The most expansionary and innovative farmers are also the ones who will make greatest use of information sources five years from now, survey results indicate. While 76 percent of all young farmers are very or somewhat likely to use online computer information services, for example, the figure jumps to 99 percent for Progressive Producers and 95 percent for Innovative Investors.
Farm newspapers and magazines, however, will continue to dominate, with virtually 100 percent of most categories very or somewhat likely to rely on them as sources of information.
With good information increasingly seen as essential to farm management decisions, many young farmers will be prepared to pay extra for supplementary information sources, ranging from marketing newsletters to internet access to paid consultants.
Financial consultants will be in greatest demand, presumably because that group includes tax and accounting services, but some farmers will also be ready to pay for agronomic and/or marketing expertise.
Again, the most expansionary and innovative young farmers intend to make the heaviest use of additional information sources.
