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Factors correlated with the propensity to use automation and mechanization by the US nursery industry

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  • Alicia L. Rihn
  • Margarita Velandia
  • Laura A. Warner
  • Amy Fulcher
  • Susan Schexnayder
  • Anthony LeBude

Abstract

Labor issues are an increasingly important challenge to agriculture operations across various crops, including agricultural firms in food and specialty crop (e.g., ornamental nursery) sectors. The use of technologies to automate production processes is one means to address labor challenges. This study investigates ornamental nursery industry firms' current use of specific automation technologies, including granular fertilizer applicators, foliage pruners, irrigation scheduling, and trikes. Additionally, this study evaluates the correlation between perceived barriers of adoption, firm characteristics, and the US nursery industry's likelihood of adopting automated technologies. A mixed‐mode survey was used to elicit responses from firms. Overall, barriers to adoption include the costs associated with the initial purchase and installation costs. Several firm characteristics and actions to address labor issues are correlated with the use of the automated technologies evaluated in this study. We observed both positive and negative associations between actions to address labor issues and adoption of specific technologies that suggest that decisions are complicated by the firms' production needs, strategies, perceived benefits, and potential return‐on‐investment of the various automation and mechanization. Perceived improvements in product quality from adopting automation technologies are positively correlated with the likelihood of adopting all of the technologies evaluated. [EconLit Citations: D240, J20, O30, Q13].

Suggested Citation

  • Alicia L. Rihn & Margarita Velandia & Laura A. Warner & Amy Fulcher & Susan Schexnayder & Anthony LeBude, 2023. "Factors correlated with the propensity to use automation and mechanization by the US nursery industry," Agribusiness, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 39(1), pages 110-130, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:agribz:v:39:y:2023:i:1:p:110-130
    DOI: 10.1002/agr.21763
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Richards, Timothy J., 2018. "Immigration Reform and Farm Labor Markets," 2018 Annual Meeting, August 5-7, Washington, D.C. 274165, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
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    5. Astill, Gregory & Perez, Agnes & Thornsbury, Suzanne, 2020. "Developing Automation and Mechanization for Specialty Crops: A Review of U.S. Department of Agriculture Programs: A Report to Congress," Administrative Publications 320792, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
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