bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Action Research Study to Improve Facilitation Skills Using the Program ‘A Council of All Beings’
Authors: Kozak Terri
Published: July 2016

Environmental education seeks to involve people in solving environmental problems. Hence, some environmental educators facilitate programs that focus on the development of skills through direct involvement in action programs, such as Waterwatch. However, many people do not feel confident and/or skilled to initiate, plan or undertake action projects. Therefore, environmental educators also facilitate programs that focus on helping people develop the motivation, skills and confidence to engage in action programs, such as A Council of All Beings. Facilitation of these two different forms of programs needs to build on the strengths and capabilities of the people involved so that their skills and perception of themselves as agents of change are enhanced (Kieffer 1984). Effective facilitation skills are essential for environmental educators because they often deal with contested issues, want to foster critical thinking among people and often mediate between community, government and individuals. The purpose of this paper is to: (a) demonstrate the relationship between empowerment, facilitation and social change; and (b) report on an action research process in which I sought to improve my skills in facilitation by using the program A Council of All Beings.
Environmental Education Education and Self-concept: A Focus on Deaf Students (E.E. and the Deaf Self-concept)
Authors: Lostroh Diane
Published: July 2016

To date there is a lack of research literature which indicates how environmental education is best implemented for people with a hearing loss and the contributions environmental education can make to their education and personal development. This research study focuses on environmental education for deaf students, taking into account low self-concept experienced by deaf individuals.

It should be noted that the terms ‘deaf’ and/or ‘hearing-impaired’ are used by authors for their descriptions of people with a hearing loss. These terms may be distinguished as follows:

The generic term hearing impairment can be used to define a hearing loss at any level and the term deaf, on the other hand, is restricted to hearing loss that renders reception of speech nonfunctional (Simeonsson 1986, p. 196).
If You Really Want To Save The Environment
Authors: Trainer Ted
Published: July 2016

It is important to distinguish between two sorts of greenies. First there are those who think that the environmental problem can be solved by more attention to clearing up, or minimising in future, the damage caused by industrial-affluent society. Most environmentally concerned people are in this category, calling for things like more pollution control, but having no recognition of any need to question our affluent lifestyles or the rate of producing and consuming and economic growth their society involves. The first part of the following discussion argues that this common position is mistaken, that there is no chance of solving the environment problem without facing up to drastic reduction in GNP and ‘living standards’.

Unfortunately there are at present few greenies of the second type; people who realise that environmental damage is just one more huge problem being generated by our unsustainable ‘growth and greed’ society. There is no more important issue for environmental educators to focus on than the question of whether it is sufficient to patch up the damage being caused while plunging on down the track to ever-greater affluence and GNP, or whether the problems can only be solved by fundamental transition to a very different society, a radical conserver society. The argument below is that there is no chance of solving the environment problem nor any of the other major global problems facing us unless we move to lifestyles, patterns of settlement, values, and especially to an economic system which permit us to live well on far lower rates of per capita resource use and environmental impact that we have at the present in countries like Australia.
Environmental Education in New Zealand
Authors: Dowling Ross
Published: July 2016

Environmental education in New Zealand (NZ) was born out of the environmental movement during the 1960s and 1970s. During that time it became increasingly apparent that we needed to know more about ourselves, our surroundings and the interactions between these two. The central impulse of environmental education is to help develop people who are knowledgeable of, concerned about, and motivated to do something for, the environment. This involves being:

1. Knowledgeable about the physical, social and economic environment of which people are a part;

2. Concerned about environmental problems; and

3. Motivated to act responsibly in enhancing the quality of our environment as well as our life.

In NZ a common misconception held was that environmental education is the same as outdoor education. It is not. Environmental education is concerned with those aims listed above, whereas outdoor education is now taken to mean, and is officially called, ‘Education Outside the Classroom’. Obviously the two are neither synonymous nor mutually exclusive (Dowling 1986). In the school context, environmental education has traditionally been considered as any teaching about ‘the environment’. Today, however, it is being understood as a process which is multi-disciplinary in approach and for the environment at heart.
Humane Education and Global Education
Authors: Selby David
Published: July 2016

This paper is based on David Selby's workshop ‘Animal Rights and Global Education’ presented at the Touch 92 conference of European environmental educators, 29 March - 4 April 1992, Loutra Sidirokastrou, Serres, Greece. The conference was organised by the Department of Primary Education, Aristotle's University of Thessaloniki.
After Secondary
Authors: Wragg David
Published: July 2016

Just how successful have we been in our roles as environmental educators? With the huge groundswell of interest our society has in the environmental field it is of interest to track the progress of five students that have moved on from our school. As potential movers and shapers in future years these students have been chosen to talk about their ideas, experiences and concerns about environmental education.

The background to Environmental Education at St. Joseph's College, Geelong, lies in the ever-changing curriculum of the school. During the early 1990s there was a major upheaval in choices. Chinese replaced French, Geography and English Literature disappeared and Environmental Studies was trialed as one of the new VCE subjects. Our Principal, Mr. Peter Cannon, was always receptive to new ideas.

All major assignments were location-based and presented some relevant local issues. Included were Coode Island, the chemical storage facility and its possible relocation, the scallop industry of Port Phillip Bay, the You Yangs and the Striped Legless Lizard.
The Allen Strom Eureka Prize for Environmental Education 2000 and 2001
Authors: Young Geoff
Published: July 2016

In the five years since the NSW Environment Protection Authority sponsored the first $10,000 Allen Strom Eureka Prize for Environmental Education, there has been a perceptible climate change in the context for environmental education. Although the aim of the award—‘to encourage and reward excellence in the design, implementation and evaluation of environmental education programs’—remains relevant and has not been amended since 1997, many readers might be asking, ‘what, no mention of sustainability?’

Those who promote education for sustainability (EfS) see it as a powerful and embracing framework for environmental education and their efforts have gained momentum within a number of critical areas: in the professional and research literature (including, of course, the AJEE), within policies at international, national, state and local levels, and within professional discourses and practices. However, EfS has rolled out very much as a work in progress and there is, as yet, no orthodoxy (thankfully!) about exactly what the term encompasses.
Reconsidering What Feels Like Failure: Lessons From Environmental Life History
Authors: Chenery Mary Faeth , Beringer Almut
Published: July 2016

In the research which was the original focus for this account, an ‘environmental life history’ study, things turned out as expected—findings replicated previous environmental life history results. Yet the investigator in this apparently ‘successful’ research, Mary Faeth Chenery, was left with questions such as “So what?” and “Have I simply reproduced the conditions which contribute to the problems I'm trying to solve?” Her colleague, Almut Beringer, has critiqued—and ‘re-viewed’—the study, setting out some reasons why the research was indeed of value. The two ‘halves’ of this article open a dialogue about the value of environmental life history research, and offer some insights into qualitative research method in environmental education. In the process, implications may be drawn for environmental education and for a range of issues within qualitative research.
Environmental Adult Education in Canada: Growing Jobs for Living
Authors: Clover Darlene
Published: July 2016

As in many parts of the world so too in Canada blossoming socio-environmental problems are having adverse effects on many communities. The environmental consequences, for example, of sustained over-fishing of Newfoundland cod, of west coast deforestation by logging of the Great Lakes area and of soil and water contamination caused by industrial activities are now fairly obvious to all. The associated depletion of employment possibilities, folklore and other cultural capital has often been coupled with an increase in violence and feelings of powerlessness and helplessness. But, according to public opinion surveys there is a positive weave to this web of adversity. People's concern for their planet remains high—and their knowledge of the gravity, scope, and root causes of environmental problems and the relation of these to politics and global economics has greatly expanded. Coupled with this is a realisation that current ways of living on this Earth are unsustainable, and that although governments, scientists and promised technological ‘fixes’ may be necessary parts of the solutions they are insufficient to the sheer enormity of the task. There is a resulting call to action by many communities.
Environmental Awareness in the Workplace: An Evaluation Study
Authors: Walker Lisa
Published: July 2016

This study examined the effects of Sydney Water's work based environmental education program, the CARE Update, on the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and reported behaviour of Sydney Water Customer Service Officers. A paired sample of eighty Customer Service Officers were surveyed by a combination of questionnaire and interview techniques. A comparison was made with a matched sample from the general community. Customer Service Officers who had attended the CARE Update course were more likely to support the attitudes and beliefs embodied in the New Environmental Paradigm when compared with of officers who had not attended the course and with the matched sample from the general community. However, staff who attended the course were no more knowledgeable on a number of key aspects of their job related responsibilities for environmental protection and were no more likely to report changes in their behaviours for environmental protection, either at work or at home, than were other officere who had not attended the course.
A deep ecological approach to wetlands
Authors: Sylvan Richard
Published: July 2016

Deep Ecology is a philosophical approach well attuned to Environmental Education. It creates a context in which the natural world can be viewed apart from traditional “useful” human-bound categories. Many educators see the “value” of nature as an educational resource, but fail to notice the deeper meanings recognised by deep ecologists. It is in this inner illumination that deep ecology has its greatest educational appeal. It provides a philosophical setting that encourages individuals to seek meaning outside themselves in nature itself. It promotes direct and personal identification with natural systems as an important path towards ecological consciousness.
A new beginning for environmental education in Australia
Authors: Greenall A.
Published: July 2016

In 1980-81 when I last wrote about the future of environmental education in Australian schools I was quite pessimistic and concluded that environmental education had been a phenomenon of the affluent seventies in Australia. This conclusion was based on observations, reading and experience with schools, education authorities and curriculum projects over the preceding seven years.

Environmental education aims to develop not only awareness, understanding and skills. Most importantly, it also aims to encourage feelings of concern for the environment and protection. This means that it is concerned with social reconstruction — environmental education programs must have moral and political components if they are to achieve the accepted aims of environmental education. In 1980-81 I argued that environmental education had been subjected to incorporation within the existing hegemoney of schools in a neutralised form — the radical ‘action’ components of the environmental education aims had been deleted from school programs whilst the less controversial cognitive and skill aims had been retained, together with the name ‘environmental education’. There was evidence that programs of this genre had increased during the seventies, including an increased environmental content in traditional subjects in the curriculum. In general terms there was little inducement for schools to implement all the aims of environmental education.
Environmental education: a decade of failure but some hope for the future
Authors: Walsh M.
Published: July 2016

The world is experiencing a number of major problems (overpopulation, too-rapid urbanisation, uncontrolled technology, habitat destruction etc.) which are threatening the future of human life on earth. To document the alleged causes of environmental degradation as such a list of discrete problems as is done by many writers (Palme, 1972; Burnet, 1979 etc.) can lead to an erroneous supposition that provided a systematic solution can be found for each problem, then the future is likely to be less threatened. This supposition is incorrect because the crisis has arisen from the threat posed by the whole, that is, the irrevocable links which exist between each of these problem areas such as those listed above. Resolving one problem satisfactorily on a global scale will not provide solutions for the other problem areas. The solution must lie with an approach which might not only solve many present problems but also prevent new problems from arising. Such a remedy reflects on the ecological nature of the problem, recognising that “everything is connected to everything else” (Commoner, 1972a). From around 1970, this role has been allocated specifically to education. Perelman (1976) saw a need to develop ecological pedagogy, an educational process that is ecological not only in its subject matter but in its structure and dynamics as well. Both Ehrlich (1971) and Commoner (1972b) saw education as a necessary component of any solution. Boyden (1970) argued that educational institutions must be placed at the top of the list of agents whose task is to reverse the trend towards environmental degradation. He noted that a key task for present adult generations is to provide youth with an environmental education (EE) that will prepare them emotionally and intellectually for the role of protecting the biosphere. Stapp (1970, 24) remarked on the need for well-informed educators: “If individuals are to be prepared to make the kind of environmental decisions that our nation will face in the future, schools must embark on a comprehensive program that will span the curriculum (K-12).”
Consumer Interest in Environmentally Beneficial Chicken Feeds: Comparing High Available Phosphorus Corn and Other Varieties
Authors: Pesek John D. , Bernard John C. , Gupta Meeta
Published: July 2016

One source of phosphorous pollution in areas of high chicken production is runoff from fields using fertilizer from these operations. A potential solution is to feed chicken high available phosphorus (HAP) corn, reducing phosphorus in manure. This study examined consumer purchase likelihood of chickens fed HAP, created traditionally or through genetic modification, and other genetically modified (GM) corn including Bt and Roundup-ready. Survey results from the Delmarva Peninsula found considerable interest in non-GM HAP corn, although GM HAP corn was not typically viewed as more acceptable than other GM varieties. Overall, the marketplace appears open to products geared toward environmental benefits.
Impact Assessment of Bt Corn Adoption in the Philippines
Authors: Mutuc Maria Erlinda M. , Rejesus Roderick M. , Pan Suwen , Yorobe Jose M.
Published: July 2016

This article examines the impact of Bt corn adoption in the Philippines using an econometric approach that addresses simultaneity, selection, and censoring problems. Although previous literature emphasizes the importance of simultaneity and selection problems, this is the first study that addresses the issue of censoring in estimating the effects of Bt corn adoption at the farm in a developing country context. We show that Bt corn adoption provides modest but statistically significant increases in farm yields and profits. Furthermore, our results provide some evidence of inference errors that can potentially arise when censoring in the pesticide application variable is ignored in the estimation procedures.
Demand for Private Marketing Expertise by Organic Farmers: A Quantile Analysis Based on Counts
Authors: Lohr Luanne , Park Timothy
Published: July 2016

We study the demand by organic farmers for technical advice using a quantile regression for the demand of organic farmers for consultations with private information providers. There is substantial heterogeneity in the impact of critical explanatory variables on consultations of organic farmer. Larger farm size has a positive effect on contacts, but the effect is absent for the highest number of consultations. Internet use has a positive marginal effect on visits to private information providers across each quantile, suggesting that expanded efforts to deliver programs through web-based resources are a useful investment for information providers.
Adoption of Technology, Management Practices, and Production Systems by U.S. Beef Cow-Calf Producers
Authors: Pruitt J. Ross , Gillespie Jeffrey M. , Nehring Richard F. , Qushim Berdikul
Published: July 2016

