Midwest growers rely heavily on agrichemical retailers and crop consultants for making pest management decisions. A survey was mailed to 793 fertilizer and agricultural chemical dealers in Illinois to help understand their basis for pesticide recommendations, sources of information, and water quality concerns. Survey response rate was approximately 55%, and results indicated that agrichemical retailers use several sources of information, including manufacturers, universities, and company training programs. Newsletters and fact sheets were recognized as the most useful types of university resources, whereas videos were deemed the least useful. Product effectiveness was identified by 85% of the respondents as being the most important factor affecting pesticide selection. Soil erosion was listed as the greatest threat to water quality. Filter strips and best management practices were suggested as being the most likely to succeed in protecting water quality.

Additional index words: Agrichemical retailer survey, pest management decisions, water quality concerns.

Abbreviations: BMP, best management practices.