Crop Choice, Non-Target Pest Levels, Yield Loss and Their Effect on Insecticide Use in South Dakota

Tia Michelle McDonald, Ariel Ruth Keating, Scott William Fausti (), Jing Li and Jonathan G Lundgren
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Tia Michelle McDonald: Department of Economics, South Dakota State University
Ariel Ruth Keating: Department of Economics, South Dakota State University
Jonathan G Lundgren: Department of Economics, South Dakota State University

No 201001, Research Reports from South Dakota State University, Department of Economics

Abstract: Agriculturally, South Dakota is a unique state possessing the highest rate of adoption for genetically modified crop varieties. In 2009 ninety-six percent of corn acres planted in South Dakota were genetically modified compared with eighty-five percent nationally (Economic Research Service). Additionally, South Dakota has seen a dramatic increase in the number of acres treated with insecticide over the past 20 years. These two situations taken together seem to be counterintuitive. Some genetically modified varieties, such as Bt corn, are equipped with genetic defenses so that they can protect the plant from target pests. Intuitively, one would expect to see a decrease in insecticide use as adoption of genetically modified varieties increase. Recent studies have found that there is a reduction in herbicides applied to herbicide tolerant varieties. Here in South Dakota, though, producers have expressed the opinion that the increase in insecticide use is the result of the emergence and spread of the soybean aphid in the state. This research seeks to address the underlying causes of the increase in insecticide use.

Keywords: Bt corn; GM crops; insecticide (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-agr
Date: 2010-07
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Related works:
Working Paper: Crop Choice, Non-Target Pest Levels, Yield Loss and Their Effect on Insecticide Use in South Dakota (2010)
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