Farmer's Use of Pesticides In 1971... Expenditures

Farmers' total expenditures on pesticides in 1971 exceeded $1 billion, nearly 80 percent more than in 1966. Based on a 1972 survey of 8,600 U.S. farmers (Alaska excluded), crop protection required $943 million in pesticides, 86 percent higher than in 1966. By type of pesticide, herbicides made up 62 percent of total crop pesticide costs; insecticides, almost 26 percent; fungicides, over 6 percent; and other types, 6 percent. Costs for pesticides used on livestock and their surroundings reached over $44 million, close to a 50-percent rise over 1966 costs. Pesticide expenses for other farm uses amounted to $15 million