INVESTMENT BEHAVIOR AND ENERGY CONSERVATION

Abstract

Binary logit and bivariate probit models were used to investigate the investment behavior of farmers relative to two energy-conserving assets, heat-recovery systems and precoolers. The bivariate probit procedure was useful in correcting for self-selectivity bias. Holdout samples and cross-validation procedures were used to develop true model statistics. Farm size, educational level of the operator, and the type of milking system in use were the important factors influencing investment behavior.Farm Management,