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Economic Analysis of Climate Change Best Management Practices in Vermont Agriculture

Author

Listed:
  • Alexander P. Helling

    (Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, University of Vermont, 146 University Place, Burlington, VT 05405, USA)

  • David S. Conner

    (Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, University of Vermont, 146 University Place, Burlington, VT 05405, USA)

  • Sarah N. Heiss

    (Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, University of Vermont, 146 University Place, Burlington, VT 05405, USA)

  • Linda S. Berlin

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Vermont, 105 Carrigan Drive, Burlington, VT 05405, USA)

Abstract

Climate change impacts local agricultural systems in detectable and distinguishable ways from large-scale shifts in water, land, and weather patterns to regionally specific distributions of weeds, pests, and diseases. Best management practices for adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change include modifications to farm production through adjusted intensity and product types and changing land use through crop siting and tillage practices. Farmer perceptions of risk and profitability of best management practices are key determinants of adoption, which traditional incentive programs like the Environmental Quality Incentive Program attempt to address by providing financial and technical support. To ensure that payments offered through these programs that maximize adoption, regional incentive payments must be based upon locally established costs. This paper focuses on the cost of implementing and maintaining climate change specific best management practices (CCBMPs) for twelve diverse farms in Vermont. Specifically, three CCBMPs for Vermont are examined: cover cropping, management intensive rotational grazing (MIRG), and riparian buffer strips. Results show the average cost for cover cropping is $129.24/acre, MIRG is $79.82/acre, and a tree based riparian buffer strip cost $807.33/acre. We conclude that existing incentive payments for cover cropping and MIRG are below costs, likely resulting in under-adoption.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexander P. Helling & David S. Conner & Sarah N. Heiss & Linda S. Berlin, 2015. "Economic Analysis of Climate Change Best Management Practices in Vermont Agriculture," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 5(3), pages 1-22, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:5:y:2015:i:3:p:879-900:d:56040
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Shaibu Baanni Azumah & Samuel A. Donkoh & Isaac Gershon K. Ansah, 2017. "Contract farming and the adoption of climate change coping and adaptation strategies in the northern region of Ghana," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 19(6), pages 2275-2295, December.
    2. David Conner & Jennifer Miller & Asim Zia & Qingbin Wang & Heather Darby, 2016. "Conjoint Analysis of Farmers’ Response to Conservation Incentives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(7), pages 1-15, July.
    3. Lina Novickyté, 2019. "Risk in agriculture: An overview of the theoretical insights and recent development trends during last decade - A review," Agricultural Economics, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 65(9), pages 435-444.
    4. Traxler, Emilia & Li, Tongzhe, 2020. "Agricultural Best Management Practices, A summary of adoption behaviour," Working Papers 305271, University of Guelph, Institute for the Advanced Study of Food and Agricultural Policy.

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