bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Melding Private and Public Interests in Water Rights Markets
Authors: Lynne Gary D. , Saarinen Phyllis
Published: July 2016

The debate over privatizing and water markets has moved back and forth for decades between the “I” and the “We” perspectives. Rather than either/or, a balanced “I&We” view of water institutions is needed. West is meeting east in water law. Public interest needs must be satisfied in appropriate decision forums, but marketing may prove a social improvement when used as a supplement. Balancing an “I&We” institution involves establishing an acceptable or tolerable level of interference through judicious mixing of state, common and private property regimes. Third-party effects are eliminated as mutual gain arises in a variety of decision forums.
Rural Development, Privatization and Public Choice: Substance Depends upon Process
Authors: Hite James
Published: July 2016

Whether or not privatization facilitates rural development depends upon what rural development means. In practice, rural development often is the result of a struggle between rent defenders and rent seekers. A positivist concept of rural development is proposed, and the institutions of public choice are examined to determine how they might influence privatization decisions. The conclusion is that whether or not privatization improves efficiency of adjustment in rural economies depends upon the specifics of political deals required to achieve a particular act of privatization.
Macroeconomic Factors and the Thoroughbred Industry
Authors: Karungu Peter , Reed Michael , Tvedt Douglas
Published: July 2016

A capitalization approach is used to estimate econometrically the effects of exchange rate, interest rate and tax law changes on thoroughbred yearling prices. The analysis found that exchange rate and tax law changes have significantly influenced yearling prices since the early 1980s. Another serious price-reducing event was the 1986 tax law change. Both of these factors have counteracted the positive impact of increased purse rates on yearling prices.
The Political Economy of the U.S.-Mexico Free Trade Agreement: Analysis of the Congressional Fast Track Vote
Authors: Boadu Fred O. , Thompson Maria R.
Published: July 2016

This paper presents an empirical analysis of the strategic forces shaping U.S.-Mexico trade relationships and the possibilities of extending the trade agreement to the rest of the Americas. The paper concludes that constituency interests, party loyalty, the proportion of a state's population of Hispanic origin, and the influence of textile-related employment in the state were significant explanatory factors in the Congressional Fast Track vote that occurred in May of 1991.
A Structural Approach to Estimating Rate of Return Expectations of Farmers
Authors: Ahrendsen Bruce L.
Published: July 2016

A dual cost function approach is developed as an alternative to time series and simplistic approaches for estimating farmers' expected operating rates of return on assets. A translog restricted cost function is estimated using data provided by 152 North Carolina dairy farmers over the period 1976 through 1986. The predicted costs from the fitted restricted cost function are used to construct estimates of farmers' expected operating rates of return on assets. The estimates from this structural approach explain more of the variation in observed rates than do time series estimates or sample mean observed rates.
Incorporating the 1990 Farm Bill into Farm-Level Decision Models: An Application to Cotton Farms
Authors: Duffy Patricia A. , Cain Danny L. , Young George J.
Published: July 2016

A five-year, 0-1, mixed integer programming model was developed to analyze the effects of 1990 Farm Bill legislation on the crop-mix decisions made on cotton farms. Results showed that, when compared to the 1985 Farm Bill, the 1990 Farm Bill can result in higher whole-farm income despite new "triple base" provisions limiting payment acres. The increase in income results from elimination of limited cross-compliance provisions and the change to a three-year base calculation. The model was also used to assess the likely impact of possible changes in the current legislation.
Optimal Hog Slaughter Weights Under Alternative Pricing Systems
Authors: Boland M. A. , Preckel P. V. , Schinckel A. P.
Published: July 2016

Three hog genotypes are simulated to determine how producer profits, economically optimal slaughter weights, and carcass component weights change under three pricing models. Live weight pricing pays more for the fatter barrows whereas a three component (separate payments for fat, lean, and byproducts) and six component (separate payments for major primal cuts, other lean, fat, and byproducts) pricing system pay more for the leaner gilts. Implications for selection of genetic stock and pricing system are presented.
Empiricism and the Art of Teaching
Authors: Broder Josef M.
Published: July 2016

“Teaching is a messy, indeterminate, inscrutable, often intimidating, and highly uncertain task.”

Richard Elmore

Effective teaching is a recurring topic of faculty discussion and disagreement. The title of my address suggests that effective teaching has two components. First and increasingly important, teaching has an empirical component. The empiricism of teaching asserts that there are identifiable traits of effective teaching that can be used to improve one's teaching experience. I want to share with you some insights we have gained from recent empirical studies on teaching and the teaching evaluation process. Second, there is the art of teaching or the intangible and creative component of teaching. I will speak on how the art of teaching can be refined. This I will do by way of offering some personal teaching tips that have at least made my teaching experience more enjoyable.
Sustainability Issues: How Should Government Coordinate Farm Regulations and Policy?
Authors: Johnson Larry A.
Published: July 2016

Agricultural sustainability is an evolving process ever-seeking a balance between society's economic, environmental and social demands. Governmental policy and regulations while attempting to correct adverse externalities, have at times within themselves created adverse externalities. Failures often lie within the policies themselves, but poor coordination among government agencies is also at fault. This paper outlines a number of coordination issues and attempts to show how the empowerment of communities through ecosystem management is a partial solution to environmental degradation.
Developing Flexible Economic Thresholds for Pest Management Using Dynamic Programming
Authors: Harper Jayson K. , Mjelde James W. , Rister M. Edward , Way Michael O. , Drees Bastiaan M.
Published: July 2016

The rice stink bug is a major pest of rice in Texas, causing quality related damage. The previous thresholds used for assisting in rice stink bug spray decisions lacked flexibility in economic and production decision variables and neglected the dynamics of the pest population. Using stochastic dynamic programming, flexible economic thresholds for the rice stink bug were generated. The new thresholds offer several advantages over the old, static thresholds, including increased net returns, incorporation of pest dynamics, user flexibility, ease of implementation, and a systematic process for updating.
The Adoption of IPM Techniques By Vegetable Growers in Florida, Michigan and Texas
Authors: Fernandez-Cornejo Jorge , Beach E. Douglas , Huang Wen-Yuan
Published: July 2016

Factors influencing the adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques are studied using survey data from individual vegetable producers from Florida, Michigan, and Texas. Farmers who adopt IPM tend to be less risk averse and use more managerial time on farm activities than nonadopters. Adopters are also more likely to operate large, irrigated farms and use more family labor. Locational factors and the type of crop grown are also influential in IPM adoption. The analysis uses a logit framework and introduces adopter categories first conceptualized by rural sociologists.
Determinants of Wholesale Beef-Cut Prices
Authors: Capps Oral , Farris Donald E. , Byrne Patrick J. , Namken Jerry C. , Lambert Charles D.
Published: July 2016

Key determinants of monthly wholesale prices for 12 beef cuts include the quantity of the specific cut, stickiness in prices, marketing costs, quantities of pork and chicken, and seasonality. Seasonal patterns across the respective cuts are very different. Relative to the price in December, prices at the wholesale level in other months can be as much as 6 percent lower to as much as 21 percent higher.
An Analysis of Potential Conservation Effort of CRP Participants in the State of Missouri: A Latent Variable Approach
Authors: Kalaitzandonakes N.G. , Monson M.
Published: July 2016

This study investigated the influence of economic, personal, and attitudinal factors on the intended conservation effort of a sample of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contract holders after their contracts have expired. Economic factors were found to dominate the decision about future conservation effort. Attitudes towards conservation were found to have no significant influence on the decision. This fact may relate to the recent changes in the regulatory environment brought about by the 1985 Food Security Act which changed conservation from a voluntary to regulated nature.
Factors Influencing Technology Adoption in a Louisiana Aquaculture System
Authors: Caffey Rex H. , Kazmierczak Richard F.
Published: July 2016

A multinomial logit model was estimated and used to analyze the impact of various producer characteristics on the adoption of flow-through and recirculating technology in soft-shelled crab production. Because of the industry's geographic isolation and high turnover rate, data was collected by personal interviews in 1991. The results suggest that increased adoption might be fostered by targeting education programs towards full time, family operated businesses in non-traditional production regions. However, development of effective education programs may be hindered by the lack of a significant relationship between producer adoption decisions and the information provided by university or extension personnel.
Agricultural Industrialization and Sustainable Development: A Global Perspective
Authors: Davis Carlton G. , Langham Max R.
Published: July 2016

Agricultural industrialization and sustainable development issues are important contemporary areas of debate. This paper argues that the two processes are a consequence of a set of forces operating in our global system. It outlines a number of conceptual interactions between the two phenomena and examines economic development and sustainable development policy implications that appear to be logical extensions of the arguments presented.
Factors Affecting Commercial Bank Lending to Agriculture
Authors: Betubiza Eustacius N. , Leatham David J.
Published: July 2016

A tobit econometric procedure was used to examine the effect of selected demand and supply factors on nonreal estate agricultural lending by commercial banks in Texas. Results show that banks have reduced their agricultural loan portfolios in response to increased use of interest sensitive deposits after deregulation. Moreover, almost half of this decrease came from banks that stopped making agricultural loans. Also, results show that banks affiliated with multi-bank holding companies lend less money to agriculture relative to their assets than do independent banks.
Factors Affecting the Probability of Consuming Fish and Shellfish in the Away from Home and at Home Markets
Authors: Nayga Rodolfo M. , Capps Oral
Published: July 2016

Models are developed to measure the effect of socioeconomic factors on the probability of consuming fish and shellfish in both the away from home and at home markets. Factors that significantly affect the likelihood of eating fish and shellfish at home include: urbanization, region, race, ethnicity, age, diet status and income. On the other hand, region, employment, diet status, household size, age and income significantly affect the likelihood of eating fish and shellfish away from home.
Marginal Price of Lake Recreation and Aesthetics: An Hedonic Approach
Authors: Lansford Notie H. , Jones Lonnie L.
Published: July 2016

