PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Chad Lawley
AU  - Erik Lichtenberg
AU  - Doug Parker
TI  - Biases in Nutrient Management Planning
AID  - 10.3368/le.85.1.186
DP  - 2009 Feb 01
TA  - Land Economics
PG  - 186--200
VI  - 85
IP  - 1
4099  - http://le.uwpress.org/content/85/1/186.short
4100  - http://le.uwpress.org/content/85/1/186.full
SO  - Land Econ2009 Feb 01; 85
AB  - 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)