Abstract Work-related burnout is increasingly prevalent in modern society, with certain professionals, such as academics, particularly at risk. Although adverse working conditions are often considered the primary cause, individual psychological factors may also contribute to burnout vulnerability. Impostor syndrome is a plausible candidate in academic settings because persistent self-doubt and fear of negative evaluation can intensify stress responses. This study investigates whether impostor syndrome is associated with higher levels of burnout among early-career researchers, drawing on survey data from 161 respondents. Using a Bayesian Graded Response Model, we estimate the effect of imposter syndrome on burnout, while controlling for confounders identified via a Directed Acyclic Graph, i.e. socio-demographic factors, working conditions and individual personal beliefs. Results show that impostor syndrome is linked to an increased risk of burnout. This finding highlights the importance of considering not only contextual but also individual factors to create safe and healthy working environments.

Abstract Consumers in many low-income settings, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, face chronic micronutrient deficiencies. Novel food technologies, such as genetic engineering, could help mitigate this challenge, but consumer acceptance remains uncertain. Evidence suggests information provision may influence acceptance, though findings differ across regions. This study investigates how information on genetic engineering processes influences consumer preferences for biofortified cassava product (“gari”) in Nigeria. Using a discrete choice experiment with randomized treatments, respondents received either information on health benefits or health benefits and scientific processes behind conventional breeding, genetic modification, and gene editing. Results from mixed logit models, accounting for attribute non-attendance, show that consumers are willing to pay more for enhanced nutrition, but process information increased aversion to genetic modification and gene editing. Importantly, information reduced attribute non-attendance behaviour. We discuss implications for adoption and market prospects.

Abstract Organizations and academic institutions increasingly emphasize the importance of creating inclusive and supportive environments. At the same time, growing political and organizational pushback against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives has created uncertainty about how such efforts should proceed. This paper argues that inclusion and belonging transcend politics, they are universal human needs that benefit all members of an organization. A conceptual ‘flower model’ is introduced that is comprised of five integrative focal points: psychological safety, self-efficacy, mindful learning, mental health and well-being, and accountability. Together, these elements function as the petals necessary to cultivate an environment in which individuals feel included and experience a genuine sense of belonging. Drawing on organizational behavior, psychology, and agricultural and applied economics literatures, each focal area is explored in depth, highlighting its theoretical underpinnings, similarities and differences with prior frameworks, and strategies for implementation. Illustrative examples demonstrate how organizations might operationalize the model. Implications for fostering inclusive excellence in the agricultural and applied economics profession and beyond are discussed, noting that cultivating inclusion and belonging is an ongoing journey requiring commitment and systemic accountability.

Abstract In Ireland, dairy farm enterprise gross margins have shown strong variation from year to year. This research evaluates the volatility of dairy farm gross margins using methods from both the income volatility and income inequality literature. Methods from the income inequality literature are used to decompose gross margins into the average difference between-farms over time (average performance) and the variability within-farms over time (volatility around the average). Dairy enterprise gross margins are expressed on a per litre basis. The methods are, therefore, accounting for changes in milk production during a period of large expansion in the aftermath of milk quota removal. A panel dataset from the Teagasc National Farm Survey in Ireland is used covering the period from 2015 to 2022. We apply the Arc Percentage change method to explore the extent of volatility in the returns to milk production. The Arc Percentage changes are large and reflect both improvements and dis-improvements in the gross margin per litre from year to year. The novelty of this research is that we decompose the variation in the returns to milk production into performance and volatility components. The decomposition results indicate that most of the variability in gross margins per litre are due to variations within-farm over time rather than differences between-farms in average performance. Thus, this research highlights the role of volatility in the returns to milk production and points to the need of better counter-cyclical tools to manage risk.

Abstract European farmers’ preferences for voluntary agri-environmental contracts are often heterogeneous and can be influenced by behavioural factors. In our study, we investigate how farmer identity and risk preferences are related to preferences for agri-environment contracts in the UK, France, and the Netherlands. Using data from a discrete choice experiment and a sample of 767 farmers, we identify a statistically significant, but nonrobust, effect showing that a stronger relative productivist farmer identity is associated with a higher preference for contracts organized by retail companies over those organized by governments. Furthermore, results show that a stronger relative productivist identity reduces the likelihood of participating in the proposed agri-environment contracts.

