A split-panel latent class stochastic frontier model is applied to account for technological heterogeneity among Swiss dairy farms and to assess the potential performance improvements through technology choice and change over 11 years. Three technology classes with substantially different productivity levels are identified considering the unobserved and observed farm characteristics. Technologies seem on average well adapted to local natural production conditions with low potential for efficiency and productivity increases. Few farms changed technology over time and either an intensification or extensification strategy was observed. Policymakers must be aware of the interlinkages between technology choices and the economic situation of farms.

中文翻译：

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为什么考虑技术异质性对于评估农场绩效很重要？

应用拆分面板潜在类别随机前沿模型来解释瑞士奶牛场之间的技术异质性，并通过 11 年的技术选择和变化来评估潜在的性能改进。考虑到未观察到的和观察到的农场特征，确定了具有显着不同生产力水平的三个技术类别。平均而言，技术似乎很好地适应了当地的自然生产条件，但效率和生产力提高的潜力不大。随着时间的推移，很少有农场改变技术，并且观察到集约化或扩展策略。政策制定者必须意识到技术选择与农场经济状况之间的相互联系。