title: Factors influencing adoption of manure separation technology in The Netherlands.
abstract: Manure separation technologies are essential for sustainable livestock operations in areas with high livestock density as these technologies result in better utilization of manure and reduced environmental impact. Technologies for manure separation have been well researched and are ready for use. Their use, however, has been limited to the Netherlands. This paper investigates the role of farm and farmer characteristics and farmers' attitudes toward technology-specific attributes in influencing the likelihood of the adoption of mechanical manure separation technology. The analysis used survey data collected from 111 Dutch dairy farmers in 2009. The results showed that the age and education level of the farmer and farm size are important variables explaining the likelihood of adoption. In addition to farm and farmer characteristics, farmers' attitudes toward the different attributes of manure separation technology significantly affect the likelihood of adoption. The study generates useful information for policy makers, technology developers and distributors in identifying the factors that impact decision-making behaviors of farmers.
authors.affiliation: Business Economics, Wageningen University, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: s.gebrezgabher@cgiar.org.
authors.forename: Solomie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Gebrezgabher
authors.affiliation: Business Economics, Wageningen University, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Miranda P M
authors.initials: MPM
authors.lastname: Meuwissen
authors.affiliation: Agricultural Economics Research Institute (LEI), The Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Gideon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kruseman
authors.affiliation: Agricultural Economics Research Institute (LEI), The Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Dora
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lakner
authors.affiliation: Business Economics, Wageningen University, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Alfons G J M
authors.initials: AGJM
authors.lastname: Oude Lansink
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D001290:Attitude; D002417:Cattle; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D003612:Dairying / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D062069:Inventions; D008297:Male; D008372:Manure / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D008372:Manure
keywords: Dairy farming; Factor analysis; Manure separation; Ordered probit; Technology adoption