Dewormers, Dung Beetles, and Decision Making: Understanding Rangeland Livestock Producers’ Parasiticide Use

Using parasiticides, or chemical dewormers, on rangeland livestock is a decision that impacts not only livestock health but also broader ecosystem functions. Although we know that livestock producers in the United States are increasingly using parasiticides, we know little about what sociopsychological factors are driving their decision making processes. Following the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study investigates producers’ intention to stop or reduce their use of parasiticides using logistic regression techniques. Survey data were collected from a random sample of 2 416 farming operations in South Dakota grazing livestock. While controlling for socioeconomic and demographic factors, we find that among the three TPB constructs of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, negative attitudes about the effects of chemical dewormers are the only factor with a relationship to producers’ reduction in parasiticide use. We also find that those with a college degree were significantly more likely to reduce or stop using parasiticides. The adapted model of TPB appears to provide a suitable framework for examining parasiticide use among South Dakota producers and our findings also suggest that future interventions aimed at promoting rangeland sustainability should include an understanding of producers’ attitudes in relation to desired behaviors.