Use of selected marketing alternatives by Iowa farmers

Grain, hog, and fed cattle producers were surveyed to identify factors affecting the use of selected marketing alternatives. Iowa data were collected on farm size, financial status, management practices, and farm policy preferences. Differences were found among farm operators marketing various commodities. In all regressions, use of one forward pricing alternative was related to use of other forward pricing alternatives. Gross sales appeared to be related to the use of forward pricing alternatives for all enterprises. Finally, the study identified various factors that may help agribusinesses to more effectively target education programs on the forward pricing alternatives.