Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
8-2017
Subjects
Sustainable agriculture, Agricultural ecology
Abstract
Weeds invade farms, grow and reproduce aggressively. For more than half a century, the primary tool used by farmers to control weeds has been herbicides, but the effectiveness of herbicides is declining due to herbicide resistance. An option available for farmers to better balance weed control and herbicide resistance is to adopt resistance management practices. However, the adoption of resistance management has been low. This study aims to explore the impact of economic and behavioral factors on a farmer’s choice over chemical, cultural and mechanical tactics of weed control. I use multivariate regression analysis and a unique U.S. farm-level weed management data to identify the farmer and farm operation characteristics that are most associated with farmers’ weed management decisions. The analysis shows that the negative externality from weed mobility leads to a farmer’s more diligent weed and resistance management, while low risk tolerance and impatience discourage the adoption herbicide resistance management. The analysis also provides novel insights into how the economic and non-monetary motivations of farmers mutually relate to their use of alternative weed management practices.
Persistent Identifier
http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/23395
Citation Details
Sun, Huichun; Hurley, Terrance M.; Dentzman, Katherine; Ervin, David E.; Everman, Wesley; Frisvold, George; Gunsolus, Jeffrey; Jussaume, Raymond; Norsworthy, Jason; and Owen, Micheal, "Economic and Behavioral Drivers of Herbicide Resistance Management in the U.S." (2017). Economics Faculty Publications and Presentations. 81.
http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/23395
Description
This is the accepted paper.
Presented at the American Applied Economics Association meetings, Chicago, IL, July 30 - August 1, 2017.