INTRODUCTION
This is the fifth major account of pesticide usage in North Dakota and describes pesticide usage on agricultural land in 1996. The information is derived from a comprehensive survey of North Dakota farm operators. The first four comprehensive surveys to assess pesticide usage on major crops in North Dakota were conducted on 19781, 19842, 19893, and 19924 pesticide applications.
Total acres treated with herbicides, insecticides and fungicides were 16,081,700 in 1978, 20,600,300 in 1984, 19,527,400 in 1989, 19,034,200 in 1992, and 20,668,100 in 1996. Changes in pesticide treated acres may be due to an increase in pest infestations and pest outbreaks that occurred in 1996, changes in pest populations and tillage practices, substitution of non-chemical for chemical methods, shifts in acreage of major crops, or new developments in pest control technology.
NOTE: This report gives the information on the pesticide usage as reported by the farmers surveyed. The data do not imply endorsement of any particular product or practice. Also, some survey respondents may have accidentally mis-reported use of pesticides, or products may have been applied before planting or after harvest.
1Nalewaja, J.D., A.G. Dexter, J. Buchli, W. Hamlin, and G. Kimmet. 1980. Pesticide Usage in Major North Dakota Crops. North Dakota State University in cooperation with North Dakota Crop and Livestock Reporting Service, Agronomy Report 1. 33p.
2McMullen, M.P., A.G. Dexter, J.D. Nalewaja, W. Hamlin, and K. Davison. 1985. Pesticide Use on Major Crops in North Dakota, 1984. North Dakota State University in cooperation with North Dakota Crop and Livestock Reporting Service, Agronomy Report 3. 31p.
3McMullen, M.P., A.G. Dexter, J.D. Nalewaja, and G. Dahl. 1989. Pesticide Use on Major Crops in North Dakota, 1989. North Dakota State University in cooperation with North Dakota Crop and Livestock Reporting Service, Extension Report 1. 50p.
4Zollinger, R.K., M.P. McMullen, G. Dahl, A.G. Dexter, J.D. Nalewaja, W.G. Hamlin, and D.G. Becker. 1992. Pesticide Use and Pest Management Practices for Major Crops in North Dakota, 1992. North Dakota State University in cooperation with North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service, Extension Report 15. 67p.
The survey of 1996 pesticide usage in North Dakota was conducted because regular assessment of pesticide usage is an important indicator of changes in farming practices and farmer attitudes toward pesticides as well as an indicator of the relative severity of various pests in the state. Some questions used in the 1992 survey regarding use of non-chemical methods for pest control were used in the 1996 survey. However, new questions about decision aids, in the pest management process, were also included.
The specific objectives of the survey were:
1) identify acreage of crops treated with each pesticide group, and identify specific pesticides used;
2) determine pesticide usage by state districts;
3) determine the percentage of pesticides applied by farm
operator or custom applicator by air or ground equipment; and
4) determine extent of use of several non-chemical pest control methods.
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