Rabobank found that nearly 70 percent of the U.S. farmers and ranchers surveyed have taken steps toward implementing sustainable agricultural practices.

“Sustainability is an increasing priority among consumers as well as for many areas of industry and commerce, and this survey shows that U.S. farmers and ranchers share that view,” said John Ryan, president and CEO for Rabo AgriFinance. “Sustainable agricultural practices are the cornerstone of long-term strategy for success.”

According to Rabobank Farm & Ranch Survey, three out of every four U.S. farmers are aware of sustainable practices, and most have used direct seeding, minimized the use of chemicals or employed crop rotation.

“For our farmers and ranchers in California, the use of alternative energy sources can be a matter of survival. Energy and water resources are limited and costly, so the development and employment of sustainable energy sources in agriculture is a smart business practice as well as beneficial to the environment,” said Aitor Ezcurra, executive vice president and Head of Commercial Banking for Rabobank, N.A.

Also, the Rabobank survey found: