Abstract

Producers of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) who participate in commercial scout programs have significantly higher yields than producers that do not participate. A chi-square statistical inference test of data from a survey of cotton pesticide use in 1989 indicated that nonchemical pest control practices, such as resistant plant varieties, stalk destruction, and pheromone traps, are more commonly used on acreage in a professional scouting program. Producers in a commercial scout program, however, also treat a higher proportion of planted acres with pesticides and apply more treatments per acre. The study highlights the need for ongoing examination of integrated pest management programs to encourage reduction in the use of pesticides. The decision by producers to participate is correlated with the producer's education, age, tenure, and cropland value. Relative to producers in other regions, Southern Plains producers have the least participation in terms of percentage of acres in a commercial scout program and, therefore, have the most to gain in terms of yield increase by participating.

Research Question

Professional scouting is widely used in cotton production. Scouting consists of monitoring the presence and population density of various pests and recommending specific pest control practices. The professional scout can strongly influence a producer's use of pesticides and nonchemical control strategies. A major tactic used by professional scouts is the application of chemical controls at the economic-threshold level, the level at which economic benefits of control exceed the cost of control. The importance of professional scouts in affecting pesticide use in cotton calls for research on the economic effects of their recommendations.

This paper examines the association between use of a professional scout and yield, pesticide use, and employment of nonchemical pest management practices. Yield, pesticide use, and nonchemical use for producers in a commercial scout program are compared with those of producers not in a program. This paper also examines the association between use of a professional scout and the socioeconomic characteristics of the producer.

Literature Summary

Previous studies have used case study data limited to producers in a few states. Several case studies have examined the merits of scouting and associated integrated pest management (IPM) practices in cotton. A 1987, Extension Service evaluation indicated Mississippi and Texas producers had higher net returns, yields, and pesticide expenditures as the level of IPM increased. Another study in 1989 described several case-study IPM systems that could increase producer's net return by lowering energy and pesticide cost while increasing yield.

Study Description

This study is based on farm level data from a 1989 scientifically designed survey of cotton producers in 14 states grouped into four regions—Southeast, Delta, Southern Plains, and West. The analysis includes important variables not included in previous studies. A chi-square test was used to assess the statistical significance of differences between commercial scout program participants and nonparticipants in terms of yields, pesticide-treated acres, number of treatments, use of nonchemical control practices, producer characteristics (education, age), tenure, and cropland value.

Applied Questions

Are there significant differences in yield, chemical, and nonchemical control between cotton producers participating and those not participating in a commercial scout program?

Producers who participate in commercial scout programs have significantly higher yields than producers who do not participate. Producers in a commercial scout program also treat a higher proportion of planted acres with pesticides and apply more treatments per acre. Participating producers accounted for significantly more acres than nonparticipating producers in use of resistant plant varieties, stalk destruction, and pheromone traps.

Are there significant differences in socioeconomic characteristics between cotton producers participating and those not participating in a commercial scout program?

Participation in a program increased significantly when the producers' level of education was above the high school level. Producers in the middle-aged categories of age 35–49 and 50–64 tended toward a higher proportion of acreage in a commercial scout program than did those under age 35, or age 65 and over. Landowners in a commercial scout program accounted for more of the total in-program acres than tenants. Participation in a scouting program increased significantly for cropland valued at $500 and above.

Recommendation

While pesticide use at the economic threshold may be the primary procedure at present, new nonchemical control methods and strategies such as ultra low rates, insect-resistant plant varieties, and computer simulation programs offer potential for reducing pesticide use in cotton. Because of their advisory capacity and expertise, professional scouts have an important role in reducing chemical control by encouraging the adoption by producers of improved chemical-reducing and risk management techniques as they become available. This study helps identify geographic areas and producer groups most in need of programs to increase efficiency of pesticide use and to increase use of nonchemical control. Further, the study highlights the need for continuing examination of commercial scout programs and plausible methods, techniques, procedures, and systems to reduce total use of pesticides.

More research is needed on the economic effects of professional cotton scouting programs. For example, more attention could be paid to market-oriented solutions as a complement or substitute for government regulations that directly reduce or ban pesticide use in cotton. Examples include tax credits to cover the cost of nonchemical use and extension of the life of patents on nonchemical control.

Copyright © 1993. . Copyright © 1993 by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, 5585 Guilford Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA