bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selected Issues and Features of Undergraduate Instruction in Agricultural Economics
Authors: Davis Joe T. , Brannon Russell H. , Mather Loys L. , Beck Robert L. , Bordeaux A. Frank
Published: July 2016

In recent years, increased attention has been focused on understanding graduate education in agricultural economics. The profession's interest in this area has been demonstrated through sponsorship of workshops on curriculum development, improvement of undergraduate instruction and teaching programs in agribusiness. Creation of an AAEA Distinguished Undergraduate Teacher Award, establishment of sections of the annual meetings devoted to teaching and curricula, and opening of the contributed papers section competition to undergraduate students all represent increased recognition of undergraduate education.
Alternative Approaches to Stabilizing International Markets
Authors: Steele W. Scott
Published: July 2016

As a result of the recent world food situation, particularly the problem of repeated production shortfalls, the precipitous drawdown in grain stocks and the rapid increase in grain prices, widespread concern has developed over instability in food supplies and prices. Government officials and heads of international organizations have given considerable attention to stabilization measures, particularly grain reserves, as a means of offsetting fluctuating supplies and unstable prices of basic foodstuffs.

For the United States, the problem of fluctuations in grain prices and unstable markets is not one of domestic origin. At recent levels of production, grain supplies have always exceeded domestic needs in the past two decades. Wheat is a good example. U.S. exports of wheat as a share of domestic production went from about 40 percent in 1970-71 to about 70 percent in 1972-73. In recent years, U.S. overseas markets have been the main source of instability in grain prices. Instead of reducing grain consumption or relying on their own grain reserves, many foreign countries experiencing shortfalls in grain production used the world and U.S. markets to purchase needed supplies.
Marketing Quotas as an Alternative to the Present Price Support Program for Peanuts
Authors: Fleming Frank N. , White Fred C.
Published: July 2016

Use of peanuts in edible products is expected to increase five percent in 1975-76 to 1.9 billion pounds. Despite the increase in consumption, supplies are well in excess of edible requirements. The 1975-76 peanut supply is estimated at a record 5.0 billion pounds, about 20 percent above the previous year. Surplus production is an increasingly important problem for the peanut sector. Total peanut production has doubled since 1960, although planted acreage has been restricted by the peanut program to a maximum of 1.61 million acres. Due to increasing yields, acquisitions by the Commodity Credit Corporation have increased from 17 percent of total production in 1960 to 30-35 percent in 1975.
Quarterly Prediction Models for Live Hog Prices
Authors: Foote Richard J. , Roy Sujit K. , Sadler George
Published: July 2016

Pronounced short-run movements in production, marketings, slaughter and prices of live hogs create problems of uncertainty in the decision-making process of producers and other participants in the hog-pork industry. The objective of the present study was to develop quarterly prediction models for live hog prices, based on structural relations representing the price-determining forces in the sector.

The relative importance of the hog sector in the livestock industry is underscored by the fact that the annual cash income for the sector ranks second to beef. For instance, in 1970, hogs accounted for about 15 percent of the total cash receipts from all livestock products. About one-half of total hog production in 1970 was in the seven states of West North Central Division, with Iowa accounting for almost one-fourth of all hog production in the United States. This division, along with four continguous and six southern states, accounted for about 90 percent of the total U.S. hog production. Although the total consumption of pork has increased over past decades, pork has represented a smaller percentage of total meat consumption. The per capita consumption of pork has shown no appreciable increase since the middle fifties, while that of beef rose steadily during the period.
A Simulation Model for Predicting and Analyzing Manpower Requirements
Authors: Doeksen Gerald A. , Sarigedik Unal
Published: July 2016

In Oklahoma, manufacturing employment continues to grow, playing a crucial role in the state's economy. The proportion of state employment in manufacturing rose from 12 percent in 1960 to 15 percent in 1970. Since then, the growth rate of manufacturing jobs has been even greater. In addition, many of the jobs created were in rural communities—from 1963 through 1971, 54 percent were located in communities smaller than 15, 000. State and community leaders planning for future growth could benefit from a manpower analysis. State leaders need to insure a sufficient supply of manpower in appropriate occupations. Community leaders could benefit from a manpower analysis estimating occupational needs resulting from changes in local economic base.
A Technique to Estimate Input Productivity from Farm Data
Authors: Allison John R. , Parvin David W.
Published: July 2016

Unfortunately, procedures are not available for handling variations induced by unquantifiable difference in location, soil, weather or management, particularly if the data source is farm survey information from relatively small samples for a single production season. Estimation problems occur regardless of whether classical, profit or trans-log approaches are used. Procedures suggested by Hoch and Hoch and Mundlak for handling these disturbances in classical production functions require a priori knowledge to devise a weighting system or observations over time to provide estimates of weights.

Profit functions as proposed by Lau and Yotopoulos require data to be of such nature that a production function can be specified either in the normal form or that the relationship between profit and input quantities can be specified and estimated. The price of the product is also required to be either a function of quality or of selling costs or that some common or average price is utilized.
An Improved Economic Land Classification System for Spatial Linear Programming Models
Authors: Williams Ronald J. , Ray Daryll E.
Published: July 2016

Spatial linear programming studies in agriculture require establishment of a land resource base so representative enterprise budgets can be constructed to reflect productivity and limitations of each region's agricultural land. To relate the land base to budgeting procedures requires an economic classification of agricultural soils. Ideally, this classification would group together those soils requiring similar cultural practices and having the same yield capabilities. Costs and returns can then be computed for selected agricultural enterprises within each classification. Technical information on agronomically based soil classifications is available through agricultural experiment station reports and the Soil Conservation Service. These reports give an abundance of detailed physical and chemical soil data on a county basis.

Because technical data are extensive, a problem exists in translating this information into economic groupings suitable for use in constructing budgets. Economic classification of soils for a spatial study should be pragmatic but detailed enough to ensure a meaningful linkage of enterprise budgets to the soil.
The Effect of Ethnic and Socio-Economic Factors on Expenditures for Community Services
Authors: Pendse Dilip
Published: July 2016

The ethnic balance in several major cities has changed in recent years. Black population of the central cities has increased because of migration to cities from rural areas. At the same time, the white population of suburban areas has increased because many whites have left the central cities for suburban metropolitan areas. More blacks than whites, in general, suffer from underemployment, low incomes, high crime rates, substandard housing and poor health and sanitation conditions. These factors tend to influence the kinds and amount of community services local governments provide or deny to their constituents.

Studies done by such political sociologists as Clark, Lineberry and Fowler, Hirsch, Sanders, and Wilson and Banfield suggest that community attitudes on bond issues, local taxes or local government spending are influenced by the community's ethnic ties.
The Economics of Community Growth: An Impact Model
Authors: Clayton Kenneth C. , Whittington David
Published: July 2016

Rapidly rising public sector costs are at issue in a great many communities. Quite often blame has been placed on recent development. This has caused communities to become wary of growth that might result in costs greater than benefits received.

A model is described in this paper that permits ex ante evaluation of the economic effects of community growth. The paper begins with a brief discussion of community growth and previous impact modeling efforts. The Economic Growth Impact Model is then presented. This is followed by a description of the package within which the model is incorporated. Finally, an application of the model is highlighted.
An Analysis of Oklahoma Population Migration From 1970 to 1974
Authors: Salkin Michael S. , Nelson James R.
Published: July 2016

During the past eleven years Oklahoma's population has increased by approximately 12 percent. Several counties located in the central and southeastern parts of the state have increased from 12 to 40 percent. Since the rate of natural increase during this period approximated three percent, much population increase was due to in-migration from other states and abroad.

Given the fact that Oklahoma is gaining in population, and specific areas are growing quite rapidly while others are declining, the purpose of this study is to determine why Oklahoma is relatively popular and why certain counties are gaining population while others are losing.1 Emphasis will be on human and economic characteristics of Oklahoma counties assuming a neoclassical economic framework of mobility.
Determining the Economic Feasibility of Public Recreational Developments at Beaver Lake, Arkansas
Authors: Shulstad Robert N. , Sawyer Thomas G.
Published: July 2016

Beaver Lake is nestled in the midst of the Ozark Mountains in the northwest corner of Arkansas. The picturesque lake is actually a multi-purpose reservoir constructed and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The 28,220 acre lake offers eleven improved public access areas for use by recreationists. Six additional recreational areas have been planned, to be built as demand requires [16].

Costs for development of the six additional parks were estimated by the Corps of Engineers as of July 1974, to be $6.87 million [16].
A Dry Matter Quality Approach to Planning Forage-Beef Systems
Authors: Anderson Kim B. , Walker Odell L.
Published: July 2016

Forage quality and quantity vary by species, time of year, level and time of fertilizer application and grazing system [6]. Livestock nutritional requirements change with age, rate of gain, weight, date of calving and percentage calf crop [7]. Pasture forage production and livestock forage requirements depicting both quality and quantity need to be compiled by calendar periods to determine optimal pasture programs and livestock systems.

Animal unit months (AUM) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) are the predominant measures of forage quantity produced and required. Neither measurement adequately reflects quality and quantity in forage production and beef requirements throughout the production cycles.
Income Tax Effects on Beef Cow Replacement Strategy
Authors: Kay Ronald D. , Rister Edward
Published: July 2016

Little work has been done on the effect of income taxes on the firm-level decisions made by farmers and ranchers. Krause and Shapiro [4] identified this gap in agricultural economic research, noting that much of the published work on income taxes is descriptive rather than an analysis of the effect on firm level decision-making and resource allocation. Yet farmers make few investment or production decisions which do not affect their income tax liability for one or more years.

