TY - JOUR T1 - Biases in Nutrient Management Planning JF - Land Economics JO - Land Econ SP - 186 LP - 200 DO - 10.3368/le.85.1.186 VL - 85 IS - 1 AU - Chad Lawley AU - Erik Lichtenberg AU - Doug Parker Y1 - 2009/02/01 UR - http://le.uwpress.org/content/85/1/186.abstract N2 - Nutrient management planning is seen as a means of improving efficiency and reducing environmental problems, however, these gains may not be realized if plans overstate fertilizer requirements. Using data from a survey of Maryland farmers, we find that nutrient management planning was adopted more frequently by larger operations raising grain or cattle, but not by those on more environmentally sensitive land. Independent consultants and fertilizer dealers were more likely to recommend increases in fertilizer use, consistent with fears about bias. Farmers preparing their own plans were more likely to recommend decreases in fertilizer use, suggesting the presence of hidden information. (JEL Q53, Q18) ER -