to control pests? Do you alternate pesticides to keep pests from becoming resistant to pesticides? Did you use pheromones to control pests by disrupting mating? Regions: Northeast CT, DE, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT North Central IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI South AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV West AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY Alaska and Hawaii were not included in the survey. The following questions were asked during the 1998 survey but were not asked during the 1997 survey: Did you use seed varieties that were genetically modified to be resistant to plant pathogens or nematodes which cause plant diseases? Did you use weather monitoring to predict the need for pesticide applications? Did you use pheromones to control pests by disrupting mating? Highlights Barley: The leading pest management practice for barley was rotating crops to control pests. Sixty-three percent of the farms used this practice on 71 percent of the acres across the United States. The following pest management practices were used on over 40 percent of the barley acres across the nation: using tillage practices to manage pests, cleaning implements after fieldwork, rotating crops to control pest, scouting, and alternating the use of pesticides. Corn: Rotating crops to control pests was the leading pest management practice, used on 77 percent of the nation's corn acres. It was also the most widely used practice in terms of number of farms, at 67 percent. Scouting for pests was reported on 52 percent of the corn acres. Alternating pesticides and using tillage practices to manage pests were also common, each being reported on nearly half of the corn acres. Cotton: Almost three-fourths of the U.S. cotton acres were scouted for pests, on 65 percent of the nation's cotton farms. Prevention practices, such as using tillage practices to manage pests, removing or plowing down the crop residue, and cleaning implements after fieldwork were also widely used practices, being used on more than half of the cotton acres. The use of other practices which were reported on 50 percent or more of the acres were alternating pesticides, using records to keep track of pests, and using pheromones to monitor pests. Soybeans: The most common pest management practice was rotating crops to control pests, which was done on 78 percent of the U.S. soybean acres and on 76 percent of the soybean farms. Other practices used on 40 percent or more of the acres were: using tillage to manage pests, scouting for pests, using seed varieties that were genetically modified to be resistant to specific herbicides, and alternating pesticides. All Wheat: The leading pest management practice used on wheat was rotating crops to control pests, which was used on 58 percent of the acres and by 53 percent of the farms. Cleaning implements after fieldwork was the second most widely used practice, with 49 percent of the acres and 33 percent of the farms. Using tillage to manage pests and scouting for pests were each reported on 40 percent or more of the acres. Alfalfa Hay: Rotating crops to control pests was the most widely used pest management practice on the U.S. alfalfa acreage, at 33 percent. Scouting for pests and using tillage to control pests were used on 26 percent and 23 percent of the acres, respectively. Other Hay: Twelve percent of the U.S. producers of hay other than alfalfa utilized tillage practices to manage pests. Five percent or more of the hay producers used the following practices on their farms: cleaning implements after fieldwork, rotate crops to control pests, and scouting for pests. Fruits and Nuts: The most widely used pest management practice was scouting for pests, which occurred on 82 percent of the U.S. fruit and nut acres. Using tillage to manage pests was the second most common practice, used on 79 percent of the acres. Alternating pesticides and keeping records to track pest problems were used on 72 and 62 percent of the acres, respectively. Vegetables: Eighty percent of the U.S. vegetable acres were scouted for pests, making it the most common pest management practice for vegetable crops. Rotating crops was reported on 78 percent of the acres, while using tillage to manage pests was used on 74 percent of the acres. All other Crops and Cropland Pasture: This group includes crops that were not specifically targeted during the survey such as sorghum, oats, rice, peanuts, etc. The most widely used pest management practice was rotating crops to control pests, at 52 percent of the acres. Using tillage to manage pests, scouting for pests, and cleaning implements after fieldwork were each utilized on more than 40 percent of the acres. Genetically modified crop varieties: The practices showing the most change from the 1997 crop year to the 1998 crop year were the use of crop varieties that were genetically modified to be resistant to insects or to specific herbicides. For corn, there was an increase from 5 percent of the acres in 1997 to 20 percent of the acres in 1998 that were planted to varieties that were modified through genetic engineering or conventional breeding to be resistant to insects. For cotton, there was an increase of 9 percentage points, from 13 percent of the acres in 1997 to 22 percent in 1998. The use of crop varieties resistant to specific herbicides on corn increased from 2 percent in 1997 to 11 percent of the acres in 1998. The use of these varieties for cotton and soybeans showed a greater increase. For cotton, the change was an increase from 5 percent in 1997 to 34 percent in 1998. The proportion of soybean varieties used 10 percent in 1997 and 48 percent in 1998. Planted and Harvested Acres for Selected Crops, by State and Region, 1998 Crop Year -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted : Area Harvested State :-------------------------------------------------------------------- and : Barley : : : : All Wheat : Alfalfa : Other Region : 1/ : Corn : Cotton : Soybeans : 1/ : Hay : Hay -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Acres : : CT : 35 8 55 DE : 34 169 220 75 8 8 ME : 36 13 145 MD : 60 470 470 225 55 145 MA : 25 18 85 NH : 15 8 48 NJ : 6 120 115 48 30 90 NY : 1,130 100 140 600 800 PA : 80 1,550 400 195 700 1,150 RI : 3 2 8 VT : 112 45 200 : Northeast: : 180 3,665 1,305 683 1,487 2,734 : : : IL : 10,600 10,700 1,250 600 350 IN : 5,800 5,700 700 400 350 IA : 12,500 10,500 40 1,250 320 KS : 8 3,000 17 2,550 10,700 1,000 1,900 MI : 30 2,300 1,900 600 850 400 MN : 440 7,300 6,900 2,015 1,550 850 MO : 2,650 370 5,100 1,350 450 3,200 NE : 10 8,800 3,800 1,900 1,400 1,800 ND : 2,000 970 1,550 9,770 1,400 1,200 OH : 3,550 4,400 1,200 550 780 SD : 115 3,900 3,450 3,475 2,400 1,600 WI : 80 3,700 1,150 148 1,900 500 : North : Central: : 2,683 65,070 387 57,700 33,148 13,750 13,250 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See footnotes at end of table. --continued Planted and Harvested Acres for Selected Crops, by State and Region, 1998 Crop Year (continued) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted : Area Harvested State :-------------------------------------------------------------------- and : Barley : : : : All Wheat : Alfalfa : Other Region : 1/ : Corn : Cotton : Soybeans : 1/ : Hay : Hay -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Acres : : AL 2/ : 300 495 340 120 750 AR : 235 920 3,550 980 25 1,150 FL 2/ : 160 89 35 15 230 GA 2/ : 500 1,370 300 290 650 KY : 8 1,300 1,220 750 250 2,100 LA 2/ : 700 535 1,200 100 330 MS 2/ : 550 950 2,050 160 790 NC : 25 860 710 1,475 730 20 650 OK : 7 270 160 470 6,600 350 1,900 SC 2/ : 4 350 290 540 265 320 TN : 700 450 1,250 570 35 1,750 TX : 10 2,400 5,755 440 6,100 140 3,900 VA : 90 500 92 500 280 120 1,140 WV : 60 11 50 530 : South: : 144 8,885 11,816 13,370 16,971 990 16,190 : : : : AZ : 58 50 265.9 153 200 40 CA : 170 620 850 680 1,020 550 CO : 90 1,180 2,812 810 600 ID : 780 145 1,350 1,130 300 MT : 1,350 60 5,650 1,700 800 NV : 5 16 260 225 NM : 140 73.6 415 270 90 OR : 150 55 910 400 570 UT : 95 62 179 545 165 WA : 530 160 2,670 480 270 WY : 105 95 234 600 590 : West: : 3,333 2,567 1,189.5 15,069 7,415 4,200 : US 3/ : 6,340 80,187 13,392.5 72,375 65,871 23,642 36,374 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes area planted in preceding fall. 2/ Alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures are included in all other hay. 3/ Alaska and Hawaii were not included in the survey. Number of Farms and Land in Farms by State and Region, 1998 Crop Year -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Number Land and : of in Region : Farms Farms -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Acres : : CT : 4,100 380 DE : 2,700 580 ME : 6,900 1,280 MD : 12,500 2,100 MA : 6,000 570 NH : 3,100 420 NJ : 9,600 830 NY : 38,000 7,800 PA : 60,000 7,700 RI : 750 65 VT : 6,700 1,340 : Northeast: : 150,350 23,065 : : : IL : 79,000 27,800 IN : 66,000 15,600 IA : 97,000 33,000 KS : 65,000 47,500 MI : 52,000 10,400 MN : 80,000 28,900 MO : 110,000 30,100 NE : 55,000 46,400 ND : 31,000 39,500 OH : 80,000 14,900 SD : 32,500 44,000 WI : 78,000 16,400 : North Central: : 825,500 354,500 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --continued Number of Farms and Land in Farms, by State and Region, 1998 Crop Year (continued) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Number Land and : of in Region : Farms Farms -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Acres : : AL : 49,000 9,500 AR : 49,000 14,750 FL : 45,000 10,600 GA : 50,000 11,300 KY : 90,000 13,900 LA : 30,000 8,200 MS : 42,000 11,600 NC : 58,000 9,400 OK : 83,000 34,000 SC : 25,000 4,900 TN : 91,000 11,900 TX : 226,000 131,500 VA : 49,000 8,800 WV : 21,000 3,700 : South: : 908,500 284,050 : : : AZ : 7,900 28,300 CA : 89,000 28,500 CO : 29,500 32,200 ID : 24,500 12,000 MT : 27,500 57,500 NV : 3,000 6,900 NM : 16,000 45,300 OR : 39,500 17,200 UT : 15,000 11,600 WA : 40,000 15,700 WY : 9,200 34,600 : West: : 301,100 289,800 : : US 1/ : 2,185,450 951,415 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Alaska and Hawaii were not included in the survey. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Acres Receiving Practice, Barley, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region : United States :------------------------------------------ Practice :North-: North : : : : : East :Central:South:West: 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Acres -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 43 36 19 50 34 43 Remove or plow down crop residue : 29 30 19 35 24 32 Clean implements after fieldwork : 29 47 30 53 38 49 Water management practices : 19 19 * 11 6 14 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * * * * Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 6 21 5 25 13 22 Rotate crops to control pests : 75 84 61 62 59 71 Genetically modified pathogen/ : 1 NA ** nematode resistant : : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 33 50 13 48 35 47 Records kept to track pests : 5 18 * 20 11 18 Field mapping of weed problems : 6 18 5 25 21 21 Soil analysis to detect pests : 15 6 3 12 4 9 Pheromones to monitor pests : * * 1 * Weather monitoring : 6 15 * 19 NA 16 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties herbicide resistant : * ** 1 ** Scouting used to make decisions : 5 8 9 10 13 9 Biological pesticides : * 1 ** Beneficial organisms : * 1 1 1 Physical barriers : 12 11 * 24 14 17 Adjust planting methods : 2 9 * 13 3 11 Alternate pesticides : 19 50 11 43 41 44 Pheromones to disrupt mating : NA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Farms Utilizing Practice, Barley, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region : United States :------------------------------------------ Practice :North-: North : : : : : East :Central:South:West: 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Farms -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 34 35 16 38 33 34 Remove or plow down crop residue : 21 27 11 28 24 25 Clean implements after fieldwork : 35 45 23 39 29 39 Water management practices : 12 14 * 12 6 12 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * * * * Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 12 12 4 17 9 13 Rotate crops to control pests : 53 79 59 52 58 63 Genetically modified pathogen/ : ** NA ** nematode resistant : : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 23 40 11 33 25 32 Records kept to track pests : 13 12 * 8 7 9 Field mapping of weed problems : 15 14 2 13 13 12 Soil analysis to detect pests : 13 4 2 5 4 5 Pheromones to monitor pests : * * 1 * Weather monitoring : 6 13 * 9 NA 9 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties herbicide resistant : * 1 1 ** Scouting used to make decisions : 7 9 4 6 9 7 Biological pesticides : * ** ** Beneficial organisms : * 1 1 ** Physical barriers : 9 10 * 13 10 10 Adjust planting methods : 3 7 * 6 5 6 Alternate pesticides : 14 39 3 33 29 30 Pheromones to disrupt mating : NA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Acres Receiving Practice, Corn, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region : United States :------------------------------------------ Practice :North-: North : : : : : East :Central:South:West: 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Acres -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 37 47 53 57 40 48 Remove or plow down crop residue : 36 21 45 39 20 25 Clean implements after fieldwork : 34 37 41 37 34 37 Water management practices : 14 12 14 31 10 13 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : 10 24 8 7 5 20 Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 12 7 18 10 8 8 Rotate crops to control pests : 68 80 61 55 69 77 Genetically modified pathogen/ : * * ** * NA ** nematode resistant : : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 47 54 41 59 47 52 Records kept to track pests : 18 23 17 39 19 23 Field mapping of weed problems : 20 17 10 24 15 16 Soil analysis to detect pests : 19 13 16 27 11 14 Pheromones to monitor pests : * 1 1 1 1 1 Weather monitoring : 11 10 15 17 NA 10 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties herbicide resistant : 8 11 11 10 2 11 Scouting used to make decisions : 18 19 16 27 18 19 Biological pesticides : 4 4 2 3 4 4 Beneficial organisms : * ** 1 3 ** ** Physical barriers : 15 13 14 26 11 14 Adjust planting methods : 11 7 12 6 7 8 Alternate pesticides : 48 51 41 46 43 49 Pheromones to disrupt mating : * ** * NA ** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Farms Utilizing Practice, Corn, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region : United States :------------------------------------------ Practice :North-: North : : : : : East :Central:South:West: 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Farms -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 31 37 37 39 31 37 Remove or plow down crop residue : 27 19 32 31 20 22 Clean implements after fieldwork : 25 28 28 27 24 28 Water management practices : 8 8 8 17 7 9 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : 6 15 8 5 11 13 Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 5 5 11 6 6 6 Rotate crops to control pests : 52 75 45 43 57 67 Genetically modified pathogen/ : * * ** * NA ** nematode resistant : : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 33 40 28 41 31 37 Records kept to track pests : 7 12 7 19 9 11 Field mapping of weed problems : 11 10 4 13 7 9 Soil analysis to detect pests : 11 7 9 17 6 8 Pheromones to monitor pests : * ** 1 1 ** ** Weather monitoring : 5 7 10 9 NA 7 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties herbicide resistant : 7 6 8 5 4 7 Scouting used to make decisions : 8 10 7 10 9 9 Biological pesticides : 1 2 1 3 2 2 Beneficial organisms : * ** 1 2 ** ** Physical barriers : 11 9 11 11 8 10 Adjust planting methods : 6 6 9 7 5 6 Alternate pesticides : 31 39 25 29 30 36 Pheromones to disrupt mating : * ** * NA ** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Acres Receiving Practice, Cotton, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region : United States :------------------------------------------ Practice :North-: North : : : : : East :Central:South:West: 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Acres -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 13 61 70 62 61 Remove or plow down crop residue : 62 54 78 63 57 Clean implements after fieldwork : 60 62 39 52 59 Water management practices : 16 47 14 19 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * 22 36 13 22 Adjust planting/harvesting dates : * 24 35 24 25 Rotate crops to control pests : 17 47 59 48 48 Genetically modified pathogen/ : 3 * NA 3 nematode resistant : : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 23 70 98 73 72 Records kept to track pests : 12 51 87 50 53 Field mapping of weed problems : * 9 42 14 12 Soil analysis to detect pests : 25 32 26 25 Pheromones to monitor pests : 28 56 31 36 53 Weather monitoring : * 14 31 NA 15 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties herbicide resistant : * 37 * 5 34 Scouting used to make decisions : * 39 69 45 41 Biological pesticides : * 13 19 12 14 Beneficial organisms : 4 * 2 5 Physical barriers : 15 * 10 14 Adjust planting methods : * 11 24 10 12 Alternate pesticides : 11 56 82 58 57 Pheromones to disrupt mating : 15 6 NA 14 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Farms Utilizing Practice, Cotton, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region : United States :------------------------------------------ Practice :North-: North : : : : : East :Central:South:West: 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Farms -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 24 55 81 56 56 Remove or plow down crop residue : 44 58 76 58 58 Clean implements after fieldwork : 48 54 48 49 53 Water management practices : 13 30 11 14 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * 16 30 17 17 Adjust planting/harvesting dates : * 20 43 24 21 Rotate crops to control pests : 11 53 57 46 52 Genetically modified pathogen/ : 2 * NA 2 nematode resistant : : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 37 64 97 67 65 Records kept to track pests : 28 45 78 40 46 Field mapping of weed problems : * 7 20 10 8 Soil analysis to detect pests : 25 31 18 24 Pheromones to monitor pests : 17 57 27 32 54 Weather monitoring : * 15 14 NA 14 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties herbicide resistant : * 27 * 13 24 Scouting used to make decisions : * 36 57 38 36 Biological pesticides : * 10 18 10 10 Beneficial organisms : 4 * 2 4 Physical barriers : 13 * 10 12 Adjust planting methods : * 11 13 8 11 Alternate pesticides : 9 52 74 47 52 Pheromones to disrupt mating : 22 5 NA 20 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Acres Receiving Practice, Soybeans, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region : United States :------------------------------------------ Practice :North-: North : : : : : East :Central:South:West: 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Acres -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 63 46 53 * 41 48 Remove or plow down crop residue : 33 18 44 18 23 Clean implements after fieldwork : 51 37 46 35 39 Water management practices : 30 10 13 8 11 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * ** 2 ** 1 Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 14 5 13 7 7 Rotate crops to control pests : 81 83 58 * 69 78 Genetically modified pathogen/ : 3 3 3 NA 3 nematode resistant : : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 57 53 39 * 45 50 Records kept to track pests : 31 20 12 15 18 Field mapping of weed problems : 22 15 9 14 14 Soil analysis to detect pests : 39 15 16 11 15 Pheromones to monitor pests : * 1 ** 1 1 Weather monitoring : 18 9 12 NA 10 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties herbicide resistant : 54 48 49 * 10 48 Scouting used to make decisions : 32 15 21 * 16 16 Biological pesticides : * 1 1 ** 1 Beneficial organisms : * ** 2 ** 1 Physical barriers : 29 12 14 9 13 Adjust planting methods : 31 14 20 13 15 Alternate pesticides : 59 46 43 * 40 46 Pheromones to disrupt mating : * ** 1 NA ** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Farms Utilizing Practice, Soybeans, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region : United States :------------------------------------------ Practice :North-: North : : : : : East :Central:South:West: 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Farms -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 41 40 49 * 35 42 Remove or plow down crop residue : 33 16 38 15 20 Clean implements after fieldwork : 32 30 38 28 31 Water management practices : 11 7 8 6 8 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * 1 2 ** 1 Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 8 4 10 4 5 Rotate crops to control pests : 71 80 55 * 64 76 Genetically modified pathogen/ : 2 3 3 NA 3 nematode resistant : : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 39 44 32 * 38 42 Records kept to track pests : 13 13 7 10 12 Field mapping of weed problems : 9 11 6 9 10 Soil analysis to detect pests : 18 10 10 7 10 Pheromones to monitor pests : * ** 1 ** ** Weather monitoring : 7 7 9 NA 8 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties herbicide resistant : 55 33 37 * 17 34 Scouting used to make decisions : 17 10 11 * 10 11 Biological pesticides : * 1 1 ** 1 Beneficial organisms : * ** 1 ** ** Physical barriers : 19 10 13 7 11 Adjust planting methods : 11 12 15 9 12 Alternate pesticides : 39 38 33 * 32 38 Pheromones to disrupt mating : * ** ** NA ** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Acres Receiving Practice, All Wheat, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region : United States :------------------------------------------ Practice :North-: North : : : : : East :Central:South:West: 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Acres -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 60 43 38 49 37 43 Remove or plow down crop residue : 39 27 34 35 27 30 Clean implements after fieldwork : 41 48 43 55 43 49 Water management practices : 19 11 7 11 6 10 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : ** * 1 ** ** Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 22 26 10 29 20 23 Rotate crops to control pests : 73 67 39 54 53 58 Genetically modified pathogen/ : * * 1 NA ** nematode resistant : : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 52 43 22 56 35 41 Records kept to track pests : 27 16 7 19 11 15 Field mapping of weed problems : 20 11 4 21 13 12 Soil analysis to detect pests : 22 6 7 9 6 7 Pheromones to monitor pests : * * ** ** 1 ** Weather monitoring : 18 12 5 14 NA 11 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties herbicide resistant : 5 1 1 ** 1 1 Scouting used to make decisions : 28 12 9 15 13 12 Biological pesticides : * * 1 ** ** ** Beneficial organisms : * * ** 2 1 1 Physical barriers : 20 12 10 20 12 14 Adjust planting methods : 15 9 6 12 6 9 Alternate pesticides : 44 34 18 42 30 33 Pheromones to disrupt mating : * * * NA * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Farms Utilizing Practice, All Wheat, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region : United States :------------------------------------------ Practice :North-: North : : : : : East :Central:South:West: 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Farms -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 47 36 28 43 31 35 Remove or plow down crop residue : 36 22 23 35 22 25 Clean implements after