Using USDA's Agricultural Resource Management Survey data, factors leading to the adoption of technology, management practices, and production systems by U.S. beef cow-calf producers are analyzed. Binary logit regression models are used to determine impacts of vertical integration; region of the U.S.; farm size, diversification, and tenure; and demographics on adoption decisions. Significant differences were found in adoption rates by region of the U.S., degree of vertical integration, and size of operation, suggesting the presence of economies of size and vertical economies of scope. Results also indicate high degrees of complementarity among technologies, management practices, and production systems.
Factors Influencing Job Choice among Agricultural Economics Professionals
Authors: McGraw Katherine , Popp Jennie S. , Dixon Bruce L. , Newton Doris J.
Published: July 2016

This article identifies factors that influence agricultural economics professionals' job choice between academic and government employment. Respondents agreed that job responsibilities were the most important factor in choosing their current position. They also agreed that having a positive work environment, good salary, family time, adequate resources, and professional and social interaction were important job attributes. Proportionally more women than men regarded partner opportunities, nondiscrimination, time for child care, and supportive colleagues as very important attributes influencing their decisions. A binomial probit of respondents' current job sector indicates significant job choice determinants include sector preference (academic or government), previous professional experience, a positive work environment, and advancement opportunities.
Financialization and Structural Change in Commodity Futures Markets
Authors: Irwin Scott H. , Sanders Dwight R.
Published: July 2016

The first decade of the 21st century has perhaps witnessed more structural change in commodity futures markets than all previous decades combined. Not only have trading volumes and open interest increased markedly, but this time period also saw historic changes in both trading and participants. The available literature indicates that the irrational and harmful impacts of the structural changes in commodity futures markets over the last decade have been minimal. In particular, there is little evidence that passive index investment caused a massive bubble in commodity futures prices. There is intriguing evidence of several other rational and beneficial impacts of the structural changes over the last decade. In particular, the expanding market participation may have decreased risk premiums, and hence, the cost of hedging, reduced price volatility, and better integrated commodity markets with financial markets.
Goodwill and Export Promotion Dynamics
Authors: Kinnucan Henry W. , Gong Li
Published: July 2016

Federal subsidies for nonprice export promotion of farm products have been criticized on the grounds that they merely substitute taxpayer dollars for private promotional expenditures. This “displacement hypothesis” is tested by estimating export demand and advertising-goodwill re-lations using time series data for 1975-2008. The displacement hypothesis receives some support in that three of the nine tests show an inverse relationship between industry and government expenditures. However, the remaining tests show no relationship. These results, coupled with the finding of Kinnucan and Cai (2011) that expenditures for export promotion may be too high when consumer impacts are taken into account, suggest it is time to let the Market Access and Foreign Market Development programs operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture lapse.
The Response of Corn Acreage to Ethanol Plant Siting
Authors: Fatal Yehushua Shay , Thurman Walter N.
Published: July 2016

U.S. ethanol production capacity increased more than threefold between 2002 and 2008. We study the effect of this growth on corn acreage. Connecting annual changes in county-level corn acreage to changes in ethanol plant capacities, we find a positive effect on planted corn. The building of a typical plant is estimated to increase corn in the county by over 500 acres and to increase acreage in surrounding counties up to almost 300 miles away. All ethanol plants are estimated to increase corn production by less than their annual requirements.
A Risk Analysis of Adjusted Gross Revenue-Lite on Beef Farms
Authors: Williams Jeffery R. , Saffert Andrew T. , Barnaby G. Art , Llewelyn Richard V. , Langemeier Michael R.
Published: July 2016

This study evaluates the Adjusted Gross Revenue-Lite (AGR-Lite) whole-farm adjusted gross revenue insurance program on net farm income risk using panel data from 49 southeast Kansas beef farms. On average for the group, but not each individual farm, AGR-Lite reduces the mean and standard deviation of net farm income, raises the average minimum, and lowers the average maximum observations of the net income distribution. Thirty-four farms (69%) received at least one indemnity payment. Stochastic efficiency with respect to a function reveals that AGR-Lite is preferred by 18 of the farm managers (37%) when an upper bound on the risk-aversion coefficient is used.
Marginal Value of Quality Attributes for Natural and Organic Beef
Authors: Boland Michael , Schroeder Ted
Published: July 2016

