Farm Level Impacts of Reduced Chemical Use on Southern Agriculture

In anticipation of Congressional debates over an expanded environmental title in the 1990 farm bill, several studies on pesticide use and the impacts of reduction were undertaken (e.g., Smith et al., Knutson et al., Osteen and Szmedra, and GRC Economics). Osteen and Szmedra reported that the use of herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides increased steadily from post-World War II to 1982 before decreasing as crop prices declined and acreage reduction programs reduced planted acreage. Heightened concerns and perceptions about the presence of pesticides and nitrates in our food and water supplies have led to calls for the reduction and/or elimination of agricultural chemicals. For example, a National Academy of Science study has concluded and therefore fostered the perception that substantial reductions in chemical use are possible without large impacts on production and/or prices.