fieldwork : 35 35 25 42 32 33 Water management practices : 10 9 4 11 5 8 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : ** * 1 ** ** Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 12 25 4 18 14 18 Rotate crops to control pests : 68 65 28 49 51 53 Genetically modified pathogen/ : * * 2 NA ** nematode resistant : : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 36 33 15 42 27 29 Records kept to track pests : 9 10 3 14 7 9 Field mapping of weed problems : 7 7 2 13 7 6 Soil analysis to detect pests : 7 4 4 6 5 5 Pheromones to monitor pests : * * ** ** ** ** Weather monitoring : 8 7 2 9 NA 6 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties herbicide resistant : 4 ** 1 1 1 1 Scouting used to make decisions : 14 7 6 10 7 7 Biological pesticides : * * ** ** ** ** Beneficial organisms : * * ** 1 ** ** Physical barriers : 20 10 5 16 9 10 Adjust planting methods : 5 6 3 7 5 5 Alternate pesticides : 30 24 11 31 21 22 Pheromones to disrupt mating : * * * NA * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Acres Receiving Practice, Alfalfa Hay, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region : United States :------------------------------------------ Practice :North-: North : : : : : East :Central:South:West: 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Acres -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 31 17 35 33 21 23 Remove or plow down crop residue : 15 4 7 13 10 8 Clean implements after fieldwork : 32 12 22 24 17 17 Water management practices : 8 5 9 15 8 8 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * 1 2 2 ** 1 Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 15 6 6 11 8 8 Rotate crops to control pests : 46 36 17 25 32 33 Genetically modified pathogen/ : * * 2 NA 1 nematode resistant : : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 39 21 32 30 24 26 Records kept to track pests : 11 7 7 14 9 9 Field mapping of weed problems : 10 5 8 4 8 5 Soil analysis to detect pests : 11 4 10 5 4 5 Pheromones to monitor pests : * * * 2 ** 1 Weather monitoring : 5 4 10 7 NA 5 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties herbicide resistant : * ** * * 1 ** Scouting used to make decisions : 16 8 9 11 9 9 Biological pesticides : * * * 1 1 1 Beneficial organisms : * * * 4 1 2 Physical barriers : 11 4 7 8 5 6 Adjust planting methods : 1 1 4 4 2 2 Alternate pesticides : 24 8 18 19 13 13 Pheromones to disrupt mating : * * NA * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Farms Utilizing Practice, Alfalfa Hay, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region : United States :------------------------------------------ Practice :North-: North : : : : : East :Central:South:West: 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Farms -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 26 19 20 25 18 21 Remove or plow down crop residue : 10 4 4 8 6 6 Clean implements after fieldwork : 28 9 10 16 13 13 Water management practices : 5 3 5 10 4 5 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * ** 6 1 ** 1 Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 11 4 3 9 4 6 Rotate crops to control pests : 41 33 15 16 28 30 Genetically modified pathogen/ : * * 1 NA 1 nematode resistant : : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 32 19 17 22 17 20 Records kept to track pests : 5 4 1 6 4 4 Field mapping of weed problems : 7 3 3 3 3 4 Soil analysis to detect pests : 10 2 4 3 3 3 Pheromones to monitor pests : * * * 1 ** ** Weather monitoring : 5 3 3 3 NA 3 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties herbicide resistant : * ** * * 2 ** Scouting used to make decisions : 12 5 3 6 5 6 Biological pesticides : * * * 1 ** 1 Beneficial organisms : * * * 2 ** 1 Physical barriers : 9 2 6 5 5 4 Adjust planting methods : 1 1 2 2 1 1 Alternate pesticides : 17 6 6 11 7 8 Pheromones to disrupt mating : * * NA * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Acres Receiving Practice, Other Hay, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region : United States :------------------------------------------ Practice :North-: North : : : : : East :Central:South:West: 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Acres -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 13 9 14 24 10 13 Remove or plow down crop residue : 2 1 4 11 3 3 Clean implements after fieldwork : 14 4 7 12 8 7 Water management practices : 1 1 1 7 2 1 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * * * * ** Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 1 1 1 2 3 1 Rotate crops to control pests : 14 7 2 6 7 6 Genetically modified pathogen/ : * * NA * nematode resistant : : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 3 4 7 15 7 6 Records kept to track pests : 1 1 1 7 1 1 Field mapping of weed problems : 1 1 1 1 1 1 Soil analysis to detect pests : 4 1 1 ** 1 1 Pheromones to monitor pests : * * * ** * Weather monitoring : ** ** 1 1 NA 1 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties herbicide resistant : * * 1 * ** ** Scouting used to make decisions : 1 1 1 1 1 1 Biological pesticides : * * * ** ** Beneficial organisms : * * ** ** ** Physical barriers : 5 2 4 1 2 3 Adjust planting methods : * ** 1 ** ** 1 Alternate pesticides : 3 1 1 2 3 1 Pheromones to disrupt mating : NA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Farms Utilizing Practice, Other Hay, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region : United States :------------------------------------------ Practice :North-: North : : : : : East :Central:South:West: 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Farms -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 15 11 11 25 10 12 Remove or plow down crop residue : 3 2 3 10 2 3 Clean implements after fieldwork : 14 6 4 13 6 6 Water management practices : 2 2 1 4 1 2 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * * * * ** Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 