An exception to the usual practice of omitting income taxes from a research study is a recent article by Lin, Dean and Moore [5].
Alternative Scenarios of Energy Use in U.S. Crop Production
Authors: Pagoulatos Angelos , Timmons John F.
Published: July 2016

Agriculture has been among the most productive sectors of the U.S. economy. The agricultural sector uses only four percent of the labor force to produce food needed for both domestic use and export demand. Consumers in the U.S. spend only about 17 percent of their disposable income on food, the smallest percentage of any country in the world.

That energy has been recognized as the propelling force for current and continuing agricultural productivity, along with the prospect of much higher costs, have given rise to a growing interest in technologies or systems of agriculture that are less energy intensive. Possible future adjustments in agriculture may affect output levels, costs and conservation of land and water qualities.
The Impact of Reclamation on Acceptable Strip Mining Royalty Payments
Authors: Otte John , Boehlje Michael , Catlett Lowell
Published: July 2016

Rapid increases in energy prices, federal policies of energy independence and further projections of energy shortages are encouraging development of sources of energy such as strip mining for coal. A key issue faced by the owner of surface and sub-surface (mineral) rights to land is determination of the price or fee (royalty) that should be extracted from a miner who wants access to the subsurface resource. This is a crucial problem because productivity and income potential of the surface resource may be altered during the mining process. Although extracting coal through strip mining is an obvious example of this phenomenon, the same issue is confronted in surface extraction of other minerals or in placement of easements or restrictions on land use options available to surface property-right owners.
Anti-Poverty Distribution of Food Stamp Program Benefits: A Profile of 1975 Federal Program Outlays
Authors: Kletke Marilyn G.
Published: July 2016

The Federal Food Stamp Program is consistently under fire for failure to perform according to stated goals. This paper presents a brief overview of the program, and constructs a partial profile of the 1975 federal outlay for bonus stamp coupons. The analysis surveys food stamp benefits across states with the intent of determining whether or not these benefits appear to be reaching states with the greatest numbers of poor people. A cursory review of rural-urban allocations indicates a basic inequity which needs further consideration.

The first food stamp program came about in May of 1939 and lasted for some four years until the war sharply increased demand for food supplies.

The food stamp program as we know it today has its roots in an experimental plan set up by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. This plan was implemented in several pilot areas and was designed to clear the market of surplus food supplies and to raise nutritional food purchasing power of participating low-income families.
Some Evidence on the Declining Effect of Farm Consolidation on Farm Real Estate Prices
Authors: White Fred C. , Musser Wesley N. , Sheffield A. R.
Published: July 2016

Rapid technological change has been a dominating factor in American agriculture in the last quarter of a century. Impact of this factor on the farm real estate market is well documented in agricultural economics literature. As Heady and Fuller and Van Vuuren have noted, technological change has been both land-substituting and land-embodying. This characteristic has resulted in positive pressure on land prices as farmers bid up prices of land for farm enlargement so they can more fully employ their fixed labor and capital resources. As adjustments in farm numbers and sizes have slowed in recent years, the dominating influence of farm consolidation is expected to be moderated. Fuller and Van Vuuren noted this possibility as: “… given the combination of numbers, ages, and alternatives, intensive efforts to salvage underemployment of operator and family labor by farm enlargement or by substantial employment on other farms have to be approaching an ultimate plateau”. The objective of this paper is to examine impact on farm real estate prices of changing economic conditions in rural areas. Particular attention is given to factors other than farm consolidation. The effect of these structural changes on the land market is empirically tested by reestimating Tweeten and Nelson's model with Georgia data for 1960-1974.
Predictive Models for Southern State Cattle Inventories
Authors: Holmes M. R.
Published: July 2016

As noted in a recent article by Harris, many agricultural economics departments in recent years have expanded their commitments to providing market outlook information. Continuing volatile commodity prices will provide an ongoing demand for such information.

