Economic and Marketing INFORMATION 
FOR INDIANA
FARMERS
Lafayette,   Indiana
February 24,   1954
Prepared  by  members of the Agricultural  Staff of  Purdue  University
Control Crop Insects for More Profits
By
G.  E.  LEHKER,  Department of Entomology
WE HEAR a great deal about
the ability of the American
farmer to feed a possible U. S.
population of 200 million persons
by 1975. Most authorities agree
this will have to be done by utilizing about the same number of
acres as are now being farmed.
This, of course, means increased
production per acre and per animal unit.
To date, the necessary increases
have been accomplished by applying science and technology to agriculture. In fact U. S. food production in some cases has more than
kept abreast of our expanding
population. Prospects are good
that this situation will continue for
there still is a large backlog of
scientific findings to be widely
used. In addition, research is adding daily to the stockpile.
As an illustration of science
awaiting application, let us consider insect control, especially as it
applies to staple field crops such as
com, wheat, soybeans and hay.
For many years, insect control has
played an integral part in produc-
In9 specialized crops such as fruits
and vegetables. This does not
mean other crops are damaged
less.
The reason specialized crops
nave been sprayed and dusted is
because their per acre value is
great enough to justify the use of
expensive equipment and chem-
lcals. In addition, insect damage
affects their sale value much more
,h|an it does a crop such as alfalfa.
Because of high costs and lack
of equipment   and   materials,   in
sect control on field crops has been
confined largely to cultural practices such as rotations or the adjustment of planting dates. Some
of these have been quite effective,
such as intermediate planting to
prevent corn borer damage and
observance of the fly-free date for
seeding wheat. Corn root worm
damage is also held to a minimum
by rotating  corn with other crops.
In recent years, striking developments in the field of chemical pest
control have changed this picture
considerably. Synthetic organic insecticides, along with low pressure
tractor mounted sprayers and aeroplane equipment to apply them,
have brought this type of insect
control within reach of every farmer.
Sprays and dusts can now be
used to supplement cultural practices, and a large number of Indiana's   more   progressive  farmers
are turning to a regular practice
of insect control as a logical means
of increasing profits. Many of
these farmers are also taking advantage of other techniques for increasing production such as fertilization, new crop varieties,
power machinery, better livestock
and improved animal nutrition.
Legumes Damaged
Let's see where insect control fits
into the general farm program today. Among farm crops most seriously damaged by insects, are pastures and hay fields. The spittle
bug is found in all parts of Indiana. The cost of spraying with
BHC is less than $1.00 per acre for
materials, yet the increase in yield
averages 15 bales per acre.
The cost of application must be
added to the materials cost. But
even with aerial spraying at $2.50
per acre complete, the extra bales