1 1 1 2 1 1 Rotate crops to control pests : 15 9 2 5 6 6 Genetically modified pathogen/ : * * NA * nematode resistant : : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 8 5 5 16 5 6 Records kept to track pests : 1 1 ** 2 1 1 Field mapping of weed problems : 2 1 ** 1 1 1 Soil analysis to detect pests : 4 1 1 ** 1 1 Pheromones to monitor pests : * * * ** * Weather monitoring : 1 1 1 2 NA 1 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties herbicide resistant : * * ** * ** ** Scouting used to make decisions : 1 1 1 4 1 1 Biological pesticides : * * * ** ** Beneficial organisms : * * ** ** ** Physical barriers : 4 2 4 4 1 3 Adjust planting methods : * 1 1 ** ** 1 Alternate pesticides : 2 2 1 3 2 1 Pheromones to disrupt mating : NA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Acres Receiving Practice, Fruits and Nuts, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region : United States :------------------------------------------ Practice :North-: North : : : : : East :Central:South:West: 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Acres -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 92 80 89 74 74 79 Remove or plow down crop residue : 30 18 29 44 47 39 Clean implements after fieldwork : 28 16 43 33 42 34 Water management practices : * * 47 39 39 39 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * 3 2 * 2 Adjust planting/harvesting dates : * * * 6 17 4 Rotate crops to control pests : 24 * 1 2 13 3 Genetically modified pathogen/ : 2 1 NA 1 nematode resistant : : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 93 79 85 81 80 82 Records kept to track pests : 63 68 61 62 60 62 Field mapping of weed problems : * * 20 14 17 15 Soil analysis to detect pests : 23 * 63 36 46 41 Pheromones to monitor pests : 19 45 11 32 35 27 Weather monitoring : 25 64 50 36 NA 40 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties herbicide resistant : 4 2 1 2 Scouting used to make decisions : 57 52 48 39 40 42 Biological pesticides : * * 21 16 14 17 Beneficial organisms : * 19 13 14 14 Physical barriers : 29 50 34 40 33 39 Adjust planting methods : * * 4 14 16 11 Alternate pesticides : 93 88 65 72 68 72 Pheromones to disrupt mating : * * * 9 NA 7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Farms Utilizing Practice, Fruits and Nuts, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region : United States :------------------------------------------ Practice :North-: North : : : : : East :Central:South:West: 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Farms -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 68 73 64 70 58 69 Remove or plow down crop residue : 20 37 14 46 22 35 Clean implements after fieldwork : 14 11 20 30 23 25 Water management practices : * * 24 19 15 19 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * 2 1 * 1 Adjust planting/harvesting dates : * * * 6 6 4 Rotate crops to control pests : 12 * 2 2 6 5 Genetically modified pathogen/ : 3 5 NA 4 nematode resistant : : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 77 64 53 74 59 68 Records kept to track pests : 39 26 24 41 27 35 Field mapping of weed problems : * * 3 4 9 4 Soil analysis to detect pests : 3 * 24 17 16 16 Pheromones to monitor pests : 7 7 2 24 14 16 Weather monitoring : 22 19 20 23 NA 22 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties herbicide resistant : 1 ** 2 1 Scouting used to make decisions : 21 18 11 27 22 22 Biological pesticides : * * 6 12 7 10 Beneficial organisms : * 7 10 8 8 Physical barriers : 25 42 14 30 16 26 Adjust planting methods : * * 3 4 7 5 Alternate pesticides : 59 43 40 52 39 49 Pheromones to disrupt mating : * * * 6 NA 4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Acres Receiving Practice, Vegetables, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region : United States :------------------------------------------ Practice :North-: North : : : : : East :Central:South:West: 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Acres -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 82 59 76 81 59 74 Remove or plow down crop residue : 71 34 51 70 53 57 Clean implements after fieldwork : 62 30 49 55 51 48 Water management practices : 48 38 42 56 38 47 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : 2 * 4 4 ** 5 Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 23 14 12 33 19 23 Rotate crops to control pests : 92 67 75 83 74 78 Genetically modified pathogen/ : * * 9 9 NA 4 nematode resistant : : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 78 75 75 86 81 80 Records kept to track pests : 49 41 45 67 46 54 Field mapping of weed problems : 14 25 4 36 22 24 Soil analysis to detect pests : 35 19 38 52 40 38 Pheromones to monitor pests : 10 26 * 19 6 16 Weather monitoring : 17 23 37 43 NA 34 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties herbicide resistant : * * * 1 1 Scouting used to make decisions : 44 27 23 49 37 37 Biological pesticides : 14 8 18 28 8 19 Beneficial organisms : * * * 12 6 9 Physical barriers : 67 41 28 24 21 34 Adjust planting methods : 46 22 14 29 17 26 Alternate pesticides : 71 66 85 71 68 72 Pheromones to disrupt mating : * * * * NA 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Farms Utilizing Practice, Vegetables, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region : United States :------------------------------------------ Practice :North-: North : : : : : East :Central:South:West: 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Farms -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 51 54 43 72 50 54 Remove or plow down crop residue : 44 42 48 62 37 48 Clean implements after fieldwork : 29 20 30 49 27 30 Water management practices : 15 21 13 43 26 22 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : ** * 4 4 1 3 Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 16 8 20 20 7 15 Rotate crops to control pests : 61 73 49 71 43 64 