ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF BANS ON CORN (ZEA-MAYS) AND SOYBEAN (GLYCINE-MAX) HERBICIDES COMMONLY USED ON INDIANA FARMS Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • The short-run economic consequences of bans on herbicides commonly applied to corn (Zea maysL.) and soybeans [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] on a typical Indiana farm were analyzed. A dinitroaniline ban reduced soybean yields and net farm income 17 and 32%, respectively. A triazine ban reduced corn and soybean yields 3 and 20%, respectively, and net farm income by 38%. A simultaneous ban on all dinitroaniline, triazine, and amide herbicides reduced corn and soybean yields 14 and 17%, respectively, and net farm income by 65%. Harvest delays attributable to less effective weed control resulted in a loss in efficiency, yields, and profits, and increased machinery and labor requirements. Hence, herbicide bans under typical Indiana conditions would inflict substantial, short-run economic losses on individual farmers. This study did not measure any potential public benefits or costs of herbicide bans, however.

published proceedings

  • WEED SCIENCE

author list (cited authors)

  • CASHMAN, C. M., MARTIN, M. A., & MCCARL, B. A.

citation count

  • 9

complete list of authors

  • CASHMAN, CM||MARTIN, MA||MCCARL, BA

publication date

  • May 1981