Pesticide Usage in Scotland: Rodenticides on Arable Farms

Appendix 2 - Survey statistics

Single Application Form and sample information

H&I=Highlands & Islands, C&O=Caithness & Orkney, TV=Tweed Valley, SU=Southern Uplands

Raising factors

Note: The sampled data within a region and size group were multiplied by the appropriate raising and adjustment factors to create an estimate of national use (please refer to Appendix 4 for description of statistical estimation process). For example, a total recorded rodenticide use of 10 kg on 100-149.99 ha sized farms in Aberdeen would be multiplied by 12.31 (raising factor) and 1.00 (adjustment factor) to give an estimated rodenticide use in that region and size group of 123.1 kg. NA = not applicable. H&I=Highlands & Islands, C&O=Caithness & Orkney, TV=Tweed Valley, SU=Southern Uplands

Survey response rates

Financial burden to survey respondents

In order to minimise the burden on farmers the survey team used non-visit methods of collection such as email, post or telephone call, where possible.

To determine the total burden that the 2022 rodenticide use on arable farms survey placed on those providing the information, farmers were asked to estimate the time spent providing data. One hundred per cent of the farmers surveyed provided this information. The median time taken was one minute.

In addition, PCPs were also asked to estimate how long they took to provide information. Ninety one per cent of the PCPs supplying data provided this information. The median time taken was 30 minutes.

The following formula was used to estimate the total cost of participating:

Burden (£) = No. surveyed x median time taken (hours) x typical hourly rate*

(* using median "Full Time Gross" hourly pay for Scotland of £16.69^[11])

It is estimated that the total financial burden to respondents for the 2022 arable crop rodenticide survey was £258.14.