The NASS Agricultural Chemical Use Program is USDA’s official source of statistics about on-farm chemical use and pest management practices. Since 1990, NASS has surveyed U.S. farmers to collect information on the chemical ingredients they apply to agricultural commodities through fertilizers and pesticides. On a rotating basis, the program currently includes fruits; vegetables; major field crops such as cotton, corn, potatoes, soybeans, and wheat; and nursery and floriculture crops. Read more about the Agricultural Chemical Use Program
View and download current and past Chemical Use data from the NASS Quick Stats database.
Quick Stats provides complete results for all surveys conducted since 2009 and selected results for surveys conducted 1990 through 2008.
Since 2009, we release the results of chemical use surveys through Quick Stats. In addition, we provide the following materials for each survey: a Highlights fact sheet, a Methodology paper, and a set of Data Tables featuring commonly requested information.
(updated May 2015)
In the next few years, we plan to conduct chemical use surveys on the following commodities.
Crop Year |
Commodity |
---|---|
2015 |
Cotton, fruits, oats, soybeans, wheat |
2016 |
Corn, potatoes, vegetables |
2017 |
Cotton, fruits, soybeans, wheat |
NASS invites feedback on the Agricultural Chemical Use Program. We welcome comments on the current program, suggestions for additional data collections, and other topics.
Please complete the Online Feedback Form. Feedback is accepted on an ongoing basis.
If you prefer, you may submit your comments by fax at 202-690-0675 or by U.S. Postal Service to:
USDA-NASS
Chemical Use Team
1400 Independence Ave, SW
South Building -- Room 6055
Washington, D.C. 20250-2052
Please include your phone number and email so we can follow up.
For more information on NASS’ Agricultural Chemical Use Program contact the Environmental and Demographics Section at (202) 720-0684 or by email at scott.shimmin@nass.usda.gov.
The program also collects information on the pest management practices farmers implement to reduce their dependence on agricultural chemicals (e.g., practices that make pesticides more effective or are an alternative to pesticides).
Historically, data were also periodically collected on chemicals used post harvest and in livestock production. Data through 2010 continue to be available.
Each survey focuses on the top-producing states that together account for the majority of U.S. acres or production of the surveyed commodity. Data are available at the state level for all surveyed states, as well as at a multi-state level including all surveyed states. Data items published include:
NASS collects information directly from growers, who participate voluntarily and on a confidential basis. The data are fact-based and report actual chemical use. The growers benefit directly and indirectly when public and private organizations rely on these accurate, timely data in making decisions about health, environment, safety, trade, and other issues. Some examples of how the data are used:
Currently, NASS conducts chemical use surveys for field crops in cooperation with the USDA’s Economic Research Service as part of the Agricultural Resource Management Survey program.
To maximize public benefits, reduce overlap, and minimize federal and state costs, NASS also develops partnerships with state agencies either to use data a state collects itself (for example, California) or to collect additional data for a state (examples include Minnesota, North Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin).
2011 Fruits - released August 1, 2012
Highlights | Methodology | Data Tables
2011 Barley & Sorghum - released May 16, 2012
Highlights | Methodology | Data Tables
2010 Vegetables - released July 27, 2011
Highlights | Methodology | Data Tables
2010 Corn, Upland Cotton, and Fall Potatoes - released May 25, 2011
Highlights | Methodology | Data Tables
2010 Sheep and Sheep Facilities - released May 17, 2011
Methodology | Data Tables
2009-2010 Wheat Postharvest Chemical Use - released March 16, 2011
Highlights | Methodology | Data Tables
2009 Nursery and Floriculture - released January 19, 2011
Highlights | Methodology | Data Tables
2009 Fruits - released July 28, 2010
Highlights | Methodology| Data Tables
2009 Wheat - released May 19, 2010
Highlights | Methodology | Data Tables
For surveys conducted before 2009, full-text reports are available. Selected results for surveys conducted 1990 through 2008 are also available in Quick Stats.
Last Modified: 10/19/2016