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Abstract
This article examines farmers’ preferences for various risk management information sources.
Our results suggest that information from risk management experts, in-depth materials studied
on their own, and popular press outlets tend to be preferred and are ranked highly by producers.
Using a regression model to investigate farmer/farm attributes that affect preference for a
particular risk management information source, we find that younger farmers with college
education, higher leverage, assets greater than $1 million, risk-loving attitudes, and who have
used professional services (marketing consultants) tend to prefer information from risk management
experts, the Internet, and marketing clubs/other producers. On the other hand, producers
who prefer self-study of educational materials and popular press information sources
tend to be younger, with lower leverage levels, and have used fewer professional services.