bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustaining Development of Environmental Education in National Political and Curriculum Priorities
Authors: Gough Annette Greenall
Published: July 2016

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between national economic and political priorities and environmental education policy formulation and curriculum strategies. This relationship will be placed in the historical context of developments in environmental education in Australia from 1970 until the present and will be analysed in terms of the ideological and pedagogical stances implicit, and explicit, in the developments during this period. I will argue that the emphasis throughout the period has been to sustain the development of environmental education without any questioning of why, what and how this development should occur.

‘Sustainable development’ has become a slogan for governments, industry and conservation groups in recent times. It was the subtitle for the World Conservation Strategy (IUCN 1980) and the National Conservation Strategy for Australia (DHAE 1984) - living resource conservation for sustainable development - and was popularised in the report of the World Commission on Environment and Development, more commonly known as the Brundtland Report or Our Common Future (WCED 1987). The definition of sustainable development given in the World Conservation Strategy (IUCN 1980: section 1.3) and repeated in the National Conservation Strategy for Australia (DHAE 1984: 12) is as follows:

Development is…the modification of the biosphere and the application of human, financial, living and non-living resources to satisfy human needs and improve the quality of human life. For development to be sustainable it must take account of social and ecological factors, as well as economic ones; of the living and nonliving resource base; and of the long term as well as the short term advantages and disadvantages of alternative actions.
Measuring the Environment with Thoughtful Rulers: The Importance of Environmental Indicators
Authors: Henty Jenny
Published: July 2016

How do we ‘know’ that environmental problems exist? For most of the general public it is because scientists and other experts tell us via the print and electronic media. In affluent, urban societies we rely on scientific interpretation because we are so far removed from intimate involvement with the environment by time, space, technology and social constructions that what we are told and what we experience (sense) do not correspond. Because we do not experience our adverse impact on the environment as a loss to ourselves, our family or identifiable community, we are not motivated to change the way we think and act.
The Social Constructions of Money
Authors: Spruzen Ben
Published: July 2016

As Buchan (1998) so aptly puts it, money is incarnate desire; it is many things to many people. It has served to shape society through the advent of trade in ancient civilizations, or as the catalyst for military campaigns. The purpose of this paper is to examine the physical mechanisms that perpetuate society's reliance on money, and to uncover the social constructions that allow society to value money despite its various forms.

There is no all encompassing rule or set of standards governing the physical form of money. Certainly there are more established and accepted forms of money or currency that have been adopted by various nations, providing symbols of national identity. The most notable the US dollar, the most widely accepted and common benchmark for international currencies. Contrasted with the Indonesian rupiah, which holds little value in the international market, a value reflected in the country's relatively low international standing. Such differences are the result of a bigger system based on international trade and comparative advantage whose boundaries lie beyond the definition of this discussion.
The Australian Master Tree Grower Program
Authors: Reid Rowen
Published: July 2016

The Department of Forestry at The University of Melbourne with the financial support of the Myer Foundation, the RIRDC/LWRRDC/FWPRDC Joint Venture Agroforestry Program (JVAP) and the National Farm Forestry Program (AFFA) have developed and are delivering a unique and innovative participatory outreach and extension program for farmers active in revegetation, farm forestry and remnant forest management. Since the first program in 1996, 25 regional Australian Master Tree Grower (MTG) programs have been conducted involving more than 500 landholders across Australia.

By acknowledging and drawing on the commitment and experience of locally selected tree growers, the MTG program aims to instil confidence through knowledge, provide farmers with a support network and encourage them to truly aspire to be ‘master tree growers’ in their own right. By starting with the landholders' motivations, rather than ending with them, the program allows participants to investigate and farm forestry projects. This is leading to the full potential of multipurpose tree growing to be realised for economic, social and environmental outcomes for farmers and their rural communities.
Wildscape—from the Gould League
Authors: Lomdahl Andrea
Published: July 2016

In the current climate of Internet popularity, and the growth in the use of learning technologies in the classroom, there is increasing demand for the development of new and engaging web sites for use in schools. Most environmental education web sites and online learning programs still deliver information and continue to ‘raise awareness’ of environmental issues. The Gould League believes the internet can be used to take environmental education beyond awareness raising and web sites can be developed that empower students and their teachers and deliver both environmental and educational outcomes.

