Using farmer decision-making profiles and managerial capacity as predictors of farm management and performance in Costa Rican dairy farms

Tole, L.A.; Solano, C.; Herrero, Mario; Pérez, Carlos Mazo; Leonardo, Laura; Fawcett, R.H.

doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2005.07.003

Cited by 56 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…For example, features such as age, education and gender can influence decision-making with respect to entry into agrienvironmental schemes (e.g. Wilson & Hart, 2000;Lambert et al, 2007), environmental enhancement of the farm (Jay, 2005;Siebert et al, 2006), adoption of new technologies (Austen et al, 2002;Adrian et al, 2005), and intensity of production and land use (Ondersteijn et al, 2003;Solano et al, 2006), to name but a few. In a rural setting where the demographic profile of farming populations is changing rapidly (Cole & Donovan, 2008;Hamblin, 2009) understanding how demographic factors influence decision-making is important for designing and targeting environmental and resource management programs (Lambert et al, 2007;Bohnet et al, 2011).…”

Section: Farmer Demographics Characteristics and Environmental Behavimentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of farmer demographic characteristics on environmental behaviour: A review

Burton¹

2014

Journal of Environmental Management

195

104

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Many agricultural studies have observed a relationship between farmer demographic characteristics and environmental behaviours. These relationships are frequently employed in the construction of models, the identification of farmer types, or as part of more descriptive analyses aimed at understanding farmers' environmental behaviour. However, they have also often been found to be inconsistent or contradictory. Although a considerable body of literature has built up around the subject area, research has a tendency to focus on factors such as the direction, strength and consistency of the relationship -leaving the issue of causality largely to speculation. This review addresses this gap by reviewing literature on 4 key demographic variables: age, experience, education, and gender for hypothesised causal links.Overall the review indicates that the issue of causality is a complex one. Inconsistent relationships can be attributed to the presence of multiple causal pathways, the role of scheme factors in determining which pathway is important, inadequately specified measurements of demographic characteristics, and the treatment of non-linear causalities as linear. In addition, all demographic characteristics were perceived to be influenced (to varying extents) by cultural-historical patterns leading to cohort effects or socialised differences in the relationship with environmental behaviour. The paper concludes that more work is required on the issue of causality.

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Section: Farmer Demographics Characteristics and Environmental Behavimentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of farmer demographic characteristics on environmental behaviour: A review

Burton¹

2014

Journal of Environmental Management

195

104

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The human component of farming systems plays an important role in management practices, and this fuller representation of farmer behaviour and motivation is crucial for understanding differences in management practices and performances across farms (Solano et al, 2006). In particular, it plays an important role in determining whom farmers approach for information or help and the technology they adopt (Solano et al, 2006). Thus, for advisors who want to understand failures of some of their services or technical messages among particular farmers, as well as to design advice that accommodates differences in farm management among farmers, it is essential to have tools that illuminate farmers' management strategies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Considerable research has focussed on predicting the influence of farmer and farm characteristics (usually biographical and structural, respectively) on technology adoption rates and use, farm management and performance (Solano et al, 2006). Nevertheless, a more comprehensive approach towards the human component of the farming system is required, which includes farmers' economic and technical orientations, decision-making approaches and information preferences (Solano et al, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nevertheless, a more comprehensive approach towards the human component of the farming system is required, which includes farmers' economic and technical orientations, decision-making approaches and information preferences (Solano et al, 2006). Such research on livestock farming systems has been conducted by -Present address: Université de Toulouse/ENFA, UMR1248 AGIR, F-31326 Castanet Tolosan, France.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Understanding beef-cattle farming management strategies by identifying motivations behind farmers’ priorities

Magne¹,

Cerf

Ingrand³

2012

Animal

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This study aimed to identify and better understand management strategies that help livestock farmers adapt to changes in their production contexts, a fundamental challenge. A total of nine beef-cattle farmers were interviewed three times over 1 year to discuss 13 dimensions of livestock farming (e.g. reproduction, feeding, sales, etc.). Characterisation of management strategies rested on three main factors: (i) ranking of the dimensions according to the degree to which farmers desired to control them, (ii) reasons for the ranking and (iii) management guidelines. Although farmers agreed upon the rank of certain dimensions, such as herd management, they differed on that of others, such as sales and administration/regulations. Four motivation categories were identified: risk, pleasure, efficiency and ability to control the dimension. Three management guidelines were identified, which indicated that farmers managed for future survival of their farms at different scales (animal/herd v. whole-farm), involving different resources (biological v. financial) and based on different animal categories (reproductive cows v. animals sold). These results improve understanding of individual livestock farmers and their current management strategies by integrating the motivations behind their strategies. For this reason, they constitute methodological elements that agricultural advisors can use to provide relevant information to farmers while accommodating differences in farm management.

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Socioeconomic and productive characterization of dual-purpose farms oriented to milk production in a subtropical region of Mexico

Portillo¹,

Rebollar²,

García-Martínez³

et al. 2015

Trop Anim Health Prod

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The aim of this study was to determine the socioeconomic, production characteristics and milk production cost of dual-purpose farms (DPF) oriented to milk production in a subtropical region of Central Mexico. The study focused on ten DPF that produce milk all year round, to gather socioeconomic characteristics of farmers (age, family structure, education level), farm resources (land holding, herd structure, infrastructure, management) and economic information during the year 2008. Family labour (FL) covers 66% of labour needs. The average milk production cost was US$0.21, fluctuating from US$0.19 to US$0.31 during the rainy and dry season, respectively. Supplements and hired labour (HL) accounted for 48 and 35% of milk production cost, respectively. Milk production generated daily incomes that covered daily operation costs of farms, as well as the economic needs of the farming family. Calves represented important incomes that ranged between 30 and 50% of total annual farm incomes, cashed in once or twice a year. Milk production provides economic stability to DPF, whereas FL and low input use are key elements that allow low costs in the production of milk and calves in DPF in Central Mexico.

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Using farmer decision-making profiles and managerial capacity as predictors of farm management and performance in Costa Rican dairy farms

Cited by 56 publications

References 26 publications

The influence of farmer demographic characteristics on environmental behaviour: A review

The influence of farmer demographic characteristics on environmental behaviour: A review

Understanding beef-cattle farming management strategies by identifying motivations behind farmers’ priorities

Socioeconomic and productive characterization of dual-purpose farms oriented to milk production in a subtropical region of Mexico

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