Pest-Control Chemicals in the Production of Food L. S. HITCHNER
Downloaded by UNIV OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO on June 2, 2015 | http://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: January 1, 1950 | doi: 10.1021/ba-1950-0001.ch038
National Agricultural Chemicals Association, Washington, D. C.
The use of agricultural chemicals makes possible higher yields and food products of higher quality and contributes more than any one other factor to lower production costs. At the same time the farm has been made a virtual factory in a rural setting.
I oday the agricultural chemical industry has made available, through chemical research, the largest selection i n history of agricultural chemicals for the control of pests. These agricultural chemicals are making possible higher yields and products of higher quality. I n this day of potential surplus they are contributing more than any one single factor to lower production costs.
Effect of Agricultural Chemicals on Crops Potato yields, on a national basis, have been increased one third, largely because of more effective pest control. After 10 years of research on wire worm control i n California, the application of recommended agricultural chemicals on lima beans to control this pest added $7,500,000 i n i n come to growers i n 1948. Only i n recent months has i t been known that this same pest reduces the production of sugar cane i n some areas b y nearly half; consequently i t is now possible to double the yield i n those areas b y controlling this one insect. The production of livestock and livestock products has been greatly increased through the effective application of agricultural chemicals, as evidenced i n the control of insects and diseases on and around dairy cattle, which has resulted i n many instances of increased milk production ranging between 15 and 2 0 % . I t has been reliably estimated that the treatment of beef cattle for insect pests has resulted i n additional gains of 50 pounds per head of beef animals treated. The dollar value of these increases i n both beef and milk has been estimated at $54,000,000 per year. Several examples demonstrate the effectiveness of agricultural chemicals i n the production of fruit. The use of a fungicide i n the production of A n j o u pears has increased production 300,000 bushels a year. The apple crop of the nation, representing an investment b y commercial growers of about $750,000,000 i n land and trees alone, and with a crop averaging $240,000,000 to $250,000,000 a year during the past 5 years, is entirely dependent on the use of agricultural chemicals to control insects and diseases. I n the states of M o n t a n a and Wyoming, some 2700 acres of grassland were treated in 1949 as a part of the grasshopper control program. Competent estimates show that this program resulted i n saving half of the grass grown on the treated lands from destruction b y grasshoppers. The grass saved could produce 11,000,000 pounds of beef on the hoof. T h e soil conservation value is also very evident, because were the land to be laid bare, i t would be subject to damage during the period required to re-establish grass cover. 213
In AGRICULTURAL CONTROL CHEMICALS; Advances in Chemistry; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1950.
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ADVANCES IN CHEMISTRY SERIES
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Stored grain losses caused b y insects throughout the world total approximately 6,000,000 bushels a year. The development of new chemical methods for determining weevil infestation and the increased application of chemicals for the control of other pests are rapidly reducing these staggering losses. Grain and corn production i n the United States has been tremendously increased in many areas through the application of agricultural chemicals—for grain, increases have been recorded ranging from 25 to 100% through the use of weed control chemicals. Corn production has been increased from 200 to 300 pounds of green ear corn per acre through the control of the corn borer and corn earworm. The 1948 farm value of agricultural products i n New Jersey amounted to $320,750,000. Included i n this production are the following : Vegetable products White potatoes Nursery and greenhouse Tree fruits Berries Total
$ 51,200,000 19,800,000 17,500,000 7,000,000 6,000,000 $101,500,000
None of these crops, the value of which is one third of all New Jersey agricultural production, could be produced without agricultural chemicals. Another phase of New Jersey agriculture involving the use of agricultural chemicals can be added to this total, including the production of grains valued at $21,900,000, and poultry, eggs, and dairy products valued at $65,400,000. Hence, the importance to agriculture i n New Jersey of agricultural chemicals to control insects and diseases is abundantly evident. The analysis of other sections of the country produces evidence which parallels that reported for New Jersey. Another side to this picture, however, deserves careful consideration b y chemists. A t the present time many phases of pest control are being severely criticized b y the A m e r i can M e d i c a l Association, segments of the food industry, and consumer groups. The agricultural chemical industry fully appreciates its responsibility for proper labeling and sound education to promote the intelligent selection and proper use of various chemicals, and to guard the health of workers and of those using the materials as well as the consumer. In this educational program the industry is working in cooperation with the U . S. D e partment of Agriculture, the state land grant colleges, the U . S. Public Health Service, and many other governmental and private agencies. Never before has a grower had such a wide range of materials from which to make his selection, ranging from those which create no residue problem, to products which, because of their chemistry, require various degrees of precaution i n handling and usage. J . G . Townsend, chief, Division of Industrial Hygiene, U . S. Public Health Service, speaking in September 1949 before the annual meeting of the National Agricultural Chemicals Association, said: U n t i l a decade ago, the farm may have been considered outside the pale of industrial hygiene. Today, however, the industrialization of agriculture and the advent of new insecticides and other chemicals have made the farm a virtual factory i n a rural setting. On the farm, as well as in the factory, dangerous chemicals may be used safely with proper precautions. If manufacturers, processors, and distributors had to relinquish certain substances because they are toxic, American industry would be i n a primitive stage. Likewise, the farmer need not bow to economic pests, but can use to the fullest advantage the potent new insecticides if he is scrupulous in protecting himself. The establishment of a permanent section on agricultural chemicals in the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY can contribute much in the public interest. The more discussion and intelligent consideration given to problems arising from the usage of pest-control chemicals, the better able industry will be to provide agriculture with effective pest-control chemicals which increase the efficiency of production and make possible the continuance of an abundant supply of wholesome food.
In AGRICULTURAL CONTROL CHEMICALS; Advances in Chemistry; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1950.
