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Agricultural Advisors: A Receptive Audience for Weather and Climate Information?
Weather, Climate, and Society
  • Linda Stalker Prokopy, Purdue University
  • Tonya Haigh, University of Nebraska
  • Amber Saylor Mase, Purdue University
  • Jim Angel, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Chad E. Hart, Iowa State University
  • Cody Knutson, University of Nebraska
  • Maria Carmen Lemos, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
  • Yun-Jia Lo, Michigan State University
  • Jean McGuire, Iowa State University
  • Lois Wright Morton, Iowa State University
  • Jennifer Perron, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
  • Dennis Patrick Todey, South Dakota State University
  • Melissa Widhalm, Purdue University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2013
DOI
10.1175/WCAS-D-12-00036.1
Abstract

As the climate in the midwestern United States becomes increasingly variable because of global climate change, it is critical to provide tools to the agricultural community to ensure adaptability and profitability of agricultural cropping systems. When used by farmers and their advisors, agricultural decision support tools can reduce uncertainty and risks in the planning, operation, and management decisions of the farm enterprise. Agricultural advisors have historically played a key role in providing information and guidance in these decisions. However, little is known about what these advisors know or think about weather and climate information and their willingness to incorporate this type of information into their advice to farmers. In this exploratory study, a diverse set of professionals who advise corn growers, including government, nonprofit, for-profit, and agricultural extension personnel, were surveyed in four states in the midwestern Corn Belt. Results from the survey indicate that advisors are more influenced by current weather conditions and 1–7-day forecasts than longer-term climate outlooks. Advisors predominantly consider historical weather trends and/or forecasts in their advice to farmers on short-term operational decisions versus longer-term tactical and strategic decisions. The main conclusion from this analysis is that opportunities exist to further engage the advisor community on weather and climate issues and, through them, the farmers who are managing the land.

Comments

This article is from Weather, Climate, and Society 5 (2013): 162, doi: 10.1175/WCAS-D-12-00036.1. Posted with permission.

Copyright Owner
American Meteorological Society
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Linda Stalker Prokopy, Tonya Haigh, Amber Saylor Mase, Jim Angel, et al.. "Agricultural Advisors: A Receptive Audience for Weather and Climate Information?" Weather, Climate, and Society Vol. 5 Iss. 2 (2013) p. 162 - 167
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/chad-hart/11/