Efficient allocation of water requires knowledge of water's value in both consumptive and nonconsumptive uses. This study estimates the marginal value of water in lake recreational and aesthetic (RA) use. An hedonic price equation (employing the Box-Cox functional form) indicates lake front location, distance to lake, and scenic view are significant RA characteristics of housing. Water front properties command a premium price for the private access they offer. Beyond the water front, the marginal RA price falls rapidly with increasing distance, becoming asymptotic to some minimum. Twenty-two percent of housing price is found to be attributable to the RA component.
The Millennium Round of Multinational Trade Negotiations
Authors: Schmitz Andrew
Published: July 2016

The 1999 round of trade talks in Seattle, Washington got off to a rather shaky start; in fact, it may be several years before new trade talks will be held. Many special-interest groups, including environmentalists and labor unions, were successful in scuttling these trade talks. In addition, agriculture's role and position were not clearly stated. This paper deals specifically with key agricultural issues surrounding future progress in trade talks. These comments integrate the central themes covered by the several authors who participated in the session entitled “The Millenium Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations.” My discussion illustrates some of the outstanding issues which must be dealt with before significant progress will be made towards freer trade in agriculture.
Incentive-Based Solutions to Agricultural Environmental Problems: Recent Developments in Theory and Practice
Authors: Randall Alan , Taylor Michael A.
Published: July 2016

Theory predicts that incentive-based regulatory instruments reduce compliance costs by encouraging efficient resource allocation and innovation in environmental technology. Cost reductions from pollution permit trading often have exceeded expectations, but the devil is in the details: the rules matter. In recent years, IB instruments of many kinds, from permit trading to various informal voluntary agreements, have been introduced in many countries. Point-nonpoint trading programs have been established in the U.S., but recorded trades have been rare. We speculate about prospects for performance-based monitoring of agricultural nonpoint pollution which, we believe, would encourage trading to the benefit of farmers and society.
Biodiesel as a Substitute for Petroleum Diesel in a Stochastic Environment
Authors: Tareen Irfan Y. , Wetzstein Michael E. , Duffield James A.
Published: July 2016

The objective of the research presented in this paper is the development of a stochastic adoption threshold. The option pricing approach for modeling investment under uncertainty is extended for the case of comparing two stochastic input prices associated with inputs that are perfect substitutes in a production process. Based on this methodology, a threshold decision rule influenced by the drift and volatility of these two input prices is developed. Theoretical results establish an empirical link for measuring the tradeoff of a relatively more expensive input (biodiesel) with lower price drift and volatility compared with a lower but more volatile priced input (petroleum diesel).
Incorporation of Within-Season Yield Growth into a Mathematical Programming Sugarcane Harvest Scheduling Model
Authors: Salassi Michael E. , Champagne Lonnie P. , Legendre Benjamin L.
Published: July 2016

This study focuses on the development of a optimal harvest scheduling mathematical programming model which incorporates within-season changes in perennial crop yields. Daily crop yield prediction models are estimated econometrically for major commercially grown sugarcane cultivars. This information is incorporated into a farm-level harvest scheduling linear programming model. The harvest scheduling model solves for an optimal daily harvest schedule which maximizes whole farm net returns above harvesting costs. Model results are compared for a commercial sugarcane farm in Louisiana.
Landowner Decision Making about Riparian Buffers
Authors: Lynch Lori , Brown Cheryl
Published: July 2016

A two-stage model is used to examine a landowner's decision to use riparian buffers. First, the farmer chooses whether to continue farming or to sell the land for development. If the farmer continues farming, then he or she must decide whether or not to plant a buffer. If the farmer plants a buffer, he or she must choose its type: trees or grass. Simulations of a representative farmer determine the parameters and parameter values that affect each decision. The farmer chooses to plant a buffer unless the net crop price is high or the land rental rate is low. The choice of buffer type is affected by crop price, farm size, relative incentive payments, relative cost share rates, and amount of deer damage.
World Fibers Demand
Authors: Clements Kenneth W. , Lan Yihui
Published: July 2016

This paper analyses the world demand for fibers using the system-wide approach with three dimensions—product × space × time. We investigate to what extent differences in international consumption patterns of fibers can be explained by differences in incomes and prices faced by different consumers. A novel approach to cross-country consumption comparisons is employed to avoid the troublesome problem of what exchange rates to use when converting data into a common currency unit. We use data from the ten largest consuming countries to estimate demand systems and then examine how they perform in predicting consumption patterns in a large number of out-of-sample countries.
An Economic, Hydrologic, and Environmental Assessment of Water Management Alternative Plans for the South Central Texas Region
Authors: Gillig Dhazn , McCarl Bruce A. , Boadu Frederick
Published: July 2016

