United States Department of Agriculture Pest Management Practices 1997 Summary August 1998 National Agricultural Statistics Service Sp Cr 1(98) 1997 Pest Management Practices Overview: The pest management practices in this report are based on data compiled from a survey conducted in the Fall of 1997. 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 30-31 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 is 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 Thuringienses) genes for insect resistance? Did you adjust planting or harvesting dates to control pests? Do you rotate crops for the purpose of controlling pests? 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? 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 engineered to be pesticide resistant? Did you use any additional seed treatments that would protect the crop from diseases, weeds, or other pests? 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 biological pesticides such as Bt (Bacillus Thuringienses), mating disrupters, or insect regulators 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? 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. Highlights Barley: The leading pest management practice for barley was rotating crops to control pests, with 59 percent of the acres and 58 percent of the farms using this practice across the United States. Alternating pesticides was reported on 41 percent of the acres, and 29 percent of the farms in the U.S. Using tillage practices to manage pests, cleaning implements after fieldwork, scouting for pests, and additional seed treatments were each reported on over 30 percent of the acres. Corn: Rotating crops to control pests was the leading pest management practice used on corn acres across the U.S., at 69 percent. It was also the most widely used practice in terms of number of farms, at 57 percent. Scouting for pests was reported on 47 percent of the acres, and 31 percent of the farms in the U.S. Alternating pesticides and using tillage practices to manage pests were the next most common practices in terms of acres, at 43 and 40 percent, respectively. Cotton: Almost 75 percent of the U.S. cotton acres were scouted for pests, and 67 percent of the cotton farms reported using the pest management practice. Removing or plowing down the crop residue was the second most widely used practice, being used on 63 percent of the acres and 58 percent of the farms. Using tillage to control pests was used on 62 percent of the acres and 56 percent of the farms. Other practices which were reported on 50 percent or more of the acres are alternating pesticides and using records to keep track of pests. Soybeans: The most common pest management practice was rotating crops to control pests, which was done on over two-thirds of the U.S. soybean acres and 64 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, and alternating pesticides. All Wheat: The leading pest management practice used on wheat was rotating crops to control pests, which was used on 53 percent of the acres and 51 percent of the farms. Cleaning implements after fieldwork was the second most widely used practice, with 43 percent of the acres and 32 percent of the farms. Using tillage to manage pests, scouting for pests, and alternating pesticides were each reported on 30 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 32 percent. Scouting for pests and using tillage to control pests were used on 24 and 21 percent of the acres, respectively. Other Hay: Nearly one-third of the U.S. other hay producers rotated crops to control pests. Twenty percent or more of the hay producers used the following practices on their farms: using tillage practices to manage their pests, scouting for pests, and cleaning implements after fieldwork. Highlights (continued) Fruits and Nuts: The most widely used pest management practice was scouting for pests, which occurred on 80 percent of the U.S. fruit and nut acres. Using tillage to manage pests was the second most common practice, used on 74 percent of the acres. Keeping records to track pest problems and alternating pesticides were used on 60 and 68 percent, respectively. Vegetables: Eighty-one percent of the U.S. vegetable acres were scouted for pests, making it the most common pest management practice. Rotating crops was reported on 74 percent of the acres, while alternating pesticides was used on 68 percent of the acres. All other Crops and Cropland Pasture: The most widely used pest management practice was rotating crops to control pests, at 49 percent. Scouting for pests, using tillage to manage pests, cleaning implements after fieldwork, and alternating pesticides were all used on more than 30 percent of the acres. Planted and Harvested Acres for Selected Crops, by State and Region, 1997 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 : 38 12 60 DE : 40 150 225 75 7 8 ME : 35 7 155 MD : 55 500 540 220 40 150 MA : 28 16 85 NH : 17 8 45 NJ : 5 118 135 35 25 95 NY : 1,200 140 640 860 PA : 80 1,550 370 180 740 1,130 RI : 2 3 4 VT : 95 50 220 : Northeast: : 180 3,733 1,270 650 1,548 2,812 : : IL : 11,200 10,000 1,200 630 390 IN : 6,000 5,450 700 400 325 IA : 12,200 10,500 30 1,200 450 KS : 10 2,850 12 2,450 11,400 900 1,800 MI : 26 2,600 1,900 550 900 350 MN : 580 7,000 6,800 2,520 1,475 900 MO : 2,950 380 4,900 1,100 480 3,000 NE : 10 9,000 3,500 2,000 1,300 1,900 ND : 2,400 800 1,200 11,570 1,750 1,400 OH : 3,600 4,500 1,200 600 650 SD : 145 3,800 3,500 4,170 2,300 2,000 WI : 80 3,800 1,000 153 1,900 400 : North : Central: : 3,251 65,800 392 55,700 36,593 13,835 13,565 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See footnotes at end of table. --continued Planted and Harvested Acres for Selected Crops, by State and Region, 1997 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/ : 290 535 400 140 750 AR : 180 950 3,600 880 25 1,150 FL 2/ : 120 100 40 17 230 GA 2/ : 550 1,440 430 400 600 KY : 16 1,300 1,300 700 300 2,000 LA 2/ : 500 630 1,400 130 320 MS 2/ : 490 985 2,100 200 720 NC : 24 950 670 1,400 730 15 515 OK : 10 210 200 340 6,800 390 2,100 SC 2/ : 4 350 290 620 310 300 TN : 730 490 1,320 560 40 1,700 TX : 10 2,000 5,532 420 6,300 100 4,300 VA : 80 500 101 510 280 130 1,110 WV : 65 13 40 520 : South: : 144 8,235 11,923 13,880 17,460 1,040 16,315 : : AZ : 70 70 347 100 180 40 CA : 230 580 1,065 655 980 520 CO : 95 1,150 3,153 820 610 ID : 780 110 1,510 1,020 300 MT : 1,300 60 6,240 1,650 950 NV : 5 18 240 250 NM : 135 81 430 265 90 OR : 130 47 1,005 430 615 UT : 100 67 200 545 155 WA : 500 150 2,700 480 300 WY : 125 90 275 640 620 : West: : 3,335 2,459 1,493 16,286 7,250 4,450 : US : 6,910 80,227 13,808 70,850 70,989 23,673 37,142 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes area planted in preceding fall. 2/ Alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures are included in all other hay. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Acres Receiving Practice, Barley, 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region :------------------------------------------ Practice : North- : North : : : United : East : Central : South : West : States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Acres -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 77 30 41 35 34 Remove or plow down crop residue : 53 19 32 27 24 Clean implements after fieldwork : 60 32 65 41 38 Water management practices : 5 5 * 7 6 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * * Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 11 13 * 13 13 Rotate crops to control pests : 92 57 84 58 59 : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 52 28 59 41 35 Records kept to track pests : 12 10 * 13 11 Field mapping of weed problems : 6 19 * 25 21 Soil analysis to detect pests : 9 * 25 5 4 Pheromones to monitor pests : * 1 1 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties pesticide resistant : 1 1 Additional seed treatments : 16 21 * 44 31 Scouting used to make decisions : 28 11 27 14 13 Biological pesticides : Beneficial organisms : * 1 1 Physical barriers : 9 15 35 12 14 Adjust planting methods : 13 * * 5 3 Alternate pesticides : 41 42 35 39 41 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Farms Utilizing Practice, Barley, 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region :------------------------------------------ Practice : North- : North : : : United : East : Central : South : West : States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Farms -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 69 23 20 36 33 Remove or plow down crop residue : 42 18 12 27 24 Clean implements after fieldwork : 31 26 21 34 29 Water management practices : 3 3 * 9 6 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * * Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 7 7 * 11 9 Rotate crops to control pests : 64 58 78 52 58 : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 23 20 22 33 25 Records kept to track pests : 13 5 * 8 7 Field mapping of weed problems : 8 14 * 17 13 Soil analysis to detect pests : 8 * 8 5 4 Pheromones to monitor pests : * 1 1 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties pesticide resistant : 2 1 Additional seed treatments : 9 18 * 41 25 Scouting used to make decisions : 16 8 7 9 9 Biological pesticides : Beneficial organisms : * 1 1 Physical barriers : 6 11 16 9 10 Adjust planting methods : 11 * * 7 5 Alternate pesticides : 24 30 16 31 29 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Acres Receiving Practice, Corn, 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region :------------------------------------------ Practice : North- : North : : : United : East : Central : South : West : States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Acres -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 38 39 40 49 40 Remove or plow down crop residue : 34 17 38 40 20 Clean implements after fieldwork : 33 33 36 44 34 Water management practices : 