bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health‐related quality of life and glycaemic control in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Singapore
Authors: Shim Y. T. , Lee J. , Toh M. P. H. S. , Tang W. E. , Ko Y.
Published: April 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, e241–e248 (2012)

Aims  To investigate the health‐related quality of life of patients with diabetes mellitus in Singapore and its associations with diabetes‐related characteristics and glycaemic control.

Methods  An interviewer‐administered, cross‐sectional survey was conducted in a sample of 301 adult diabetes patients under primary care. The survey questionnaire included both a generic health‐related quality of life measure, the Euroqol 5‐D and a diabetes‐specific instrument, the Audit of Diabetes‐dependent Quality of Life. Patients’ most recent HbA1c values were extracted from their medical records.

Results  After excluding patients who lacked the 90‐day HbA1c test result, the final number of responses analysed was 282. Pain/discomfort was the most common complaint among the five Euroqol 5‐D domains (by 28.0% of the respondents). Lack of freedom to eat was the Audit of Diabetes‐dependent Quality of Life domain with the greatest negative average weighted impact (= −3.8, on a scale of −9 to 3). A significant association was observed between Audit of Diabetes‐dependent Quality of Life average weighted impact and both duration of diabetes and use of insulin. A negative correlation was found between health‐related quality of life and HbA1c values in both health‐related quality of life measures (both r = −0.2, P = 0.001).

Conclusions  Patients with diabetes in primary‐care settings frequently reported problems with pain/discomfort and restrictions in diet. Poorer health‐related quality of life was found to be associated with higher HbA1c values. The chronicity of diabetes and insulin therapy may have a negative impact on patients’ diabetes‐related health‐related quality of life. This study indicates the importance of achieving better disease management to improve the health‐related quality of life of patients with diabetes.
Increased rates of adverse outcomes for gestational diabetes and pre‐pregnancy diabetes in on‐reserve First Nations Women in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Liu S. L. , Shah B. R. , Naqshbandi M. , Tran V. , Harris S. B.
Published: April 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, e180–e183 (2012)

Aims  To compare the prevalence of diabetes in pregnancy, pregnancy care and adverse pregnancy outcomes in on‐reserve First Nations women vs. non‐First Nations women in Ontario, Canada.

Methods  A retrospective population‐based cohort study was performed. All 487 368 live singleton hospital deliveries between 1 April 2002 and 31 March 2010 were identified. Outcomes were defined by linking mothers and infants to provincial healthcare administrative databases.

Results  Diabetes in pregnancy was more prevalent in First Nations women (10.3 vs. 6.0%). They received less pregnancy care and had higher rates of adverse outcomes than non‐First Nations women with diabetes.

Conclusions  First Nations women are at a higher risk of diabetes in pregnancy and adverse outcomes. This highlights the need for increased care for pregnant First Nations women.
Marked vitamin D deficiency in patients with diabetes in the UK: ethnic and seasonal differences and an association with dyslipidaemia
Authors: Alam U. , Najam O. , Al‐Himdani S. , Benoliel S. , Jinadev P. , Berry J. L. , Kew M. , Asghar O. , Petropoulos I. N. , Malik R. A.
Published: April 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, 1343–1345 (2012)
USES AND LIMITATIONS OF FARM SURVEYS
Authors: Schapper Henry P.
Published: April 2012

Farm surveys are an indispensable tool for use at all levels of agricultural policy and in important phases in agricultural economics research. This paper is an attempt to synthesise some of the more important recent discussions that have centred round the roles of surveys in economics in general and in farming in particular. Farm surveys are comparatively recent in Australia. There is need for more of them, covering not only technical and financial data, but personal, subjective and institutional data also. Such surveys should be regarded as prerequisites for more effective policy‐making in agriculture, and as such, provision for them should be incorporated within policy for its guidance and evaluation.
SHED CLASSING VERSUS STORE CLASSING
Authors: Gruen Fred H.G. , White J.O.
Published: April 2012

Wool may be classed (i.e., grouped into reasonably uniform lots prior to sale) either immediately after shearing in the shearing shed or it may be packed into bales and sent to a wool store for classing. The second type of operation (especially when applied to relatively small quantities of wool) is known as bulk classing. With bulk classing the individual grower's wool loses its identity and is offered for sale in mixed lots. There are a number of other methods of preparation of wool for sale. Of these the only one which will be considered here specifically is "interlotting" which consists of shed classed bales from a number of growers being matched and sold as one lot. Interlotting is purely an operation to increase the size of lots (i.e., the number of bales per lot sold) so as to attract more competition from buyers or to reduce the valuing, inspection and bidding work of buyers and others
ECONOMICS AND ECONOMISTS FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ADVANCEMENT*
Authors: Schapper Henry P.
Published: April 2012

My subject arises from a recent, though limited, personal experience in economic planning in an underdeveloped country. This was as a member of the Economic Survey Mission on the Economic Development of Zambia organised jointly by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the F.A.O. It confronted me with questions about the usefulness of economics and the adequacy of economists for the development of policies to enable the majority of mankind to be freed from the shackles of poverty.
PRODUCTION ECONOMICS, AVERAGES AND STANDARDS IN RESEARCH AND EXTENSION
Authors: Cozens L.E.
Published: April 2012

Though theoretically desirable, production functions are difficult both to obtain and to use. Farm standards have generally been the main vehicle for giving farm management advice, despite their defects. This article puts an argument for standards but concludes that more effort can be made to use standards derived from mathematically defined production functions.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YIELDS ON FARMS AND IN EXPERIMENTS
Authors: Davidson Bruce Robinson , Martin Brian Robert
Published: April 2012

A definite relationship appears to exist between the yields obtained on farms and in experiments. For crops the relationship is curvilinear and for animal products it is linear. In both cases the ratio of average farm yields to experimental yields decreases as experimental yields increase. The ratio between average farm and average experimental yields over a period of years decreases as the area of crops increases and varies with the type of animal product.
SOME FACTORS AFFECTING THE CLEAN PRICE OF GREASY WOOL
Authors: Skinner J.N.
Published: April 2012

Using data from two representative wool‐selling seasons, this paper presents an analysis of the influence of various wool characteristics on the clean price of greasy wool. The crimp frequency of staples is shown to be over three times more important than either staple length or colour; other characteristics, relative to these three, appear to be of no importance.
AUSTRALIAN FARM ORGANIZATIONS AND AGRICULTURAL POLICY
Authors: Campbell Keith O.
Published: April 2012

This paper describes the structure and operation of the Australian farm organisations and discusses their role in the formation of public policy. Comparisons are made between their activities and those of similar organisations in other countries. In the later sections of the paper there is some discussion of the process of government consultation with rural pressure groups in Australia and of the question of unification.
CONTRACT FARMING AND THE BROILER INDUSTRY
Authors: McConnell D.J.
Published: April 2012

The growth of contract production in certain types of farming is noted, and the main implications of this form of business organization for on‐farm decision‐making and capital acquisition are identified. The purposes of contracting, from both processor firm and farm viewpoints are discussed, and the broiler industry is used to illustrate the development of contracting.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF FARM ACCOUNTS
Authors: Burns E.O.
Published: April 2012

With the development of farm management extension services in Australia, a need has arisen for an analytical technique which can be handled by extension officers and readily comprehended by farmers. Inter farm comparison met this need at a similar stage of development in the United States and United Kingdom, and its application to Australian conditions is discussed. Comparative analysis is presented as an integral feature of farm management accounting.
WELFARE CONSIDERATIONS OF NORTH AUSTRALIAN DEVELOPMENT DECISIONS
Authors: Healey Derek T.
Published: April 2012

Issue is taken with those who adopt a short‐term economic allocation approach to the question of the development of Northern Australia. It is argued that welfare‐economics criteria are inappropriate when consideration of development is involved and that attention must be paid by economists to immeasurable benefits and to national long‐term goals rather than to the maximisation of immediate utilities.
PROBLEMS OF ADAPTATION OF PASTORAL BUSINESSES IN THE ARID ZONE*
Authors: Campbell Keith O.
Published: April 2012

With emphasis upon Central Australia, an assessment is made of the economic problems of pastoral firms in meeting the climatic conditions of the arid zone. Analysis ranges over the responsibility for conservation and drought planning, the inadequacy of a purely physical approach to conservation, the difficulties of station organization and management in the arid zone, the array of possible managerial strategies for meeting these difficulties, and the effect of social institutions on the choices avail. able to management.
SOCIAL GAIN, WELFARE, POLITICAL ECONOMY AND A' THAT
Authors: Kelso Maurice M.
Published: April 2012

The economic criterion of public investment choice is aggregate consumers' surpluses and producers' rents generated by the investment. Its analytical model is a social revenue function and a social cost function. It is a welfare criterion only so far as efficiency is a welfare component and then subject to severe limitations. It is argued here that the economist's conclusions rest in part on a set of value preferences; therefore, the test of their rightness is in part their acceptability to the public choice‐maker.
MAIL SURVEYS AND NON‐RESPONSE BIAS:*REPORT ON A N.S.W. MAIL SURVEY
Authors: Freebairn John W.
Published: April 2012

All farmers in one stratum of a wheat storage survey who failed to answer a mail questionnaire were personally interviewed. Answers obtained from the mail respondents and from non‐respondents are compared to assess the extent of non‐response bias. Five suggestions for planning "high return" mail surveys are discussed.
THE SMALL‐FARM PROBLEM IN AUSTRALIA*
Authors: McKay D.H.
Published: April 2012

The nature of the small‐farm problem in Australia is discussed from a welfare point of view. The situation is examined industry by industry where data are available. It is suggested that while the average level of farm income in Australia compares well with non‐agricultural earnings, there are some industries with very significant numbers of low income farms.
BOUNTIES FOR FERTILIZERS
Authors: Mauldon R.G.
Published: April 2012

Bounty payments on fertilizers have rapidly emerged as a major form of assistance to Australian agriculture. They have been justified as a way of reducing costs and increasing productivity, though economic theory and experience from agricultural production studies suggest that they achieve these objectives inefficiently. The bounties are directed towards making acres more productive, which should in turn make farmers more productive. It is suggested that greater economic welfare would result from tackling the problem the other way round.
OPTIMAL CULLING POLICY FOR BREEDING EWES
Authors: Byrne P.F.
Published: April 2012

This article demonstrates a method to determine the optimal culling, policy for a sheep breeding flock. A model of the flock is constructed and profitability calculated for different age distributions of ewes. The method is illustrated with data obtained from an actual farm by a farm management consultant.
RESEARCH ORIENTATIONS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR AGRICULTURAL ECONOMISTS
Authors: Baker Chester B.
Published: April 2012

Division of agricultural economics research into behavioural vs. policy alternatives is proposed to reduce ambiguities implied by a positive vs normative division. The thesis is argued with reference to growth of the farm firm. A specific model is proposed. Brief comparisons are provided with alternatives in behavioural and policy applications.
TIME AND RECURSIVENESS IN LIVESTOCK FEEDING TRIALS*
Authors: Duloy J.H. , Battese George E.
Published: April 2012

In livestock feeding experiments the problem of recursiveness arises because the quantity of feed consumed by an animal is a function of its past history of feeding. The problem is most acute where experiments are designed to analyse sub ad lib feeding. The analysis of such experiments encounters two important problems. The first is that the actual quantity of feed consumed is an endogenous variable and is not directly under the control of the experimenter or the livestock producer. The second problem is the mathematical complexity of the relationships involved. A solution is suggested as a quasi reduced‐form model.
MANAGEMENT ADVICE, PRODUCTION FUNCTIONS AND SMALL FARM GROUPS*
Authors: Cozens L.E.
Published: April 2012

This article gives some results of production function studies carried out on small groups of farms. The results indicate that such studies can produce useful suggestions for farm reorganisation even when only 20 farms constitute the sample. Since service centres are being set up in Australia to help advise farmer groups or samples of this size, production function studies on the material provided may be unexpectedly rewarding.
A MODEL OF THE NEW ZEALAND SHEEP INDUSTRY*
Authors: Rayner A.C.
Published: April 2012

The paper presents a model of the New Zealand Sheep Industry which predicts animal numbers in various sex/age categories. The explanatory variables used are the prices of the end products of the industry and time, to represent technological change. Prices are found to have a significant, though delayed, effect on farmers' stock decisions. Furthermore, the significance of time demonstrates improvements in some forms of animal husbandry. The relative failure of the model's latest predictions emphasizes the importance of irrational optimism in the industry.
A NOTE ON SOME DIFFICULTIES IN RESPONSE ANALYSIS
Authors: Anderson Jock R.
Published: April 2012

Some empirical problems which tend to receive inadequate attention in response analysis are discussed. These include the variation not explained by fitted production functions, the sensitivity of optima and profits to price changes, the cost of developing production functions and the value in using them.
PRODUCTION SCHEDULING AND ALLOCATION: A NORMATIVE DECISION MODEL FOR SUGAR MILLING*
Authors: Guise John W.B. , Ryland G.J.
Published: April 2012

An inter‐temporal equilibrium model is developed for the purpose of optimizing the scheduling of production in Australian sugar mills. An application of this quadratic programming model is then discussed, and the procedures used to estimate coefficients are outlined. Two tentative conclusions are that mills tend to commence crushing before the optimal starting date and that in many cases they would have been unable to cover their marginal processing costs when producing No.2 Pool sugar in recent seasons.
OPERATIONAL ACCOUNTING FOR FARM MANAGEMENT
Authors: Mauldon R.G. , Schapper Henry P. , Treloar D.W.G.
Published: April 2012

The accounting system of the Farm Management Service Laboratory of Western Australia is discussed. As a point of reference it uses the system approved by the National Workshop on Standardization of Terminology and Procedures in Farm Management Accounting in Australia. The Laboratory's system is expressly designed to provide a continuous flow of information to the farmer for his control, understanding and evaluation, planning and budgeting, and enhancing credit‐worthiness.
MANAGEMENT GAMES AND THE TEACHING OF FARM MANAGEMENT*1
Authors: Longworth John W.
Published: April 2012

The concept of a farm management game is explained, and the relationships between simulation, games and Monte Carlo techniques are discussed. The potential role of farm management games in improving the teaching of farm management is reviewed. The management game is presented as a dynamic case study.
EXTRA TAX RESULTING FROM INCOME VARIATION WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO NEW ZEALAND
Authors: McArthur A.T.G.
Published: April 2012

The extent by which expected tax payments are increased by income variance is discussed in the New Zealand setting. The cases of both normal and rectangular distributions of income are examined. The absolute magnitude of the expected extra tax for income fluctuation is lower than was expected. In Australia income variance may be higher but the more rapidly progressive tax rates of New Zealand mean that for a given mean income and standard deviation the extra tax in that country would be higher.
VALUE OF PREDICTORS OF UNCONTROLLED FACTORS IN RESPONSE FUNCTIONS
Authors: Byerlee Derek R. , Anderson Jock R.
Published: April 2012

A method is developed for assessing the monetary value of additional information in the framework of a response process which involves interaction between controlled and uncontrolled factors. The method is illustrated through an analysis of the value of a rainfall predictor in determining optimal applications of nitrogen to wheat in an environment with variable rainfall. The analysis defines the conditions under which the predictor is most valuable and suggests types of predictors which may be of greater value.
THE DEMAND FOR IRRIGATION WATER IN AN INTENSIVE IRRIGATION AREA
Authors: Flinn J.C.
Published: April 2012

Linear programming procedures offer a useful means of estimating irrigation water demand functions at the farm level. If such estimates are to be aggregated to form regional demand schedules, care must be taken in the selection of representative farms if aggregation error is to be minimized. Both seasonal and intra‐seasonal demand schedules are presented since both are important when irrigation demand estimates are being developed.
A NOTE ON LIVESTOCK BREEDING POLICIES IN STABLE AND DEVELOPMENT SITUATIONS
Authors: Byrne P.F. , Healy A.T.A.
Published: April 2012

Multi‐stage linear programming is used to develop sheep replacement policies in a number of different situations. Policies are developed for eight and sixteen year periods assuming, firstly a constant feed supply, and secondly, an increasing feed supply over the period. The results show the optimal flock composition together with the sheep sale activities for each year of the plan. The marginal value products indicate which constraints are the most important and whether any should be relaxed in order to make the model more realistic. It is concluded that it is not necessary to use a very long planning period in order to determine the activities for the early years. The results from the shorter planning period appear to be consistent with long‐term goals.
THE MERINO EXPORT EMBARGO — A COMPARATIVE STATIC ANALYSIS
Authors: Quilkey John J.
Published: April 2012

The genetic changes which would occur in overseas flocks as a result of the export of merino rams from Australia are unknown. Even so, Australia recently relaxed the merino export embargo and may go further. A comparative static model is presented to assess changes in annual wool income resulting from increases in the supply of apparel wool emanating from possible levels of the genetic effect.
A NOTE ON HIDDEN GAINS AND LOSSES OF BUFFER STOCK SCHEMES FOR WOOL
Authors: Lewis A.C.
Published: April 2012

This note is concerned with one aspect of the methodology for examining the gains and losses of a buffer stock scheme for wool. It is shown that it is incorrect to debit interest due on capital tied up in stocks of wool without, at the same time, crediting a portion of this to the grower. The errors that can occur in calculations that do not take account of the charged time distribution of growers' receipts are demonstrated.
FARM ADJUSTMENT AND THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT*
Authors: Harris S.F.
Published: April 2012

The problem of low income farms in Australia is examined in a dynamic context of overall farm adjustment. It is suggested that the pace of agricultural adjustment has been and is too slow, in the light of current and prospective market and cost trends. Consideration is given to both the case for, and the possibilities of, government action and the relationship of on?‐farm adjustment to the adjustment needs of the economic and the social infrastructure on the agricultural sector.
THE COMMONWEALTH DROUGHT BOND
Authors: Glau T.E.
Published: April 2012

The operation of the drought‐bond scheme is described. A special tax concession for primary producers substantially increases the yield after tax on these bonds. The expected yield is calculated for representative marginal tax rates and probabilities of drought. Some deficiencies of the present scheme are discussed and proposals are made which overcome efficiency and equity criticisms.
EMPIRICAL COST FUNCTIONS FOR LABOUR‐INTENSIVE PADDY FARMS IN FORMOSA*
Authors: Lin An‐Yhi , Heady Earl O.
Published: April 2012

This study includes an estimate of cost functions for paddy farms in Formosa. Two types of estimational techniques are used; namely regression estimates and synthesized or budgeted cost curves. Long‐run and short‐run regression‐derived curves are estimated for rice and sweet potato farms from samples which provide the observations. Estimates are for total cost functions with average cost functions computed per hectare. From sample observations, it was possible to derive, through regression estimates, only linear total cost functions. The non‐linear average cost functions have only slight (economically unimportant) slopes beyond 2?‐5 hectares. Hence, large farms do not seem to be an important policy imperative. However, the steep slope of the average cost functions for farms under 1‐5 hectares suggest that further farm fragmentation should be prevented. The cost estimates based on synthesized functions result in conclusions paralleling those based on regression‐estimated cost functions. The area at which minimum average costs occur differs among sets of fixed inputs. However, the level of costs at minimum points on the curves are similar for the numerous resource situations examined. Within the limitations of the data and results, we believe both estimational techniques imply similar policy prescriptions.
A GRAPHICAL ILLUSTRATION OF THE DULOY PARADOX
Authors: Powell Alan A.
Published: April 2012

As a guide to the reorganisation of resources, the MVP /MFC comparison can result in the adjustment of resources to new levels which are actually further away from their optimal levels than their original values. Duloy illustrated this paradox mathematically in the context of fitted agricultural production functions in a paper published in 1959. His result is of considerable importance to agricultural micro‐economists; however, it is not easy to teach to students of poor mathematical background. The need to be able to teach in literary form the Duloy Paradox–that increasing the application of a factor with a relatively high MVP can result in a movement away from the optimum input‐mix–led to the following analysis.
THE COST‐PRICE SQUEEZE ON AUSTRALIAN FARM INCOME
Authors: Glau T.E.
Published: April 2012

Relative price movements for major agricultural commodity groups are reviewed. Estimates of the movement in real farm income per farmer are presented for Australian agriculture over the period 1949 to 1969, and for the sheep industry for the period 1953 to 1967. Increased productivity has offset the adverse price movements experienced by farmers over the period examined. The effect of the cost‐price squeeze on farm investment and adjustment is discussed. The continuing cost‐price squeeze has not prevented sustained investment by farmers.
A COMPARISON OF INCOME AVERAGING PROCEDURES FOR INCOME TAX PURPOSES
Authors: Chisholm Anthony H.
Published: April 2012

A comparison is made of a number of income averaging procedures on the basis of selected performance criteria. The main conclusion which emerges is that the Australian income averaging procedure, currently applied to primary producers, has a number of defects. Several of the alternative income averaging procedures reviewed are judged to be superior to the current Australian system.
A WHEAT POLICY FOR THE SEVENTIES*
Authors: Campbell Keith O.
Published: April 2012

A study of the origins of the wheat surplus problem in Australia suggests that more far‐reaching adjustments in national wheat policy are required than those currently envisaged. Ten specific recommendations for the reform of the present policy are outlined. A new form of income stabilisation scheme is proposed.
A REVIEW OF THE ESTIMATION OF TRANSITION PROBABILITIES IN MARKOV CHAINS
Authors: Dent Warren , Ballintine Richard
Published: April 2012

A chronological review of the development of estimation procedures for unknown constant Markovian transition probabilities is presented with emphasis on applications involving the availability of macrodata, as opposed to microdata. Monte Carlo results comparing various estimation methods are analysed and several suggestions for estimating non‐stationary probabilities are made.
AGRICULTURE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PAPUA AND NEW GUINEA
Authors: Parker M.L.
Published: April 2012

Primary production including subsistence production, accounts for about 60 per cent of the national income of Papua and New Guinea. The bulk of the indigenous people are subsistence farmers, or have contact with the cash economy through agriculture, and the agricultural industries provide virtually the sole source of export earnings. The position is nevertheless changing rapidly.
THE NATURE OF PRICE MOVEMENTS DURING SINGLE SALES FOR THREE INDIVIDUAL WOOL TYPES SOLD IN SYDNEY
Authors: Payne R.A. , Whan R.B.
Published: April 2012

Price series for three wool types sold in Sydney are tested for the presence of serial correlation using the von Neuman ratio. The results indicate that it is unusual to find significant serial correlation between prices during a single sale. These results have implications for the use of various statistical techniques in wool marketing research and for buying tactics in the market generally.
THE INCIDENCE AND EFFECTS OF DEATH DUTIES ON WOOL‐GROWING PROPERTIES IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Authors: Thomson Norm J.
Published: April 2012

Death duties are allegedly a tax designed to redistribute accumulations of wealth. Therefore, to the extent that they are successful, one might expect death duties to inhibit the trend for wool‐growing properties to become more capital‐intensive. This aspect of death duties appears to be in complete contrast to other rural policy objectives designed to encourage on‐farm investment. However, while a survey of 58 death duty‐affected properties established that death duties do reduce the rate of capital accumulation, the impact appears to be less severe on the wealthy than the less‐wealthy families.
SOME CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH PRICE STABILIZATION BY THE WOOL COMMISSION REDUCES INCOMES*
Authors: Tisdell Clement A.
Published: April 2012

Stabilization of wool prices (which is partially achieved by the Wool Commission) may reduce the average annual net income (surplus) of growers and also of manufacturers of wool. The argument that the surplus of growers may be reduced is based upon Massell's extension of Oi's hypothesis. The possibility of falls in the surplus of manufacturers if wool prices are stabilized has a different basis. If wool prices are stabilized by buffer stocks, manufacturers find that their supplies are more variable than in the absence of controls. Consequently, they experience greater average annual cost if their marginal operating costs are increasing. Unless there are substantial revenue gains to processors, their surplus falls. The argument is also applicable to buffer stock schemes for other primary products.
THE INTEGRATED USE OF SIMULATION AND STOCHASTIC PROGRAMMING FOR WHOLE FARM PLANNING UNDER RISK*
Authors: Trebeck David B. , Hardaker J. Brian
Published: April 2012

Methods of whole‐farm planning under risk are briefly reviewed, noting especially associated operational problems. A planning problem relating to spatial diversification of beef production in the Clarence region of N.S.W. is investigated using a model comprising both simulation and linear programming components. It is concluded that such composite models are valuable for the analysis of sequential stochastic decision processes not presently amenable to solution by stochastic programming alone.
INTER‐GENERATIONAL TRANSFERS IN THE RURAL SECTOR: A REVIEW OF SOME PROBLEMS
Authors: Longworth John W.
Published: April 2012

Three kinds of inter‐generational transfer are discussed. Despite the obvious advantages of partnerships and other forms of income splitting from the income tax viewpoint, about half of the primary producers in Australia continue to operate their businesses as sole traders. Some of the problems which arise with partnerships, trusts and companies in this regard are considered. The transfer of the ownership of the assets in addition to the ownership of the income stream they generate, is then considered in detail. The taxation of this transfer by means of gift and death duties raises many questions in relation to economic equity and efficiency. The third type of inter‐generational transfer discussed in this paper is the transfer of the managerial role. Several suggestions are made which could help not only to reduce the family trauma which usually surrounds this issue, but which also could help reduce the tendency for farmers to hold the reins for too long.
A SIMULATION MODEL OF AN ARID ZONE SHEEP PROPERTY
Authors: Chudleigh Peter D. , Filan S.J.
Published: April 2012

A simulation model of a pastoral property in the Western Division of New South Wales is described. Problems of applying the model to analysis of decision situations faced by graziers are reviewed, and the results of some early applications of the model are summarized.
ECONOMICS OF SIZE IN AUSTRALIAN FARMING
Authors: Anderson Jock R. , Powell Roy A.
Published: April 2012

Economics of size is an important but relatively neglected aspect of Australian agriculture. The theory and methodology for analysis of economics of size are summarized and a survey made of evidence for Australian agricultural industries. The conclusion is reached that economies of size exist, particularly for small to medium farms and diseconomies appear to be absent. Further research is needed and some important areas are indicated.
FINANCIAL CONTROL WITHIN COMMERCIAL FAMILY FARMS
Authors: Mauldon R.G.
Published: April 2012

Types of control are briefly reviewed. It is asserted that control problems are of growing importance in farm management. Opportunities for control in farming are identified. An outline is given of the necessary ingredients of a financial control system for farm management. By way of example, a test is made of a hypothesis about the nature of financial control among a sample of commercial farmers. Finally, problems of planning for control are briefly examined.
RESOURCE PRODUCTIVITY, RETURNS TO SCALE AND FARM SIZE IN INDIAN AGRICULTURE: SOME RECENT EVIDENCE*
Authors: Srivastava Uma K. , Nagadevara Vishnuprasad , Heady Earl O.
Published: April 2012

A perceptible technological transformation has been under way in India during the last few years. The output of total foodgrains increased sharply between 1967‐68 and 1970‐71 over previous years. There is enough evidence to show that the technological change has resulted in an upward shift in production functions for major crops, especially for wheat.
ECONOMIC THEORY AND SHEEP‐CATTLE COMBINATIONS*
Authors: Wills Ian R. , Lloyd Alan G.
Published: April 2012

This paper deals with the problem of determining the optimum combination of sheep and beef cattle on grazing properties. A major difficulty is that iso‐cost functions (production possibility curves) for sheep and cattle are unstable and difficult to estimate because of sheep‐cattle‐pasture interaction. After discussion of theoretical difficulties consideration is given to practical approaches, based on the iso‐cost function concept, which might provide graziers with useful guide‐lines. Evidence is presented which suggests that the substitution rate between sheep and cattle with respect to pasture is not constant, and probably varies with stocking rate.
OPTIMAL FERTILIZER CARRYOVER AND CROP RECYCLING POLICIES FOR A TROPICAL GRAIN CROP
Authors: Kennedy John O.S. , Whan I.F. , Jackson R. , Dillon John L.
Published: April 2012

The consequences of carryover for the optimal application of fertilizer are considered using dynamic programming. The conclusions are relevant for the further problem of deciding how many grain crops to harvest from grain sorghum plants grown in a tropical environment. Dynamic programming is also used for solving this problem for the Ord River Valley, and takes account of the interrelations between season and crop cycle number. Data were obtained from investigations conducted in the area.
THE VALUE OF INFORMATION PROVIDED BY A UNIFORM GRADING SYSTEM
Authors: Freebairn John W.
Published: April 2012

The potential effects of a uniform meat grading scheme on market performance are evaluated in terms of a change in the information state. A uniform grading system may reduce the per unit costs involved in the collection and transmission of information on the characteristics of, and the price differentials for, different units of the commodity set. Under conditions of uncertainty an improved information state will increase market participants' expected utility. A general procedure for an empirical evaluation of a grading scheme is outlined.
FORECASTING THE FUTURE FOR TIMBER*
Authors: Ferguson Ian S.
Published: April 2012

For each State a simple two‐equation model of demand and supply was fitted to post‐war data using two‐stage least squares. Prior estimates of the housing coefficient were used to break collinearity problems in the demand function. Price elasticity of demand appears to be high and income elasticity moderate but declining with increasing income. The use of these estimates in forecasting is briefly outlined.
ASSESSMENT OF THE OUTPUT OF A STOCHASTIC DECISION MODEL
Authors: Hardaker J. Brian , Tanago A.G.
Published: April 2012

The concept of stochastic dominance is described and its use is illustrated in relation to the evaluation of the output of a systems simulation model of lucerne haymaking in south‐west Spain. Two alternative machinery systems are ranked for various lucerne areas using the criteria of stochastic dominance, and These results are compared with those obtained using mean‐variance analysis.
THE STATE MARKETING BOARD: RELIC OR PROTOTYPE?*
Authors: Campbell Keith O.
Published: April 2012

This paper is primarily concerned with the place of producer‐controlled marketing boards in contemporary agricultural policy. The accomplishments and limitations of state marketing boards are reviewed from the standpoint of their stated objectives. Their possible future role is discussed in the light of changes which have occurred in market structure and in public attitudes towards intervention in agricultural marketing, both in Australia and in other advanced economies.
THE SHORT‐RUN IMPACT OF BEEF IMPORTS ON U.S. MEAT PRICES
Authors: Houck James P.
Published: April 2012

This paper contains short‐run estimates of the impact of beef imports from Australia and elsewhere on U.S. retail meat prices. The U.S. beef demand is separated into two categories, table cuts and processed items. Estimates of direct and cross price elasticities of demand for these products are used together with elasticity estimates for other meats and other foods to assess the effect of imports on prices and upon various portions of the Consumer Price Index.
FINANCING SMALL‐FARM DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA*
Authors: Baker Chester B. , Bhargava Vinay K.
Published: April 2012

Small farm credit is important in public programs of developing countries. It is supported to finance increased productivity through modernization and to replace the exploitive moneylender. However, expectations often exceed performance. Indian research suggests the discrepancy may be traced to failure to account for the needs of liquidity management. It suggests, too, that programs that are designed to account for liquidity management can lead to modernization and to improved viability of small farms as well.
AN ECONOMIC ALTERNATIVE TO CONCESSIONAL FARM INTEREST RATES
Authors: Baker Chester B.
Published: April 2012

A variable amortization plan is proposed, indexing annual payments made by farm mortgage borrowers. A debt reserve balance also is proposed to stabilize payments received by lenders. Research implied by the proposal is outlined, together with modelling suggestions for investigating effects of the plan on farm income after debt servicing requirements have been met.
USING REGRESSION ANALYSIS TO REDUCE AGGREGATION BIAS IN LINEAR PROGRAMMING SUPPLY MODELS*
Authors: Kennedy John O.S.
Published: April 2012

Because methods of eliminating aggregation bias are impracticable, an alternative method is suggested for reducing aggregation bias which uses regression estimates of farm resonrce availabilities as functions of farm size. The estimates are incorporated in a parametric run of the LP problem in which size is parameterized. The method is applied to a case study problem, and the results compared with other methods of demarcating representative farms.
AGRICULTURAL POLICY ADVICE AND THE PUBLIC INQUIRY PROCESS*
Authors: Mauldon R.G.
Published: April 2012

The Industries Assistance Commission came into existence in 1974. It extends to all industries, including the rural industries, the system of public scrutiny of advice regarding assistance. This paper considers the ethos of the IAC's establishment. It discusses some criteria which are features of the IAC's operation, and which are considered to be necessary for an effective public inquiry process. Finally, it comments on the relationship of the IAC to other policy objectives and other advisory instrumentalities.
PROGRAMMING FOR EFFICIENT PLANNING AGAINST NON‐NORMAL RISK
Authors: Anderson Jock R.
Published: April 2012

A planning methodology is developed based on Monte Carlo sampling of plans and sorting out inefficient plans according to the rules of stochastic dominance. Illustrations and methodological comparison are made in a context of farm planning under risk, and an application in income stabilization research is indicated.
GROWTH AND SIZE ECONOMIES OVER SPACE AND TIME: WHEAT‐SHEEP FARMS IN NEW SOUTH WALES
Authors: Ryan James G.
Published: April 2012

Time series and cross‐sectional data for 18 years on 26 N.S.W. wheat‐sheep properties are combined to test whether farms that grew in size over time reaped the postulated size economies derived from the cross‐sectional statistical cost functions. Realised economies of farms that remained in the industry and changed in size during the 18‐year period were found to be significantly greater than measured potential economies from 'static' cost functions would have suggested. The 'dynamic economies of growth' differed significantly amongst farms indicating there was no single economy of size curve along which farms moved.
ESTIMATES OF COST FUNCTIONS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN RURAL AREAS*
Authors: Hind Ian W.
Published: April 2012

Rural depopulation has put in question the economic viability of many rural institutions. This paper discusses a number of the important conceptual issues that need to be considered when examining the economics of one group of rural institutions, namely schools. Measurement of educational output in particular is fraught with many difficulties. The paper then presents some estimates of cost functions for primary schools in rural areas of New South Wales. The approach combines conventional statistical methods of deriving cost functions with synthetic procedures based on the technology of schooling. It is found that economies and diseconomies of size do exist with respect to certain costs, but it is not clear whether savings can be realized from consolidation of schools, due to the existence of extra pupil transport costs resulting from consolidation.
A STOCHASTIC MODEL FOR THE OPTIMAL REPLACEMENT OF RUBBER TREES
Authors: Etherington D.M.
Published: April 2012

Recognizing the lack of realism in optimal replacement analyses that assume constant prices and yield patterns over time, a stochastic model appropriate to rubber production is developed. Data drawn from Peninsular Malaysia are used to implement the model. The results suggest that efforts should be directed towards establishing bench mark maximum annuities as guides to more economic replanting decisions rather than emphasizing earlier replanting per se. The significance of price stabilization policies also becomes evident.
OPTIMAL GROWTH STRATEGIES FOR PASTORAL FIRMS IN THE QUEENSLAND BRIGALOW SCHEME
Authors: Harrison Steve R. , Longworth John W.
Published: April 2012

The Brigalow Scheme has been one of Australia's largest dryland development projects since World War II. Large sums of private and public capital have been invested to create 247 new farm firms. Planning the development of these new properties is a complex task. A simulation model of the typical block in Area III of the Brigalow Scheme has been constructed and used to evaluate experimentally the financial performance of various growth strategies. Use of a conjugate directions search procedure with this model has allowed growth strategies to be identified which maximize net worth subject to a low risk of financial failure. These strategies are compared with development programmes which have already been implemented. Significant conclusions are reached both with respect to future management strategies and future land development policies. Methodological advances incorporated in the simulation model are also discussed.
PROTECTION STRATEGIES FOR AUSTRALIA
Authors: Edwards Geoff W.
Published: April 2012

The Industries Assistance Commission and the Green Paper on Rural Policy support different protection strategies. Both strategies allow the achievement of a pattern of protection consistent with Pareto‐efficiency. The Green Paper on Manufacturing proposed an approach to tariffs that would perpetuate inefficient resource allocation. The argument of the lAC and the Green Papers on protection policy is examined. A programme of across the board reductions in protection leading to free trade, modified for terms of trade effects, is suggested. It is also argued that initial increases in assistance for low cost industries are not inconsistent with such a programme.
A NOTE ON OFF‐FARM INCOME OF FARM FAMILIES IN AUSTRALIA*
Authors: Tubman Wendy
Published: April 2012

Past studies of the farm sector have concentrated on the use of farm based resources in the farm context alone. Changes in the economic environment have widened the opportunities available to these resources and have thus tended to make this narrow definition of the farm firm less relevant. Some recognition of this situation has emerged in more recent studies. The aim of this note is to collate and examine the degree to which farm labour resources are employed in off‐farm activities in Australia. The main conclusion drawn from the evidence available is that, while in aggregate part‐time farming is a fairly minor activity, in some sectors it is increasing in importance and constitutes a considerable outlet for farm based labour resources.
SPECIFICATION OF AGRICULTURAL SUPPLY FUNCTIONS — EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE ON WHEAT IN SOUTHERN N.S.W
Authors: Griffiths William E. , Anderson Jock R.
Published: April 2012

The implications of alternative disturbance specifications in supply functions have been considered in recent theoretical work but little, if any, empirical evidence has been provided on such specifications. Any empirical investigation of the nature of a supply function disturbance is hampered by considerable uncertainty about the deterministic part of the function. Nevertheless, some progress might be made by considering alternative disturbance specifications in conjunction with a variety of deterministic specifications. Applying this approach to the supply of wheat in southern N.S.W., we find some empirical support for an additive disturbance and, surprisingly, for the use of price, rather than revenue, as an argument In supply functions.
DECOMPOSING THE VARIANCE OF GROSS REVENUE INTO DEMAND AND SUPPLY COMPONENTS
Authors: Piggott Roley R.
Published: April 2012

Some recent analyses relating to gross revenue instability have used a procedure for decomposing the variance of gross revenue into components attributable to price variability, quantity variability and interaction between these. This paper offers some criticisms of the procedure and outlines an alternative procedure which divides the variance of gross revenue into components due to demand variability, supply variability and interaction between these. The procedure is used to investigate the causes of instability in quarterly beef revenues in the Australian beef industry. Since demand and supply variability are both important contributors to beef revenue instability, direct market intervention to stabilise beef industry revenues would be a complex and risky task.
AN EVALUATION OF A NEW ZEALAND MARKETING BOARD'S SUPPLY DIVERSION STRATEGIES
Authors: Rae Allan N.
Published: April 2012

It appears that the agricultural economics literature lacks much evidence upon which we can judge the performance of statutory boards as marketing institutions. This paper reports the achievements of the New Zealand Apple and Pear Marketing Board in two areas of supply diversion—the allocation of fruit between fresh and process markets, and the allocation of fresh fruit sales over time. Results indicate that the Board has achieved considerable gains for producers in the first of these areas, while in the second its behaviour has favoured consumers.
AN APPRAISAL OF A BUFFER FUND SCHEME FOR BEEF
Authors: Parton Kevin A.
Published: April 2012

A buffer fund scheme has been proposed as a means of stabilizing producer revenue in the Australian beef industry. In this paper the economic consequences of such a policy are evaluated and the conditions under which the scheme would be successful in achieving its principal aim are indicated. In addition to effects on the stability of producer revenue, consequences of the policy for total producer revenue and its distribution among producers are indicated. Finally, the effects on consumers, at home and abroad, and taxpayers are estimated.
NEW ZEALAND BEEF AND SHEEP SUPPLY RELATIONSHIPS
Authors: Rich M.M.
Published: April 2012

The primary purposes of this study are to measure major relationships describing the responses of different components of sheep and beef farming capital stock in New Zealand to changes in economic conditions, and to investigate the way in which this capital stock has changed over time. These objectives are pursued by attempting to specify an econometric model that recognises joint production between sheep and beef cattle and also takes account of joint firm/household decision making. Aggregate New Zealand data for the period 1952/53 to 1973/74 are fitted to the model using Full Information Maximum Likelihood estimation.