The objective of this research is to determine the marginal value of attributes to consumers with respect to natural beef or beef produced with organic grains. A hedonic model is used to value attributes of 11 different primal cuts. Results suggest that producers under this particular natural/implant-free marketing alliance should market high-yielding animals rather than high-quality grading animals. Consumers of this beef value taste, as measured by dry aging, and leanness, as measured by USDA Select grade. The economic magnitudes of the variables under a producer's control were small relative to those that could be controlled by a processor.
Variable Rate Nitrogen Application on Corn Fields: The Role of Spatial Variability and Weather
Authors: Roberts Roland K. , Mahajanashetti S. B. , English Burton C. , Larson James A. , Tyler Donald D.
Published: July 2016

Meta-response functions for corn yields and nitrogen losses were estimated from EPIC-generated data for three soil types and three weather scenarios. These metamodels were used to evaluate variable rate (VRT) versus uniform rate (URT) nitrogen application technologies for alternative weather scenarios and policy options. Except under very dry conditions, returns per acre for VRT were higher than for URT and the economic advantage of VRT increased as realized rainfall decreased from expected average rainfall. Nitrogen losses to the environment from VRT were lower for all situations examined, except on fields with little spatial variability.
Using Insurance to Enhance Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Timing to Reduce Nitrogen Losses
Authors: Huang Wen-Yuan
Published: July 2016

Nitrogen applied before planting is more vulnerable to loss to the environment than nitrogen applied during the growing season, but the growing season application can increase the risk of lower yields caused by adverse weather that prohibits farmers to complete N application. An expected utility framework is used to illustrate the potential economic benefit of insurance for a farmer to reduce this risk cost. An expected-value variance analysis is used to illustrate the potential benefit of insurance to Iowa corn growers who apply N fertilizer only during the growing season.
Farm-Level Effects of Adopting Herbicide-Tolerant Soybeans in the U.S.A.
Authors: Fernandez-Cornejo Jorge , Klotz-Ingram Cassandra , Jans Sharon
Published: July 2016

This paper estimates the on-farm impacts of adopting herbicide-tolerant soybean on herbicide use, yields, and farm profits, using an econometric model that corrects for self-selection and simultaneity and is consistent with profit maximization. The model is estimated using nationwide farm-level survey data for 1997. Given that the use of herbicide-tolerant soybeans involves the substitution of a particular herbicide—primarily glyphosate—for other herbicides, we explicitly consider this substitution process in the model.
Applying a Method of Paired Comparisons to Measure Economic Values for Multiple Goods Sets
Authors: Rosenberger Randall S. , Peterson George L. , Loomis John B.
Published: July 2016

A method of paired comparison is adapted for use in estimating economic measures of value. The method elicits multiple binary choices for paired items in a choice set. Probability distributions and economic values are estimated nonparametrically and parametri-cally. The method is applied in an experimental context with a choice set composed of four private goods and several sums of money. The sample's median value estimates for the goods are generally not different than the market prices for these goods. People who are in the market for a good value it higher than those not in the market for the good.
Signaling Credit Risk in Agriculture: Implications for Capital Structure Analysis
Authors: Zhao Jianmei , Barry Peter J. , Katchova Ani L.
Published: July 2016

Signaling is an important element in the lender-borrower relationship that influences the cost and availability of debt capital to agricultural borrowers. This paper analyzes the effects of signaling on farm capital structure in conjunction with the pecking order and trade-off theories. The aggregate estimation indicates that signaling does affect agricultural credit relationships through measures of past cash flow and profitability. High-quality borrowers achieve greater credit capacity by providing lenders with valid signals of their financial status, while adjusting toward target debt levels over time and following the pecking order relationship in the short run.
India Edible Oil Consumption: A Censored Incomplete Demand Approach
Authors: Pan Suwen , Mohanty Samarendu , Welch Mark
Published: July 2016

A Censored Incomplete Demand System is applied to household expenditures for edible oil in India. The results show that edible peanut oil is still a luxury good in India, whereas expenditure elasticities for other edible oils are relatively low. The food habit, location, education of household heads, and other demographic variables have significant effects on the choice of edible oils.
Production Inefficiency in Fed Cattle Marketing and the Value of Sorting Pens into Alternative Marketing Groups Using Ultrasound Technology
Authors: Koontz Stephen R. , Hoag Dana L. , Brethour John R. , Walker Jodine
Published: July 2016

The cattle industry batch markets animals in pens. Because of this, animals within any one pen can be both underfed and overfed. Thus, there is a production inefficiency associated with batch marketing. We simulate the value of sorting animals through weight and ultrasound measurements from original pens into smaller alternative marketing groups. Sorting exploits the production inefficiency and enables cattle feeding enterprises to avoid meat quality discounts, capture premiums, more efficiently use feed resources, and increase returns. The value of sorting is between $15 and $25 per head, with declining marginal returns as the number of sort groups increases.
Income Effects on the Trade Balance in the United States: Analysis by Sector
Authors: Miljkovic Dragan , Paul Rodney
Published: July 2016

