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Abstract
This article investigates how information from cotton yield monitors influences the perceptions
of within-field yield variability of cotton producers. Using yield distribution modeling
techniques and survey data from cotton producers in 11 southeastern states, we find that
cotton farmers who responded to the survey tend to underestimate within-field yield variability
(by approximately 5–18%) when not using site-specific yield monitor information. Results
further indicate that surveyed cotton farmers who responded to a specific question about yield
monitors place a value of approximately $20/acre/year (on average) on the additional information
about within-field yield variability that the yield monitor technology provides.