Agricultural Chemical Usage - Field Crop Methodology and Quality Measures

ISSN: 2166-983X

Agricultural Chemical Usage - Field
Crop Methodology and Quality
Measures

Released May 12, 2017, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA).

Agricultural Resource Management Survey Methodology Chemical Usage Statistics
Scope and Purpose: The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) collects data about chemical use as well as pest
management practices for selected field crops. These field crop data have been collected annually since the 1990 crop
year. Up to four target field crops are selected each year, chosen on a rotational basis. The states involved (referred to as
“program states”) are selected based on NASS acres planted estimates. NASS aims to cover at a minimum 80 percent of
acres planted to each target commodity. The data are collected as Phase II of the Agricultural Resource Management
Survey (ARMS II). The ARMS is a cooperative agreement between USDA’s NASS and Economic Research Service
(ERS).
One or both ARMS II components may be conducted each year: the Production Practices Report Survey (PPR) and the
Production Practices and Costs Report Survey (PPCR). The PPR is conducted in support of NASS’s chemical usage
program exclusively. The PPCR is conducted in cooperation with ERS as part of the ARMS costs of production program.
The ARMS is conducted in three phases. The initial screening phase identifies in-business, in-scope operations, multiple
operating arrangements, and operations having commodities of interest for Phase II and III. The ARMS II PPR collects
data on chemical use and pest management practices. The ARMS II PPCR collects data on agricultural production
practices, chemical and other resource use, and variable costs of production for each crop for which an ARMS Phase III
cost of production survey is conducted. ERS is responsible for estimating cost of production for major commodities and
determines the PPCR commodity rotation.
Survey Timeline: Data collection may begin on October 1 and continue through mid-December. NASS Regional Field
Offices (RFOs) along with NASS Headquarters (HQ) spend the next several months reviewing reported data for
reasonableness and conduct producer follow-ups, as necessary. The estimates are released to the NASS Quick Stats 2.0
system during the second week in May.
Sample Size, Sampling Frames, and Methods: The ARMS II is selected as a follow-on survey to the ARMS Phase 1
(ARMS I) Screening Survey. The ARMS I sample is selected from the NASS list frame using Sequential Interval Poisson
Sampling to minimize overlap between the current year’s ARMS I sample, last year’s ARMS I sample, and other NASS
surveys. Each eligible operation in the list frame is given a positive probability of selection. A given operation’s
probability of selection is calculated based on farm value of sales (FVS) strata membership and acreage levels of the
ARMS II commodities. After the screening phase, operations which report positive acreage for ARMS II target
commodities are subsampled for the ARMS II. Multiple operating arrangements are further subsampled so that only one
suboperation is included in the ARMS II sample. The sampling weights are adjusted upwards to account for this
subsampling.
Data Collection and Editing: All federal data collections require approval by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB). NASS must document the public need for the data, show the design applies sound statistical practice, ensure the
data do not already exist elsewhere, and show that the public is not excessively burdened. The ARMS II questionnaires
must display an active OMB number that gives NASS the authority to conduct the survey, a statement of the survey
purpose and the use of the collected data, a response burden statement that estimates the time required to complete the
form, a confidentiality statement that the respondent’s information will be protected from disclosure, and a statement that
response to the survey is voluntary and not required by law. Using these questionnaires, chemical use and pest

