Pesticides, a term that includes herbicides, in-secticides and fungicides, have contributed to significant crop yield increases over the past five decades.

When properly used, pesticides contribute to higher yields as well as enhanced product quality.

These attributes are achieved by controlling weeds, insects and plant pathogens that would otherwise limit food production and safety.

However, because pesticides may possess toxic properties, their use often prompts concern about human health and environmental consequences.

The USDA regularly examines pesticide-use trends. These explorations are critical for informed pesticide policy debate and science-based decisions.

The most recent reporting concentrates on 21 major food crops, and is summarized here.

Total pesticide use, as well as the specific active ingredients used has changed considerably over the past five decades. Total U.S. pesticide use peaked at 632 million pounds in 1981 and has since trended downward to 516 million pounds in 2008 (the most recent year for which we have enough complete data).

Pesticide types applied by U.S. farmers for the 21 crops analyzed have changed considerably also. Insecticides accounted for 58 percent of pounds applied in 1960, but only 6 percent in 2008.

On the other hand, herbicides accounted for 18 percent of the pounds applied in 1960 but 76 percent by 2008.

Total pesticide expenditures in U.S. agriculture reached close to $12 billion in 2008. This is a significant point in my mind.

The nature of food production is to grow safe and wholesome crops using minimum cost methods.

I expect most every farmer is seeking to use as little pesticide as is economically viable in order to both produce the most and best crop while at the same time reducing expenses.

While we are on the topic of foods and food production methods – let's include organic farming.

Organic food has become increasingly popular in recent years. Contrary to what most people believe, "organic" does not automatically mean "pesticide-free" or "chemical-free."

Under federal standards, organic farmers are allowed to use a wide variety of chemical sprays and powders on their crops.

So what does organic mean?

It means these organic pesticides, if used, must be derived from natural sources, not synthetically manufactured.

Also, these pesticides must be applied using equipment that has not been used to apply any synthetic materials for the past three years, and the land being planted cannot have been treated with non-organic materials for that period either.

Most farmers, both organic and conventional, employ mechanical and cultural tools to help control pests.

These include insect traps, careful crop selection (disease-resistant varieties), and biological controls (predator insects and beneficial microorganisms).

These steps are taken to not only control the many challenges faced by modern farming, but also to produce food in an economically viable way while conserving natural resources.

There are many decisions consumers make.

Feeding ourselves, family and friends is an intimate and social act.

Hopefully, this article has provided some new information you will find helpful as an informed consumer.

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John Berry is the agricultural marketing educator with Penn State Extension, Lehigh County.

Material for this article is taken from: the Organic Crop Improvement Association; USDA, ERS, Economic Information Bulletin EIB-124; L.S. Gold in Science; and University of California, Berkley.