The agricultural chemical use estimates in this report are based on data compiled from a survey conducted in the fall of 2000 in 17 selected States, which contain approximately 93% of the U.S. hog inventory.
This report provides insecticide use information on the swine sector of agriculture. All data refer to the on-farm use of chemical active ingredients contained in insecticides applied during the 1999 calendar year. Insecticides are applied to swine and swine facilities to control mange, mites, lice, flies, and other pests.
Chemical data are provided on a rate per head per application and rate per head per year basis. Some
swine received no chemical applications in 1999, whereas, other hogs and pigs received multiple
applications of the same chemical. In yet other cases, swine received applications of several different chemicals. The number of times a chemical is applied varies significantly based on product formulation, method of application and pest stress at particular locations. The rate per head data cannot be used to calculate the actual number of head treated with a particular chemical. Hog and pig inventories are reprinted in this report from a previous NASS release. This table is included for informational purposes only.
Some active ingredients, such as xylene, piperonyl butoxide, and petroleum distillate are primarily
carriers, diluents, synergists, or repellents. These are classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as pesticides and are included in this report.
This report excludes pharmaceutical products that treat swine for internal pests. A pharmaceutical is
classified as a drug and is regulated by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). Pharmaceuticals
generally target internal livestock pests such as viruses, bacteria, or worms. Some products can be
classified as either a pesticide or a pharmaceutical because they treat both external and internal pests.
Examples of dual purpose products are Doramectin and Ivermectin. These products can be applied to
swine internally through oral dosage or injection, or applied externally as a pour-on. Also excluded are disinfectants and sanitizers. Only insecticide data were collected and summarized.
Insecticide use information on chemical applications made to swine facilities is also included in this
report. Herbicide and termite chemical applications are excluded, as are all rodenticides.