management data are collected only by personal visit from an enumerator. Postcards are mailed to producers prior to field
contact stating the importance of cooperation and that contact will be made in the coming weeks. Once contact is made by
the field enumerator, an appointment is made to collect data. Data is collected for one field randomly chosen from all the
operation’s fields planted to the ARMS II field crop. The field enumerator returns the questionnaires to the NASS RFO
for editing and data entry. Questionnaire responses are captured and edited for consistency using automated systems, and
a report of questionnaires with errors is generated. NASS statisticians will correct the errors on the report or comment to
their validity if the data are deemed to be correct.
Analysis Tools: Chemical use data are processed through an interactive data analysis tool which displays data for all
reports by product or commodity. This application tool provides various scatter plots, graphs, tables, charts, and listing
tools that allow the analyst to compare an individual record to other similar records within a program state. Outliers and
unusual data relationships are investigated by RFO and HQ statisticians to determine validity. Suspect data found to be in
error are corrected.
Nonsampling Errors: Nonsampling errors are present in any survey process. These errors include reporting, recording,
editing, and imputation errors. Steps are taken to minimize the impact of these errors, such as comprehensive interviewer
training, validation and verification of processing systems, detailed computer edits, and the analysis tool. Re-contact with
respondents is conducted on an as needed basis.
Nonresponse Adjustment: Response to the ARMS II is voluntary. Some producers refuse to participate in the survey,
others cannot be located during the data collection period, and some submit incomplete reports. These nonrespondents
must be accounted for to make accurate estimates of total chemical usage. For ARMS II, item level nonresponse is
accounted for by imputing data where there are missing values. Imputed rates of application for chemicals are calculated
through an automated imputation system that calculates an unweighted mean for an imputation group based on
commodity, program state, and product. When a group lacks other responses, groups are collapsed by program state to
preserve as much of the homogeneity as possible.
Calibration: Calibration is a weighting technique used in survey sampling to adjust the survey weights for sampled
elements so that the weighted sum of a set of benchmark variables equals a pre-determined set of values for the
population. The input to the calibration algorithm is the weights generated from the sampling procedures. Sampling
weights are calculated based on selection probability so that the samples are representative of the entire population of
farms at the program state level for the target field crop(s) in that program state. Due to survey nonresponse, weights are
adjusted through a calibration algorithm. Calibration adjusts the sampling weights so the expanded data will match
planted acreage totals from the January Crop Production report
[http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/CropProdSu/CropProdSu-01-12-2017.pdf]. This ensures that the chemical
use and pest management data collected will accurately represent the chemical usage for all target field crops for the entire
target population.
Estimators: The ARMS II utilizes direct expansions and/or ratio expansions for all survey indications. Direct expansions
are calculated by summing the reported or imputed chemical data values by the calibrated weights. Similarly, ratios are
calculated by applying calibrated weights and nonresponse adjustments to data when both the numerator and denominator
are reported. Variance estimates are computed for all expansions.
Outliers: NASS conducts a review of outliers found in the chemical use data by reviewing application rates for all records
for the same product and commodity combinations. The RFO and HQ statisticians work together to ensure the data are as
accurate as possible. The RFO statisticians review outliers within their program states, and the HQ statistician examines
outliers across all program states for the published categories. A determination is made as to whether an adjustment to the
application data is required. Most outliers trace back to unique situations that do not exist in the target population as much
as the survey weight would indicate.
Estimation: HQ statisticians execute a summary that generates program state level and national level indications. RFO
statisticians are responsible for performing a detailed review of their survey results and providing comments that justify
their survey results. HQ statisticians conduct a final review of survey results from all program states. Any irregularities

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Agricultural Chemical Usage - Field Crop Methodology and Quality Measures (May 2017)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