This paper presents results of a study designed to provide short term predictions of the number of cattle and calves on farms, January 1, in each of twelve southern states.1 Such estimates can help outlook personnel in several ways, including providing indications as to how producers are reacting to recent market conditions in each of these states and the region. The models do not require demand estimates for beef, nor are results likely to prove as self-defeating as price predictions might if publicized. Form of the models was suggested by work on an earlier national cattle marketing model.
Identification of Bona Fide Farmers
Authors: White Fred C. , Clifton Ivery D.
Published: July 2016

Georgia's General Assembly considered differential assessment legislation in 1976, but rejected the final proposals on the last day of the session. Last minute efforts to develop an acceptable legislative proposal concerned the issue of what farmland should be eligible for differential assessment. One proposal considered a single criterion—the proportion of income derived from farming. This proposal stated that operators who derive more than 50 percent of their income from farming should be considered bona fide farmers and their land eligible for differential assessment. While all landowners qualifying as bona fide farm operators would benefit from a reduction in their tax bills, others would probably pay higher taxes than without differential assessment legislation. Consequently, it is important to evaluate criteria used to designate bona fide farm operators.
Comments on Emerging Agricultural Policies of the Carter Administration
Authors: Gardner Bruce
Published: July 2016

Policy in the form of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 “emerged” as from behind a tree and was greeted by a hail of sticks, stones, and arrows from the farm strikers. It is appropriate to begin with a note of sympathy for the Department of Agriculture, particularly the Secretary who has so often in early 1978 borne the brunt of farmer dissatisfaction. In certain ancient societies it is said to have been traditional to respond to crisis by sacrificing the life of the king to appease the gods. As you know, in our country the chief executive has delegated this responsibility to the Secretary of Agriculture.

In addition to the domestic price and income areas that are the traditional center of attention, I want to discuss emerging policy on international agricultural trade, and the regulation of agricultural production and the food marketing industry. Though the Department of Agriculture is sometimes not the lead agency in these matters, it should nonetheless be considered in discussion of the agricultural policies of the Carter Administration.
Price, Yield, and Gross Revenue Variability for Selected Georgia Crops
Authors: Walker Melvin E. , Lin Kuang-hsing T.
Published: July 2016

A topic of considerable recent discussion is the use of high return per acre crops such as vegetables as a possible means of improving income levels on small, limited-resource farms. Though production economic analyses (those using conventional techniques such as budgeting and linear programming) indicate that farmers with small acreage might increase their income substantially by selecting vegetable enterprises, very few farmers are selecting vegetables over field crops. One possible explanation for their failure to do so is that the income from vegetable crops is more variable than that from field crops, and owners of small farms are more inclined to produce crops that will yield a lower but more stable level of income.
Planning Ambulance Services for a Rural Emergency Medical Service District
Authors: Schmidt Joseph F. , Oehrtman Robert L. , Doeksen Gerald A.
Published: July 2016

Many private emergency medical service operators are discontinuing ambulance service, which the public sector then is forced to provide. Because of the high cost of providing emergency medical service, a large subsidy often is required which the public sector in many rural areas, already under severe financial stress, cannot afford. To assist in solving this problem, Oklahoma legislators passed a law in 1976 which allows the formation of special emergency medical service districts. The usual procedure is for a district to be established along county lines. If the voters in the district approve support for an emergency medical service system, the district collects up to 3 mills annually from property owners to support the system. By October 1, 1977, voters of three counties in Oklahoma had approved creation of special emergency medical service districts. In addition, leaders of several other counties are discussing the issue and probably will take advantage of the enabling legislation.
The Exploitation of Coal as an Engine for Growth in Eastern Kentucky – An Input-Output Study
Authors: Sherafat Nasser , Pagoulatos Angelos , Anschel Kurt R.
Published: July 2016

Historically, the economic problems of Appalachia have been closely linked to the problems of the coal industry, which, with its boom and bust cycles, often has intensified the conditions of poverty, unemployment, out-migration, and capital flight from the area. For more than a decade it has been national economic policy “to develop in Appalachia a self-sustaining economy capable of supporting the people with rising incomes, improving standards of living and increasing employment opportunities” [1, p. 64]. It has been widely hypothesized that this societal goal will be achieved through exogenous increases in demand for coal as the result of its substitution for other energy sources. Therefore a study was made of the impacts of the increased demand for coal on the economies of the 18 coal-producing counties in Appalachian Kentucky.
An Economic Analysis of Spiny Lobster Production by Individual Firms at Optimum Stock Levels
Authors: Prochaska Fred J. , Williams Joel S.
Published: July 2016

Spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) landings in Florida increased from 1.9 million pounds in 1954 to 6.6 million pounds in 1974 [1], a gain of 239 percent. Florida landings currently account for 94 percent of U.S. spiny lobster landings. Total Florida spiny lobster landings have declined since 1974 for two reasons. First, prohibition of Florida fishermen from lobster fishing on the Bahamian continental shelf reduced landings considerably. Florida landings declined approximately 3.5 million pounds between 1974 and 1975, mainly because of the loss of the domestic landings which were caught in Bahamian waters. Second, domestic landings from Florida waters appear to have reached a maximum in 1974 and have since remained relatively stable or declined slightly.
Analysis of Factors Related to Per Acre Prices of Bare Land: North Carolina 1975-1976
Authors: Vollink William J.
Published: July 2016

