V 



Pesticides and Chemical Fertilizers 



To quote Seneca and Tausig (1979): 



In the long-run perspective of history, the development and 

 extensive use of effective pesticides have made a major contribution 

 to human welfare. Pesticides are responsible for enormous increases 

 in agricultural yields and for the control of once widespread and 

 debilitating diseases. Pesticide research findings again reveal the 

 recurring theme of environmental problems, a difficult, benefit-cost 

 type of decision whether, and to what degree, to continue pesticide 

 use and gain protection of crop yields and lower incidences of some 

 human diseases at the cost of considerable long-run damages to envi- 

 ronmental conditions and increased risks to human health. 



Insecticides not only destroy insects and a wide range of other land 

 animals, but some of the chemicals are carried by runoff into lakes and 

 rivers. Some waters may be so badly polluted that fish and other aquatic 

 organisms may die. Long-term effects are contamination of drinking water and 

 chemical accumulation in the food chain. 



Nutrients in runoff from farm lands that are enriched by chemical ferti- 

 lizers may cause accelerated eutrophication in the receiving waters. The 

 results may be noxious algal growth, excessive aquatic plant growth, and in 

 some cases, oxygen depletion and fish kills. Water hyacinth in Florida is a 

 particularly difficult problem. These floating plants clog waterways and 

 lakes, tie up nutrients, and obliterate underwater photosynthesis. Practical 

 control of these plants is unknown. 



Eventually the use of pesticides and chemicals may be reduced without 

 decreasing the yield and quality of farm products. The use of strong, more 

 resistant plant strains, sterile males, insects that feed on pests, enforced 

 diseases, and the use of radiation are means of combating pests and parasites 

 without chemicals or pesticides. Currently, experiments are underway, but new 

 methods of control are not working. The rising price of petrochemicals that 

 produce many of these pesticides and chemicals may make other means of pest 

 control much more attractive in the future. 



Animal and Human Wastes 



Animal wastes (from feed lots for example) are another major pollution 

 problem confronting farmers. These wastes enter ponds, lakes, and rivers pri- 

 marily through runoff. Rainfall is abundant in Northwest Florida, and runoff 

 from manure is a major concern in some areas. The solution may be that both 

 animal wastes and urban sewage will be used for feed and fertilizers. 



Energy 



Energy is a problem, not because there is an energy crisis, but because 

 of the burden imposed on the farmers by the rising cost of fuel. In Northwest 

 Florida, farmers rely on petroleum and petroleum products in all phases of 

 production and marketing. Use of chemicals, pesticides, machinery, tractors, 

 and transportation services will expand as farmers are called upon to increase 

 output. Despite the importance of oil and electricity in farm operations, 



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