Changes in Use of Communication Channels by Livestock Farmers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Karmen Erjavec, Marjan Janžekovič, Milena Kovač, Mojca Simčič, Andrej Mergeduš, Dušan Terčič and Marija Klopčič
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Karmen Erjavec: Faculty of Economic and Informatics, University of Novo Mesto, Na Loko 2, 8000 Novo Mesto, Slovenia
Marjan Janžekovič: Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Maribor, Pivola 10, 2311 Hoče, Slovenia
Milena Kovač: Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Groblje 3, 1230 Domžale, Slovenia
Mojca Simčič: Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Groblje 3, 1230 Domžale, Slovenia
Andrej Mergeduš: Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Maribor, Pivola 10, 2311 Hoče, Slovenia
Dušan Terčič: Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Groblje 3, 1230 Domžale, Slovenia
Marija Klopčič: Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Groblje 3, 1230 Domžale, Slovenia

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 18, 1-14

Abstract: The study aims to identify any changes in the communication channels used by Slovenian livestock farmers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the main (dis)advantages of relying on them. An online survey was completed by 502 Slovenian farmers of various farm enterprises in winter 2020/2021. Most respondents generally used telephone, e-mail, and the internet to obtain agricultural information before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, farmers increasingly relied on online conferences and social networking sites. At the same time, younger farmers and farmers with a higher education level used digital channels the most frequently, with men doing so more often than women. Digital channels were primarily used by cattle and horse farmers, while cattle farmers showed the greatest online conference participation. Respondents reported having more time to spend with their families and animals as an advantage and the lack of face-to-face interaction with other farmers and advisers as a disadvantage of such communication patterns. As the study reveals differences in the use of communication channels during the COVID-19 pandemic by various farmers, a new communication strategy is needed that involves the use of appropriate communication channels to provide farmers with agricultural information both during the COVID-19 situation and later.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; livestock farmers; communication channels; (dis)advantages of communication (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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