Canadian male farm operators who committed suicide between 1971-87 were compared with a control group of farm operators. Comparisons focused on past exposures to pesticides. Multivariate analyses indicated no associations between suicide & acres sprayed with herbicides or insecticides & the costs of agricultural chemicals purchased, after controlling for important covariates. A suggestive increase in the risk of suicide was found among a subgroup most likely to be directly exposed to pesticides.