Computer and Internet Use by Great Plains Farmers

UC Davis Agricultural and Resource Economics Working Paper No. 04-010

38 Pages Posted: 1 May 2005

See all articles by Aaron Smith

Aaron Smith

University of California, Davis - Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics

Catherine J. Morrison Paul

University of California, Davis - Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); University of Hartford - Barney School of Business

W. Richard Goe

Kansas State University - Department of Sociology

Martin Kenney

University of California, Davis

Date Written: January 2004

Abstract

We use data from a 2001 survey of Great Plains farmers to explore the adoption, usage patterns, and perceived benefits of computers and the Internet. Our adoption results suggest that exposure to the technology through college, outside employment, friends, and family is ultimately more influential than farmer age and farm size. Notably, about half of those who use the Internet for farm-related business report zero economic benefits from it. Whether a farmer perceives that the Internet generates economic benefits depends primarily on how long the farmer has used the Internet for farm business and for what purposes.

Keywords: Technology adoption, agriculture, competitiveness, net benefits

JEL Classification: Q16, O39

Suggested Citation

Smith, Aaron D. and Morrison Paul, Catherine J. and Goe, W. Richard and Kenney, Martin, Computer and Internet Use by Great Plains Farmers (January 2004). UC Davis Agricultural and Resource Economics Working Paper No. 04-010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=711262 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.711262

Aaron D. Smith (Contact Author)

University of California, Davis - Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics ( email )

One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616
United States
530-752-2138 (Phone)
530-752-5614 (Fax)

Catherine J. Morrison Paul

University of California, Davis - Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics ( email )

One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616
United States
916-752-0469 (Phone)
916-752-5614 (Fax)

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

University of Hartford - Barney School of Business

200 Bloomfield Ave
West Hartford, CT 06117
United States

W. Richard Goe

Kansas State University - Department of Sociology ( email )

Manhattan, KS 66506
United States

Martin Kenney

University of California, Davis ( email )

Community and Regional Development Unit
Davis, CA 95616
United States
5305745943 (Phone)

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