Regional water scarcity has motivated the South Central Texas Regional Water Planning Group to actively develop water management plans to address long-/short-term regional water needs. This study, therefore, develops an integrated Edwards Aquifer groundwater and river system simulation model to determine the “best” choice of regional water management plans using mixed-integer linear programming. The economic, hydrologic, and environmental consequences of the “best” choice of regional and other water management plans and options are evaluated and compared. Results indicate a tradeoff between the economic and environmental benefits. A slight decrease in economic benefit results in a substantial increase in environmental benefit.
Pre-Harvest Pricing Strategies in Ohio Corn Markets: Their Effect on Returns and Cash Flow
Authors: Zulauf Carl R. , Larson Donald W. , Alexander Christopher K. , Irwin Scott H.
Published: July 2016

This paper contributes to the debate on whether pre-harvest pricing strategies can improve returns over cash sales at harvest. It also examines cash flow needs of such strategies. The analysis is conducted for Ohio corn produced from 1986 through 1999. The pre-harvest strategies evaluated (short futures, long put, synthetic long put, put-call fence) did not statistically improve returns over cash sales at harvest. However, if implemented during or before planting, these naïve strategies reduced the standard deviation of annual gross income. Substantial cash flow may be incurred, either to establish the strategy or meet margin calls. Therefore, assessments of pre-harvest pricing strategies should include cash flow needs, along with return and risk.
Adult Equivalent Scales Revisited
Authors: Demoussis Michael , Mihalopoulos Vassilis
Published: July 2016

Use of the Tobit model for estimation of adult equivalent scale (AES) parameters and expenditure equations presupposes that zero observations represent exclusively corner solutions. This paper tests for the underlying causes of zero observations and estimates accordingly the AES parameters, the household size in adult equivalents and the resulting expenditure equations and consumption profiles. The empirical application concerns Greek household “soft” and “hard” cheese consumption. The statistical results indicate that for the examined cheese categories the “double hurdle participation” model adjusted for non-normality and heteroskedasticity is the appropriate model for the estimation of AES parameters and expenditure equations.
Problem Solving and Hypothesis Testing Using Economic Experiments
Authors: Hudson Darren
Published: July 2016

The roots and uses of economic experiments in problem solving and hypothesis testing are explored in the present article. The literature suggests that the primary advantage of economics experiments is the ability to use controlled stimuli to test economic hypotheses. Other literature also suggests that experiments are useful in problem solving settings. The advantages and disadvantages of experiments are discussed.
Use of On-Farm Reservoirs in Rice Production: Results from the MARORA Model
Authors: Popp Jennie , Wailes Eric , Young Ken , Smartt Jim , Intarapapong Walaiporn
Published: July 2016

The present article uses the modified Arkansas off-stream reservoir analysis and the environmental policy-integrated climate models to examine the impacts of on-farm reservoirs and tail water recovery systems in conjunction with other best management practices on profitability, water use, and sediment control for rice-soybean farming operations. Results suggest that, under limited water availability conditions, reservoirs and tail water recovery systems can improve profitability, reduce ground water dependence, and reduce the movement of sediment, nutrients, and pesticides off-farm. Although reservoirs may not be profitable under plentiful water conditions, cost-sharing opportunities may make them a viable means of addressing environmental concerns.
Quality Perceptions and Willingness-to-Pay for Imported Rice in Japan
Authors: Peterson Hikaru Hanawa , Yoshida Kentaro
Published: July 2016

Attitudes of Japanese consumers toward domestic and foreign varieties of rice were analyzed on the basis of a survey. We found that the current retail prices for imported rice are higher than the average consumers' willingness-to-pay (WTP), whereas most domestic rice was priced below the average WTP. Unfamiliarity or negative perceptions of the safety and flavor of foreign rice lowered WTP substantially. The WTP for U.S. rice was limited more by negative perceptions of flavor than from concerns about food safety.
Measurement and Explanation of Technical Efficiency Performance in Ukrainian Agriculture, 1991–1996
Authors: Murova Olga I. , Trueblood Michael A. , Coble Keith H.
Published: July 2016

The present study examines technical efficiency patterns in Ukraine's crop sector for 1991-1996. The economic and policy environment in Ukraine has changed since reform began in 1991. Many policy changes have exerted offsetting economic pressures on efficiency. Enterprise privatization and the liberalization of prices and trade put upward pressure on technical efficiency, whereas start-stop land privatization efforts, unpredictable government intervention, and slow developments in the credit and labor markets put downward pressure on efficiency. We found that technical efficiency appears to have improved slightly over the 1991-1996 period, suggesting that the positive forces had more impact.
Effects of Japanese Import Demand on U.S. Livestock Prices: Comment
Authors: Kinnucan Henry W.
Published: July 2016

A recent study by Miljkovic, Marsh, and Brester estimates that reductions in the Japanese tariff-rate quota between 1993 and 2001 increased U.S. beef prices by $1.03 per cwt and yen depreciation between 1995 and 1998 reduced U.S. hog prices by $0.99 per cwt. Relaxing the assumption that U.S. beef and hog supplies are fixed cuts the total elasticities underlying these estimates by 50% or more. The upshot is that shocks in the Japanese market have little effect on U.S. beef and pork prices. Hence, producers may be better off focusing on domestic issues such as dietary concerns over red meat consumption.
Effects of Japanese Import Demand on U.S. Livestock Prices: Reply
Authors: Miljkovic Dragan , Marsh John M. , Brester Gary W.
Published: July 2016

