Value of Atrazine

When farmers use atrazine, it can actually reduce the use of other pesticides on our crops—products that we would otherwise have to use to control weeds. This means we save money and generally increase the yield of our group because we are effectively controlling weeds. We also save money by not having to run our tractors across our fields spraying those additional pesticides, saving fuel costs and letting fewer carbon emissions into the air. Add these savings and benefits together and it works out that atrazine leaves more than $28 an acre in our pocket, that’s according to the EPA. That adds up to millions of dollars in savings and additional productivity every harvest season, helping to power our farms, as well as rural communities across the United States.

A core value that atrazine provides producers is related to its use in conservation tillage programs. Simply stated, conservation tillage is when a farmer chooses to leave more of the previous year’s crop debris on the soil surface. Beyond the benefit of fewer trips across the field with tillage equipment, this farming practice dramatically reduces the movement of soil sediment from the field to neighboring water sources. When you prevent or limit soil movement, you inherently limit the movement of any pesticides or fertilizers that have been applied to the soil. Conservation tillage is a growing practice in crop production and has been used by many farmers over the past two or three decades.

How much is atrazine worth to your corn farm?

EPA estimated the value of atrazine to corn growers at 28 dollars per acre. Use this simple calculator ro plug in your acres and find out what EPA says atrazine is worth to you.