Investigated dairy farmers' uses of information sources in evaluating bovine growth hormone (BGH) , the credibility attached to various sources, and factors affecting that credibility. BGH, "the first biotechnology ready for adoption by commercial agriculture," is intended to give dairy cows greater potentials for increased milk production. Results include farmers' assessments of nearly 20 information sources, in terms of trustworthiness and expertise.
search through journal, During the summer and fall of 1992, both on-site and mail surveys were conducted to determine: (1)How Oklahoma farmers receive and prefer to receive agricultural health and safety information from selected mass media, and (2) How Extension agricultural engineering departments communicate agricultural health and safety information. The study revealed that approximately one-half of the farmers identified television as their primary mass media source for general news and information. More farmers identified magazines as their primary source for safety and health information than any other medium. Three-quarters of the farmers in the study received their agricultural information from magazines. More than half of the farmers preferred to receive health and safety information from magazines. Agricultural engineers identified fact sheets, newspapers, workshops, videos, newsletters, radio, television, brochures, and magazines as methods for communicating health and safety information. In this article, recommendations are provided for agricultural health and safety educators. (original)