Abstract The objective of this paper is to evaluate how weather affects Italian corn and wheat yields and to assess the short-run input adaptation behaviour of farmers using a recently proposed structural model that incorporates fertilizer and pesticide use. In this way, we are able to distinguish between the ‘direct’ weather effects (i.e. the agronomic impacts of weather changes on plant growth) and the ‘indirect’ effects mediated through farmers' input choices (i.e. adaptation impacts). We use a large representative panel dataset of Italian corn and common wheat producers covering the period from 2008 to 2022 sourced from the Italian Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN), matched with data on temperatures and precipitation at a high spatial and temporal resolution. Our results indicate that corn is vulnerable to temperature increases and we find significant damages already at the sample median temperature, while we find no significant negative effects of temperature increases on wheat yields at the sample median temperature. We show that farmers do adapt their fertilizer and pesticide use to in-season temperature shocks, but with varying effects depending on the crop. At the sample median temperature, adaptation through input use reduces by approximately 11 per cent the direct agronomic negative effects for corn and provides a small positive effect for wheat. Scenario analysis shows significant yield reductions for corn and no reductions for wheat in 2050. However, for non-marginal temperature increases, the input adaptation effect declines for both crops, highlighting the need for alternative and complementary adaptation strategies in the long term.

Abstract Despite growing interest in the use of Large Language Models (LLMs) in agriculture, their integration into Extension and Advisory Services (EAS) remains underexamined. This review applies Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation theory alongside Wüstenhagen et al.’s Social Acceptance Framework to assess current LLM applications, challenges, and contextual factors influencing their acceptance within EAS. Following a rapid review using the PRISMA framework, 12 studies were thematically analyzed first manually and then using NVivo 14. Results show that LLMs support functions such as question answering, climate analytics, and pest identification, offering innovative agronomic insights but potentially disrupting traditional EAS roles. Most LLM development is led by private firms, raising concerns about transparency, accountability, and inclusion. EAS practitioners are uniquely positioned to promote responsible LLM adoption by leveraging local knowledge and trusted relationships, though this requires targeted capacity development initiatives and inclusive strategies. This review contributes to a broader understanding of how frameworks for responsible innovation and social acceptance can inform the adoption of AI in agriculture.

Abstract This paper analyses the economic effects of adopting greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation measures on Irish dairy and cattle farms. Using an unbalanced panel dataset from 2018 to 2022, we estimate a translog cost function to assess input price elasticities, focusing on grass and crop production for animal feed. Farms are grouped according to soil and climate conditions to capture heterogeneity in environmental performance. Our findings reveal consistent substitution patterns between home-produced forage and purchased feed, with three key insights: (i) substitution is stronger in dairy systems; (ii) farms adopting mitigation measures show greater substitution, likely due to higher investment capacity; and (iii) substitution is more prevalent under poorer environmental conditions, reinforcing the economic and environmental advantages of on-farm forage production. This research contributes to the literature by integrating environmental heterogeneity and mitigation strategies into input substitution analysis. The results underscore the need for aligned policy supports to promote the adoption of sustainable practices, particularly in the context of Ireland's climate targets.

Abstract To improve food security and adaptation to climate change, EU policies promote agricultural diversification with the cultivation of more genetically diverse crops, including underutilized crops (UCs). However, little is known about how UC farms operate and perform in Europe. This paper aims to explore the farm management of UC farms. We interview 17 cereal and vegetable UC farmers in France and address multiple farm management aspects: farm structure, farmers’ goals and decision-making, farm performance, and farmers’ perceived resilience and challenges. We also compare UC farms with reference values from FADN farms where possible. Interviewed UC farmers operate in a specific way, often having a moderate asset base. Also, their goals are different, e.g. they want to contribute to the local economy and food autonomy. Decision-making focuses on boosting farm autonomy through seed saving, using little inputs, and on-farm processing. The interviewed UC farmers are profitable with low levels of debt (i.e. on average 32 per cent and 11 per cent of total fixed assets for cereal and vegetable farms, respectively), and farmers consider their income sufficient to support their households. Their levels of subsidies are low (i.e. on average 18.3 per cent and 1.5 per cent of total income for cereal and vegetable farms, respectively). Outputs are valorised through direct sales and short chains. Overall, interviewed UC farmers deem their farms resilient but still face challenges, such as limited know-how, and limited access to seeds when starting with new UCs. More effort is needed to integrate UCs effectively into EU policy frameworks such as the Farm-to-Fork strategy.

Abstract In September 2023, the current farm bill was allowed to expire. This marked the fourth consecutive farm bill to see its authorization lapse before replacement legislation was signed into law. The failure in 2023 is notable as significant trade and covid shocks revealed needed reforms in farm and food safety nets. We develop a unique online and social media dataset and metrics to examine 2023 online activity to understand drivers of online farm bill discussion and implications for the future of the traditional farm bill political coalition. These findings echo the increasing concern about future farm bills amid a broadening political divide.