In responding to a comment article, we concur that quantifying U.S. livestock price response to changing Japanese meat import demand requires nonzero supply elasticities beyond one quarter. However, rigidities in market trade and empirical tests justify the inclusion of exchange rates in the short-run analysis. Producer welfare asymptotically approaches zero for increasing supply elasticities in the long run, but short-run transitions in producer surplus are meaningful to producers.
An Application of Spatial Poisson Models to Manufacturing Investment Location Analysis
Authors: Lambert Dayton M. , McNamara Kevin T. , Garrett Megan I.
Published: July 2016

The influence product markets, agglomeration, labor, infrastructure, and government fiscal attributes had on manufacturing investment flows in Indiana between 2000 and 2004 were estimated using Poisson regression, geographically weighted regression, and a spatial general linear model. Counties with access to urbanization economies, product markets, available labor, a high-quality workforce, and transport infrastructure were more likely to attract manufacturing investment. These effects were magnified to some extent when inter-county spatial effects were modeled. The distributional assumptions of the spatial models are different, but both methods are useful for understanding the spatial context of the factors influencing manufacturing investment flows.
Human Resource Management Risks: Sources and Control Strategies Based on Dairy Farmer Focus Groups
Authors: Bitsch Vera , Kassa Getachew Abate , Harsh Stephen B. , Mugera Amin W.
Published: July 2016

Human resource management in agriculture and associated risks are under-researched topics. To identify the sources of human resource management risks confronting dairy farms, gain insights into how dairy farmers perceive the impacts of these risks, and identify control strategies, four focus group discussions were held with dairy farm managers. Managers' perceptions served to develop a framework for the analysis of human resource management risks in agriculture and derive recommendations for reducing these risks. Results of this study have been used to tailor educational programs for farmers and suggest strategies for future research.
Economics of Groundwater Irrigation in Nepal: Some Farm-Level Evidences
Authors: Bhandari Humnath , Pandey Sushil
Published: July 2016

This article examines the economics of groundwater irrigation and shallow tubewell (STW) ownership decision making, using farm-level data collected from 324 households in Nepal. STW irrigation generated a significant positive effect on rice yield and farmers' incomes. Based on a probit model, the farm size, land fragmentation, access to electricity, and access to credit were found to significantly influence farmers' decisions to own STWs. Although the water market benefited poor farmers, it is too small and monopolistic. Policy reforms needed to make groundwater accessible to the poor majority include effective credit programs, investments in rural electrification, and public sector support for promoting suitable pumping technologies.
Evading Farm Support Reduction via Efficient Input Use: The Case of Greek Cotton Growers
Authors: Pantzios Christos J. , Rozakis Stelios , Tzouvelekas Vangelis
Published: July 2016

The present paper examines the importance that efficient resource use may have for cotton growers under the current EU policy regime. To that end, input-oriented technical and scale efficiency scores for a sample of 172 cotton-growing farms are empirically quantified. The results suggest that cotton farms in the sample are not efficient mainly due to the nature of the policy regime governing the sector throughout EU. By becoming efficient, the co-responsibility levy will be reduced by 18.3% and farms may increase their profits by 50.1% on the average.
Hedonic Retail Beef and Pork Product Prices
Authors: Parcell Joseph L. , Schroeder T.C.
Published: July 2016

Consumer-level hedonic models are estimated to determine factors affecting retail pork and beef meat cuts. Results indicate that brand premium and discount varies across private, national, and store brands and that brand premium varies across meat cuts carrying the same brand name. Product size discounts are linear for beef and nonlinear for pork, meat items on sale are significantly discounted to nonsale items, specialty stores typically will not garner higher prices than supermarket/grocery stores, and warehouse stores typically have premium prices relative to supermarket/grocery stores.
Farm Animal Welfare—Testing for Market Failure
Authors: Carlsson Fredrik , Frykblom Peter , Lagerkvist Carl Johan
Published: July 2016

Many consumers are concerned with animal welfare in the conventional production of farm livestock. This concern can be related both to their own and others' consumption. In the latter case, there is a negative externality from consumption. We suggest a survey design that enables us to test for a market failure in farm livestock production. Applying this to the question of battery cages in egg production, we cannot show that a market failure exists. The policy can be extended to a general discussion of how potential market failures for all kind of farm livestock should be managed.
Economic Impacts of Carbon Taxes and Biomass Feedstock Usage in Southeastern United States Coal Utilities
Authors: English Burton C. , Jensen Kim , Menard Jamey , Walsh Marie E. , Brandt Craig , Van Dyke Jim , Hadley Stanton
Published: July 2016

The Southeastern United States depends on coal to supply 60% of its electricity needs. The region leads in CO2 emissions and ranks second in emissions of SO2 and NO2. Compared with coal, biomass feedstocks have lower emission levels of sulfur or sulfur compounds and can potentially reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. This study examines the economic impacts of cofiring biomass feedstocks with coal in coal-fired plants under three emission credit and two cofiring level scenarios. Economic impacts are estimated for producing, collecting, and transporting feedstock; retrofitting coal-fired utilities for burning feedstock; operating cofired utilities; and coal displaced from burning the feedstock.
U.S. Cotton Subsidies: Drawing a Fine Line on the Degree of Decoupling
Authors: Schmitz Andrew , Rossi Frederick , Schmitz Troy G.
Published: July 2016

The impact of the U.S. cotton policy depends on several interrelated factors: how input subsidies interact with producer price supports, producer price expectations, and the extent to which price supports are decoupled from production. Cotton subsidies have a direct impact on world cotton prices, depending on the extent to which price supports are coupled to production. At one extreme, there is a price impact of 12.4% when producers make decisions at the loan rate, but the average price impact is 20.9% when producers make decisions based on the target price. Results are presented for intermediate cases of decoupling.
Student Perceptions of Online Distance Education in Undergraduate Agricultural Economic Programs
Authors: House Lisa , Weldon Richard , Wysocki Allen
Published: July 2016

Undergraduate Food and Resource Economics majors and those with different majors were surveyed to determine the perceived advantages and disadvantages of distance and online education courses from a student perspective. Specific objectives included determining if students who have been exposed to more online courses are more likely to rate online education as positive or negative relative to the traditional classroom setting. In general, Food and Resource Economics majors tended to view distance and online education courses less favorably than did the others.
Agricultural Household Response to Avian Influenza Prevention and Control Policies
Authors: Beach Robert H. , Poulos Christine , Pattanayak Subhrendu K.
Published: July 2016

Recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Asia, Europe, and Africa have caused severe impacts on the poultry sector through bird mortality and culling, as well as resulting trade restrictions and negative demand shocks. Although poultry producers play a major role in preventing and controlling avian influenza, little research has examined the influence of their farm-level decision making on the spread of the disease. In this study, we describe farm behavior under livestock disease risk and discuss data and analyses necessary to generate sound empirical evidence to inform public avian influenza prevention and control measures.
Economic Impacts of Regionalization of a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreak in the United States
Authors: Paarlberg Philip L. , Seitzinger Ann Hillberg , Lee John G.
Published: July 2016

This analysis examines the economic impact of an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and the consequences of regionalization. The results suggest that an outbreak would have serious economic effects. Depending on the regionalization scenario, returns to capital and management in the poultry meat and egg sectors would fall between $602 million and $853 million dollars over 16 quarters. Consumers of poultry meat lose $900 million in consumer surplus in the first four quarters, a decline of 10.7%. Egg consumer surplus falls 17.1%. Regionalization lowers the economic welfare losses for producers because it dampens the export loss.
The Potential Effects on United States Agriculture of an Avian Influenza Outbreak
Authors: Brown Scott , Madison Daniel , Goodwin H.L. , Clark F. Dustan
Published: July 2016

The U.S. poultry industry has spent considerable resources to date preparing for an outbreak of avian influenza in this country. This research quantifies the potential effects of two alternative avian influenza scenarios on the poultry industry. In addition, this research looks at effects on other agriculture sectors including the loss of feed demand from an outbreak and the impacts on aggregate measures like farm income and consumer food expenditures. The economic sector model maintained by the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) is employed for these scenarios.
Forecasting Irrigation Water Demand: A Case Study on the Flint River Basin in Georgia
Authors: Banerjee Swagata “Ban” , Tareen Irfan Y. , Gunter Lewell F. , Bramblett Jimmy , Wetzstein Michael E.
Published: July 2016

Southeast drought conditions have accentuated the demand for irrigation in the face of restricted water supply. For allocating this supply, Georgia held an auction for withdrawing irrigated acreage. This auction withdrew 33,000 acres from irrigation, resulting in a physical estimate of a 399 acre-feet daily increase in water flow. The actual reduction is driven by crop distributional changes on the basis of economic substitution and expansion effects. In contrast to the physical estimates, an econometric model that considers these effects is developed. The differences between the physical and econometric models result in an increase in the estimate of water savings of around 19% to 24%.
The Impact of an Urban Growth Boundary on Land Development in Knox County, Tennessee: A Comparison of Two-Stage Probit Least Squares and Multilayer Neural Network Models
Authors: Cho Seong-Hoon , Omitaomu Olufemi A. , Poudyal Neelam C. , Eastwood David B.
Published: July 2016

The impact of an urban growth boundary (UGB) on land development in Knox County, TN is estimated via two-stage probit and neural-network models. The insignificance of UGB variable in the two-stage probit model and more visible development patterns in the western part of Knoxville and the neighboring town of Farragut during the post-UGB period in both models suggest that the UGB has not curtailed urban sprawl. Although the network model is found to be a viable alternative to more conventional discrete choice approach for improving the predictability of land development, it is at the cost of evaluating marginal effects.
Manure Transfers in the Midwest and Factors Affecting Adoption of Manure Testing
Authors: Ali Sarah , McCann Laura , Allspach Jessica
Published: July 2016

Using manure as a substitute for commercial fertilizer could potentially reduce fertilizer costs and also reduce non-point source pollution. Livestock farmers in Missouri and Iowa were surveyed regarding their manure management practices. Eighty-one percent of turkey farmers versus 5% of beef farmers transferred manure to other farmers. Fifty-one percent of farmers who transferred manure indicated it had been tested. Factors decreasing adoption included higher off-farm incomes, solid versus liquid manure, and more animal units per acre. Factors increasing adoption included distance transferred, a contract for the manure, payment, and thinking that manure testing was profitable.
Tall Fescue Toxicosis Mitigation Strategies: Comparisons of Cow-Calf Returns in Spring- and Fall-Calving Herds
Authors: Smith Stephen A. , Caldwell James D. , Popp Michael P. , Coffey Kenneth P. , Jennings John A. , Savin Mary C. , Rosenkrans Charles F.
Published: July 2016

Tall fescue toxicosis adversely affects calving rate and weight gains reducing returns to cow-calf producers in the south–central United States. This grazing study estimated animal and economic performance implications of endophyte-infected fescue and calving season. Establishing novel endophyte-infected tall fescue on 25% of pasture acres resulted in improved calving rates (87% vs. 70%), weaning weights (532 lbs vs. 513 lbs), and partial returns per acre ($257 vs. $217). Additionally, fall-calving cows had higher calving rates (91% vs. 67%), weaning weights (550 lbs vs. 496 lbs), and partial returns per acre ($269 vs. $199) than spring calving cows.
Effect of Risk Aversion on Feeder Cattle Prices
Authors: Lee Jung-Hee , Brorsen B. Wade
Published: July 2016

This paper determines the effects of cattle feeders' risk aversion on feeder cattle prices using pen data of Kansas feedlots. Higher profit risk results in lower feeder cattle prices. The elasticity of feeder cattle price with respect to profit risk was small (-0.013). The risk elasticity estimated here is similar to risk elasticities in previous studies and thus, the use of pen-level data does not seem to add much to the study of risk.
Demand Relationships Among Juice Beverages: A Differential Demand System Approach
Authors: Brown Mark G. , Lee Jonq-Ying , Seale James L.
Published: July 2016

Nielsen ScanTrack data were used to study how income and prices influenced consumer juice beverage demand in the United States during the period from 1988-89 through 1991-92. Alternative differential demand models combining the features of the Rotterdam model and the almost ideal demand system (AIDS) were tested. Results indicate the CBS type demand responses describe consumer behavior better than the other specifications for this particular data set.
Economics of Trade-off Between Urea Nitrogen and Poultry Litter for Rice Production
Authors: Govindasamy Ramu , Cochran Mark J. , Miller David M. , Norman Richard J.
Published: July 2016

This paper identifies optimal combinations of nitrogen in the form of urea, fresh litter and composted litter for rice production. Traditional cost minimization techniques using data from experimental results conducted at three sites in Arkansas during 1991 have been employed. Comparisons between different scenarios indicate that the trade-off between the use of poultry litter and urea nitrogen depends on such factors as soil fertility, the yield response to litter application and the relative prices of nitrogen and litter. The use of litter is more economical at high target yields than at low target yields.
The Southern Agricultural Economics Association's Declining Membership
Authors: Kilmer Richard L.
Published: July 2016

It is indeed a pleasure to be standing here today addressing you as your president. When Bill Park called me to ask whether I would run for president of the Southern Agricultural Economics Association (SAEA), I said yes. He said, “don't you want a day or two to think about it?” I said, “Bill, I have been in this profession for 27 years; I do not want to wait another 27 years for the opportunity. You can do the math.”
Reinventing Regulation of Agriculture: Alternative Performance Standards for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations
Authors: Pease James W. , Bosch Darrell J.
Published: July 2016

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are point sources of pollution and require Clean Water Act permits. The 2003 regulations allow Large CAFOs to propose alternative performance standards (APS) that offer equivalent or better environmental performance than the baseline technology. Principal obstacles to APS success include the complexities of demonstrating superior performance, cost uncertainties for obtaining approval, CAFO risks of participation, inter- and intra-organizational barriers of permitting agencies, and potential lawsuits brought by environmental groups. Despite obstacles, APS offers potential for technology innovations and reduced environmental compliance costs.
Regulatory Responses to Potential Pollutants from Animal Feeding Operations: Opting Out of Costly Permitting Regulations
Authors: Centner Terence J. , Mullen Jeffrey D.
Published: July 2016

Because of excessive water impairment, federal and state agencies have enacted regulations to reduce water pollution from animal feeding operations. Many of the regulations are based on numbers of animals rather than the potential of an operator to impair water quality. To enhance efficiency, critical production indicators and location screening factors might be used to exempt operations that are not significantly impairing water quality. In this manner, regulations could avoid imposing unnecessary costs on the regulated public and more effectively target monitoring and enforcement resources of the regulatory agency.
Developing Policy Relevant Agrifood Models
Authors: Rude James I. , Meilke Karl D.
Published: July 2016

The opportunities and challenges of incorporating accurate policy representations into institutional partial equilibrium commodity models were investigated. Six issues are raised: commodity space definition, vertical linkages, assessing market power, the changing nature of government support, trade policy, and data requirements. The importance of product attributes and different approaches to modeling product differentiation are considered. A case study of food safety is used to bring together the major issues. Although institutional commodity models still have a role to play, we advocate the use of smaller idiosyncratic models to address many of the relevant policy questions in a rapidly changing sector.
An Econometric Analysis of the Environmental Benefits Provided by the Conservation Reserve Program
Authors: Fleming Ronald A.
Published: July 2016

Over $1.7 billion has been spent on the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) since 1985. The purpose of this study is to show that these expenditures have aided the environment. Rather than quantify changes in environmental variables, a spatial econometric model is used to test if CRP enrollments are greater in counties with poorer environmental quality. In seven of nine regions, CRP enrollments are higher in counties with an environmental concern. This positive finding justifies past expenditures by the CRP and supports continued funding as an environmental program. The CRP is targeting current environmental concerns that will lead to future improvement.
Do Economic Restrictions Improve Forecasts?
Authors: Murphy Elizabeth , Norwood Bailey , Wohlgenant Michael
Published: July 2016

A previous study showed that imposing economic restrictions improves the forecasting ability of food demand systems, thus warranting their use even when they are rejected in-sample. This article evaluates whether this result is due to economic restrictions enhancing degrees of freedom or containing nonsample information. Results indicate that restrictions improve forecasting ability even when they are not derived from economic theory, but theoretical restrictions forecast best.
Predicting Pork Supplies: An Application of Multiple Forecast Encompassing
Authors: Sanders Dwight R. , Manfredo Mark R.
Published: July 2016

Conditional efficiency or forecast encompassing is tested among alternative pork production forecasts using the method proposed by Harvey and Newbold. One-, two-, and three-quarter ahead pork production forecasts made by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the University of Illinois and Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, and those produced by a univariate time series model are evaluated. The encompassing tests provide considerably more information about forecast performance than a simple pair-wise test for equality of mean squared errors. The results suggest that at a one-quarter horizon, the Extension service forecasts encompass the competitors, but at longer horizons, a composite forecast may provide greater accuracy.
A Conjoint Analysis of the U.S. Broiler Complex Location Decision
Authors: Harrison R. Wes , Sambidi Pramod R.
Published: July 2016

A national survey of broiler industry executives is conducted to analyze site-specific factors related to the broiler-complex location problem. Conjoint analysis is used to analyze the broiler complex location decision. Feed costs, community attitude toward the broiler industry, availability of geographically concentrated growers, unemployment rates, and wage rates were found to be the top five factors affecting broiler company location decisions. The quality of roads between feed mill and growers; electricity, heating, water, and sewage costs; and the number of potential growers in the region were also found to be important.
An Empirical Investigation of Live-Hog Demand
Authors: Parcell Joe , Mintert James , Plain Ron
Published: July 2016

An inverse live-hog demand model was estimated to analyze whether there has been a recent increase in the magnitude of live-hog, own-quantity demand flexibility. Estimating the impact of processing capacity-utilization rate changes on live-hog prices was a second objective of this research. Results indicate that live hog prices have become more responsive to changes in hog slaughter, slaughter weight, cold storage stocks, and changes in the processing capacity-utilization rate. Finally, model results indicate that the sharp increase in processing capacity-utilization rates, the increase in average dressed weight, and the increase in hog slaughter all had a negative effect on the live-hog prices.
Estimating Indirect Production Functions with a More General Specification: An Application of the Lewbel Model
Authors: Hilmer Christiana E. , Holt Matthew T.
Published: July 2016

Whereas consumer theory employs several different empirical specifications for estimating indirect utility functions, producer theory has relied on the Translog specification to estimate the indirect production function. In this paper, we apply Lewbel's more general functional specification and investigate its implications for the estimation of indirect production functions in productivity analysis. An attractive feature of the Lewbel model is that it nests both the Translog and the almost ideal supply system, offering a method to assess the empirical validity of all three specifications. Aggregate U.S. production data are used to examine the performance of the three models in an empirical application.
Cost of Forward Contracting Hard Red Winter Wheat
Authors: Townsend John P. , Brorsen B. Wade
Published: July 2016

Two methods were used to estimate the cost of forward contracting hard red winter wheat. One hundred days before delivery, the estimated cost of forward contracting ranged from six cents/bu. to eight cents/bu. Thus, further evidence is provided that the cost of forward contracting grain is not zero.