Wildscape is accessed through the Gould League web site and was the first of the Gould League's web-based online learning programs. It was created in response to requests from teachers for assistance with practical school ground environmental projects.
In the Words of Children and Young People: The Opinions and Concerns about their Environments of Some Brisbane School Students
Authors: Kwan Tammy , Miles John
Published: July 2016

This paper reports on a study into the environmental opinions and concerns of a sample of Brisbane children in the upper primary, junior and senior secondary years. The study adopted a qualitative approach. Children's opinions about the environments around them and beyond were gathered using open-ended question items and focus group discussions. The study revealed that the upper primary children participating were most obviously concerned about their immediate personal environments. The junior and senior secondary students were more concerned about their natural environments to which they showed strong positive associations. On the other hand, all participants wanted to undertake personal action for change in their social environments at local, national and global levels.
Childrens' Conceptions of Nature
Authors: Payne Phillip
Published: July 2016

This paper describes a study of sixth grade children's conceptions of nature and the environment. In so doing, it asks that environmental educators pay more attention to children's preconceived notions of environment and nature. Should this occur the theory-practice gap in environmental education may be diminished. Learners' concepts of ‘nature’ and the ‘environment’ provide a needed perspective for the development of individually and contextually appropriate teaching and learning strategies in environmental education. Without knowledge of them it is not clear whose version of environment it is which the learner is being educated ‘in’, ‘about’, ‘with’ or ‘for’.
Environmental Education and Interpretation: Developing an Affective Difference
Authors: Howard Jonathon
Published: July 2016

Rather than create another definition this paper explores the philosophy of interpretation in order to identify its core values. This shows that the main difference between environmental interpretation and environmental education is whether affect is considered to be pre-or post-cognitive. To the interpreter particularly significant experiences create deep emotional responses in participants that need no explanation. While moods, feelings and emotions are known to be important to attitude and behaviour change, how they create behaviour change is largely unknown. Interpretation will only make significant advances and become more challenging when it is informed by articulated theory. The implications for practice are that affective rather than cognitive models of learning need to be both employed and explored in future.
Interpretation in Environmental Education—An Introduction to the Papers in this Issue
Authors: Beckmann Elizabeth , Devlin Pat , Wearing Stephen
Published: July 2016

The sub-editorial group which considered the interpretation papers in the following section consisted of Elizabeth Beckmann, who provided the introduction below, Pat Devlin and Stephen Wearing.

Environmental interpretation occurs as part of the educational continuum that ranges from simple awareness-raising sought by promotional activities to the major attitudinal shifts often pursued in environmental lifestyle education. Interpretation has long been seen by natural resource managers and others not only as “an educational activity…to reveal meaning and relationships” (Tilden 1977) but also as a means of creating “a desire to contribute to environmental conservation” (Aldridge 1974). In 1996 how are we using interpretive theory, techniques and programs to contribute towards developing the cutting edge of environmental education?
Wetland management — Kakadu National Park
Authors: Skeat A.J.
Published: July 2016

The wetlands of Kakadu National Park have received national and international recognition. Their significance lies in their large size, the great diversity and high biomass of plants and animals which they support, and the level of protection and management afforded them. The management of these wetlands is influenced by many factors including a uranium mine, a range of alien plants and animals, increasing tourism, an environment subject to change, and Aboriginal ownership of part of the land. Maintaining wetland conservation values appropriate to a major national park and a World Heritage area requires considerable research and management and a continued high level of funding.
Teacher training using wetlands
Authors: Maddock Max
Published: July 2016

Environmental Education for student teachers requires careful design and operation to achieve desired ends. Initiatives taken in the Newcastle region have culminated in a teacher training program utilising local field studies centres with a variety of teaching experiences in mind. This article describes these experiences and notes the condition effecting the viability and vitality of such an approach to teacher training in environmental education.
EE & TV: Getting the message across
Authors: Ellis Howard
Published: July 2016

Video is presented as a form of teaching technology that has special potential for providing interesting, informative and up-to-date resources for environmental education. The writer describes his personal experience of producing an educational video which represents a case study in wetlands issues. These issues are related to the National Conservation Strategy for Australia and illustrated by human impacts on the area concerned.
Land ethics — who needs them?
Authors: Roberts B.
Published: July 2016

Land degradation through erosion and salinity is Australia's most urgent environmental problem.

Despite the extent and rate of land deterioration, it is not a political issue and has no lobby. Solution to the problem lies in education, incentives and regulations, each in their appropriate role.

Basically Australia needs a fundamental change in attitude toward the land based on land ethics. Fifteen specific concepts are recommended for teaching in schools to encourage a sustainable ecological basis for rural production.

The author challenges environmental educators to recognize and pursue the need for land ethics as the cornerstone of Australia's soil conservation campaign and points out that, without a fundamental change of heart leading to greater respect and humility toward the land, neither laws or finances will reverse the present deteriorating situation on the land.
Arid land management
Authors: Christie E.K.
Published: July 2016

Australia's arid and semiarid lands comprise about 80% of the continent. The human population of around 300,000 is very low. The dominant land use is the pastoral industry. However, other interacting land uses include national parks, mining and aboriginal lands. Some of the impacts of European people on soils, vegetation and native wildlife, following almost 200 years of settlement are discussed.

Management of arid lands for sustainable long-term yield requires integrated studies into the physical and biological environment. The central issue for the administration and management of arid grazing lands is the accurate estimation of grazing capacity in relation to the wide annual fluctuations in available forage for livestock in arid regions. Any estimate for grazing capacity must be such that wool or meat production is maximal, or near-maximal, and that soil and vegetation stability is maintained over the long-term. The basic ecological components for such an arid grazing land management programme are described. The programme also provides the essential information base on which future decisions on land administration issues can be made by policy makers.
Does Farm Size and Specialization Matter for Productive Efficiency? Results from Kansas
Authors: Mugera Amin W. , Langemeier Michael R.
Published: July 2016

In this article, we used bootstrap data envelopment analysis techniques to examine technical and scale efficiency scores for a balanced panel of 564 farms in Kansas for the period 1993–2007. The production technology is estimated under three different assumptions of returns to scale and the results are compared. Technical and scale efficiency is disaggregated by farm size and specialization. Our results suggest that farms are both scale and technically inefficient. On average, technical efficiency has deteriorated over the sample period. Technical efficiency varies directly by farm size and the differences are significant. Differences across farm specializations are not significant.
Determining Optimal Levels of Nitrogen Fertilizer Using Random Parameter Models
Authors: Tumusiime Emmanuel , B. Wade Brorsen , Mosali Jagadeesh , Johnson Jim , Locke James , Biermacher Jon T.
Published: July 2016

The parameters of yield response functions can vary by year. Past studies usually assume yield functions are nonstochastic or “limited” stochastic. In this study, we estimate rye–ryegrass yield functions in which all parameters are random. The three functional forms considered are the linear response plateau, the quadratic, and the Spillman-Mitscherlich. Nonstochastic yield models are rejected in favor of stochastic parameter models. Quadratic functional forms fit the data poorly. Optimal nitrogen application recommendations are calculated for the linear response plateau and Spillman-Mitscherlich. The stochastic models lead to smaller recommended levels of nitrogen, but the economic benefits of using fully stochastic crop yield functions are small because expected profit functions are relatively flat for the stochastic yield functions. Stochastic crop yield functions provide a way of incorporating production, uncertainty into input decisions.
A Comparison of Hypothetical Survey Rankings with Consumer Shopping Behavior
Authors: Grebitus Carola , Colson Gregory , Menapace Luisa
Published: July 2016

Hypothetical surveys are commonly used to elicit consumer behavior to guide product development, marketing, and labeling strategies. However, despite the prevalence of surveys in consumer food studies, previous work has not assessed the relationship between hypothetical responses and actual consumer behavior in real-world purchase situations. We explore whether attributes cited by consumers in surveys as being important to them when making decisions indeed factor into their product decision process in real-world markets. Evidence from a point of sale study of 702 pork purchasers indicates that there is a strong correspondence between hypothetical survey ratings and actual shopping behavior.
Understanding Ornamental Plant Market Shares to Rewholesaler, Retailer, and Landscaper Channels
Authors: Hinson Roger A. , Paudel Krishna P. , Velástegui Marco
Published: July 2016

Market channel alternatives that include garden centers, landscapers, mass merchandisers, and rewholesalers have contributed to the growth of ornamental crops sales in the United States. The impact of growers' business characteristics on shares of sales to these channels by firm size was estimated using the two-limit Tobit model. Important explanatory variables were regions of the United States, sales of plant groups, kinds of contract sales, and channel diversity. There were important differences in behavior by grower size. Overall, the results indicate a stronger than expected role for the rewholesaler channel as a preferred channel for ornamental plant sales.
Comparing the Cost-Effectiveness of Water Conservation Policies in a Depleting Aquifer: A Dynamic Analysis of the Kansas High Plains
Authors: Ding Ya , Peterson Jeffrey M.
Published: July 2016

This research analyzes two groundwater conservation policies in the Kansas High Plains located within the Ogallala aquifer: 1) cost-share assistance to increase irrigation efficiency; and 2) incentive payments to convert irrigated crop production to dryland crop production. To compare the cost-effectiveness of these two policies, a dynamic model simulated a representative irrigator's optimal technology choice, crop selection, and irrigation water use over time. The results suggest that the overall water-saving effectiveness can be improved when different policy tools are considered under different conditions. High prevailing crop prices greatly reduce irrigators' incentive to give up irrigation and therefore cause low enrollment and ineffectiveness of the incentive payment program. In areas with low aquifer-saturated thickness, the incentive payment program is more effective, whereas in areas with relatively higher water availability, the cost-share program could be a better choice.
Historical Performance of Commodity and Stock Markets
Authors: Zapata Hector O. , Detre Joshua D. , Hanabuchi Tatsuya
Published: July 2016