10 10 12 27 10 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : 4 5 5 2 5 Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 11 8 10 15 8 Rotate crops to control pests : 61 71 59 49 69 : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 33 49 27 55 47 Records kept to track pests : 17 20 9 25 19 Field mapping of weed problems : 14 16 4 19 15 Soil analysis to detect pests : 11 10 10 19 11 Pheromones to monitor pests : 2 1 1 * 1 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties pesticide resistant : 4 2 4 5 2 Additional seed treatments : 32 8 10 24 10 Scouting used to make decisions : 18 19 8 24 18 Biological pesticides : 6 4 2 * 4 Beneficial organisms : 1 ** 1 * ** Physical barriers : 18 10 10 17 11 Adjust planting methods : 10 6 13 11 7 Alternate pesticides : 34 44 35 45 43 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Farms Utilizing Practice, Corn, 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region :------------------------------------------ Practice : North- : North : : : United : East : Central : South : West : States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Farms -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 33 30 31 44 31 Remove or plow down crop residue : 28 16 31 36 20 Clean implements after fieldwork : 23 24 25 37 24 Water management practices : 5 6 7 21 7 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : 6 13 4 3 11 Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 7 5 9 14 6 Rotate crops to control pests : 50 61 37 50 57 : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 17 34 20 45 31 Records kept to track pests : 6 10 4 15 9 Field mapping of weed problems : 5 8 4 8 7 Soil analysis to detect pests : 6 6 6 12 6 Pheromones to monitor pests : ** ** ** * ** : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties pesticide resistant : 6 4 8 8 4 Additional seed treatments : 22 8 7 26 10 Scouting used to make decisions : 7 10 4 15 9 Biological pesticides : 2 2 ** * 2 Beneficial organisms : ** ** ** * ** Physical barriers : 10 8 5 13 8 Adjust planting methods : 5 4 8 7 5 Alternate pesticides : 20 33 20 31 30 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Acres Receiving Practice, Cotton, 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region :------------------------------------------ Practice : North- : North : : : United : East : Central : South : West : States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Acres -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 77 60 72 62 Remove or plow down crop residue : 60 59 91 63 Clean implements after fieldwork : 25 53 45 52 Water management practices : 13 26 14 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : 12 23 13 Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 23 34 24 Rotate crops to control pests : * 45 65 48 : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 53 70 91 73 Records kept to track pests : * 47 75 50 Field mapping of weed problems : * 10 48 14 Soil analysis to detect pests : 23 49 26 Pheromones to monitor pests : 37 26 36 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties pesticide resistant : 6 * 5 Additional seed treatments : * 18 41 21 Scouting used to make decisions : * 44 59 45 Biological pesticides : 10 27 12 Beneficial organisms : 1 8 2 Physical barriers : * 11 2 10 Adjust planting methods : * 9 10 10 Alternate pesticides : * 54 87 58 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Farms Utilizing Practice, Cotton, 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region :------------------------------------------ Practice : North- : North : : : United : East : Central : South : West : States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Farms -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 88 56 46 56 Remove or plow down crop residue : 57 56 89 58 Clean implements after fieldwork : 6 50 57 49 Water management practices : 9 32 11 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : 18 14 17 Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 22 53 24 Rotate crops to control pests : * 44 58 46 : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 36 67 75 67 Records kept to track pests : * 39 56 40 Field mapping of weed problems : * 8 26 10 Soil analysis to detect pests : 16 35 18 Pheromones to monitor pests : 34 30 32 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties pesticide resistant : 14 * 13 Additional seed treatments : * 20 56 23 Scouting used to make decisions : * 37 57 38 Biological pesticides : 10 16 10 Beneficial organisms : 1 2 2 Physical barriers : * 10 5 10 Adjust planting methods : * 8 11 8 Alternate pesticides : * 46 71 47 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Acres Receiving Practice, Soybeans, 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region :------------------------------------------ Practice : North- : North : : : United : East : Central : South : West : States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Acres -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 48 41 42 41 Remove or plow down crop residue : 29 14 33 18 Clean implements after fieldwork : 37 34 39 35 Water management practices : 24 8 7 8 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : ** ** ** Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 11 6 9 7 Rotate crops to control pests : 75 75 45 69 : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 36 49 29 45 Records kept to track pests : 18 17 7 15 Field mapping of weed problems : 13 17 5 14 Soil analysis to detect pests : 32 11 11 11 Pheromones to monitor pests : * 1 * 1 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties pesticide resistant : 17 9 12 10 Additional seed treatments : 10 3 11 5 Scouting used to make decisions : 21 17 11 16 Biological pesticides : * ** 1 ** Beneficial organisms : * ** ** Physical barriers : 19 9 7 9 Adjust planting methods : 14 12 15 13 Alternate pesticides : 57 42 31 40 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Farms Utilizing Practice, Soybeans, 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region :------------------------------------------ Practice : North- : North : : : United : East : Central : South : West : States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Farms -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 47 34 36 35 Remove or plow down crop residue : 33 12 31 15 Clean implements after fieldwork : 27 27 35 28 Water management practices : 14 6 5 6 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : ** ** ** Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 9 4 6 4 Rotate crops to control pests : 74 67 46 64 : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 25 40 29 38 Records kept to track pests : 11 11 5 10 Field mapping of weed problems : 10 10 2 9 Soil analysis to detect pests : 15 7 7 7 Pheromones to monitor pests : * ** * ** : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties pesticide resistant : 20 17 16 17 Additional seed treatments : 16 3 10 5 Scouting used to make decisions : 20 10 6 10 Biological pesticides : * ** ** ** Beneficial organisms : * ** ** Physical barriers : 8 7 6 7 Adjust planting methods : 10 9 9 9 Alternate pesticides : 39 33 26 32 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Acres Receiving Practice, All Wheat, 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region :------------------------------------------ Practice : North- : North : : : United : East : Central : South : West : States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Acres -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 55 37 32 42 37 Remove or plow down crop residue : 32 23 27 34 27 Clean implements after fieldwork : 48 43 36 50 43 Water management practices : 26 6 6 7 6 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * * ** * ** Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 25 22 8 26 20 Rotate crops to control pests : 79 63 28 57 53 : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 48 36 21 48 35 Records kept to track pests : 22 12 5 16 11 Field mapping of weed problems : 16 14 4 20 13 Soil analysis to detect pests : 25 5 6 8 6 Pheromones to monitor pests : * 1 * 1 1 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties pesticide resistant : 7 ** 2 3 1 Additional seed treatments : 17 16 7 47 21 Scouting used to make decisions : 27 14 7 15 13 Biological pesticides : * ** ** * ** Beneficial organisms : * * ** 3 1 Physical barriers : 23 11 8 18 12 Adjust planting methods : 11 6 5 8 6 Alternate pesticides : 43 33 15 40 30 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Farms Utilizing Practice, All Wheat, 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region :------------------------------------------ Practice : North- : North : : : United : East : Central : South : West : States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Farms -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 42 31 26 36 31 Remove or plow down crop residue : 44 18 26 27 22 Clean implements after fieldwork : 34 30 29 44 32 Water management practices : 11 5 4 8 5 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * * ** * ** Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 15 17 5 15 14 Rotate crops to control pests : 64 61 27 48 51 : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 26 29 16 37 27 Records kept to track pests : 12 7 2 10 7 Field mapping of weed problems : 5 8 3 11 7 Soil analysis to detect pests : 11 4 4 7 5 Pheromones to monitor pests : * ** * 1 ** : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties pesticide resistant : 2 ** 2 3 1 Additional seed treatments : 9 9 4 39 12 Scouting used to make decisions : 9 8 4 11 7 Biological pesticides : * ** ** * ** Beneficial organisms : * * ** 2 ** Physical barriers : 14 8 6 12 9 Adjust planting methods : 4 5 4 6 5 Alternate pesticides : 22 21 15 32 21 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Acres Receiving Practice, Alfalfa Hay, 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region :------------------------------------------ Practice : North- : North : : : United : East : Central : South : West : States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Acres -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 23 15 21 31 21 Remove or plow down crop residue : 12 7 11 15 10 Clean implements after fieldwork : 29 12 18 25 17 Water management practices : 4 3 5 17 8 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * * ** ** Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 10 6 5 13 8 Rotate crops to control pests : 48 34 17 28 32 : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 27 20 24 32 24 Records kept to track pests : 14 7 * 13 9 Field mapping of weed problems : 8 6 4 11 8 Soil analysis to detect pests : 8 3 2 6 4 Pheromones to monitor pests : * * 1 ** : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties pesticide resistant : 1 ** 3 3 1 Additional seed treatments : 4 ** 3 3 1 Scouting used to make decisions : 16 7 6 12 9 Biological pesticides : * * * 1 1 Beneficial organisms : * * * 1 1 Physical barriers : 8 4 6 6 5 Adjust planting methods : * 1 2 4 2 Alternate pesticides : 8 9 10 20 13 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Farms Utilizing Practice, Alfalfa Hay, 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region :------------------------------------------ Practice : North- : North : : : United : East : Central : South : West : States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Farms -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 22 16 13 23 18 Remove or plow down crop residue : 6 5 8 9 6 Clean implements after fieldwork : 16 10 19 20 13 Water management practices : 2 2 4 12 4 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * * 1 ** Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 4 3 3 7 4 Rotate crops to control pests : 39 31 15 18 28 : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 14 15 17 26 17 Records kept to track pests : 5 3 * 4 4 Field mapping of weed problems : 3 3 2 4 3 Soil analysis to detect pests : 6 3 3 3 3 Pheromones to monitor pests : * * ** ** : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties pesticide resistant : 3 1 5 3 2 Additional seed treatments : 3 ** 4 2 1 Scouting used to make decisions : 7 5 5 4 5 Biological pesticides : * * * 1 ** Beneficial organisms : * * * 1 ** Physical barriers : 6 5 6 4 5 Adjust planting methods : * ** 1 2 1 Alternate pesticides : 5 7 7 11 7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Acres Receiving Practice, Other Hay, 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region :------------------------------------------ Practice : North- : North : : : United : East : Central : South : West : States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Acres -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 16 8 10 11 10 Remove or plow down crop residue : 3 1 4 6 3 Clean implements after fieldwork : 8 8 8 13 8 Water management practices : 6 ** 2 6 2 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * * * * Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 3 4 1 4 3 Rotate crops to control pests : 13 9 2 11 7 : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 5 6 5 15 7 Records kept to track pests : 2 1 1 3 1 Field mapping of weed problems : 1 1 1 4 1 Soil analysis to detect pests : 1 ** 3 ** 1 Pheromones to monitor pests : * * * ** : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties pesticide resistant : * ** 1 ** Additional seed treatments : * * 1 1 ** Scouting used to make decisions : 1 1 1 2 1 Biological pesticides : * * * ** Beneficial organisms : * * * * ** Physical barriers : 3 2 1 2 2 Adjust planting methods : ** ** ** 1 ** Alternate pesticides : 1 4 2 3 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Farms Utilizing Practice, Other Hay, 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region :------------------------------------------ Practice : North- : North : : : United : East : Central : South : West : States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Farms -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 16 9 8 19 10 Remove or plow down crop residue : 4 1 2 7 2 Clean implements after fieldwork : 8 5 4 13 6 Water management practices : 3 1 1 3 1 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * * * * Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 2 1 1 3 1 Rotate crops to control pests : 15 11 1 10 6 : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 4 6 3 19 5 Records kept to track pests : 1 1 ** 2 1 Field mapping of weed problems : 1 1 ** 3 1 Soil analysis to detect pests : 1 ** 1 1 1 Pheromones to monitor pests : * * * ** : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties pesticide resistant : * ** 2 ** Additional seed treatments : * * 1 2 1 Scouting used to make decisions : 1 1 1 2 1 Biological pesticides : * * * ** Beneficial organisms : * * * * ** Physical barriers : 5 1 1 2 1 Adjust planting methods : 1 ** ** 1 ** Alternate pesticides : 2 2 1 3 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Acres Receiving Practice, Fruits and Nuts, 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region :------------------------------------------ Practice : North- : North : : : United : East : Central : South : West : States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Acres -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 68 35 55 84 74 Remove or plow down crop residue : 47 14 11 62 47 Clean implements after fieldwork : 62 16 34 46 42 Water management practices : * 10 17 49 39 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * * Adjust planting/harvesting dates : * * 2 23 17 Rotate crops to control pests : 22 6 8 15 13 : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 87 58 68 85 80 Records kept to track pests : 76 25 45 68 60 Field mapping of weed problems : 27 * * 23 17 Soil analysis to detect pests : * 12 39 50 46 Pheromones to monitor pests : 62 38 * 45 35 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties pesticide resistant : * * 2 1 1 Additional seed treatments : * * ** 1 Scouting used to make decisions : 84 18 23 47 40 Biological pesticides : * * * 19 14 Beneficial organisms : * * * 18 14 Physical barriers : 30 11 5 44 33 Adjust planting methods : * 5 5 21 16 Alternate pesticides : 86 43 65 71 68 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Farms Utilizing Practice, Fruits and Nuts, 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region :------------------------------------------ Practice : North- : North : : : United : East : Central : South : West : States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Farms -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 59 34 51 65 58 Remove or plow down crop residue : 11 17 6 30 22 Clean implements after fieldwork : 11 6 27 26 23 Water management practices : * 16 8 18 15 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * * Adjust planting/harvesting dates : * * 1 9 6 Rotate crops to control pests : 7 19 4 4 6 : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 33 49 44 70 59 Records kept to track pests : 15 8 21 34 27 Field mapping of weed problems : 7 * * 14 9 Soil analysis to detect pests : * 5 18 17 16 Pheromones to monitor pests : 6 17 * 20 14 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties pesticide resistant : * * 3 1 2 Additional seed treatments : * * 1 1 Scouting used to make decisions : 29 17 8 28 22 Biological pesticides : * * * 10 7 Beneficial organisms : * * * 12 8 Physical barriers : 28 7 8 20 16 Adjust planting methods : * 2 7 6 7 Alternate pesticides : 31 17 38 43 39 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Acres Receiving Practice, Vegetables, 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region :------------------------------------------ Practice : North- : North : : : United : East : Central : South : West : States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Acres -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 73 46 67 60 59 Remove or plow down crop residue : 63 47 59 53 53 Clean implements after fieldwork : 68 50 47 50 51 Water management practices : 30 30 29 46 38 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * * * ** Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 22 * 14 23 19 Rotate crops to control pests : 86 81 72 69 74 : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 75 82 60 87 81 Records kept to track pests : 45 44 40 49 46 Field mapping of weed problems : 19 22 9 26 22 Soil analysis to detect pests : 36 26 43 48 40 Pheromones to monitor pests : 16 8 * 4 6 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties pesticide resistant : * 2 1 1 Additional seed treatments : 13 * 6 25 15 Scouting used to make decisions : 40 26 37 42 37 Biological pesticides : 14 4 15 7 8 Beneficial organisms : 12 * 10 6 Physical barriers : 43 33 5 15 21 Adjust planting methods : 20 * 19 20 17 Alternate pesticides : 75 71 63 68 68 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Farms Utilizing Practice, Vegetables, 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region :------------------------------------------ Practice : North- : North : : : United : East : Central : South : West : States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Farms -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 67 33 38 52 50 Remove or plow down crop residue : 26 35 45 50 37 Clean implements after fieldwork : 22 19 26 45 27 Water management practices : 45 10 8 33 26 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * * * 1 Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 4 * 9 11 7 Rotate crops to control pests : 27 56 32 60 43 : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 68 57 26 71 58 Records kept to track pests : 12 19 8 29 17 Field mapping of weed problems : 5 15 3 11 8 Soil analysis to detect pests : 12 12 8 21 13 Pheromones to monitor pests : 1 1 * 1 1 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties pesticide resistant : * 4 7 3 Additional seed treatments : 5 * 5 16 7 Scouting used to make decisions : 9 19 9 34 17 Biological pesticides : 1 1 7 7 3 Beneficial organisms : 4 * 15 5 Physical barriers : 48 11 12 30 28 Adjust planting methods : 9 * 12 23 12 Alternate pesticides : 60 31 21 42 41 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Acres Receiving Practice, All Other Crops and Cropland Pasture, 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region :------------------------------------------ Practice : North- : North : : : United : East : Central : South : West : States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Acres -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 51 28 40 55 37 Remove or plow down crop residue : 39 17 30 25 24 Clean implements after fieldwork : 39 32 39 41 36 Water management practices : 12 7 14 30 14 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * 1 ** ** ** Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 11 11 12 14 12 Rotate crops to control pests : 49 57 40 49 49 : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 42 36 35 64 40 Records kept to track pests : 10 12 17 22 16 Field mapping of weed problems : 14 10 9 28 13 Soil analysis to detect pests : 2 4 14 19 10 Pheromones to monitor pests : * * 2 5 2 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties pesticide resistant : ** 3 3 4 3 Additional seed treatments : 11 10 11 15 11 Scouting used to make decisions : 22 15 18 22 17 Biological pesticides : * ** 1 2 1 Beneficial organisms : 4 1 ** 2 1 Physical barriers : 10 12 9 9 11 Adjust planting methods : 11 6 8 9 7 Alternate pesticides : 29 30 29 40 31 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Insufficient reports to publish data. ** Less than 1 percent. Pest Management Practices, Percent of Farms Utilizing Practice, All Other Crops and Cropland Pasture, 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Region :------------------------------------------ Practice : North- : North : : : United : East : Central : South : West : States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- Percent of Farms -- : Prevention Practices: : : Tillage/etc. to manage pests : 44 20 27 34 27 Remove or plow down crop residue : 15 10 21 19 15 Clean implements after fieldwork : 15 19 21 25 20 Water management practices : 21 4 7 16 8 : : Avoidance Practices: : : Seed varieties with BT genes : * 1 ** ** ** Adjust planting/harvesting dates : 2 5 6 11 6 Rotate crops to control pests : 24 44 22 32 32 : : Monitoring Practices: : : Scouted for pests : 34 19 28 35 25 Records kept to track pests : 6 5 7 15 7 Field mapping of weed problems : 4 5 3 9 4 Soil analysis to detect pests : 4 2 4 11 4 Pheromones to monitor pests : * * 1 1 1 : : Suppression Practices: : : Seed varieties pesticide resistant : 2 2 4 3 3 Additional seed treatments : 4 5 3 12 5 Scouting used to make decisions : 5 6 6 14 7 Biological pesticides : * ** 1 1 1 Beneficial organisms : 1 ** ** 3 1 Physical barriers : 23 6 8 7 9 Adjust planting methods : 3 4 6 8 5 Alternate pesticides : 26 17 16 25 18 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * 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, 1997. This survey is based on a probability area frame with a sample of 7,169 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 expansion of data so that the estimates 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 ................................................. 28 Highlights ............................................................ 4 Overview .............................................................. 1 Pest Management Practices Barley .............................................................. 8 Corn ................................................................ 10 Cotton .............................................................. 12 Hay, Alfalfa ........................................................ 18 Hay, Other .......................................................... 20 Soybeans ............................................................ 14 Wheat ............................................................... 16 Fruits & Nuts ....................................................... 22 Vegetables .......................................................... 24 All Other Crops & Cropland Pasture .................................. 26 Planted and Harvested Acres for Selected Crops ........................ 6 Reliability ........................................................... 28 Report Features ....................................................... 33 Survey Instrument ..................................................... 30 Survey Procedures ..................................................... 28 Terms and Definitions ................................................. 29 Report Features Released August 25, 1998 by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 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