Genetically modified pathogen/ : * * 1 12 NA 5 nematode resistant : : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 53 56 31 69 58 52 Records kept to track pests : 18 29 10 38 17 23 Field mapping of weed problems : 9 21 1 20 8 13 Soil analysis to detect pests : 10 3 16 24 13 12 Pheromones to monitor pests : 2 7 * 6 1 4 Weather monitoring : 8 12 15 24 NA 14 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties herbicide resistant : * * * 3 2 Scouting used to make decisions : 11 14 15 30 17 17 Biological pesticides : 12 5 8 28 3 11 Beneficial organisms : * * * 14 5 4 Physical barriers : 41 39 17 36 28 33 Adjust planting methods : 23 21 10 14 12 17 Alternate pesticides : 41 41 40 43 41 41 Pheromones to disrupt mating : * * * * NA 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Acres Receiving Practice, All Other Crops and Cropland Pasture, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region : United States :------------------------------------------ Practice :North-: North : : : : : East :Central:South:West: 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Acres -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 50 37 50 50 37 45 Remove or plow down crop residue : 33 23 38 37 24 31 Clean implements after fieldwork : 47 40 41 39 36 41 Water management practices : 20 11 16 25 14 15 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * ** 2 ** ** 1 Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 5 15 9 13 12 12 Rotate crops to control pests : 60 62 42 44 49 52 Genetically modified pathogen/ : * * 2 2 NA 1 nematode resistant : : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 52 42 40 51 40 43 Records kept to track pests : 26 15 16 23 16 17 Field mapping of weed problems : 8 10 6 17 13 10 Soil analysis to detect pests : 27 7 14 16 10 12 Pheromones to monitor pests : * 1 1 9 2 2 Weather monitoring : 24 13 12 19 NA 14 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties herbicide resistant : 3 1 2 * 3 2 Scouting used to make decisions : 33 17 21 19 17 19 Biological pesticides : * * 3 2 1 2 Beneficial organisms : * * 2 7 1 2 Physical barriers : 15 10 13 14 11 12 Adjust planting methods : 24 12 6 7 7 9 Alternate pesticides : 50 33 31 42 31 34 Pheromones to disrupt mating : * * ** ** NA ** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Farms Utilizing Practice, All Other Crops and Cropland Pasture, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region : United States :------------------------------------------ Practice :North-: North : : : : : East :Central:South:West: 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Farms -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 42 26 34 44 27 33 Remove or plow down crop residue : 20 15 26 23 15 21 Clean implements after fieldwork : 19 21 23 27 20 23 Water management practices : 5 8 8 15 8 9 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * ** 1 ** ** 1 Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 3 8 6 6 6 6 Rotate crops to control pests : 34 47 27 27 32 36 Genetically modified pathogen/ : * * 2 1 NA 1 nematode resistant : : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 29 24 25 33 25 26 Records kept to track pests : 9 8 4 14 7 7 Field mapping of weed problems : 5 5 3 6 4 4 Soil analysis to detect pests : 7 3 8 10 4 6 Pheromones to monitor pests : * ** 1 1 1 1 Weather monitoring : 6 5 5 10 NA 6 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties herbicide resistant : 3 1 2 1 3 1 Scouting used to make decisions : 12 7 6 6 7 7 Biological pesticides : * * 2 3 1 2 Beneficial organisms : * * 1 1 1 1 Physical barriers : 17 6 11 17 9 10 Adjust planting methods : 8 6 10 6 5 8 Alternate pesticides : 21 17 18 22 18 18 Pheromones to disrupt mating : * * ** ** NA ** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Survey Procedures: The estimates in this report are based on the Fall Agriculture Survey conducted in December, 1998. This survey is based on a probability area frame with a sample of 6,840 segments or parcels of land which average approximately 1 square mile. Enumerators conducting the area survey contact all farmers having operations within the sampled segments and collect a variety of information, including pest management practices for their entire operation. Estimates are then calculated, using the selection probability of each segment. Estimation Procedures: For each crop/pest management practice combination, two ratios were calculated: percent of farms and percent of acres covered by that practice. If a farm operator used a given practice on a specific crop, all acres planted to that crop were considered to have been "treated" with the given pest management practice. These data will not be revised even if there are subsequent revisions to acreage for a given crop. Reliability: The probability nature of the survey provides estimates that are statistically representative of pest management practices on the targeted crops. Reliability of survey results is affected by sampling variability and non-sampling errors. The sampling variability, expressed as a percentage of the estimate, is referred to as the coefficient of variation (cv). Sampling variability of the estimates differs considerably by crop/pest management practice combination. Some practices are seldom used on certain crops. In general, the more common the pest management practice, the smaller the sampling variability. For commonly used pest management practices, cv's will range from 1-15 percent at the U.S. level and 5-40 percent at the Regional level. Non-sampling errors occur during a survey process, and unlike sampling variability, are difficult to measure. They may be caused by interviewers failing to follow instructions, poorly worded questions, non-response, problematic survey procedures, or data handling mistakes between collection and publication. In this survey, all survey procedures and analyses were carried out