This paper examines two interrelated issues in commodity markets, namely, the cyclical relationship between stocks and commodities and the function of commodity and agribusiness indexes in portfolios. A high negative correlation has existed between stock and commodity prices over the past 140 years. Moreover, the two markets have alternated in price leadership with 29-32-year cycles. The recent price dominance in agricultural commodities started in 2000, a result supported by the empirical results of the portfolio allocation analysis. For a risk-averse investor, irrespective of the period analyzed, placing funds in agribusiness and/or agricultural commodity indexes was sound investing.
The Biggest Bang for the Buck: Valuation of Various Components of a Regional Promotion Campaign by Participating Restaurants
Authors: Xie Ran , Isengildina-Massa Olga , Carpio Carlos E.
Published: July 2016

This study examined how various components of theCertified South Carolinacampaign are valued by participating restaurants. A choice experiment was conducted to estimate the average willingness to pay (WTP) for each campaign component using a mixed logit model. Three existing campaign components—Labeling, Multimedia Advertising, and the “Fresh on the Menu” program—were found to have a significant positive economic value. Results also revealed that the type of restaurant, the level of satisfaction with the campaign, and the factors motivating participation significantly affected restaurants' WTP for the campaign components.
Impacts of Climate Change on Economics of Forestry and Adaptation Strategies in the Southern United States
Authors: Susaeta Andres , Carter Douglas R. , Adams Damian C.
Published: July 2016

This article analyzes the impacts of different levels of forest productivity scenarios, disturbance risk, and salvageable rates resulting from climate change on the economics of loblolly pine in the southern United States. Potential adaptation strategies examined include reduction in planting density and use of slash pine instead of loblolly pine. Economic returns are most sensitive to changes in disturbance risk and productivity changes as compared with the salvage rate, planting density, or species selection. Loblolly pine with low planting density economically outperforms high-density loblolly pine. Slash pine is generally a less viable option compared with loblolly pine in most cases.
Discounting Spotted Apples: Investigating Consumers' Willingness to Accept Cosmetic Damage in an Organic Product
Authors: Yue Chengyan , Alfnes Frode , Jensen Helen H.
Published: July 2016

The appearance of organic produce is often less than perfect because of limited methods of avoiding plant diseases. We combine hypothetical and real auction mechanisms to investigate how cosmetic damage affects Consumers' willingness to pay for apples. We find that 75% of the participants are willing to pay more for organic than for conventional apples given identical appearance. However, at the first sight of any imperfection in the appearance of the organic apples, this segment is significantly reduced. Furthermore, the cosmetic damage has a larger impact on the willingness to pay for organic apples than for conventional apples.
Probabilistic Models of Yield, Price, and Revenue Risks for Fed Cattle Production
Authors: Belasco Eric J. , Taylor Mykel R. , Goodwin Barry K. , Schroeder Ted C.
Published: July 2016

Cattle feeding enterprises operate amid variability originating in prices and production. This research explicitly models yield risks related to cattle feeding by relating the mean and variance of yield performance factors to observable conditioning variables. The results demonstrate that pen characteristics, such as entry weight, gender, placement season, and location influence the mean and variability of yield factors, defined as dry matter feed conversion, average daily gain, mortality, and animal health costs.Ex anteprofit distributions, conditional on cattle placement characteristics, are derived through simulation methods to evaluate the effects of price or yield shocks on the distributional characteristics of expected profits.
On the Dynamic Relationship between U.S. Farm Income and Macroeconomic Variables
Authors: Baek Jungho , Koo Won W.
Published: July 2016

This study examines the short- and long-run effects of changes in macroeconomic variables—agricultural commodity prices, interest rates and exchange rates—on the U.S. farm income. For this purpose, we adopt an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach to cointegration with quarterly data for 1989–2008. Results show that the exchange rate plays a crucial role in determining the long-ran behavior of U.S. farm income, but has little effect in the short-run. We also find that the commodity price and interest rate have been significant determinants of U.S. farm income in both the short- and long-run over the past two decades.
Discussion: Exchange Rates, Energy Policy and Outcomes in Agricultural Markets
Authors: Rosson C. Parr
Published: July 2016

These three invited papers examine the role that exchange rates may have in influencing commodity prices, input prices and farm income. The papers arguably represent one of the most important recent attempts to quantify and explain these new linkages. As U.S. and world agriculture moves from a period of high output prices to a period of lower prices, understanding the impact of macroeconomic variables on farm input costs and farm income will become more important. Further, it will be equally important for policy makers to undertake appropriate market interventions in order to have maximum effectiveness should this period of cost-price-squeeze continue to intensify. Each of the papers has something significant to contribute to the understanding and debate of these new linkages between agriculture, the macroeconomic environment, and the energy sector.
The Impact of Integration Strategies on Food Business Firm Value
Authors: Dorsey Sarah , Boland Michael
Published: July 2016