Per acre land prices are observed to vary from one sale to the next. Reynolds and Timmons found that differences in land prices could be partially explained by net farm income, government farm programs, technological advance, farm enlargement, pressure from an increasing population, and capital gains. Other studies identified tobacco and peanut allotments and spatial shifts of industrial and urban development as major factors affecting differences in land prices. An additional factor which has not been addressed fully in the literature is the relationship between the lending agency which finances the land sale and the per acre sale price of the land. Identification of the magnitude of the relationship between the foregoing and other factors and bare land prices may provide useful information to policymakers and land appraisers. For example, policymakers could determine the impact on per acre land prices of altering the size of per acre flue-cured tobacco allotments. Appraisers could adjust the price of a recently observed land sale to reflect an expected market value for characteristics of the property being appraised.
Estimating the Effect of Household Age-Sex Composition on Food Expenditures
Authors: Huang Chung-Liang , Raunikar Robert
Published: July 2016

The effects of variation in household age-sex composition on food expenditures are not, conventionally, accounted for when food expenditures are expressed on a per capita basis. Because households differ in physical makeup as well as in their ability to generate income, the specific requirements certain household members place on the family budget raise the problem of determing their relative economic position. The per capita approach fails to reflect the effect of variations in household composition on food expenditures. Therefore, it is desirable to isolate the normal food expenditure relation to the “household-specific” effects.
Agricultural Economics Research and Extension Needs of Small-Scale, Limited-Resource Farmers
Authors: West Jerry G.
Published: July 2016

A traditional approach to defining problems or needs is to compare a situation (what is) with objectives or valuations (what ought to be). A more elaborate version of this approach introduces some dynamics into the scheme by projecting current trends to determine how the expected situation some time in the future compares with what we would like the situation to be. One difficulty in such an approach is deciding what dimensions of the situation are important.

In considering the problems of small farms, do we primarily examine income and the measures of wellbeing — or emphasize the structure of agriculture and its implications for our society? Must we consider the extent to which concern for conservation of soil and energy resources is related to size of farms? Should we complicate the picture even more, as is often argued, by including the non-market-goods dimensions [18]? Some researchers would merely use a change in the number of small farms as indicative of a problem, but this is only symptomatic of more basic factors at work.
Importance of Understanding Consumption Dynamics In Market Recovery Periods
Authors: Tilley Daniel S.
Published: July 2016

Periods of reduced supplies due to exogenous shocks and subsequent high price levels have occurred for many agricultural commodities in the past decade. Consumers' adjustments to these events depend on the magnitude of the shocks and characteristics of the commodity. Understanding consumers' responses to these events requires recognition of rigidities that result in delays in consumer responses to prices.

Recognition of rigidities in consumption relationships by using dynamic stock and flow adjustment models was popularized by Houthakker and Taylor [2]. The models recognize the role of inventories and habits resulting from previous purchase patterns in determining current consumption decisions.
Application of Price Elasticities to Farm Policy Analysis: Comment
Authors: Huang Chung-Liang
Published: July 2016

In an article titled, “Application of Price Elasticities to Farm Policy Analysis,” Bateman and Stennis [1] present an intriguing analysis of the use of demand elasticities for U.S. farm policy in the world market perspective. They present two different approaches to demonstrate the importance of the world market to U.S. agriculture and conclude that unilateral reduction in production of U.S. farm products is not likely to enhance and to maintain farm income unless the farm commodities under consideration are almost perfectly inelastic in the world market and/or the U.S. is the only or dominant source of supply. The analyses are based on the estimated elasticities and the logic of economic deduction.
Energy Problems and Alternatives: Implications for the South
Authors: Debertin David L. , Pagoulatos Angelos
Published: July 2016

Though agriculture in the United States has been looked upon as being technically efficient in terms of output per unit of labor, it is not nearly as efficient in terms of output per unit of liquid fuels consumed (Debertin, Pagoulatos, and Boadu; Pagoulatos and Timmons). In this article, we examine the potential for substituting other inputs for liquid fuels in the agricultural production process. Studies of elasticities of substitution between energy and other inputs are reviewed. On the basis of these studies, we suggest possibilities for using other inputs instead of liquid fuels in agriculture. We present recent research results relating fuel use to tractor prices and horsepower. We compare Kentucky counties in terms of their energy use in relation to their mix of agricultural enterprises and mechanization levels. Finally, we speculate on the potential impacts of significant increases in real fuel prices on the major agricultural enterprises in the South.
Objective Evaluation for Agricultural Lending
Authors: Hardy William E. , Weed Johno B.
Published: July 2016

One of the more significant changes in the U. S. agricultural industry in recent years has been the increased use of credit to finance production and capital expenditures. Since 1970, outstanding farm debt has more than doubled, rising at an average annual rate of 9.3 percent. However, because net farm income has not increased as fast, the debt burden for farm operators has become relatively higher (Melichar and Waldheger).

