Technology Adoption Survey: How Farmers Evaluate New Technologies

Progressive Farmer is surveying readers about how they evaluate and adopt new agricultural technologies — from precision tools and automation to equipment upgrades and data-driven management decisions.

Results from this 10-question survey will be featured in the August issue of Progressive Farmer as part of our cover story examining how farmers decide which new technologies are worth the investment.

All responses are confidential, and published survey results will remain anonymous.

Question Title

* 1. Compared to other farmers in your area, how would you describe your approach to adopting new technologies?

I’m usually among the first to try new technologies

I adopt after early adopters prove value

I wait until technologies are widely established

I avoid adopting new technologies unless necessary

Question Title

* 2. Which sources do you rely on MOST when learning about new agricultural technologies?
(Select up to 3.)

Equipment dealers or supplier representatives

Farm media, podcasts, or newsletters

University or Extension research

Independent agronomic advisors or consultants

Other farmers or peer networks

Social media or online forums

Trade shows or field days

Commodity groups or farm organizations

Agronomists or crop advisors

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 3. When evaluating a new technology, what is usually your FIRST step?

Estimate potential ROI or payback

Talk to other farmers using it

Review independent trial data

Meet with the supplier or dealer

Request a demonstration or field trial

Discuss it with my agronomist or advisors

Wait to see broader adoption before considering it

Question Title

* 4. Before fully adopting a new technology, how often do you test it on your own farm?

Rarely or never

Sometimes, depending on cost or risk

Usually on a limited number of acres

Almost always before full adoption

Question Title

* 5. Which factors are MOST important when deciding whether to adopt a new technology?
(Select up to 3.)

Expected ROI/payback

Compatibility with existing equipment/workflow

Reliability and service support

Recommendations from trusted farmers

Labor savings

Ease of use

Data/privacy concerns

Environmental or sustainability benefits

Ability to reduce risk

Financing availability

Question Title

* 6. Which best describes your approach to technology risk?

I prefer proven technologies with long track records

I adopt cautiously after seeing results from others

I test technologies on a limited basis before scaling up

I’m willing to be an early adopter if the upside is strong

Question Title

* 7. What most commonly causes you to STOP using a technology after trying it?

ROI did not meet expectations

Technology was too complicated or time-consuming

Poor dealer or vendor support

Reliability or repair issues

It did not fit existing equipment or workflows

Employees or family resisted using it

Benefits were inconsistent year-to-year

Data or connectivity issues

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 8. When considering a major technology investment that could significantly change your operation, who do you typically consult?
(Select all that apply.)

Banker or lender

Accountant or financial advisor

Agronomist or consultant

Equipment dealer or vendor

Family or business partners

Other farmers

I typically make these decisions independently

Question Title

* 9. What is the biggest barrier preventing you from adopting more new technologies?

High upfront cost

Uncertain ROI

Lack of local support or service

Compatibility with existing equipment

Learning curve or training requirements

Data or privacy concerns

Connectivity or rural broadband limitations

Labor challenges

Concern about reliability

Too many unproven claims in the marketplace

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 10. Is there anything else you would like to share about how you evaluate, adopt, or abandon new technologies on your farm?

Question Title

* 11. Optional: If you would like to speak with a Progressive Farmer editor for a possible follow-up interview related to this story, please leave your name and contact information.

Technology Adoption Survey: How Farmers Evaluate New Technologies

Question Title

* 1. Compared to other farmers in your area, how would you describe your approach to adopting new technologies?

Question Title

* 2. Which sources do you rely on MOST when learning about new agricultural technologies?
(Select up to 3.)

Question Title

* 3. When evaluating a new technology, what is usually your FIRST step?

Question Title

* 4. Before fully adopting a new technology, how often do you test it on your own farm?

Question Title

* 5. Which factors are MOST important when deciding whether to adopt a new technology?
(Select up to 3.)

Question Title

* 6. Which best describes your approach to technology risk?

Question Title

* 7. What most commonly causes you to STOP using a technology after trying it?

Question Title

* 8. When considering a major technology investment that could significantly change your operation, who do you typically consult?
(Select all that apply.)

Question Title

* 9. What is the biggest barrier preventing you from adopting more new technologies?

Question Title

* 10. Is there anything else you would like to share about how you evaluate, adopt, or abandon new technologies on your farm?

Question Title

* 11. Optional: If you would like to speak with a Progressive Farmer editor for a possible follow-up interview related to this story, please leave your name and contact information.

Question Title

* 12. If you would like to be included in the drawing for one of the $100 gift cards, please leave your name and contact information.

Question Title

* 13. Email address

Question Title

* 14. Phone number

Technology Adoption Survey: How Farmers Evaluate New Technologies

Question Title

* 1. Compared to other farmers in your area, how would you describe your approach to adopting new technologies?

Question Title

* 2. Which sources do you rely on MOST when learning about new agricultural technologies?(Select up to 3.)

Question Title

* 3. When evaluating a new technology, what is usually your FIRST step?

Question Title

* 4. Before fully adopting a new technology, how often do you test it on your own farm?

Question Title

* 5. Which factors are MOST important when deciding whether to adopt a new technology?(Select up to 3.)

Question Title

* 6. Which best describes your approach to technology risk?

Question Title

* 7. What most commonly causes you to STOP using a technology after trying it?

Question Title

* 8. When considering a major technology investment that could significantly change your operation, who do you typically consult?(Select all that apply.)

Question Title

* 9. What is the biggest barrier preventing you from adopting more new technologies?

Question Title

* 10. Is there anything else you would like to share about how you evaluate, adopt, or abandon new technologies on your farm?

Question Title

* 11. Optional: If you would like to speak with a Progressive Farmer editor for a possible follow-up interview related to this story, please leave your name and contact information.

Question Title

* 12. If you would like to be included in the drawing for one of the $100 gift cards, please leave your name and contact information.

Question Title

* 13. Email address

Question Title

* 14. Phone number

* 2. Which sources do you rely on MOST when learning about new agricultural technologies?
(Select up to 3.)

* 5. Which factors are MOST important when deciding whether to adopt a new technology?
(Select up to 3.)

* 8. When considering a major technology investment that could significantly change your operation, who do you typically consult?
(Select all that apply.)