The objective of this study is to analyze whether a discount or premium exists for coordination strategies in food processing, wholesale grocery, retail supermarkets, and restaurants. Significant premiums are found for food processor and restaurant vertical integration or diversification strategies. Significant discounts are found for food wholesaler and retail supermarket integration or diversification strategies. Food processors are found to be integrating toward retail supermarkets during this time period.
Willingness-to-Pay for Attribute Level and Variability: The Case of Mexican Millers' Demand for Hard Red Winter Wheat
Authors: Gallardo R. Karina , Lusk Jayson L. , Holcomb Rodney B. , Rayas-Duarte Patricia
Published: July 2016

In-person interviews were carried out with Mexican millers who were administered a conjoint-type survey designed to incorporate uncertainty in attribute levels. Two methods were used to model millers' risk preferences: a modified mean-variance approach and an explicit expected utility approach. Controlling for variability, Mexican millers are willing to pay premiums for increases in quality factors such as test weight, protein content, falling number, and dough strength/extensibility. We find millers are not particularly sensitive to changes in the variability of quality characteristics. Out-of-sample forecasts suggest the mean-variance model provides an accurate depiction of actual Mexican imports.
Factors Influencing Wheat Yield and Variability: Evidence from Manitoba, Canada
Authors: Carew Richard , Smith Elwin G. , Grant Cynthia
Published: July 2016

Production functions to explain regional wheat yields have not been studied extensively in the Canadian prairies. The objective of this study is to employ a Just-Pope production function to examine the relationship between fertilizer inputs, soil quality, biodiversity indicators, cultivars qualifying for Plant Breeders' Rights (PBR), and climatic conditions on the mean and variance of spring wheat yields. Using regional-level wheat data from Manitoba, Canada, model results show nitrogen fertilizer, temporal diversity, and PBR wheat cultivars are associated with increased yield variance. Mean wheat yield is reduced by the proportion of land in wheat, the interaction of growing temperature and precipitation, and spatial diversity. By contrast, higher soil quality and PBR wheat cultivars increase mean yield. The wheat yield increases attributed to PBR range from 37.2 (1.4%) to 54.5 kg/ha (2.0%). Plant Breeders' Rights may have enhanced royalties from increased certified seed sales, but the benefits in terms of higher wheat yield or lower yield variability are limited. Future research is required to understand the interactive effects of fertilization practices, genetic diversity, and environmental conditions on regional wheat yield stability.
An Assessment of Dynamic Behavior in the U.S. Catfish Market: An Application of the Generalized Dynamic Rotterdam Model
Authors: Muhammad Andrew , Jones Keithly G.
Published: July 2016

The generalized dynamic Rotterdam model was used in estimating U.S. demand for disaggregated catfish. The overall goal was to examine habit persistence in consumption and to determine the adjustment process in demand. Results indicated that it took up to 1 month for catfish-product demand to fully adjust to changes in expenditures and prices. Additionally, habit persistence played a role in demand where present consumption of a given product was positively affected by past consumption of that product. Consequently, U.S. catfish demand was significantly more elastic in the long-ran.
Welfare Impacts of the Mexico Potato Quarantine
Authors: Richards Timothy J. , Molina Ignacio , Hussein Osman
Published: July 2016

Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) tariffs on U.S. potato imports to Mexico were phased out by 1993. Citing phytosanitary issues, in 1996, the Mexican government placed quantitative restrictions on U.S. potato imports and restricted their import only to designated border areas. This article estimates the welfare cost of restricting U.S. potato imports into Mexico. We find that removing trade restrictions may lead to over 1.8 million tons of new imports into Mexico, a gain of consumer surplus of 4.0 billion pesos per year, and a loss of 2.9 billion pesos of producer surplus.
Factors Affecting Adoption of Recommended Management Practices in Stocker Cattle Production
Authors: Johnson Rachel J. , Doye Damona , Lalman David L. , Peel Derrell S. , Raper Kellie Curry , Chung Chanjin
Published: July 2016

Binary logit regression models were used to estimate factors affecting adoption of recommended management practices. Variables analyzed include aspects of farm structure, human capital, farm objectives, and production system employed by the producer. Results reveal that operation size and dependency upon income from the stocker operation, in particular, influence the adoption of recommended practices. Older producers and those pursuing a year-round production strategy were found to lag in adoption.
What Explains the Incidence of the Use of a Common Sediment Control on Lots with Houses Under Construction?
Authors: Templeton Scott R. , Sessions William T. , Haselbach Liv M. , Campbell Wallace A. , Hayes John C.
Published: July 2016

