E-mail: nass-ny@nass.usda.gov
(518) 457-5570

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:  Blair Smith

Friday, July 28, 2006

www.nass.usda.gov/ny

AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL USAGE REPORT

           The “Agricultural Chemical Usage” report continues a series of fruit summary reports issued by the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). This report contains statistics for on-farm use of agricultural chemicals and pest management practices from producers of targeted fruit crops. The agricultural chemical use estimates in this report focus on the acreage treated with herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and other pesticides.

            Information in this report is provided from a survey funded by the USDA Pesticide Data Program. The purpose of the Pesticide Data Program is to provide reliable pesticide use statistics and to enhance the quality of information on pesticide residues in food.  This data series addresses the increased public interest in agricultural chemical use and provides the means for government agencies to respond effectively to food safety and water quality issues. This report includes chemical use information for 24 targeted fruit crops in 13 States.  The New York Field Office of NASS interviewed 402 growers about information for three fruit crops - apples, tart cherries and grapes.

            In New York, insecticides were applied to 93 percent of the apple acreage, fungicide to 95 percent, herbicides to 55 percent, and all other chemicals to 63 percent of the acreage.

            Insecticides were applied to 92 percent of the New York tart cherry acreage, fungicides to 93 percent, herbicides to 39 percent, and all other chemicals to 49 percent of the acreage.

            In New York, insecticides were applied to 76 percent of the grape acreage, fungicides to 92 percent, and herbicides to 61 percent.

            Additional details for all targeted fruit crops in all states are available in the complete “Agricultural Chemical Usage” report issued on July 26, 2006, at the following website: www.usda.gov/nass or by calling the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service at 800-999-6779.

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7-28-06

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