Date of Graduation

5-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Agricultural Economics (MS)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness

Advisor/Mentor

Kovacs, Kent F.

Committee Member

Dixon, Bruce L.

Second Committee Member

Huang, Qiuqiong

Third Committee Member

Henry, Christopher G.

Keywords

Arkansas Delta; agriculture education; center pivot; groundwater scarcity; Heckman; irrigation; mounted flowmeter; peer network; portable flowmeter; scientific scheduling; social network; soil moisture sensors; water resources

Abstract

We use a bivariate sample selection model to address peer network effects on participation in and/or intensity of use of land being irrigated by alternative irrigation practices in the state of Arkansas. As groundwater in the state becomes more limited, the use of scientific scheduling, flowmeters, and more efficient row crop water application systems will allow producers to better manage water resources. We find relatively large, positive relationships between belonging to a peer network of the same irrigation practice and participation in that practice. Intensity of use of alternative irrigation techniques is mostly influenced by which crop type the practice is associated with and income.

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