To analyze compliance with one aspect of the regulation of stormwater discharge, we estimate a random-utility model of the probability that a builder uses a silt fence to control sediments on a lot with a house under construction in an urbanizing county of South Carolina. The probability increases if the builder is responsible to the subdivision's developer or if a homeowners association exists. The probability also increases as the cost to install a silt fence decreases or the number of houses under construction per built house in a subdivision increases. The results can help county officials target inspection to improve compliance.
Hog Options: Contract Redesign and Market Efficiency
Authors: Urcola Hernán A. , Irwin Scott H.
Published: July 2016

This article tests the efficiency of the hog options market and assesses the impact of the 1996 contract redesign on efficiency. We find that the hog options market is efficient, but some options yielded excess returns during the live hogs period but not during the lean hogs period. Our findings indicate that the hog options market is efficient and is consistent with the new contract improving the efficiency of the market. However, other market conditions such as lower transaction costs during the lean hogs period can also contribute to reduce expected option returns during the latter period.
Agricultural Productivity Convergence: Myth or Reality?
Authors: Poudel Biswo N. , Paudel Krishna P. , Zilberman David
Published: July 2016

We tested agricultural productivity convergence in the United States using the state level total factor productivity data and utilizing new estimation and cluster identification methods to identify convergence in the data. The empirical investigation did not indicate any evidence of agricultural total factor productivity (TFP) convergence at the state level. However, we found the evidence of TFP convergence at the regional level for some regions/clusters.
Consumer Welfare Effects of Quantity Changes in Demand
Authors: Huang Kuo S.
Published: July 2016

Information about consumer welfare effects associated with quantity changes in demand is important for agricultural and food policy decision-makers because many policy options are directly related to controlling supplies as a means to stabilize or raise commodity prices and farmers' income. A new method is developed to measure the consumer welfare effects by using the estimates of an inverse demand system and a modified quantity-adjusted Malmquist index to represent the efficiency in quantity metric welfare. The methodology is validated by applying it to a U.S. inverse food demand system consisting of 13 food groups and a nonfood sector.
Determination of the Value of Minimum Sire Accuracy Traits
Authors: Elliott Lisa M. , Parcell Joe L. , Patterson David J.
Published: July 2016

Using Missouri Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifers Inc. sale data, this article uses hedonic modeling to assess the marginal implicit values of physical and genetic characteristics, expected performance characteristics of calves, and market factors to bred heifer price. In 2008, a higher quality standard, known as Tier II, was created combining minimum expected progeny difference (EPD) accuracies for a heifer's sire with previous heifer standards. Heifer characteristics and market factors as well as yearling and carcass weight EPDs were found to significantly influence heifer price. Results suggest that Tier II heifers receive a premium compared with traditional Show-Me-Select heifers.
Positive and Negative Externalities in Agricultural Production: The Case of Adena Springs Ranch
Authors: Moss Charles B. , Schmitz Andrew
Published: July 2016

Policy analysis is complicated by the myriad of benefits and costs generated by the use of natural resources. This study develops three benefits that must be considered in the granting of a consumptive use permit for water filed by Adena Springs Ranch, east of Ocala, Florida. This ranch is hoping to expand into grass-fat beef; but to do so, it needs additional water for irrigation. Specifically, our analysis considers the potential gain from the ranch, the potential negative effect on existing permit holders and environmental uses of water, and the possible positive value generated by the increased surface flow for other recreational users in eastern Marion County.
U.S. Agricultural Producer Perceptions of Climate Change
Authors: Rejesus Roderick M. , Mutuc-Hensley Maria , Mitchell Paul D. , Coble Keith H. , Knight Thomas O.
Published: July 2016

This study examines U.S. crop producers' perceptions of climate change, its effects on crop agriculture, and likely ways farmers would adapt to weather extremes. Based on a survey of crop producers in four states, we find that a significant proportion of farmers do not perceive that climate change has been scientifically proven and do not believe that it will adversely affect average crop yields and yield variability. Farmers are likely to diversify crops, buy crop insurance, modify lease arrangements, and exit farming in response to extreme weather caused by climate change.
Rice versus Shrimp Production in Thailand: Is There Really a Conflict?
Authors: Mekhora Thamrong , McCann Laura M.J.
Published: July 2016

Shrimp farming in Thailand has had disastrous effects on the environment in the past, which has prompted a government ban on shrimp production in inland areas. However, a new low-salinity shrimp farming system has developed that seems to have fewer disease and environmental problems than previous systems but competes with rice production for land and water resources. The present study found that shrimp farming exhibits increasing returns to scale and is much more profitable than rice farming, which offers opportunities for rice farmers to improve their incomes through diversification. No evidence was found for external environmental effects of shrimp production on rice production or vice versa. A total ban on shrimp production in rice farming areas does not seem justified, although further analysis on the environmental effects of this farming system is warranted.
Ecotourism as a Means of Conserving Wetlands
Authors: Pemberton Carlisle A. , Mader-Charles Kathleen
Published: July 2016