in a consistent and orderly manner to minimize the occurrence of these types of errors. Terms and Definitions Agricultural chemicals: Active ingredients in fertilizers and pesticides. Allelopathic: The release of chemical compounds from a plant that will inhibit the growth of another plant, such as weeds. Beneficial Insects: Insects collected and introduced into locations because of their value in biologic control as prey on harmful insects and parasites. Chemigation: Application of an agricultural chemical by injecting it into irrigation water. Crop year: The period immediately following harvest for the previous crop through harvest of the current crop. Cultivars: A horticulturally or agriculturally derived variety of a plant, as distinguished from a natural variety. Farm: Any establishment from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were sold or would normally be sold during the year. Government payments are included in sales. Places with all acreage enrolled in set aside or other government programs are considered operating. Fungi: A lower form of parasitic plant life which often reduces crop production and/or lowers the grade quality of its host. Land in Farms: All land operated as part of a farming operation during the year. It includes crop and livestock acreage, wasteland, woodland, pasture, land in summer fallow, idle cropland, and land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program and other set aside or commodity acreage programs. It excludes public, industrial, and grazing association land and nonagricultural land. It excludes all land operated by establishments not qualifying as farms. Nematodes: Microscopic, worm-shaped parasitic animals. Damage to many crops can be severe. Pesticides: As defined by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), includes any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest, and any substance or mixture of substances intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant. Pheromone: A chemical substance produced by an insect which serves as a stimulus to other individuals of the same species for one or more behavioral responses. Index Page Estimation Procedures ................................................. 30 Highlights ............................................................ 4 Number of Farms and Land in Farms ..................................... 8 Overview .............................................................. 1 Pest Management Practices Barley .............................................................. 10 Corn ................................................................ 12 Cotton .............................................................. 14 Hay, Alfalfa ........................................................ 20 Hay, Other .......................................................... 22 Soybeans ............................................................ 16 Wheat ............................................................... 18 Fruits & Nuts ....................................................... 24 Vegetables .......................................................... 26 All Other Crops & Cropland Pasture .................................. 28 Planted and Harvested Acres for Selected Crops ........................ 6 Reliability ........................................................... 30 Report Features ....................................................... 35 Survey Instrument ..................................................... 32 Survey Procedures ..................................................... 30 Terms and Definitions ................................................. 31 Report Features Released August 25, 1999 by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Pest Management Practices", call (202) 720-2127, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. Listed below are persons within the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. Glenn Strasburg, Environmental Statistician (202) 720-7492 James A. Ewing, Environmental Statistician (202) 690-2284 C. Ray Halley, Chief, Crops Branch (202) 720-2127 Brad Parks, Head, Field Crops Section (202) 720-3843 Dean Groskurth, Head, Fruits, Vegetable and Special Crops Section (202) 720-3843 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, , write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C., 20250-9410, or call 202-720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. ACCESS TO REPORTS!! For your convenience, there are several ways to obtain NASS reports, data products, and services: INTERNET ACCESS All NASS reports are available free of charge on the worldwide Internet. For access, connect to the Internet and go to the NASS Home Page at: http://www.usda.gov/nass/. Select "Today's Reports" or Publications and then Reports by Calendar or Publications and then Search, by Title or Subject. E-MAIL SUBSCRIPTION All NASS reports are available by subscription free of charge direct to your e-mail address. Send an e-mail message to: usda-reports@usda.mannlib.cornell.edu. In the body of the message type the word: list. AUTOFAX ACCESS NASSFax service is available for some reports from your fax machine. Please call 202-720-2000, using the handset attached to your fax. Respond to the voice prompts. Document 0411 is a list of available reports. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PRINTED REPORTS OR DATA PRODUCTS CALL OUR TOLL-FREE ORDER DESK: 800-999-6779 (U.S. and Canada) Other areas, please call 703-834-0125 FAX: 703-834-0110 (Visa, MasterCard, check, or money order acceptable for payment.) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ASSISTANCE For assistance with general agricultural statistics or further information about NASS or its products or services, contact the Agricultural Statistics Hotline at 800-727-9540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: nass@nass.usda.gov.