Determinants of the adoption of conservation practices by farmers in the Northwest Wheat and Range Region

Abstract

A survey of over 1,500 farmers located in northern Idaho and eastern Washington was conducted to examine conservation practices, attitudes, and perceptions. As part of this survey, farmers were asked to identify their adoption of gully plugs and buffer strips. Buffer strips were used by just over half of the farmers. Between 39% and 28% of respondents, depending on land slope, used gully plugs. An ordered logit model was used to predict the probability of adoption of each conservation practice and to identify key variables affecting farmers' decisions to invest in those practices. The perceived effectiveness of the conservation practice had the greatest impact on adoption, while levels of education, years managing farms, and whether or not the respondent was farming full-time had little impact on these conservation decisions. The larger the acreage being farmed, the more likely the respondent was to invest in gully plugs. Almost half of the farmland was leased, which proved more of a deterrent to the adoption of gully plugs than buffer strips. The financial stress of the respondent and the cost of structure implementation were less important factors in the implementation of gully plugs and buffer strips. Conversely, the maintenance of these conservation practices, particularly buffer strips, was an important consideration in their adoption. Results of this survey and comments made by respondents indicate a keen interest by farmers in conservation issues. The importance of changing farmer's perceptions of the effectiveness of conservation practices was clearly identified in this study. Maintaining observation sites for several years may be a valuable asset in changing perceptions as farmers are able to witness the dynamic impact of conservation practices. Educational programs and materials focusing on conservation should likewise target off-farm landowners given the large percentage of the farmland that is leased in this region.