This increase in debt load has made financial evaluation more difficult for lenders. Narrow profit margins and increased average loan size have made financial institutions more aware of the need to determine, for their loan portfolio, how borrower and agricultural business characteristics relate to debt repayment ability and loan quality.
Some Evidence on the Relationship Between Loan Insurance and the Supply of Agricultural Credit From Commercial Banks
Authors: Hatch L. Upton , Musser Wesley N.
Published: July 2016

Insured farm loans have evolved to be an important component of the federal role in the agricultural credit subsector. Currently, agricultural credit is supplied by three sets of institutions: (1) private firms and individuals, (2) the quasiprivate cooperative Farm Credit System, and (3) the federal public programs of the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) and Small Business Administration. Statuatory authority currently limits federal programs to a residual role of lending to borrowers who cannot receive credit from the other segments. Though a large component of public programs consists of emergency loans in areas of economic disaster, the FmHA also makes farm operating and real estate loans to farmers who meet the statuatory requirements. The source of funds for some FmHA loans is federal appropriations and money market certificates. However, guaranteed loans have become an important component of FmHA programs. These loans are made in cooperation with other agricultural finance agencies. The public agency insures or guarantees repayment of the loan. The cooperating firm negotiates the loan and provides the funds. Usually the interest payment is below the current market interest rate structure.
Consumer Acceptance of Beef Produced Under Alternative Feeding Systems
Authors: Schupp Alvin R. , Bidner Thomas D. , Clark Nancy C.
Published: July 2016

Much of the beef produced and sold in the United States before World War II was from grass- or limited grain-fed cattle. However, development of the modern large-scale cattle feeding industry in the 1950s and 1960s greatly increased supplies of grain-fed beef and, by the early 1970s, many American consumers found only USDA Choice beef from heavy, grain-fed cattle in supermarkets. Consumers soon became conditioned to the flavor, juiciness, and tenderness of high quality, well-marbled beef. Proponents of forage or limited grain finishing systems found little support at any marketing level.
An E-V Analysis of Beef Calf Backgrounding Systems in Georgia
Authors: Musser Wesley N. , Shurley W. D. , Williams F. W.
Published: July 2016

Markowitz developed the theoretical background for analysis of investments in reference to the mean and variance of returns of the portfolio of all investments (E-V analysis). Subsequently, Freund adapted the E-V model to farm enterprise decisions, and agricultural economists have applied this model to various agricultural firm problems. The studies of Kliebenstein and Scott, Brink and McCarl, Heifner, Buccola and French, and Raikes, Sieck, and Miller are examples of applications to farm enterprise organization, farm commodity marketing, and procurement of farm commodities by agribusiness firms. These studies are concerned largely with either production or marketing decisions; applications to joint production and marketing decisions are more limited. Exceptions include Whitson, Barry, and Lacewell's study of vertical integration and Barry and Willmann's analysis of forward contracting. In addition, Lütgen and Helmers and Persuad and Mapp recently analyzed a limited number of marketing alternatives in conjunction with different enterprise alternatives.
Household Expenditure on Meat Versus Nonmeat Sources of Protein In the United States
Authors: Redman Barbara J.
Published: July 2016

In the last decade, vegetarianism has become more prevalent in the United States, although by no means dominant (Adrian and Daniel). Even households which have not become vegetarian have considered decreasing their consumption of meat. This trend has been due to several factors. First, meat is relatively more expensive than other sources of protein. Second, inflation has diminished consumer purchasing power. Third, recent health reports have focused on carcinogenic agents in meat and the dangers of too much cholesterol. Fourth, concern with ecology and world food supplies has increased. Meat is thought to be less efficient in feeding the masses than grains and other nonmeat protein sources.
The Relationship of Farmer Goals Other Factors to Credit Use
Authors: Wise James O. , Brannen Robert L.
Published: July 2016

Due primarily to inflation, the desire to own assets for appreciation and new technology, capital needs in agriculture continue to increase rapidly. Accompanying this increase in the need for capital is an increase in the use of credit.
Policy Considerations of Emerging Information Technologies
Authors: Sporleder Thomas L.
Published: July 2016

Adoption of computerized decision analysis and computerized communications technology in many agricultural production and marketing situations will occur rapidly in the next decade. Computer hardware, such as microcomputers and large central processors, has become more reliable while costs have declined dramatically. Coupled with this has been the escalating costs of people and product transportation.
An Evaluation of the 1981 Farm Program For Crops: Implications for the 1985 Farm Bill
Authors: Womack Abner W. , Johnson Stanley R. , Meyers William H. , Young Robert
Published: July 2016

