Pesticide usage - arable crops and potato stores 2018: survey results

Table 34: Response rate

Response rates

The table below summarises the number of holdings contacted during the survey.

Financial burden to farmers

In order to minimise the burden on farmers, the survey team used non-visit methods of collection such as email, post or telephone call, where possible.

To determine the total burden that the 2018 arable crop survey placed on those providing the information, the surveyors recorded the time that 253 respondents spent providing the data during the surveys.  This sample represents 80 per cent of growers surveyed.  The median time taken to provide the information was 22 minutes.

The following formula was used to estimate the total cost of participating:

Burden (£) = No. surveyed x median time taken (hours) x typical hourly rate*

(* using median “Full Time Gross” hourly pay for Scotland of £14.38)⁽¹²⁾

The total financial burden to all growers resulting from participation in the 2018 arable crop survey was calculated to be £1,661.