Dairy producer perceptions of the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Animal Care Program

摘要

Dairy farms producing 98% of the US milk supplyparticipate in the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management(FARM) Animal Care Program. Producerswho sell milk to cooperatives or processors participatingin FARM must follow program standards. Theobjectives of this study were to assess producer perceptionsabout the knowledge, experience, and valueof FARM and to determine whether perceptions differbased on demographics. A concurrent triangulation designwas implemented through collecting quantitativeand qualitative data using a 30-question survey instrument.Quantitative questions aimed to address projectobjectives, and qualitative data were provided through1 open-ended survey question that asked participantswhat they thought the main goal of the FARM programwas. Participants offered additional feedbackthrough providing text in comment boxes, writing onthe back of the survey, or writing a separate letterand returning it with their survey. Quantitative datawere analyzed using principal components analysis andmodeling, and qualitative data were analyzed throughthematic analysis. Dairy producers from cooperativesor processors that participate in the FARM programwere recruited via electronic and postal mail. A total of487 respondents from 40 states completed the survey.Of the survey participants, 414 (85.0%) answered theopen-ended question and 190 (39.0%) provided additionalqualitative feedback. Thematic analysis revealed5 main themes: distrust of program, producers on thedefense, anger, efficiency, and nostalgia. Of respondents,73.6% reported being knowledgeable about the FARMAnimal Care Program. Greater level of formal educationand larger herd size were associated with greaterproducer knowledge. More dairy producer input in therevisions of FARM was identified as a need by 83.3% ofrespondents. Although 89.3% of respondents reportedpositive experiences with evaluations and relationshipswith evaluators, 45.6% did not think that the programhad value overall. Respondent age was positively associatedwith perceived value of FARM. Respondentage was also significant in determining the reasons whyFARM was considered to be important. Results indicatethat to increase buy-in and positive perceptionsfrom producers, future versions of FARM should solicitproducer input during the development of programstandards, target specific producer demographics forprogram promotion, and address perceived communicationdeficits and program inequalities. Findings fromthis study can be used to inform future versions of theprogram.