The cornerstone of the 1977 and 1981 Farm Bills for crops is a buffer stock-supply management program involving the farmer-owned reserve and acreage adjustment instruments. Among the several reasons normally cited for adopting this type program is price and income stability. However, recent swings in commodity prices, net farm income and government program costs have stimulated widespread interest in farm program redesign and modification in 1985.
Use of Forecasts in Decisionmaking: The Case of Stocker Cattle in Florida
Authors: Spreen Thomas H. , Arnade Carlos A.
Published: July 2016

The decision to overwinter feeder cattle hinges directly on the forecast of spring cattle prices. An analysis of price forecasts from several alternative models is presented. The models are evaluated using both the traditional mean square criterion and alternative criteria. The alternative criteria evaluate the profitability of the decision implemented based upon the forecast.
A Microcomputer Linear Programming Package: An Alternative to Mainframes
Authors: Laughlin David H.
Published: July 2016

This paper presents the capabilities and limitations of a microcomputer linear programming package. The solution algorithm is a version of the revised simplex. Rapid problem entry, user ease of operation, sensitivity analyses on objective function and right hand sides are advantages. A problem size of 150 activities and 64 constraints can be solved in present form. Due to problem size, limitations and lack of parametric and integer programming routines, this package is thought to have the most value in teaching applications and research problems in the smaller size categories.
The Technical Efficiency of Illinois Grain Farms: An Application of a Ray-Homothetic Production Function
Authors: Aly Hassan Y. , Belbase Krishna , Grabowski Richard , Kraft Steven
Published: July 2016

The purpose of this paper is to measure the extent of technical inefficiency among a sample of Illinois grain farms using the corrected ordinary least squares method. Instead of assuming a Cobb-Douglas production function, a linear form of the ray-homothetic is used. The results show a significant amount of technical inefficiency among all the farms in the sample, but with large farms being less technically inefficient than small farms.
The Demand and Supply of U.S. Agricultural Exports: The Case of Wheat, Corn, and Soybeans
Authors: Haniotis Tassos , Baffes John , Ames Glenn C. W.
Published: July 2016

The demand for and supply of U.S. wheat, corn, and soybean exports is specified in a dynamic framework. Obtained results indicate differences in the export behavior of each product. U.S. corn exports are elastic, while U.S. soybean exports exhibit an inelastic response. For wheat, the derived elasticity of export demand had a positive sign. Hypothesis testing validated the dynamic structure of the estimated models in all markets. Stability properties were confirmed in export markets of corn and soybeans, but results were inconclusive for the wheat market. Adjustment coefficients indicate that exports and export prices do not adjust immediately to their equilibrium levels. Multiplier impacts indicate a stable path of convergence for all markets, with minimal impact of exogenous shocks on wheat and corn exports and export prices. Soybean export prices exhibit a significant response to changes in domestic export capacity, but minimal response to other exogenous shocks.
Toward an Appraisal of the FMHA Farm Credit Program: A Case Study of the Efficiency of Borrowers in Southern Illinois
Authors: Mehdian S. , Herr Wm. McD. , Eberle Phil , Grabowski Richard
Published: July 2016

A production frontier methodology is used to measure the overall efficiency of a sample of farms obtaining credit from the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) compared to nonparticipants. The study did not find evidence that the efficiency of FmHA farms improved between 1981 and 1984. Results indicate that the overall efficiency of FmHA borrowers is associated with selected financial characteristics of the farms.
A Welfare Analysis of Port User Fees: The Case of Grain and Soybean Exports
Authors: Peterson E. Wesley F. , Viscencio-Brambila Hector , Fuller Stephen
Published: July 2016

User fees have become a popular means of financing public services, including certain transportation facilities. The Water Resources Development Act of 1986 includes provisions for user fees to finance part of the costs of operations, maintenance, and new construction of the U.S. port system. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the welfare implications of this legislation. An analytical model is developed and used to estimate the impact of port user fees on grain and oilseed producers, consumers, and the government. The results of the analysis indicate that the user fee has a relatively small effect on producer welfare and that the efficiency gains resulting from the replacement of the government subsidy for port operations, maintenance, and new construction with a user fee are negligible.
A Dynamic Differential Demand System: An Application of Translation
Authors: Brown Mark G. , Lee Jong-Ying
Published: July 2016

The differential demand system or Rotterdam model is extended to include lagged consumption through translation parameters, allowing habit and inventory effects. Applications of the model to annual U.S. expenditure and weekly juice sales data illustrate the importance of the time interval of an observation on the relative strengths of the habit inventory.
The Food and Fiber Commission Report: Implications for the South
Authors: Tweeten Luther G.
Published: July 2016

The report of the National Advisory Commission on Food and Fiber displays some shortcomings, but in the main is a well conceived and extremely useful contribution to farm policy. My paper will focus principally on the implications of the Food and Fiber Commission recommendations for the South. A secondary objective will be to critique some of the recommendations, and to suggest some possible improvements in the Commission report.

