Land in Manilla Shire, New South Wales, is characterised by serious soil erosion and land use is characterised by high rates of adoption of the recommended soil conservation measures. This behaviour is analysed to attempt to determine what factors are promoting soil conservation at each stage in the adoption process. The results suggest that policies to promote farmer perception of erosion problems should be formulated differently from those to promote actual adoption of the recommended measures. Perception of the problem depends mainly on the percentage of farm area that is eroded, but the likelihood of adoption depends mainly on the intensity of the erosion. The farmer's rating as an investor, the size and security of farm income, and the presence of institutional programmes are all significant factors which encourage adoption. While the stewardship motivation and personal factors encourage perception and recognition of a problem, economic factors promote actual adoption.