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Data Series 689

National Water Quality Assessment Program

Selected Historic Agricultural Data Important to Environmental Quality in the United States

By Katia M. Grey, Paul D. Capel, Nancy T. Baker, and Gail P. Thelin

Thumbnail of and link to report PDF (10.4 MB)Abstract

This report and the accompanying tables summarize some of the important changes in American agriculture in the form of a timeline and a compilation of selected annual time-series data that can be broadly related to environmental quality. Although these changes have been beneficial for increasing agricultural production, some of them have resulted in environmental concerns. The agriculture timeline is divided into four categories (1) crop and animal changes, (2) mechanical changes, (3) biological and chemical changes, and (4) regulatory and societal changes. The timeline attempts to compile events that have had a lasting impact on agriculture in the United States. The events and data presented in this report may help to improve the connections between agricultural activist and environmental concerns.

 

First posted August 2, 2012
  • DS689_tables1to4.xls (2.95 MB)
    This file of tables 1 through 4 that contains one spreadsheet for each table, conversion factors for units of measurement used in the four tables, and a list of the sources of information used to compile table 3. The tabular data in this file may be copied or repurposed for other uses.
  • DS689_tables1to4.pdf (1.92 MB)
    This is a viewable PDF file of tables 1 through four, conversion factors for units of measurement used in the tables, and a list of the sources of information used to compile table 3.

For additional information contact:
Director, Indiana Water Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey
5957 Lakeside Blvd.
Indianapolis, IN 46278
http://in.water.usgs.gov/

Part or all of this report is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF); the latest version of Adobe Reader or similar software is required to view it. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader, free of charge.


Suggested citation:

Grey, K.M., Capel, P.D., Baker, N.T., and Thelin, G.P., 2012, Selected historic agricultural data important to environmental quality in the United States: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series Report 689, 2 p. plus tables.



Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Selected Historic Data

References Cited

Tables

Table 1. Temporal changes in labor hours, acres planted, and farm equipment used in the production of corn, cotton, and wheat in the United States, 1850-1987.

Table 2. Timeline of selected agricultural events in the United States that are broadly related to environmental quality.

Table 3. Selected historic agricultural data important to environmental quality in the United States, 1850-2010.

Table 4. National pesticide use in crop agriculture in the United States in 2009, by active ingredient.


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