Excerpts from the report Summary: Farmers use custom pesticide services extensively. In the 48 contiguous States, they spent about $173 million for custom pesticide services, including the cost of application and materials, in 1964. This amounted to an average of about $55 for each farmer. Nearly $172 million was spent to control crop pests and slightly less than $2 million to control livestock pests. The cost of custom-applied pesticide materials used on crops and livestock was $115 million or one-fourth of all pesticides used by farmers in 1964. Cotton was the major crop on which custom pesticide services were used. Growers spent $65 million for custom services on cotton, an average of $857 for each farm using such services. Forty-three percent of the farmers using pesticides on cotton used some custom services. The crop categories with the highest average cost per farm for custom pesticide applications and materials were certain fruits and nuts ($1,661) and potatoes ($1,490).