I have divided the recommendations into three categories for this paper: (a) commercial agriculture, (b) world trade, aid and development, and (c) rural poverty and area development. The implications of the latter two categories are presented in a most sketchy manner. I have attempted to be more comprehensive in explaining the implications of policies for commercial agriculture.
Gaming as a Farm Management Teaching Device: A Development and Analysis
Authors: Schneeberger Kenneth C.
Published: July 2016

I have a colleague at Missouri who says educators in farm management “have failed to deal with the comprehensive problems of farm management comprehensively.” I think he is saying that even though we have made great advances (e.g., integrated static firm theory can teach farm organization in a risk world with innovative budgeting and linear programming exercises) our mix does not yet include enough dynamics or management. My colleague contends we rarely attack such managerial problems as imperfect anticipation of future conditions, accumulative effects of decision-condition interaction over time, capital budgeting and the realities of cash flow, time sequencing of decisions, firm-household competition, and firm growth. Such criticisms indicate farm management teaching is ready for new techniques which better communicate functional management processes and the application of farm economics.
Factors Affecting Producer Bargaining Power in Southern Fluid Milk Markets
Authors: Carley D. H.
Published: July 2016

Dairy farmers in the South have become increasingly interested in gaining a stronger bargaining position in the market arena for the purpose of obtaining a more favorable price for their milk. They have implemented this objective by organizing cooperative associations. Cooperative bargaining relationships have been of three types (1) bargaining between seller and buyer (bilateral competition), (2) bargaining between sellers or bargaining between buyers (interfirm competition), and (3) bargaining in or through the political economy.
Market Organization and Functional Efficiency
Authors: Lasley Floyd A.
Published: July 2016

Market organization is both the cause and effect of differences in functional efficiency. Despite this mutual dependency and responsiveness, structure research has stressed firm size, numbers, and concentration within an industry, while efficiency generally has been considered from a plant or firm viewpoint.

While the relationships would be similar for most agricultural product markets, this paper approaches the market organization-efficiency relationship with the specific question, “How does the organization and execution of supply coordination influence efficiency in a milk market?” Efficiency is compared by two measures: The proportion of supply needed as reserve, and the cost of handling the supply. The relevant variable is the organizational level at which responsibility is exercised for coordinating supply.
Evaluating Incentive Payment Programs Through Aggregate Production Response: The Case of Mohair
Authors: Conner James R. , Mathis William K. , Wilson Robert R.
Published: July 2016

In 1966, leading agricultural economists indicated that production response under changing conditions would be a significant factor in agricultural policy, and recommended that research be directed accordingly. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the use of production response relationships to indicate the effectiveness of government policy. One commodity for which this approach can be easily demonstrated is mohair, which is included in the National Wool Act and supported by production incentive payments. Thus, the response of mohair producers to changes in expected market price, government policy and other variables is estimated.
The Industrial Demand for Agricultural Economists
Authors: Polopolus Leo
Published: July 2016

Industrial demand for agricultural economists can be viewed theoretically as the demand for a factor of production. In this case, the marginal revenue productivity of an industrial economist defines the factor demand. This factor demand is “derived” from the demand for the product.

It is an hypothesis of this paper that the industrial demand for economists has shifted outward and to the right. This has occurred because the two components of factor demand-marginal physical productivity of the factor and marginal revenue of the product-have both shifted outward and to the right.
Discussion: The New Food and Agriculture Bill—Where is it Headed? Potential Impacts on Southern Agriculture
Authors: Conner J. Richard
Published: July 2016

Boehm and Spitze approach the assigned topic from quite different perspectives. Boehm's principal point of departure is his belief that the policy-making process has now changed to one of crisis reaction. That is, if a problem is not at the crisis stage, it is not acted on. From this premise, he moves on to identify several potential crises that he thinks will develop over the next several years.
Discussion: Economic and Political Factors Influencing The Outcome of the 1981 Farm Bill
Authors: Knutson Ronald D.
Published: July 2016

The papers by Boehm and Spitze provide contrasts in approach, content, and conclusions. The Spitze paper reflects the issues as seen through the eyes of an observant professor located in a major Corn Belt university. Its ideas reflect sensitivity to articulation of policy problems confronting producers in the region. Boehm's paper is particularly strong in that it reflects the day-to-day sensitivity to the contemporary economic and political forces that currently affect the policy process. Both papers lack a clear sensitivity to the policy position and problems of southern agriculture.