This study examines the causes of the countercyclicality of the trade balance in the three major sectors of the U.S. economy: services, manufacturing, and agriculture. These results are compared with the results pertinent to the U.S. economy as a whole. At the macroscopic level, Sachs' hypothesis seems to explain the countercyclicality of the trade balance, while results are mixed across individual sectors. The services sector may be explained by Sachs’ hypothesis, while results for the manufacturing sector are more consistent with the real business cycle hypothesis. The results for the agricultural sector, however, cannot be explained by either hypothesis.
Relative Importance of Factors Affecting Customer's Decisions to Buy Pick-Your-Own Versus Preharvested Fruit at North Carolina Farms
Authors: Carpio Carlos E. , Wohlgenant Michael K. , Safley Charles D.
Published: July 2016

This study identifies the most important factors affecting customers’ decisions to buy pick-your-own versus prepicked strawberries and muscadine grapes at direct-market operations in North Carolina. The relative importance analysis identified the region of location of the operations and prices as the explanatory variable explaining most of the variation observed in the customer's decision to choose the type of fruit to purchase. The estimated price elasticities indicate that sales of each type of fruit are very sensitive to prices.
Alternative Model Selection Using Forecast Error Variance Decompositions in Wholesale Chicken Markets
Authors: McKenzie Andrew M. , Goodwin Harold L. , Carreira Rita I.
Published: July 2016

Although Vector Autoregressive models are commonly used to forecast prices, specification of these models remains an issue. Questions that arise include choice of variables and lag length. This article examines the use of Forecast Error Variance Decompositions to guide the econometrician's model specification. Forecasting performance of Variance Autoregressive models, generated from Forecast Error Variance Decompositions, is analyzed within wholesale chicken markets. Results show that the Forecast Error Variance Decomposition approach has the potential to provide superior model selections to traditional Granger Causality tests.
Regional Wholesale Price Relationships in the Presence of Counter-Seasonal Imports
Authors: Raper Kellie Curry , Thornsbury Suzanne , Aguilar Cristobal
Published: July 2016

Counter-seasonal imports of fresh produce facilitate year-round availability in the U.S. and may impact the seasonal structure of market price relationships. Vector autoregression analysis is used to determine the nature and extent of spatial price relationships among four geographically distinct regions in the U.S. fresh peach wholesale market. We evaluate differences in regional spatial price relationships and find statistical evidence that price relationships among regions are different in periods dominated by regional domestic supplies imports compared with periods when counter-seasonal imports dominate the market.
The Food versus Fuel Debate: Implications for Consumers
Authors: Harrison R. Wes
Published: July 2016

The effects of biofuel production on commodity prices and their transmission to retail food prices are discussed. Factors driving higher commodity prices are tight global supplies and increased demand of corn ethanol in the short term. Evidence suggests that higher corn prices contribute to food price inflation for some food items. These include eggs, poultry, pork, beef and milk. The findings imply that food price inflation for these items is related to increased production of corn ethanol, primarily because of high oil prices. Higher oil prices also increase fuel and energy costs, which increase marketing costs for all food categories.
Community Development and Local Social Capital
Authors: Jordan Jeffrey L. , Anil Bulent , Munasib Abdul
Published: July 2016

While a substantial amount of research has been devoted to showing what social capital does, research explaining social capital itself lags behind. The literature has a long tradition of examining the effect of social capital on local economic growth and development. In this paper we examine whether local economic development can explain the variation in social capital across various geographical clusters in the state of Georgia. We begin by devising a measurement tool, a Human Development Index (HDI), to measure community development. Our social capital measure includes associational memberships, voluntary activities, and philanthropy obtained from the Georgia Social Capital Survey. The findings show that even after accounting for various demographic and economic characteristics, the HDI explains the variation in a number of social capital levels (especially those measured by associational involvement) across various geographical clusters in the state of Georgia.
Agricultural Contracts and Alternative Marketing Options: A Matching Analysis
Authors: Katchova Ani L.
Published: July 2016

The increasing use of agricultural contracts and processor concentration raises concerns that processors may offer lower contract prices in absence of local competition. This study examines the price competitiveness of marketing and production contracts depending on the availability of alternative marketing options. A propensity score matching method is used to compare prices using contract data from a farm-level national survey. The results show that the absence of other contractors or spot markets in producers' areas does not lead to statistically significant price differences in agricultural contracts for most commodities, providing evidence that most agricultural processors do not exercise market power by reducing prices when other local buyers are not available.
Dynamic Adjustment of U.S. Agriculture to Energy Price Changes
Authors: Lambert David K. , Gong Jian
Published: July 2016

