Title: PI-103/PI140: Why do we use pesticides?
Headings: 
Why do we use pesticides? 1
Introduction
The Balancing Act of Risk vs. Benefit
Health Benefits
Agricultural Benefits
Environmental Benefits
Structural Benefits
Rights-of-Way Benefits
Trade Commodity Benefits
Recreational Benefits
Summary
Additional Information

Content: Never has American agriculture been so efficient. When catastrophic natural disasters strike suddenly, such as the 2004 Asian Tsunami or the 2005 Kashmir Earthquake, the US is a first responder in relief efforts. Why? A major reason is that our agricultural producers are so efficient and our country has an abundant and safe food supply. Furthermore, controlling pests in feed and forage has encouraged a more efficient means of livestock production. Some pests, particularly insects, cause direct loss from feeding activities on feed and forage, while others, such as poisonous plants, cause sickness or even death if consumed by livestock. Florida's honey production had an estimated value of more than $30 million dollars in 2014 (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services https://www.freshfromflorida.com/ ). Furthermore, the value of bees as pollinators is reflected in the billion-dollar vegetable production industry yearly (USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service https://www.nass.usda.gov/ ). These pollinators are important in other agricultural industries as well, such as citrus. Protecting bee hives with miticides for control of the devastating parasitic Varroa mite is vital to the industry.