revealed by the summary must be investigated and, if necessary, resolved. After final review, program state level
summary results are adopted as official national estimates.
There are three main types of data that NASS estimates for these surveys - fertilizer application, pesticide application, and
pest management data. For the application data, NASS collects information about the commercial fertilizers and pesticides
applied during the crop year. For fertilizer, these applications are collected as either actual pounds or percent analysis of
Nitrogen (N), Phosphate (P2O5), Potash (K2O), and Sulfur (S). Fertilizer data are then published in actual pounds of
nutrient used. For pesticides, these applications are collected at the product level, generally per application. These product
level data are converted to pounds of active ingredient (or the acid or metallic equivalent, where applicable), summarized,
and published. If there are not a sufficient number of reports, the data is suppressed from publication, along with any
needed complementary suppression.
For both fertilizer and pesticide application data, NASS estimates area applied (percent of planted acres treated), number
of applications, rate per application (pounds of active ingredient or acid equivalent per acre), rate per crop year (number of
applications multiplied by rate per application), and total amount applied.
The standard deviation for each active ingredient is calculated to determine data distribution for each crop. Chemical
distribution rates are given by active ingredient for the percent of acres treated, number of applications, rate per
application, and rate per crop year. Rate distribution tables include the median, the 10th and 90th percentiles, the mean, and
the coefficient of variation (CV) for an active ingredient when a sufficient number of farm operators report applying it on
the specified crop.
The pest management data are generally a series of yes/no questions pertaining to specific pest management practices.
Pest management data are collected for the randomly chosen field. From these data, NASS releases the percent of
operations using the practice as well as the percent of acreage. The percent of acreage assumes that the operation treats all
fields of a particular commodity in the same way.
Selected Terms and Definitions
Active Ingredient: The specific pesticide ingredient which kills or controls the target pest(s) or other target material(s), or
otherwise results in the pesticide effect(s). All pesticide-use estimates in the report are published per active ingredient
(rather than per product); one or more active ingredients are present in known amounts in the pesticide products reported
in the survey.
Rate and Total Applied estimates were reported in a single unit of equivalence, per active ingredient. For salt, ester, or
amine active ingredients, estimates were published in the parent acid equivalents. For example, the acid derivatives
glyphosate isopropylamine salt and 2, 4-D, 2-ethylhexyl ester were published in the glyphosate and 2, 4-D equivalents,
respectively. For copper compounds, estimates were published in the metallic copper equivalent.
Active Ingredient Code: A unique code assigned to each active ingredient upon registration with the Environmental
Protection Agency’s Office of Pesticide Programs to facilitate pesticide regulation.
Area Applied, Percent: Percent of total planted acres which received one or more applications of a specific fertilizer,
nutrient, or pesticide active ingredient. (In Quick Stats: Treated, Measured as Percent of Area Planted)
Avoidance: A strategy in which the detrimental effects of pests on crops are mitigated or eliminated solely through
various cultural practices. Avoidance is one of four classes of pest-management practices for which data are included in
the report.
Beneficial Insects: Insects (small invertebrate animals, mostly of arthropod classes Insecta and Arachnida), which are
collected and introduced onto crop acres because of their value in biological control as predators on harmful insects and
parasites.
Chemigation: Application of agricultural chemicals, including pesticide products, by injection into irrigation water.
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Crop Year: The period starting immediately after harvest of the previous year’s crop and ending at harvest of the current
year’s crop.
Farm: Any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have
been sold during the year. Government payments are included in sales.
Fertilizer: A soil-enriching agricultural input which contains one or more plant nutrients. Data for three primary
macronutrients, nitrogen (N), phosphate (P2O5), and potash (K20), and the secondary macronutrient sulfur (S) are included
in the report.
Fungi: Various organisms of the kingdom Fungi, which obtain nutrients by decomposing plant or other organic life. This
pest group includes mushrooms, molds, mildews, smuts, rusts, and yeasts. Fungal infestations have the potential to reduce
crop production and/or lower the grade quality of the host crop.
Mechanism of Action (MOA): The method or biological pathway by which the pesticide or active ingredient kills or
controls the target pest(s) or other target material(s).
Minimum or Reduced Tillage: Tillage practices prior to planting which result in a minimum of 30 percent or more of
crop residue being retained on the surface following planting.
Monitoring: A strategy involving the observance or detection of pests through systematic sampling, counting, or other
forms of scouting. Monitoring may include prediction of pest population levels through the observance of environmental
factors such as weather or soil and crop quality. Monitoring is one of four classes of pest-management practices for which
data are included in the report.
Nematodes: Unsegmented, parasitic worms of the phylum Nematoda. Prominent animal pest of field crops with the
potential to be highly destructive, lowering crop production and grade quality significantly.
Number of Applications: The average number of times a treated acre received a specific fertilizer nutrient or pesticide
active ingredient. (In Quick Stats: Applications, Measure in Number)
Pesticide: Defined by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) as “(1) any substance or mixture
of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest, (2) any substance or mixture of
substances intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant, and (3) any nitrogen stabilizer…” (Title 7, U.S.
Code, 136). Under FIFRA, pesticides are registered and regulated through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office
of Pesticide Programs. Four classes of pesticides are included in the report: (1) herbicides targeting weeds, (2) insecticides
targeting insects (3) fungicides targeting fungi, and (4) other chemicals targeting all other pests or other materials
(including extraneous crop foliage).
Pheromone: A chemical substance produced by an insect which serves as a stimulus to other individuals of the same
species for one or more behavioral responses.
Prevention: A strategy in which a pest population is kept from infesting a crop or field by taking various preceding
actions. Prevention is one of four classes of pest-management practices for which data are included in the report.
Rate per Application: Ratio indicating pounds (lbs) of a fertilizer primary nutrient or pesticide active ingredient (or
associated acid or metallic equivalent) applied, counting all applications per crop year, per planted acre. (In Quick Stats:
Applications, Measured in Lb/Acre/Year)
Suppression: A strategy which involves the control or reduction of existing pest populations in order to mitigate crop
damage. May include physical or biological controls, or management of resistance build-up through pesticide rotation.
Suppression is one of four classes of pest-management practices for which data are included in the report.

