Adoption And Perceived Usefulness Of Precision Soil Sampling Information In Cotton Production
1D. C. Harper, 2D. M. Lambert, 2B. C. English, 2J. A. Larson, 2R. K. Roberts, 2M. Velandia, 2D. F. Mooney, 3S. L. Larkin
1. University of Tennessee at Knoxville
2. University of Tennessee
3. University of Florida
Soil testing assists farmers in identifying nutrient variability to optimize input placement and timing. Anecdotal evidence suggests that soil test information has a useful life of 3–4 years. However, perceived usefulness may depend on a variety of factors, including field variability, farmer experience and education, farm size, Extension, and factors indirectly related to farming. In 2009, a survey of cotton farmers in 12 Southeastern states collected information about the use of precision soil sampling. A hurdle regression model incorporating farm operator and business characteristics, use of precision agriculture technologies, and information sources analyzes (1) the adoption of soil testing technologies and (2) the number of years farmers perceived soil test information to be useful. Thus, the first stage (the “hurdle”) estimates the likelihood that cotton producers adopted some type of soil sampling. The second stage analyzes the personal and farm business characteristics related to perceptions of the length of time soil test information is thought to be useful by adopters. We find that a number of farm operator and business characteristics are associated with the length of time producers perceive the information they obtain from soil tests to be useful, including farmer experience, information from trade shows, news media sources, or university Extension services, and the use of private consultants. Understanding the factors contributing to the perceived usefulness of soil test information may provide guidance to industry with respect to product and service marketing, and help Extension tailor informational efforts regarding the benefits and costs of soil sampling.
