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Investments in Soil Conservation and Land Improvements: Factors Explaining Farmers' Decisions

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  • Nielsen, Elizabeth G.
  • Miranowski, John A.
  • Morehart, Mitchell J

Abstract

Expected income and real interest rates are among economic factors that influence farmers' decisions to invest in land improvements, including soil conservation, drainage, and land clearing. Programs that remove land from production, higher farmland prices relative to land improvement costs. Government cost-sharing of conservation expenditures, and specific land characteristics (such as slope) also encourage investments in conservation and other improvements. This study is the first to use national data to examine the role of economic and related factors in explaining farmers' investments in conservation and other land improvement projects.

Suggested Citation

  • Nielsen, Elizabeth G. & Miranowski, John A. & Morehart, Mitchell J, 1989. "Investments in Soil Conservation and Land Improvements: Factors Explaining Farmers' Decisions," Agricultural Economic Reports 308064, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:uerser:308064
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.308064
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Chad Fiechter & Todd Kuethe & Michael Langemeier & James Mintert, 2025. "Change in farmer expectations from information surprises in the corn market," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 107(1), pages 231-247, January.
    2. Barlow, G. R. & Nieuwoudt, W. L. & Levin, J. B., 1995. "Factors Influencing The Adoption Of Soil Conservation Practices On Commercial Farms In Kwazulu - Natal," Agrekon, Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), vol. 34(3), September.
    3. Magleby, Richard & Sandretto, Carmen & Crosswhite, William & Osborn, C. Tim, 1995. "Soil Erosion and Conservation in the United States: An Overview," Agricultural Information Bulletins 309733, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    4. Barlow, G. R. & Nieuwoudt, W. L., 1995. "Factors Influencing Soil Conservation Effort And Adoption On Commercial Farms In Kwazulu-Natal," Agrekon, Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), vol. 34(3), September.
    5. Chen, Le & Rejesus, Roderick M. & Aglasan, Serkan & Hagen, Stephen & Salas, William, 2022. "The Impact of No-Till Production on Agricultural Land Values in the US Midwest," 2022 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Anaheim, California 322445, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    6. Le Chen & Roderick M. Rejesus & Serkan Aglasan & Stephen Hagen & William Salas, 2023. "The impact of no‐till on agricultural land values in the United States Midwest," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 105(3), pages 760-783, May.
    7. Bockstael, N. & Costanza, R. & Strand, I. & Boynton, W. & Bell, K. & Wainger, L., 1995. "Ecological economic modeling and valuation of ecosystems," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 14(2), pages 143-159, August.
    8. D W Jones & R V O'Neill, 1993. "Human-Environmental Influences and Interactions in Shifting Agriculture When Farmers Form Expectations Rationally," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 25(1), pages 121-136, January.
    9. Jordan, Jeffrey L. & Elnagheeb, Abdelmoneim H., 1992. "The Structure Of Citizen Preferences For Government Soil Erosion Control Programs," Southern Journal of Agricultural Economics, Southern Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 24(2), pages 1-10, December.
    10. Lichtenberg, Erik & Strand, Ivar E.Jr. & Lantin, Rhona M. & Lessley, Billy V., 1990. "Factors Influencing Adoption of Best Management Practices in Maryland," Working Papers 197616, University of Maryland, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.
    11. Wang, H. Holly & Young, Douglas L. & Camara, Oumou M., 2000. "The Role Of Environmental Education In Predicting Adoption Of Wind Erosion Control Practices," Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 25(2), pages 1-12, December.
    12. Burnett, J. Wesley & Szmurlo, Daniel & Callahan, Scott, 2024. "Farmland Rental and Conservation Practice Adoption," Economic Information Bulletin 341821, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    13. Burnett, Wesley & Szmurlo, Daniel & Callahan, Scott, 2022. "Land tenure and conservation adoption: An analysis of contracts and incentives," 2022 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Anaheim, California 322244, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

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