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U.S. Agricultural Producer Perceptions of ClimateChange

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 January 2015

Roderick M. Rejesus ,
Maria Mutuc-Hensley ,
Paul D. Mitchell ,
Keith H. Coble  and
Thomas O. Knight
Roderick M. Rejesus
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
Maria Mutuc-Hensley
Affiliation:
International Center for Agricultural Competitiveness, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Paul D. Mitchell
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
Keith H. Coble
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi
Thomas O. Knight
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
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Abstract

This study examines U.S. crop producers' perceptions of climate change, itseffects on crop agriculture, and likely ways farmers would adapt to weatherextremes. Based on a survey of crop producers in four states, we find that asignificant proportion of farmers do not perceive that climate change hasbeen scientifically proven and do not believe that it will adversely affectaverage crop yields and yield variability. Farmers are likely to diversifycrops, buy crop insurance, modify lease arrangements, and exit farming inresponse to extreme weather caused by climate change.

Keywords

agriculturebeliefsclimate changefarmer perceptionshuman valuesQ10Q19Q54
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics , Volume 45 , Issue 4 , November 2013 , pp. 701 - 718
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 2013

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