Energy prices increased significantly following the first energy price shock of 1973. Agricultural producers found few short run substitution possibilities as relative factor prices changed. Inelastic demands resulted in total expenditures on energy inputs that have closely followed energy price changes over time. A dynamic cost function model is estimated to derive short and long run adjustments within U.S. agriculture between 1948 and 2002 to changes in relative input prices. The objective is to measure the degree of farm responsiveness to energy price changes and if this responsiveness has changed over time. Findings support inelastic demands for all farm inputs. Statistical results support moderate increases in responses to energy and other input price changes in the 1980s. However, demands for all inputs remain inelastic in both the short and long run. Estimation of share equations associated with a dynamic cost function indicates that factor adjustment to input price changes are essentially complete within 1 year.
A Flexible Parametric Family for the Modeling and Simulation of Yield Distributions
Authors: Ramirez Octavio A. , McDonald Tanya U. , Carpio Carlos E.
Published: July 2016

The distributions currently used to model and simulate crop yields are unable to accommodate a substantial subset of the theoretically feasible mean-variance-skewness-kurtosis (MVSK) hyperspace. Because these first four central moments are key determinants of shape, the available distributions might not be capable of adequately modeling all yield distributions that could be encountered in practice. This study introduces a system of distributions that can span the entire MVSK space and assesses its potential to serve as a more comprehensive parametric crop yield model, improving the breadth of distributional choices available to researchers and the likelihood of formulating proper parametric models.
The Economics of Regulations on Hen Housing in California
Authors: Sumner Daniel A. , Matthews William A. , Mench Joy A. , Rosen-Molina J. Thomas
Published: July 2016

Beginning January 1, 2015, conventional cage housing for egg-laying hens is scheduled to be prohibited in California. We consider the economic implications of the new hen housing regulations on the California shell egg industry. Our data show that egg production is more costly using noncage systems than conventional cages. The main result of the new regulations will be a drastic reduction in the number of eggs produced in California, a large increase in egg shipments from out of state, little if any change in hen housing for eggs consumed in California, and little change in egg prices in California.
Lessons Learned in the Southern Region after the First Year of Implementation of the New Commodity Programs
Authors: Campiche Jody , Harris Wes
Published: July 2016

The development of the commodity programs in the 2008 Farm Bill involved the origination of two complex revenue support initiatives. The two new programs, Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) and Supplemental Revenue Assurance (SURE), expanded the risk management tool kit of agricultural producers. The SURE program is a permanent disaster assistance program, whereas the ACRE program is a revenue-based commodity program offered as an alternative to the price-based Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program (DCP) created in the 2002 Farm Bill. For the 2009 signup, only 7.7% of eligible U.S. farms enrolled in the ACRE program. In the southern region, three states had no farms electing ACRE and four others had less than 50. Excluding Oklahoma, less than 1% of all farms in 13 southern states made the ACRE election.
Technical Barriers to Interstate Trade: Noxious Weed Regulations
Authors: Gopinath Munisamy , Min He , Buccola Steven
Published: July 2016

We focus on regulations controlling the spread of noxious weeds, especially the trade effects of regulatory differences across U.S. states. We specify a gravity model for each state's seed, nursery product, and commodity trade with each other state. Within the gravity model, we examine the role of cross-state regulatory congruence arising from ecological and agronomic characteristics and interest-group lobbying. A spatial-autoregressive Tobit model is estimated with a modified expectation-maximization algorithm. Results show that weed regulatory congruence positively affects interstate trade. By fostering cross-state regulatory differences, consumer and commodity-producer lobbying reduce the value of interstate trade by about two percent per annum.
An Improved Method for Calibrating Purchase Intentions in Stated Preference Demand Models
Authors: Davies Stephen , Loomis John
Published: July 2016

The Orbit demand model allows the magnitude of the calibration to stated purchase intentions to vary based on the magnitude of the stated quantities. Using an empirical example of stated trips, we find that the extent of calibration varies substantially with less correction needed at small stated trips (-25%) but larger corrections at higher quantities of stated visits (-48%). We extend the Orbit model to calculate consumer surplus per stated trip of $26. Combining the calibrations in stated trips and value per trip, the Orbit model provides estimates of annual benefits from 60% to 111% less than the count data model.
The Effect of Increased Energy Prices on Agriculture: A Differential Supply Approach
Authors: Moss Charles B. , Livanis Grigorios , Schmitz Andrew
Published: July 2016

The increase in energy prices between 2004 and 2007 has several potential consequences for aggregate agriculture in the U.S. We estimate the derived input demand elasticities for energy as well as capital, labor, and materials using the differential supply formulation. Given that the derived input demand for energy is inelastic, it is more price-responsive than the other inputs. The results also indicate that the U.S. aggregate agricultural supply function is responsive to energy prices.
Potential Impacts of Foodborne Illness Incidences on Market Movements and Prices of Fresh Produce in the U.S.
Authors: Palma Marco A. , Ribera Luis A. , Bessler David , Paggi Mechel , Knutson Ronald D.
Published: July 2016