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Agricultural Chemical Usage - Field Crop Methodology and Quality Measures (May 2017)
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Quality Metrics for Agricultural Chemical Usage
Purpose and Definitions: Under the guidance of the Statistical Policy Office of the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB), NASS provides data users with quality metrics for its published data series. The metrics tables below describe the
performance data for the survey contributing to the publication. The accuracy of data products may be evaluated through
sampling and non-sampling error. The measurement of error due to sampling in the current period is evaluated by the
coefficient of variation for each estimated item. Non-sampling error is evaluated by response rates and the percent of the
estimate from respondents.
Sample Size is the number of observations selected from the population that are used to be representative of the entire
population.
Response rates measure the proportion of the sample that is represented by the responding units in the survey.
Coefficient of Variation provides a measure of the size for the standard error relative to the point estimate and is used to
measure the precision of the results of a survey estimator.
Corn Chemical Usage: Sample Size and Response Rate – Program States: 2016
State

Sample size

Response rate

(number)

(percent)

Colorado ....................................................................
Georgia .....................................................................
Illinois ........................................................................
Indiana ......................................................................
Iowa ...........................................................................
Kansas ......................................................................
Kentucky ....................................................................

143
146
294
199
298
199
199

31.5
43.8
65.3
43.7
66.4
56.3
56.3

Michigan ....................................................................
Minnesota ..................................................................
Missouri .....................................................................
Nebraska ...................................................................
New York ...................................................................
North Carolina ...........................................................
North Dakota .............................................................

201
301
199
249
196
198
199

51.7
53.8
55.3
49.8
58.7
51.5
43.7

Ohio ...........................................................................
Pennsylvania .............................................................
South Dakota .............................................................
Texas ........................................................................
Wisconsin ..................................................................

248
239
201
197
250

52.0
56.9
42.3
56.3
59.2

Program States ..........................................................

4,156

53.5

Fall Potato Chemical Usage: Sample Size and Response Rate – Program States: 2016
State

Sample size

Response rate

(number)

(percent)

Colorado ....................................................................
Idaho .........................................................................
Maine ........................................................................
Michigan ....................................................................
Minnesota ..................................................................
North Dakota .............................................................
Washington ...............................................................
Wisconsin ..................................................................

75
144
125
124
100
40
121
125

25.3
47.9
48.0
58.1
55.0
45.0
52.1
58.4

Program States ..........................................................

854

50.2

Agricultural Chemical Usage - Field Crop Methodology and Quality Measures (May 2017)
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Corn Pesticide Usage Coefficient of Variation – Program States: 2016
Active ingredient

Planted
acres treated

Number of
applications

Rate per
application

Rate per crop
year

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Herbicides
2,4-D; 2-EHE .................................................
2,4-D dimeth. salt ..........................................
Acetochlor .....................................................
Atrazine .........................................................
Bicyclopyrone ................................................
Clopyralid ......................................................
Clopyralid mono salt ......................................

6.0
8.9
2.5
1.3
10.7
6.0
11.9

1.1
0.4
0.7
1.1
3.2
1.3
4.2

3.6
4.3
1.8
1.1
4.4
2.3
2.6

3.7
4.4
1.7
1.5
7.0
2.3
3.8

Dicamba; digly. salt .......................................
Dicamba; dimet. salt ......................................
Dicamba; sodium salt ....................................
Diflufenzopyr-sodium ....................................
Dimethenamid-P ...........................................
Flumetsulam .................................................
Glyphosate ....................................................

12.4
16.4
6.1
7.2
9.5
5.5
5.8

1.9
1.7
3.9
4.6
0.2
1.6
1.3

8.3
11.4
3.7
4.2
2.7
1.9
1.2

8.7
10.8
3.3
3.7
2.7
2.1
1.6

Glyphosate dim. salt ......................................
Glyphosate iso. salt .......................................
Glyphosate pot. salt ......................................
Isoxaflutole ....................................................
Mesotrione ....................................................
Paraquat .......................................................
Pendimethalin ...............................................

8.6
2.4
2.4
5.6
2.8
12.7
16.6

15.7
1.9
1.6
0.3
1.1
2.0
0.0

3.1
1.4
1.2
2.2
1.7
2.7
4.4

16.6
2.0
1.7
2.3
2.1
4.1
4.4

Rimsulfuron ...................................................
S-Metolachlor ................................................
Saflufenacil ...................................................
Simazine .......................................................
Tembotrione ..................................................
Thiencarbazone-methy .................................
Thifensulfuron ...............................................
Topramezone ................................................

