The adoption of best management practices in the Louisiana crawfish industry

Agricultural production can have result in environmental deterioration in cases where proper management practices have not been implemented. Louisiana, one of the tropical states, has a significant agricultural base with more than 1,600 farmers raising crawfish. Large volumes of waste water containing environmental pollutants result significant environmental problem in the state. Voluntary adoption of a number of best management practices (BMPs) that are considered to be environmentally and economically beneficial is encouraged in Louisiana. The major objectives of this study are to investigate farmer adoption of 18 selected Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) cost share eligible BMPs and the reasons for farmers’ adoption or non-adoption decisions. The study further analyzes the complementarity or substitutability of different BMPs. A mail survey to 770 Louisiana crawfish producers was conducted in Fall, 2008, based on Dillman’s Total Design Method. The adjusted response rate was 15%. Probit, multinomial logit, and t-tests were conducted to analyze the results. The results of this study showed farmers’ land tenancy, education, age, income diversification, and risk-bearing characteristics significantly affecting their probability of adoption. The prerequisite assumption of independence of irrelevant alternatives (IIA) of the multinomial logit model was successful for only two BMPs: Irrigation Land Leveling, and Irrigation Water Conveyance via Pipe; and the results in these two BMPs showed farm size, rotation with other crops, education, farmers’ risk averse and early adoption behavior significantly affecting adoption or non-adoption decisions. Some BMPs were also found to have complementary relationships with other BMPs

Factors Influencing Producers’ Marketing Decisions in the Louisiana Crawfish Industry

Factors influencing farmer selection of a crawfish marketing outlet were analyzed using 2008 survey data from the Louisiana crawfish industry. Most farmers sell directly to wholesalers. Probit results show farm size, farm income, household income, age, education, and pre-market grading and washing operations significantly affecting farmer selection of an outlet.Crawfish, Marketing Outlet, Premarket Practices, Probit., Marketing, Production Economics,

THE INFLUENCES OF LAND TENANCY AND ROTATION SELECTION ON CRAWFISH FARMERS’ ADOPTION OF BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

This study investigates factors influencing the adoption of best management practices in Louisiana crawfish production. Probit results show acreage, years farming, portion of income from farming, technology adoption tendencies, hunting leases and a stream running through the farm to influence adoption. The most frequently used BMP was irrigation water management.Best Management Practices (BMPs), technology adoption, crawfish, probit, tenancy, crop rotation, Production Economics,

THE INFLUENCES OF LAND TENANCY AND ROTATION SELECTION ON CRAWFISH FARMERS’ ADOPTION OF BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

This study investigates factors influencing the adoption of best management practices in Louisiana crawfish production. Probit results show acreage, years farming, portion of income from farming, technology adoption tendencies, hunting leases and a stream running through the farm to influence adoption. The most frequently used BMP was irrigation water management

Factors Influencing Producers’ Marketing Decisions in the Louisiana Crawfish Industry

Factors influencing farmer selection of a crawfish marketing outlet were analyzed using 2008 survey data from the Louisiana crawfish industry. Most farmers sell to wholesalers, followed by direct to consumer, direct to retailer, and finally to processors. A relatively high percentage of farmers grade crawfish prior to sale, with fewer washing, peeling, and purging crawfish. Probit results show farm size, farm income, household income, age, education, and pre-market grading and washing operations significantly affecting farmer selection of marketing outlet

Factors Influencing Producers’ Marketing Decisions in the Louisiana Crawfish Industry

Factors influencing farmer selection of a crawfish marketing outlet were analyzed using 2008 survey data from the Louisiana crawfish industry. Most farmers sell directly to wholesalers. Probit results show farm size, farm income, household income, age, education, and pre-market grading and washing operations significantly affecting farmer selection of an outlet

Economic Impacts of Adoption of Best Management Practices by Crawfish Producers: The Role of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program

This study investigates reasons for adoption of best management practices (BMP), crawfish farmers’ participation in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and economic impacts of BMP adoption using data from a 2008 survey of crawfish producers. Most-cited reasons for BMP adoption are farmers’ perceptions of increases in profit and long-run productivity. Land tenancy, education, double-cropping or crop rotation, and proximity to a stream influence EQIP participation. Perceptions of economic profits depend on the practices used. Participation in EQIP negatively impacts farmers’ perceptions of profitability from adopting BMPs. The results underscore the importance of economic incentives in promoting BMP adoption

How important is farm profitability to meat goat farmers?

© 2017 American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists This study investigates United States meat goat producers’ goal structure and examines whether these goals are consistent with farm profitability. Data were collected using a nationwide mail survey, and 7 potential goals of meat goat farmers were analyzed. Results showed that “maximize profit” and “have family involved in agriculture” were the 2 most important goals, whereas “control weeds/vegetation” and “increase farm size” were the least-ranked goals. Regression results showed that farmer demographics, farm characteristics, economic indicators, and regional variables affected farmer goal structure. Results did not support a correlation between farm profitability and profit-maximizing goals such as “maximize profit” and “avoid years of loss/low profit.

Economie impacts of adoption of best management practices by crawfish producers: The role of the environmental quality incentives program

This study investigates reasons for adoption of best management practices (BMP), crawfish farmers\u27 participation in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and economic impacts of BMP adoption using data from a 2008 survey of crawfish producers. Most-cited reasons for BMP adoption are farmers\u27 perceptions of increases in profit and long-run productivity. Land tenancy, education, double-cropping or crop rotation, and proximity to a stream influence EQIP participation. Perceptions of economic profits depend on the practices used. Participation in EQIP negatively impacts farmers\u27 perceptions of profitability from adopting BMPs. The results underscore the importance of economic incentives in promoting BMP adoption. Copyright 2012 Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association