Farmers’ Attitudes Towards Organic and Conventional Agriculture: A Behavioural Perspective - Organic Food and Agriculture: New Trends and Developments in the Social Sciences - page 151

ha, although the size of both farm types was extremely variable. In contrast, conventional
farmers' replies were generally not in support of those views and are typified by the
following comment: 'I think organic grass farmers cause more problems with nitrates than I
do, by ploughing clover [into their soil]' (CF13). Grass and fodder enterprises associated
with organic livestock were the most popular organic types, occurring on a majority of the
organic farms examined in the survey and any cereals grown were normally used as
livestock fodder or seed. According to Willer & Gillmor (1992), it is common for farmers to
experiment with organic grass production before deciding to fully convert their whole farm
to organic food production. In contrast, the conventional respondents in the survey tended
to grow more arable crops.
The analysis continued by listing the reasons given by organic farmers for their change to, or
adoption of, an organic farming system; this is shown in descending rank order (Table 1a).

Listed in rank order by reason for adoption Frequency Percentage

Environmental reasons including pesticide concerns 12 48

Considered they had always farmed organically 5 20

Financial reasons including customer requirements 4 16

Not in farming previously 1 4

Small scale - needed to go intensive or organic 1 4

Had farmed organically on a previous farm 1 4

The challenge 1 4

Total 25 100

Table 1. (a) Reasons for adoption of an organic farming system

Listed in rank order by reason for non-adoption Frequency Percentage

Wouldn't suit the ground/way we farm 7 28

Financial reasons - producer and buyer 6 24

Cramping, restrictive and ruling out modern science 5 20

Don't think it always works 4 16

Would consider changing to organic 1 4

No, but no reason given 1 4

My farm is organic for all intents and purposes 1 4

Total 25 100

Table 1. (b) Reasons for non-adoption of organic farming

Table 1a shows that 48% of organic farmers adopted organic methods of food production
because of environmental concerns such as high pesticides usage and a further 20% consider
they have always farmed organically. One 45 year old owner-occupier farmer claimed: 'the