The Nariva Swamp on the island of Trinidad in the Caribbean is being degraded due to increasing human activity. However, its conservation is desirable, as it is an internationally recognized wetland. The study examined an ecotourism project, with an emphasis on community participation, as a conservation approach to the Swamp, via benefit–cost analysis, where the benefits of conservation were measured by contingent valuation. Contingent valuation showed that the residents of Trinidad were willing to pay an average of $56 for conserving the Swamp. The analysis also showed that ecotourism represents an economically feasible use of ecologically fragile resources of this wetland.
Factors Affecting Beef Cow-Herd Costs, Production, and Profits
Authors: Ramsey Ruslyn , Doye Damona , Ward Clement , McGrann James , Falconer Larry , Bevers Stanley
Published: July 2016

Cow-herd standardized performance analysis (SPA) data for Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico were used to determine economic factors affecting cow-herd costs, production, and profitability. Total cost was defined as the financial cost associated with raising a calf through the weaning stage; production, as pounds weaned per exposed female; and profits, as rate of return on assets. Variables affecting one or more performance measures included herd size; pounds of feed fed; real estate, machinery, and breeding-stock investments; calving percentage; death loss; and breeding-season length. Management variables were especially important for financial costs and profitability of the cow-herd operation.
Per Unit Costs to Own and Operate Farm Machinery
Authors: Beaton Aaron J. , Dhuyvetter Kevin C. , Kastens Terry L. , Williams Jeffery R.
Published: July 2016

With increasingly thin margins and new technologies, it is important that farm managers know their cost of field operations on a per unit basis (e.g., acre, ton, bale). Accurate per unit costs give confidence when constructing enterprise budgets and evaluating new technologies, such as no-till. Custom rates are often used as a proxy for per unit costs; however, this research, using entropy and jackknife estimation procedures, found that custom rates understate total ownership and operating costs by approximately 25% for an average Kansas farm. Estimates from these models are then used to benchmark actual costs against expected cost.
Dimensions of Wealth Dispersion Among Farm Operator Households: An Assessment of the Impact of Farm Subsidies
Authors: El-Osta Hisham S. , Mishra Ashok K.
Published: July 2016

This paper uses microlevel data from the Agricultural Resource Management Survey to examine the changes in the distributions of household wealth and to assess the role farm subsidies play, among other factors, in affecting these distributions. The empirical analysis relies on the concept of the adjusted Gini coefficient and on fixed-effect regression procedures. Coefficients from fixed-effects estimation indicate a negative correlation between government payments and wealth dispersion, with the effect shifting toward more of a positive relation when government payments were allowed to interact with regional dummies.
Can Calibration Reconcile Stated and Observed Preferences?
Authors: Norwood F. Bailey
Published: July 2016

Hypothetical bias is a pervasive problem in stated-preference experiments. Recent research has developed two empirically successful calibrations to remove hypothetical bias, though the calibrations have not been tested using the same data or in a conjoint analysis. This study compares the two calibrations in a conjoint analysis involving donations to a public good. Results find the calibrations are biased predictors of true donations but that calibrated and uncalibrated models together provide upper and lower bounds to true donations.
The Impacts of Farm Financial Structure on Production Efficiency
Authors: Lambert David K. , Bayda Volodymyr V.
Published: July 2016

Farm financial structure may affect both short- and long-run input usage, thereby affecting farm efficiency. Any inefficiencies arising from the choice of inputs can be magnified over time as credit constraints continue to affect input usage. In a panel of 54 North Dakota crop farms, efficiency and debt structure were related. Intermediate debt was found to be positively related to farm technical efficiency, and short-term debt was negatively associated with technical efficiency. Use of intermediate-term debt was positively associated with farm-scale efficiency, whereas no significant relationship was found between short- and long-term debt and scale efficiency.
An Analysis of the Impact of a Ban of Methyl Bromide on the U.S. Winter Fresh Vegetable Market
Authors: Deepak M. S. , Spreen Thomas H. , VanSickle John J.
Published: July 2016

This study evaluates the economic impact of a ban on methyl bromide on the U.S. winter fresh vegetable market for six major crops: tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers, squash, eggplant, and watermelons. Florida is the primary domestic supplier of these products. Mexico and Texas are the competing suppliers of the five vegetable crops and peppers, respectively. Leontief technologies represent both monocrop and double-crop production systems; linear inverse demand functions represent four demand regions in the U.S. and Canada. By increasing production costs and reducing yields, a ban on methyl bromide decreases Florida's FOB revenues by 54% and increases those of Mexico by 65%. Price increases to U.S. fresh vegetable consumers range from near zero to over 10%, depending upon the commodity and location.
Price versus Quota Reductions: U.S. Flue-Cured Tobacco Policy
Authors: Blake Brown A. , Martin Laura L.
Published: July 2016

