A recent report by the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission raised alarm about the use of pesticides, namely atrazine and glyphosate. While garnering media attention, these claims overlook decades of sound science and the practical realities Kentucky farmers face in growing safe, sustainable, and affordable food.
As the voice of Kentucky corn producers, the Kentucky Corn Growers Association (KYCGA) stands firmly behind the science-based regulation of crop protection tools. A ban on proven herbicides like atrazine and glyphosate would devastate farmers, increase food prices, and undermine decades of environmental progress.
“Kentucky corn farmers take pride in growing safe, sustainable food for our communities and the world. Tools like glyphosate and atrazine aren’t just critical for protecting our crops; they are also supported by decades of sound science and proven environmental stewardship. The MAHA Commission’s claims don’t reflect the reality of modern farming, and we cannot afford to let misinformation threaten our ability to feed people and protect our farmland,” said Josh Lancaster, President of KYCGA.
Why This Matters to Kentucky’s Corn Growers
The MAHA Commission’s focus on questioning glyphosate and atrazine threatens the very tools Kentucky corn farmers rely on to grow crops efficiently and sustainably. These herbicides have undergone extensive review by federal regulators and carry a strong, well-documented safety record.
Banning these products would increase costs, reduce yields, and force farmers to return to more environmentally damaging practices like increased tillage. This jeopardizes not only farm profitability but also soil health, water quality, and food affordability for families across Kentucky and beyond.
Kentucky Farmers Rely on Pesticides
In a state where corn is a foundational crop, pesticides are more than just a tool; they are a necessity. With growing global demand and the need to maximize yields on limited acreage, pesticides help protect crops from devastating pests, weeds, and diseases. Glyphosate and atrazine are two of the most effective and widely studied tools available, with decades of research confirming their safety when used as directed.
In fact, a 2021 USDA survey found that 96% of corn acres nationwide are treated with herbicides, with atrazine and glyphosate among the most common ingredients. They help Kentucky farmers grow more food using fewer inputs, less labor, and less land, which are efficiencies critical to sustainability.
A Ban Would Hurt Farmers and Families
Crop protection products, like herbicides, account for about 6% of the total cost to grow corn. The costs of growing corn are already high, with the USDA estimating an average of $871 per acre in 2025. Due to anticipated low prices, Kentucky corn farmers could face losses of over $100 per acre.
If EPA-approved herbicides are banned and farmers are forced to switch to less effective, more expensive alternatives, those losses would deepen. Switching to alternative herbicides could raise pest control costs by up to 60%, compounding financial pressure on Kentucky farmers.
In addition to a hit on the farmers’ bottom line, higher production costs on the farm translate to higher grocery bills, and costly pressure on nutrition programs and the Farm Bill.
Environmental Stewardship Backed by Science
Contrary to the narrative pushed by some advocacy groups, modern pesticides are key to sustainable agriculture. Their responsible use has reduced the need for tillage, helping preserve soil health, cut emissions, and reduce erosion.
According to the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), a return to pre-pesticide weed control methods would require 3–4 tillage passes per acre, significantly increasing soil disturbance, labor, fuel use, and carbon emissions. These tillage passes cost an additional $15 to $30 per acre, per pass. Thanks to glyphosate use alone, U.S. agriculture has seen:
- 22% reduction in sediment loss
- 19% less water use for irrigation
- 16% reduction in wind erosion
- 13% reduction in water erosion
- 1.2 million tons fewer carbon emissions from farm machinery
- 32.5 million additional tons of carbon captured in soil
These wins are the foundation of climate-smart, conservation-focused farming because of the use of pesticides.
Using Less While Producing More
Pesticides are helping Kentucky corn farmers do more with less. In 2021, farmers used an average of just 0.7 pounds of herbicides per acre, less than half the 1.7 pounds used in 1990. This efficiency reflects decades of innovation, improved technologies and responsible stewardship.
Take glyphosate, for example. In products like Roundup PowerMAX3, farmers apply as little glyphosate as 6 to 25 ounces per acre—roughly the amount of a large coffee cup spread across an entire football field. Even in small amounts, this carefully formulated application effectively controls weeds and safeguards crop yields.
Even as herbicide use has declined, U.S. corn yields have increased by 49%, growing from 118.5 bushels per acre in the 1990s to 176.7 bushels per acre in 2021. This dramatic rise is the result of advances in genetically modified seed hybrids and complementary pesticides that allow for precise, lower-rate applications—proving that today’s farmers are producing more while using fewer inputs.
Standing Up for Kentucky’s Corn Farmers
The KYCGA is raising the concern because the MAHA Commission’s claims, while well-intended, overlook key aspects of agricultural science and practice, which threatens the future of corn production in our state. If science-backed tools like glyphosate and atrazine are taken away, the impact on Kentucky farmers would be immediate and severe, leading to higher costs, lower yields, and lost progress in sustainability.
The stakes are too high to ignore. KYCGA is advocating for policymakers to defend science-based regulations and protect the tools that keep Kentucky farms strong and our food supply secure.