The University of Arkansas released a study this week that shows pesticides advance sustainable agriculture. CropLife America, a trade organization for the organic and inorganic pesticide industry, commissioned the work. Pesticides allow farmers to protect their crops from insects, weeds, and diseases. Communications lead Genevieve O'Sullivan says the study modeled 40 typical farms for corn, soybeans, and cotton across the U.S. testing these commodities with and without pesticides. It included Wisconsin corn and soybeans. The results show that without pesticides, the yields of corn, cotton, and soybeans declined up to 70%. Growing corn, cotton, and soybeans without pesticides resulted in roughly 3 times more land, water, energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions.