bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conceptual Analysis in Environmental Education: Why I Want My Children To Be Educated For Sustainable Development
Authors: van Rossen Judy
Published: July 2016

In recent years, there has been a growing global movement towards sustainable development (defined in the Brundtland report Our Common Future as ‘development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’ (WCED 1987)). Indeed, the Brundtland report, along with the revised World Conservation Strategy (IUCN 1990) and Agenda 21 (UNCED 1992) all place high expectations on environmental education as a key means of achieving sustainability. Changes for sustainability will affect individual lifestyles, and attitudes to, and relationships with nature, and education is a critical part of turning the idea of sustainable development into reality (Slocombe & van Bers 1991, p. 12). In arguing that our children should be educated for sustainable development, we must evaluate the arguments about sustainability and see what role environmental education has to play.

Jickling (1992, pp. 6-7) claims that various attempts to analyse the meaning of the term sustainable development have resulted in a ‘conceptual muddle’ which precludes the possibility of accepting any educational prescription for it. However, in drawing this conclusion, he appears to have neglected the alternative conceptions of sustainable development that have been proposed (Fien & Trainer 1993a, p. 14) and the values basis underlying them and, thereby, has not provided a critical direction for a pathway to sustainability.
The Schools Water Project (SWAP): A Case Study of an Action Research and Community Problem Solving Approach to Curriculum Innovation
Authors: Schreuder Danie
Published: July 2016

It seems ironic that the amazing breakthroughs and successes of scientific methods of enquiry of the past century that were supposed to enhance the quality of human life are currently looked on as being at the root of many of the pressing environmental and social problems of our time. Conventional approaches to science and technology that enabled humankind to manipulate and exploit natural resources led to a sense of authority and command which gave rise to a sometimes blind belief in ‘…the triumphs of natural science in seeking to develop the social understanding that would allow human beings successfully to harness the forces thus released to their own self-betterment’ (Giddens 1982, p.69).

This extension of the apparent success of natural science as ‘… an ideology, a culturally produced and socially supported, unexamined way of seeing the world which shapes and guides social action’ (Carr and Kemmis 1986, p. 132) seemed very appropriate at the time. Inevitably, the trusted logical positivist and reductionist approaches permeated social sciences to such a degree that they dominated Western views on education for a long time. Popkewitz (1984, p.23) refers to the effect on education in which ‘…human engineers … act upon educational affairs as though there are no difficulties or uncertainties; …educators are to manipulate and control children as physical scientists manipulate objects of the physical world’.
The Green Fridge Quest - Tertiary Environmental Education for ESD
Authors: Sonneborn Carrie
Published: July 2016

Historically the values of schools and colleges have mirrored those of the larger society. Not only has education uncritically accepted the association of progress and the unfettered growth economy, it has trained engineers and managers, performed the research and developed the technologies which in aggregate have had such a devastating impact on the environment. A fundamental reorientation now needs to occur with the development of new assumptions undergirding education which treat the interaction of ecological processes, market forces, cultural values, equitable decision making, government actions, and environmental impacts of human activities in a holistic, interdependent manner (Berberet in Fien, 1993).
Educating Ourselves to Think with a View to ‘Ecologically Inhabiting the Earth’ in the Light of the Thought of Hannah Arendt
Authors: Mortari Luigina
Published: July 2016

Cognitive representations play a fundamental role in governing the relationship existing between the natural world and the human world. It is important, therefore, to analyse some ideas which, in our culture, condition in a non ecological way the relationship which have with the natural world. This is the premise for the development of an ecological education.

In this perspective, the thought of Hannah Arendt revealed itself as fundamental. An interpretation of the arguments developed in her fundamental works (Arendt, 1987; 1989) permit the tracing of the genesis of some mental attitudes which have contributed to the development of a culture indifferent to the environment in which we live and, further, permit new categories of thought from which to begin to reform environmental education.
Reclaiming the Future: What Every Educator Needs to Know
Authors: Hicks David
Published: July 2016

The children we teach in school now will spend most of their lives in the 21st century. Those leaving school in the 1990s will become the parents, voters, workers, business people and visionaries of tomorrow. If all education is for the future, where is the future in education? How are we preparing the students for those responsibilities? How are we helping them to think more critically and creatively about the future?

My argument is that as educators, and particularly as environmental educators, we need to engage in the task of ‘reclaiming the future’. I will illustrate this with reference to: i) the approaching millenium; ii) the need to educate more explicitly for the future; iii) the importance of being able to envision more just and sustainable futures; and iv) some thoughts on moving forwards.
Fractal Computer Graphics as a Stimulus for the Enhancement of Perceptual Sensitivity to the Natural Environment
Authors: Geake John
Published: July 2016

The beauty and freshness of fractal geometry suggests that once again we are at the start of science and mathematics… women and men will look back on this era much as we look back to the early Greeks. (Barnsley, 1989, p. 5)

Such enthusiasm for a perceived new paradigm in the mathematical sciences is beginning to emerge within broader educational contexts (Devaney & Keen, 1989; Egnatoff, 1989; Geake, 1990a & 1990b). Much of the interest in fractal geometry has focussed on its ability to describe complex natural phenomena (Mandelbrot, 1983 & 1990; Pickover, 1987; Barnsley, 1988). Recent investigations into the visual perception of natural imagery have used fractal mathematics in describing the characteristics of such perception (Pentland, 1984; Field, 1987; Peli, 1990). This study examined human visual perception of the fractal form found in the natural environment. Specifically, this research project examined how exposure to a program of fractal computer graphics affected the perceptual sensitivity of primary school children to the natural visual environment. The underpinning rationale was to address a long standing challenge of Linke (1980) to develop a stronger theoretical basis for environmental education in Australia.
Matching the Purposes of Environmental Education with Consistent Approaches to Research and Professional Development
Authors: Robottom Ian
Published: July 2016

The aim of this paper is to address the issue of the coherence of three dimensions of environmental education activities - its substantive purposes; the research informing its policy, organisation and practices; and the professional development processes supporting its practitioners. It will be argued (i) that the purposes of environmental education are socially transformative, (ii) that the dominant approach to research in the field is behaviourist and deterministic, and (iii) that within a context of socially transformative environmental education, the role that the dominant behaviourist approach to research plays in professional development needs to be critically examined. The paper outlines a current international project in environmental education which includes in its aims an exploration of the relationships among environmental education purposes, research and professional development.
Exploring the Concept of ‘Education for a Sustainable World’: Report of Work in Progress
Authors: Cuthill Michael
Published: July 2016

This paper reports the beginnings of an exploration of the effects of tertiary level environmental education, based on Ecologically Sustainable Development criteria, on the development of students' environmental attitudes and behaviours. Baseline data has been collected against which changes in attitudes and behaviours can be monitored. Important factors influencing students' current attitudes and behaviours include their personal experiences, books and magazines, schooling and newspapers. Significant differences in students’ responses were recorded against three socio-demographic variables—age, gender and the degree program enrolled in. Respondents' value systems have been recorded; their relationship to other study variables requires further research.
Between the Turnstiles: Zoos as Agents of Environmental Education
Authors: Mazur Nicole
Published: July 2016

Since the middle of the 20th century, zoological gardens have endeavoured to assist in the restoration of global, regional and national biodiversity. To help realise these conservation goals zoo professionals rely on formal and informal education schemes to enhance zoo visitors' awareness of environmental conservation issues. A questionnaire was administered at eight Australian zoos to elicit information regarding visitors' environmental knowledge and attitudes. Data from several open-ended questionnaire items were consistent with data from closed questions which intimated that zoo respondents appreciated zoos' conservation activities. However, a gap existed between visitors' endorsement of conservation and their level of conservation activism. This suggests that educational and interpretive materials used in zoos should include comprehensive and clearly intelligible information about a range of environmental values and means of involvement in action for conservation.
The Emerging Face of Environmental Education in South Africa's Formal Education: Curriculum 2005 and the Environmental Education Curriculum Initiative
Authors: van Rooyen Hugo
Published: July 2016

An indication is given of how the Republic of South Africa's new school curriculum, Curriculum 2 005, provides significant opportunity for the inclusion of environmental education. Aspects of the important role played by the Environmental Education Curriculum Initiative in the infusion of environmental education into Curriculum 2 005 are outlined. The paper discusses several of the many challenges to be addressed in the implementation of Curriculum 2 005 and its environmental education potential, and concludes with reference to the particular place of teacher education in this process.
Helping to Protect the Earth—the Kosciusko National Park Education Program
Authors: Darlington Pat , Black Rosemary
Published: July 2016

An exciting and successful environmental education program has been implemented at Kosciusko National Park in south-eastern NSW. It is based on programs developed by the Institute of Earth Education, a non-profit volunteer organisation made up of an international network of individuals and member organisations. The major work of the Institute is to design and develop educational programs.

The two most popular programs offered at Kosciusko National Park are EarthkeepersTM and Earth CaretakersTM which are focused, sequential and cumulative nature education programs intended for upper primary children, that is, ten to twelve year olds. The aim of these programs is to help students enjoy, understand and live in harmony with the Earth. The activities integrate three components-understanding, feelings and processing—mirroring the interpretation philosophy of understanding, appreciation and protection. Evaluation has shown that the programs successfully enhance school curricula subjects and motivate students to change the way they and their families live.
How Wading through the Murk is FOR a Better Environment: Case Studies in Environmental Interpretation
Authors: O'Brien Christine
Published: July 2016

Interpreters have concentrated much of their attention on protected sites. A challenge exists for them to use their skills in relation to issues such as pollution and waste management. Examples of such a use of interpretive methods are presented.
Environmental Education in Western Australian Secondary Schools
Authors: Ross William
Published: July 2016

This paper reports on research carried out to investigate the extent of environmental education in Western Australian secondary schools. The research found: a high level of support for environmental education amongst teachers, that environmental education was being pursued to some extent in all responding schools, that there existed areas of neglect which were often politically controversial and divisive contemporary issues, and that city schools were generally more involved in environmental education than country schools and public schools more than private schools.

Barriers to the further implementation of environmental education in schools are identified and recommandations made to improve the availability and standard of environmental education in Western Australian secondary schools.
The Environmentally Educating Teacher: Synthesis of an Implementation Theory for Pre-service Courses
Authors: Scott Bill
Published: July 2016

This paper sets out to establish a tentative implementation theory which can inform the work of teacher educators working with novice (student) teachers in their initial professional development related to environmental education. The paper begins with an exploration of the problem of how to encapsulate environmental education within pre-service programs by looking at attempts over the years to encourage and stimulate the professional development of the environmentally educated teacher through pre-service programs. The paper then reports on research carried out by the method of deliberative inquiry which examined the work of two environmental education initiatives: the OECD-funded ENSI project, a co-operative curriculum development program based in primary and secondary schools; and the European Union-funded EEITE program, a development initiative based in universities offering pre-service courses in eleven European Union member states. The paper discusses how ENSI'S aims and guiding principles and EEITE'S organizing principles, key elements and program characteristics were considered and a tentative implementation theory established. This theory, it is argued, constitutes a criterial framework of process skills and values which can inform and guide the inclusion of environmental education within pre-service teacher education programs. The paper ends with a call for a critique of the theory presented.
Social ecology and environmental education
Authors: Hutton Drew
Published: July 2016

A world view is emerging in areas like peace education, environmental education, justice education and development education which cannot be understood simply by applying old assumptions to these areas. This world view involves a different ethical framework, a different epistemology and a different way of functioning in order to achieve goals. I call this new world view social ecology, a philosophy which has emerged as a result of the threats to our planet and which takes as its starting point such principles as ecological sustainability, non-violence, grass-roots democracy and social equality.
The character of Australian wetlands
Authors: Ingram Glen
Published: July 2016

Australia is often called the dry continent. With good rains, however, parts of the arid interior can change into large wetlands. These are ephemeral. In the coastal regions, wetlands are usually perennial. Some of these are static in extent but most wetlands have dynamic boundaries. Some wetlands are very big but vastness is not a necessary characteristic. Puddles, pools, and ponds are very small, but nonetheless wetlands.
Politics of protection — wetlands
Authors: Gilligan Brian
Published: July 2016

Protection of threatened or degraded environments such as wetlands is not simply a matter of asserting the right ecological viewpoint. Rather it is a matter of carefully planned community action aimed at Local, State and Federal levels of government. The form which that community action takes is crucial to the long-term effectiveness of protection efforts.
Steak de Marsh au Wetland Sauce
Authors: Cox Malcolm
Published: July 2016

A cartoon is presented as a means of simplifying a generalized wetlands issue to students. A complementary activity is proposed and discussed as a means of treating the limitations of the cartoon and approaching solutions to the issue based on distinctive values positions.
Overcoming despair and the alienation it produces
Authors: Fisher F.G.
Published: July 2016

Environmental work deals in the most depressing of statistics — measures of damage to our planet and measures of apparent incapacity to change them. Years working to bring about changes in the way people deal with their environment can be very frustrating and ultimately debilitating. Some aspects of personal frustration and the despair it leads to are examined. The most advanced tools used by environmental scientists such as systems theory are themselves shown to be a source of frustration. A principal source of despair is shown to be frustrated expectations based on faulty world views.

Suggestions toward resolving this outcome of concern are made. They involve personal work toward changing the expectations we have of our tools and the way we deal with reality. Evidence for the efficacy of such suggestions is taken from General System Theory itself. Deep Ecology and interpretations of twentieth century physics.
Research directions in social and environmental education
Authors: Fien J.
Published: July 2016

Social and environmental education are two sides of a coin. Each has similar student-centred goals that see an understanding of society or the environment and one's place within it as a medium for achieving some of the long term goals of education. The similarities between the two have not been recognised nearly as much as they could have been, though Disinger (1982) among others has recognized international, global, futures, population and values education (all long established themes in social education) as imperatives in environmental education. Both social and environmental education seek to help young people identify, understand and desire to resolve the problems that confront humanity.
Environment and ethics: an educational perspective
Authors: Gough N.
Published: July 2016

The ethical dimensions of environmental study are considered with particular reference to environmental education. It is argued that moral considerations and value judgements are an inevitable component of any form of environmental investigation or education and the nature of environmental ethics is explored in this context. Methods for transmitting environmental ethics are considered critically and the article concludes by suggesting some alternative approaches to exploring environmental ethics in education.
Mitigating Cotton Revenue Risk Through Irrigation, Insurance, and Hedging
Authors: Barham E. Hart Bise , Robinson John R.C. , Richardson James W. , Rister M. Edward
Published: July 2016

This study focuses on managing cotton production and marketing risks using combinations of irrigation levels, put options (as price insurance), and crop insurance. Stochastic cotton yields and prices are used to simulate a whole-farm financial statement for a 1,000 acre furrow-irrigated cotton farm in the Texas Lower Rio Grande Valley under 16 combinations of risk management strategies. Analyses for risk-averse decision makers indicate that multiple irrigations are preferred. The benefits to purchasing put options increase with yields, as they are more beneficial when higher yields are expected from applying more irrigation applications. Crop insurance is strongly preferred at lower irrigation levels.
Effects of Manure Use and Use Restrictions on Variable Production Costs and Net Incomes for United States Corn Producers
Authors: Beckman Jayson , Livingston Michael
Published: July 2016

We utilize a treatment effects model to examine if there are differences in costs/profits for manure-using corn producers versus non-users. We find that manure users have lower peracre operating costs via reductions in fertilizer and soil conditioner costs; however, the use of manure reduces grain yields and ultimately leads to no difference in profit. Separate results indicate that manure-use restrictions do not affect costs or profits; thus policies could be in place to regulate manure usage without impacting the costs/profit structure of the farm.
Market Failures and Land Grant Universities
Authors: Epplin Francis M.
Published: July 2016

One hundred and fifty years ago, the 1862 Morrill Land Grant Act was signed into law. Wise people at that time recognized that the private market for education failed to produce an efficient level of education decades before the economic theory was developed to explain that market failures reduce efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to review the history of selected events that resulted in the development of publicly funded U.S. educational institutions and to issue a challenge for our profession to do a better job of educating about the theoretical justification for using tax dollars to support university education and agricultural research and the efficiency enhancing consequences of that use.
Why “Applied” Should be Included in the Name of Our Professional Association
Authors: Lee John E.
Published: July 2016

So, here we are again, beating on a horse that, while not dead, is already out of the barn.

When asked to speak to the question of whether the word “applied” should be in the title of our association, I understood that I was to make the case for including “applied” in addition to the word “agriculture,” not replacing it. I think focusing narrowly on either “applied” or ”agriculture” needlessly reduces our options, and, in my view, excludes the preferred option. My argument is for the title, Southern Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, or SAAEA. I am making a case for that change.
Performance of Publicly Traded Agricultural Companies Since 2000: Construction of the Aglndex
Authors: Schnitkey Gary , Kramer Clayton
Published: July 2016

The crop farming sector has been relatively profitable in the past several years, whereas the general economy has gone through a great deal of turmoil. In this research, we constructed an Aglndex, which tracked the stock prices of publicly traded companies dealing with agriculture performed since 2000. As a group, the market values of publicly traded firms within the Aglndex exceeded those of Standard & Poors 500 (S&P 500) since 2000. Returns were higher for agricultural firms compared with S&P 500 firms. Performance varied across agricultural sectors with fertilizer and seed companies performing the best.
Examining Labor Substitution: Does Family Matter for U.S. Cash Grain Farmers?
Authors: D'Antoni Jeremy M. , Khanal Aditya R. , Mishra Ashok K.
Published: July 2016

The substitution of capital for labor and new labor-saving technologies has reduced the labor required for farming, yet many farms today depend on hired labor in some form. Common in the literature is the assumption of perfectly substitutable farm labor. This has implications for the operator's off-farm labor decision. Intuitively, different forms of farm labor have different impacts on production. We use the Agricultural and Resource Management Survey to estimate the elasticity of substitution between hired and family labor. The results provide little evidence to support the popular homogeneity assumption and find labor can be unitary and complimentary under certain scenarios.
Relative Importance Rankings for Pork Attributes by Asian-Origin Consumers in California: Applying an Ordered Probit Model to a Choice-Based Sample
Authors: Chen Kevin , Ali Murad , Veeman Michele , Unterschultz Jim , Le Theresa
Published: July 2016

This paper reports on a study examining the ranking of selected attributes of fresh pork by Asian-origin consumers in San Francisco, California. Freshness is ranked as the most important attribute, followed by the attributes of the color of meat, lowness in fat, and the whiteness of fat. The attributes of price, freedom from chemicals, and being USDA labelled were also ranked to be of importance. Empirical results from an ordered probit model, postulated to explain respondents' importance rankings of attributes, suggested that particular demographic and socio-economic characteristics of Asian-origin consumers influenced the importance rankings of selected pork attributes. The findings suggest that Asian-origin consumers should not be treated as a single homogenous niche group in marketing, since there are identifiable sub-groups of these consumers with specific attitudes and preferences.
Valuing Transgenic Cotton Technologies Using a Risk/Return Framework
Authors: Bryant Kelly J. , Reeves Jeanne M. , Nichols Robert L. , Greene Jeremy K. , Tingle Christopher H. , Studebaker Glenn E. , Bourland Fred M. , Capps Charles D. , Groves Frank E.
Published: July 2016

Stochastic Efficiency with Respect to a Function (SERF) is used to rank transgenic cotton technology groups and place an upper and lower bound on their value. Yield and production data from replicated plot experiments are used to build cumulative distribution functions of returns for nontransgenic, Roundup Ready, Bollgard, and stacked gene cotton cultivars. Analysis of Arkansas data indicated that the stacked gene and Roundup Ready technologies would be preferred by a large number of risk neutral and risk averse producers as long as the costs of the technology and seed are below the lower bounds calculated in this manuscript.
Doctoring the Afflicted and Demythifying Public Policy
Authors: Sanders Larry D.
Published: July 2016

“The ultimate test of a set of economic ideas… is whether it illuminates the anxieties of the time. Does it explain problems that people find urgent? Does it bear on the current criticism of economic performance? … Does it bear upon the issues of political debate? For these, though many have always preferred to believe otherwise, do not ignite spontaneously or emerge maliciously from the mouths of agitators to afflict the comfortable.“—John Kenneth Galbraith, Economics & the Public Purpose, 1973
The Relevance of Extension Education in the 21st Century
Authors: Smith Edward G.
Published: July 2016

It was a humbling and unexpected surprise when I was notified of my selection for a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southern Agricultural Economics Association (SAEA). My colleagues continually ride me about moving into administration and losing touch with “the real world.“ Given my eight years in a series of administrative positions, they may be partly right. Fortunately, my economics and business training hold me in good stead when addressing the issues that face the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. I want to thank the colleagues who nominated me and the Association for granting me this honor. It is greatly appreciated.
Discussion: Commodity Price Discovery: Problems That Have Solutions or Solutions That Are Problems
Authors: Fortenbery T. Randall
Published: July 2016

This paper examines three invited papers focused on commodity prices. Public responses to high nominal commodity prices and perceived increases in price risk have ranged from attempts to assign blame, attempts to change contracting arrangements, and development of public policy that “protects“ the market from future occurrences of unacceptable behavior. Interestingly, a result of increased commodity price volatility has suggested that futures markets no longer “work.“ This is ironic given that futures markets initially came into existence as tools for managing the negative impacts of commodity price risk. In response to perceptions of market failure some are looking for strategies to regulate the who and how of futures trading.
Oyster Demand Adjustments to Counter-Information and Source Treatments in Response to Vibrio vulnificus
Authors: Morgan O. Ashton , Martin Gregory S. , Huth William L.
Published: July 2016

A web-based contingent behavior analysis was developed to quantify the effect of both negative and positive information treatments and post harvest processes on demand for oysters. Results from a panel model indicate that consumers of raw and cooked oysters behave differently after news of an oyster-related human mortality. While cooked oyster consumers take precautionary measures against risk, raw oyster consumers exhibit optimistic bias and increase their consumption level. Further, by varying the source of a counter-information treatment, we find that source credibility impacts behavior. Oyster consumers, and in particular, raw oyster consumers, are most responsive to information provided by a not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization. Finally, post harvest processing of oysters has no impact on demand.
Production Response to Increased Imports: The Case of U.S. Sugar
Authors: Kennedy P. Lynn , Schmitz Andrew
Published: July 2016

This paper considers how the welfare of U.S. sugar producers can be affected by the use of production controls in the presence of rising sugar imports and falling sugar prices, taking into account the negative externalities associated with U.S. sugar production. Even if production controls are used, producer welfare can be affected negatively under rising imports.
Staying in Touch through Extension: An Analysis of Farmers' Use of Alternative Extension Information Products
Authors: Jones Lauren E. , Diekmann Florian , Batte Marvin T.
Published: July 2016

The U.S. farming industry is evolving quickly. It is therefore important that state Extension services be prepared to evolve as well. This study uses data collected in a 2007 survey of Ohio farmers to evaluate likelihood and frequency of use of various services offered by Extension as well as overall satisfaction with Extension services. Results indicate that tailoring of topics and communication methods to type of farm and/or farmer informational needs could improve the use of Extension resources. This implies that targeting of information products and methods may improve the performance of Extension education programs and customer satisfaction.
Spatial Price Analysis Incorporating Rate of Trade: Methods and Application to United States–China Soybean Trade
Authors: Han Shengfei , Durham Catherine A.
Published: July 2016

A regime-switching model for analysis of market integration has been developed that incorporates rate of trade information. An application of the methods to United States–China soybean trade demonstrates that the extended trade information allows better interpretation of market conditions. While the empirical results show that China's reform efforts since mid 1990s toward an open market have greatly improved United States–China soybean markets integration, about 40% of nontransitional disequilibrium occurrences likely indicate infrastructural limits such as the lack of information availability and limited competition. The United States–China price linkage is observed to be closer after China's World Trade Organization membership. The link has also been found relatively slack during the South American soybean harvest.
The U.S. Agricultural Sector and the Macroeconomy
Authors: Baek Jungho , Koo Won W.
Published: July 2016

The effects of the exchange rate, the U.S. agricultural price, the domestic income, and the interest rate on the U.S. net farm income are investigated in a cointegration framework. For this purpose, the Phillips-Hansen fully-modified cointegration (FM-OLS) procedure is applied to annual data for the period 1957-2008. Results suggest that there exists the long-run equilibrium relationship between the U.S. net farm income and the selected macroeconomic variables. We also find that the exchange rate and U.S. agricultural price are more important than other variables in determining the U.S. net farm income.
Average Crop Revenue Election, Crop Insurance, and Supplemental Revenue Assistance: Interactions and Overlap for Illinois and Kansas Farm Program Crops
Authors: Zulauf Carl , Schnitkey Gary , Langemeier Michael
Published: July 2016

Farm-level data from Illinois and Kansas for the 1991-2007 crops are used to examine the interaction and overlap among crop revenue insurance, Supplemental Revenue Assistance (SURE), and Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE). Compared with 75% Crop Revenue Coverage Insurance (75% CRCP), ACRE provides more payments and has a greater impact on minimum farm revenue for the Illinois farms. In contrast, for the Kansas farms, 75% CRCP has the greater impact. SURE's relative impact on the Illinois and Kansas farms depends on the metric. The overlap in payments from ACRE and 75% CRCP resulting from covering the same part of the revenue risk distribution is estimated to be less than 5% of ACRE payments. Several proposals for improving the farm safety net are discussed.
Should Basic Underwriting Rules be Applied to Average Crop Revenue Election and Supplemental Revenue?
Authors: Barnaby G. Art
Published: July 2016

This paper considers methods to adversely select on Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) and Supplemental Revenue (SURE). In the case of winter wheat, farmers had a large amount of a priori yield and price information before electing 2009 ACRE. Prior to the August 14 sign-up for ACRE, wheat was 3 months into the marketing year. In most years nearly half of the national average price is determined in the first 3 months of the marketing year. With this available information it was clear that Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington wheat would collect the maximum or near the maximum ACRE payment, while there was little chance that ACRE would pay on Colorado wheat.
Discussion: What Have We Learned from the New Suite of Risk Management Programs of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008?
Authors: Lubben Bradley D. , Novak James L.
Published: July 2016

New revenue-based support programs in the 2008 Farm Bill represent a fundamental shift in farm programs and risk management decision-making. However, complexity, uncertainty, economics, and, arguably, an incomplete analysis of the new Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program all contributed to low enrollment in the new program in 2009. An effective analysis of ACRE should consider farm programs as part of an integrated risk management portfolio, including crop insurance, marketing, and other risk management tools as opposed to a separate lottery program. Improving this integration could be one of the most significant consequences of the 2008 Farm Bill.
Cow-Calf Producer Perceptions Regarding Individual Animal Traceability
Authors: Schulz Lee L. , Tonsor Glynn T.
Published: July 2016

This study provides valuable insights into cow-calf producer voluntary participation in the National Animal Identification System and producers' perceptions of several issues critically impacting the success of voluntary traceability systems. Cow-calf producers believe that the most important issues to the U.S. beef industry in designing a national, individual animal traceability system are monitoring/managing disease, maintaining current foreign markets, accessing foreign markets, and increasing consumer confidence. Furthermore, producers are concerned with cost, liability, reliability of technology, failure of system to meet stated goals, and confidentiality of information associated with these systems.
Do Farmers Hedge Optimally or by Habit? A Bayesian Partial-Adjustment Model of Farmer Hedging
Authors: Dorfman Jeffrey H. , Karali Berna
Published: July 2016

Hedging is one of the most important risk management decisions that farmers make and has a potentially large role in the level of profit eventually earned from farming. Using panel data from a survey of Georgia farmers that recorded their hedging decisions for 4 years on four crops, we examine the role of habit, demographics, farm characteristics, and information sources on the hedging decisions made by 57 different farmers. We find that the role of habit varies widely and that estimation of a single habit effect suffers from aggregation bias. Thus, modeling farmer-level heterogeneity in the examination of habit and hedging is crucial.
Optimal Dynamic Management of Agricultural Land-Uses: An Application of Regime Switching
Authors: Doole Graeme J. , Hertzler Greg L.
Published: July 2016

The capacity of global agricultural production to meet increased demand for food from population growth and wealth accumulation is threatened by extensive land degradation. Nonetheless, previous research has focused primarily on the dynamic implications of input management and ignored land-use choice. This paper extends this theory through an examination of the intertemporal management of agricultural land through the use of non-crop inputs, such as fertilizer, and land uses that either degrade or restore productivity. The need to consider the relative total asset value of alternative crops over time is demonstrated. Moreover, higher output prices for degrading crops are shown to increase their relative value, motivating the later adoption of substitutes. An inability of land markets to reflect differences in resource quality and low capital malleability promote greater degradation. However, substitution of complementary effects through input use may help to sustain productivity. These factors are discussed in the context of crop sequence management in Western Australian cropping systems.
Groundwater Policy Research: Collaboration with Groundwater Conservation Districts in Texas
Authors: Johnson Jeffrey W. , Johnson Phillip N. , Guerrero Bridget , Weinheimer Justin , Amosson Steve , Almas Lal , Golden Bill , Wheeler-Cook Erin
Published: July 2016

The unique nature of the Ogallala Aquifer presents interesting and confounding problems for water policymakers who are coping with changing groundwater rules in Texas. The purpose of this article is to link previous efforts in water policy research for the Ogallala Aquifer in Texas with current collaborations that are ongoing with regional water planners. A chronological progression of economic water modeling efforts for the region is reviewed. The results of two recent collaborative studies are presented that provide estimates of impacts of alternative policies on groundwater saturated thickness, water use, net farm income, and regional economic activities.
Incentives Matter: Assessing Biofuel Policies in the South
Authors: Miller J. Corey , Coble Keith H.
Published: July 2016

As a result of the increase in the real cost of fossil fuel-based energy in recent years, federal and state governments have taken a more active role in energy policy by creating incentives to develop alternative sources of energy, including biofuels. However, policymakers often become focused on the specific type of energy and not the energy services consumers ultimately value. The lack of recognition of energy as a commodity results in policies that ignore the characteristics of the associated markets: easy entry and exit, no barriers to entry, and sensitivity to changes in supply and demand. Consequently, energy industries may fail to arise because entrepreneurs must be able to account for all costs and earn—at a minimum—a competitive return on the investment. This article evaluates the options available to policymakers related to biofuels, which are of particular concern to the South, and includes an assessment of the knowledge base on which policy decisions are made.
A Nonhypothetical Ranking and Auction Mechanism for Novel Products
Authors: McAdams Callie , Palma Marco A. , Hall Charles , Ishdorj Ariun
Published: July 2016

Preferences for pomegranates, including some novel pomegranate varieties, were evaluated using an experimental auction and nonhypothetical preference ranking mechanism. Additional information on the taste and health benefits of the products was provided to mimic the information-gathering process on novel products. Product familiarity, product information, and reference prices were key factors in explaining willingness to pay for the included novel products. Results from the auction and nonhypothetical preference ranking procedures were divergent. Furthermore, interactions were detected between information treatments and product characteristics.
A Semiparametric Approach to Analyzing Differentiated Agricultural Products
Authors: Bekkerman Anton , Brester Gary W. , McDonald Tyrel J.
Published: July 2016

When consumers have heterogeneous perceptions about product quality, traditional parametric methods may not provide accurate marginal valuation estimates of a product's characteristics. A quantile regression framework can be used to estimate valuations of product characteristics when quality perceptions are not homogeneous. Semiparametric quantile regressions provide identification and quantification of heterogeneous marginal valuation effects across a conditional price distribution. Using purchase price data from a bull auction, we show that there are nonconstant marginal valuations of bull carcass and growth traits. Improved understanding of product characteristic valuations across differentiated market segments can help producers develop more cost-effective management strategies.
Information Value of Climate Forecasts for Rainfall Index Insurance for Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage in the Southeast United States
Authors: Nadolnyak Denis , Vedenov Dmitry
Published: July 2016

In this article, possible use of climate forecasts in rainfall index insurance of hay and forage production is considered in a geographical area (southeast United States) relatively heavily impacted by the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Analysis of the stochastic properties of rainfall, yields, and the ENSO forecasts using the copula technique shows that the forecast impact depends on the proximity to the Gulf Coast where the impact of the ENSO is more pronounced and earlier in the year. Stochastic modeling shows that the use of skillful long-term climate forecasts by the insured producers creates intertemporal adverse selection that can be precluded by offering forecast conditional premiums. The impacts on the efficiency of the rainfall index insurance and results of sensitivity analysis with respect to model parameters are discussed.
The Effects of Large-Scale Hog Production on Local Labor Markets
Authors: Sneeringer Stacy , Hertz Tom
Published: July 2016

Although the negative externalities of large-scale hog production have been well studied, econometric estimates of its potentially positive labor markets effects are lacking. We use the geographic shifts in large-scale hog production between 1992 and 2007 to estimate such production's effects on local farm and nonfarm labor markets. We find that every additional 1000 head at large-scale facilities in a county generates 0.57 additional large-scale hog operation jobs, 0.04 fewer small-scale hog operation jobs, 0.16 fewer nonhog-related agricultural jobs, and 0.59 additional nonfarm jobs, for a total of 0.96 jobs. Our total estimate is lower than previous ones based on input-output modeling.
Accuracy of Qualitative Forecasts of Farmland Values from the Federal Reserve's Land Value Survey
Authors: Zakrzewicz Christopher J. , Brorsen B. Wade , Briggeman Brian C.
Published: July 2016

This article determines the accuracy of quarterly land value forecasts provided by bankers through the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's Survey of Agricultural Credit Conditions. Bankers' qualitative forecasts of up, down, or no change are compared against actual, self-reported changes in land values. A large proportion of bankers forecast no change. Despite this action, aggregates of bankers' qualitative forecasts help predict changing land values and forecast better than naïve models. Thus, the forecasts in the survey are helpful in predicting land values.
Embedded Seed Technology and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Nalley Lanier , Popp Michael , Niederman Zara
Published: July 2016

Agriculture's significant global contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has spurred consumer and retailer interest in GHG mitigation and may lead to incentive programs for producers to lessen GHG emissions. Along those lines, a producer choice is the use of embedded seed technology designed to enhance the marketable portion of yield through improved disease, weed, and pest management with the same or lower use of inputs. This article examines commonalities and differences across three recent studies on rice, sweet corn, and cotton, which addressed the impacts of embedded seed technology on yield, input use, and GHG emissions. Embedded seed technology can be any method of improving the physical or genetic characteristics of a seed. These seed enhancements can include physiological quality, vigor, and synchronicity (consistency across seedlings in time of emergence and size) through traditional breeding, hybrid breeding, or biotechnology.
Econometric Forecasting of Irrigation Water Demand Conserves a Valuable Natural Resource
Authors: Banerjee Swagata “Ban” , Obembe Babatunde A.
Published: July 2016

Natural causes (such as droughts), non-natural causes (such as competing uses), and government policies limit the supply of water for agriculture in general and irrigating crops in particular. Under such reduced water supply scenarios, existing physical models reduce irrigation proportionally among crops in the farmer's portfolio, disregarding temporal changes in economic and/or institutional conditions. Hence, changes in crop mix resulting from expectations about risks and returns are ignored. A method is developed that considers those changes and accounts for economic substitution and expansion effects. Forecasting studies based on this method with surface water in Georgia and Alabama demonstrate the relative strength of econometric modeling vis-à-vis physical methods. Results from a study using this method for ground water in Mississippi verify the robustness of those findings. Results from policy-induced simulation scenarios indicate water savings of 12% to 27% using the innovative method developed. Although better irrigation water demand forecasting in crop production was the key objective of this pilot project, conservation of a valuable natural resource (water) has turned out to be a key consequence.
Causality among Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Growth: A Directed Acyclic Graph Approach
Authors: Li Yarui , Woodard Joshua D. , Leatham David J.
Published: July 2016

With the aim of examining the causal structure between foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic growth, this study derives inductive causal inference using the directed acyclic graph approach, which makes no a priori causal assumptions. There are three major findings of this study. First, economic growth causes FDI inflows for developing countries, whereas FDI induces economic growth for developed countries. Second, trade is an important intermediary to facilitate the interaction between FDI and other factors. Third, the stock market is found to be an intermediary that amplifies the influence on FDI from many causal variables of FDI for developed countries.