6.8
2.6
11.1
16.0
6.8
7.0
10.3
8.6

2.8
1.5
4.7
0.0
2.3
1.5
1.0
1.3

1.9
1.4
6.8
2.9
1.9
2.4
6.4
2.5

3.1
1.8
6.2
2.9
3.8
2.6
6.8
2.7

Insecticide
Bifenthrin .......................................................
Lambda-cyhalothrin .......................................

9.8
13.9

4.5
1.5

5.7
7.8

8.3
8.9

Fungicide
Azoxystrobin .................................................
Metconazole .................................................
Propiconazole ...............................................
Pyraclostrobin ...............................................

14.5
12.9
13.0
9.6

0.3
0.5
4.4
3.8

6.7
2.6
6.4
4.6

6.7
2.5
10.0
5.4

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Agricultural Chemical Usage - Field Crop Methodology and Quality Measures (May 2017)
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Fall Potato Pesticide Usage Coefficient of Variation – Program States: 2016
Active ingredient

Planted
acres treated

Number of
applications

Rate per
application

Rate per crop
year

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

(percent)

Herbicides
Dimethenamid-P .......................................................
EPTC ........................................................................
Linuron .....................................................................
Metribuzin .................................................................
Pendimethalin ...........................................................
Rimsulfuron ..............................................................
S-Metolachlor ...........................................................

21.6
8.2
18.2
9.1
16.4
13.7
6.5

0.0
4.8
0.0
2.0
3.7
2.3
0.8

2.2
8.6
5.9
4.2
1.9
2.5
2.5

2.2
11.1
5.9
3.6
4.3
2.3
2.6

Insecticide
Abamectin ................................................................
Imidacloprid ..............................................................
Lambda-cyhalothrin ..................................................
Spinosad ..................................................................
Thiamethoxam ..........................................................

14.1
10.0
23.3
9.4
12.7

7.7
4.7
24.6
6.8
9.3

5.8
9.0
3.9
0.8
13.3

6.2
6.8
27.8
6.9
4.9

Fungicide
Azoxystrobin .............................................................
Boscalid ....................................................................
Chlorothalonil ............................................................
Copper hydroxide .....................................................
Cymoxanil .................................................................
Difenoconazole .........................................................
Fluopyram ................................................................

8.3
10.8
4.8
17.9
10.5
10.4
10.4

8.6
8.8
5.2
22.6
7.7
4.6
13.6

4.7
2.3
2.3
15.4
2.3
2.0
3.2

11.7
8.7
6.0
24.6
8.7
5.3
11.6

Mancozeb .................................................................
Mandipropamide Techn ............................................
Mefenoxam ...............................................................
Pyraclostrobin ...........................................................
Pyrimethanil ..............................................................
Triphenyltin hydrox ...................................................

6.8
12.4
8.3
14.1
8.3
8.7

7.8
3.4
4.8
13.3
10.0
3.4

1.7
1.0
6.3
4.5
1.3
2.5

8.3
3.9
6.3
17.0
9.4
4.2

Other
Diquat dibromide .......................................................
Metam-sodium ..........................................................

7.3
16.6

5.3
1.8

4.8
6.3

3.5
7.6

Agricultural Chemical Usage - Field Crop Methodology and Quality Measures (May 2017)
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Information Contacts
Process

Unit

Estimation ............................................... Environmental Economics and
Demographics
Data Collection ....................................... Survey Administration Branch
Questionnaires ........................................ Data Collection Branch
Sampling and Editing .............................. Sampling Editing and Imputation
Methodology Branch
Summary and Estimators ........................ Summary Estimation and Disclosure
Methodology Branch
Dissemination ......................................... Data Dissemination Office
Media Contact and Webmaster ............... Public Affairs Office

8

Telephone

Email

(202) 720-6146
(202) 720-3895
(202) 720-6201

HQ_SD_EEDB-EDS@nass.usda.gov
HQ_CSD_SAB@nass.usda.gov
HQ_CSD_DCB@nass.usda.gov

(202) 720-5805

HQ_MD_SEIMB-Staff@nass.usda.gov

(202) 720-4008
(202) 720-3400
(202) 720-2639

HQ_MD_SEIMB-Staff@nass.usda.gov
HQOAPAO@nass.usda.gov
HQOAPAO@nass.usda.gov

Agricultural Chemical Usage - Field Crop Methodology and Quality Measures (May 2017)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Access to NASS Reports
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Agricultural Chemical Usage - Field Crop Methodology and Quality Measures (May 2017)
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