Economic and Behavioral Drivers of Herbicide Resistance Management in the U.S

Weeds invade farms, grow and reproduce aggressively. For more than half a century, the primary tool used by farmers to control weeds has been herbicides, but the effectiveness of herbicides is declining due to herbicide resistance. An option available for farmers to better balance weed control and herbicide resistance is to adopt resistance management practices that prevent or slow the evolution of resistance. However, the adoption of resistance management has been low. This study aims to explore the impact of economic and behavioral factors on a farmer’s choice over chemical, cultural and mechanical methods of weed control. We use multivariate regression analysis and 2016 farm-level weed management data from farmers in 28 states across the U.S. to identify the farmer and farm operation characteristics that are most associated with farmers’ weed management decisions. The analysis shows that the negative externality from a neighbor’s perceived lack of adoption of herbicide resistance management practices leads to a farmer’s more diligent weed and resistance management, while a low tolerance for risk and impatience discourage the adoption herbicide resistance management. The analysis also provides novel insights into how the economic and non-monetary motivations of farmers relate to their use of alternative weed management practices.