This study investigates the potential impacts of food safety outbreaks on domestic shipments, imports, and prices of the produce industry. Three case studies were analyzed to assess these potential impacts: the cantaloupe outbreak of March–April 2008, the spinach outbreak of September 2006, and the tomato outbreak of June–July 2008. Data-determined historical decompositions were conducted to provide a weekly picture of domestic shipment, import, and price fluctuation transmissions. The empirical analysis based on a vector autoregression (VAR) model showed differences in the results depending on the source of the outbreak (domestic vs. imported).
Ascertaining the Impact of the 2000 USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans on the Intake of Calories, Caffeine, Calcium, and Vitamin C from At-Home Consumption of Nonalcoholic Beverages
Authors: Dharmasena Senarath , Capps Oral , Clauson Annette
Published: July 2016

Obesity is one of the most pressing and widely emphasized health problems in America today. Beverage choices made by households have impacts on determining the intake of calories, calcium, caffeine, and vitamin C. Using data from the Nielsen Homescan Panel over the period 1998-2003, and a two-way random-effects Fuller-Battese error components procedure, we estimate econometric models to examine economic and demographic factors affecting per-capita daily intake of calories, calcium, caffeine, and vitamin C derived from the consumption of nonalcoholic beverages. Our study demonstrates the effectiveness of the USDA 2000 Dietary Guidelines in reducing caloric and nutrient intake associated with nonalcoholic beverages.
Business Establishment Growth in the Appalachian Region, 2000-2007: An Application of Smooth Transition Spatial Process Models
Authors: Xu Wan , Lambert Dayton M.
Published: July 2016

Business establishment growth in the Appalachian region (2000-2007) was regressed on industry sector composition controlling for demographic, physical, and economic determinants. We test the hypothesis that local response to growth determinants is geographically heterogeneous using Smooth Transition spatial process models. This class of models exhibiting endogenous regime switching behavior provides another tool for exploring the spatially heterogeneous effects of local determinants on economic growth.
Discussion: Applications and Innovations in Spatial Econometrics
Authors: LeSage James P.
Published: July 2016

These articles provide a discussion of studies presented in a session on spatial econometrics, focusing on the ability of spatial regression models to quantify the magnitude of spatial spillover impacts. Both articles presented argue that a proper modeling of spatial spillovers is required to truly understand the phenomena under study, in one case the impact of climate change on land values (or crop yields) and in the second the role of regional industry composition on regional business establishment growth.
Discussion: Water Scarcity-Future Uses and Implications for Policy
Authors: Willis David B.
Published: July 2016

The three articles presented at this invited session examine the evolution of water policy planning and the implementation of regulatory tools to achieve water conservation objectives. Two articles focus on Texas water issues and the third focuses on the Georgia planning experience. Each article clearly illustrates the value of sharing advances in hydrologic and economic modeling with local community stakeholder groups to facilitate the credible development of regional water management plans. Moreover, each article hints that stronger regulatory tools may be needed to achieve long-run policy objectives.
A Spatial Probit Modeling Approach to Account for Spatial Spillover Effects in Dichotomous Choice Contingent Valuation Surveys
Authors: Loomis John B. , Mueller Julie M.
Published: July 2016

We present a demonstration of a Bayesian spatial probit model for a dichotomous choice contingent valuation method willingness-to-pay (WTP) questions. If voting behavior is spatially correlated, spatial interdependence exists within the data, and standard probit models will result in biased and inconsistent estimated nonbid coefficients. Adjusting sample WTP to population WTP requires unbiased estimates of the nonbid coefficients, and we find a $17 difference in population WTP per household in a standard vs. spatial model. We conclude that failure to correctly model spatial dependence can lead to differences in WTP estimates with potentially important policy ramifications.
Do Big Crops Get Bigger and Small Crops Get Smaller? Further Evidence on Smoothing in U.S. Department of Agriculture Forecasts
Authors: Isengildina Olga , Irwin Scott H. , Good Darrel L.
Published: July 2016

This study sought to determine whether monthly revisions of U.S. Department of Agriculture current-year corn and soybean yield forecasts are correlated and whether this correlation is associated with crop size. An ex-ante measure of crop size based on percent deviation of the current estimate from out-of-sample trend is used in efficiency tests based on the Nordhaus framework for fixed-event forecasts. Results show that available information about crop size is generally efficiently incorporated in these forecasts. Thus, although this pattern may appear obvious to market analysts in hindsight, it is largely based on new information and hence difficult to anticipate.