Declining domestic cigarette consumption, increased global competition, and loss of import restrictions indicate decreased demand for U.S. flue-cured tobacco. The effects of 10% declines in domestic and export demand are evaluated under a policy of reducing quota to maintain price versus a policy of allowing price to fall to maintain quota. Changes in prices, quantities, revenues, and economic rents are simulated. Losses to nonfarming quota owners are minimized under a policy of price maintenance, while losses in revenues to tobacco-producing areas are minimized by a policy of quota maintenance. Aggregate losses to tobacco growers are greater under a policy of quota maintenance.
Relationships Between Market Price Signals and Production Management: The Case of Fed Beef
Authors: Outlaw Joe L. , Anderson David P. , Padberg Daniel I.
Published: July 2016

The beef industry in the United States consists of several distinct production levels ranging from the cow-calf producer at the lowest level to the final consumer. These sectors face varying levels of profitability, degrees of market power, conflicting goals, and price signals. Environmental regulations involve questions of what costs are involved, who is in a position to pay these costs, and whether market prices are capable of signaling different environmental practices. Understanding the relationships within the beef industry may allow researchers to fine-tune analyses of environmental issues in the beef industry.
Development of Environmental Indicators for Use in Macroeconomic Models
Authors: Kellogg Robert L. , Goss Don W.
Published: July 2016

In the fields of agriculture and resource economics, good economics is predicated by good science. By partnering more with physical scientists, economists will be better able to provide the broad policy-making community with practical recommendations for addressing resource issues. An example of collaboration is presented for the development of environmental indicators of the potential risk to the environment of die loss of pesticides from farm fields, which will be used by economists to adjust conventionally measured agricultural output for water quality impacts associated with agricultural production.
A Qualitative Choice Analysis of Factors Influencing Post-CRP Land Use Decisions
Authors: Johnson Phillip N. , Misra Sukant K. , Ervin R. Terry
Published: July 2016

The future use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands is an important agricultural policy issue. To examine the effects of factors that influence landowners' post-contract use of CRP lands, a survey of Texas High Plains CRP contract holders was conducted in 1992. This study analyzes the results of the survey using a qualitative choice model. It was found that the presence of a livestock enterprise in the current contract holder's operation increases the probability of these acres remaining in the established cover. Contract holders who value the commodity base have an increased probability of returning their acres to crop production.
Factors Affecting Production Efficiency in a New Alternative Enterprise: The Case of the Ratite Industry
Authors: Gillespie Jeffrey , Schupp Alvin , Taylor Gary
Published: July 2016

Technical efficiency measures are calculated for ratite producers using data envelopment analysis. Regression analysis is then used to determine producer characteristics that are likely to lead to higher technical efficiencies. Results indicate that the most technically efficient ratite producers in Louisiana are not producing at the benchmark efficiency level advocated by the industry. Producer experience with other livestock, specialization, and labor are factors likely to lead to higher technical efficiency. These results are expected to hold for most new, alternative livestock enterprises.
Current State and Future Directions of SAEA
Authors: Segarra Eduardo
Published: July 2016

Do not look back in anger, or forward in fear, but around in awareness.

—James Thurber

It is difficult to describe the extent of my pleasure both in being here today and in having the honor of serving as your president this year. This occasion is particularly meaningful to me since I follow in the footsteps of two of my professors in this forum, Sandra S. Batie and Oral Capps, Jr., who have had a great deal of influence on my professional development.

The 1984 meetings of the Southern Agricultural Economics Association (SAEA) in Nashville, Tennessee, marked my first exposure to the meetings of this Association. One of my more vivid memories of that occasion was a dinner at the Opryland Hotel where Joseph Havlicek, Jr., enlightened us with his comments on the state of this Association and its future prospects, along with an in-depth reminiscence of the Association's history.
Sources of and Solutions for Southern Agricultural Risk: The View from the Coast
Authors: Marra Michele C.
Published: July 2016

Ray et al. have examined the national agricultural sector impacts of the 1996 FAIR Act using a stochastic simulation model based on the Policy Analysis System (POLYSYS). The model outcomes are predictions of various economic measures, including the coefficient of variation of net returns for corn, wheat, soy-beans, and cotton. Then Knutson et al. use the results of the Ray et al. simulations to predict the distribution of net farm income over the next 10 years for several types of representative southern farms. Any attempt to measure the changes in riskiness in southern agriculture is commendable—even heroic—and I applaud these efforts, both the national modeling effort by Ray et al. and the application to southern representative farms by Knutson et al. This task has a lot in common, I think, with trying to “tease out” the temperature changes associated with the greenhouse effect. The number of factors and mechanisms at work is mind-boggling. It's tough enough to try to get a handle on what might happen to the first moment of net farm income over the next 10 years, let alone the second.