bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Look at Emerging Economic and Policy Issues Confronting Southern Agriculture in the 1980s
Authors: Exeimyer Harold F.
Published: July 2016

The fundamental issue of the 1980s will be whether agriculture will preserve its identity. The 1980s will be the decade decision as to the structural organization of agriculture. It is not anticipated that the agricultural sector will be preserved intact, or, alternately, totally transformed by 1990, but by then the die will have been cast. In a different idiom, a point of no return will have been reached.

Structural questions touch virtually every policy issue in agriculture. Income tax, estate tax, environmental protection, availability of farm credit, terms of price and income support — these and other issues are interwoven. Agricultural economists relate to structural issues in two ways. We are concerned for our clients. The kind of agriculture to prevail makes a difference to farmers and their families, to rural communities, and to the citizenry of the South. It makes a difference also to agricultural economists professionally. In 1969 many of our analytical skills were developed for a dispersed market-oriented agriculture. If a different kind of agriculture materializes, the need for economic guidance will not end, but many of us will find ourselves technologically obsolescent.
Farm Growth and Estate Transfer in an Uncertain Environment
Authors: Walker Odell L. , Hardin Mike L. , Mapp Harry P. , Roush Clint E.
Published: July 2016

Farm firm growth has been an important topic for research and discussion since the 1950s. Incentives for farm growth have been and continue to be substantial. An agricultural economy characterized by technological improvement, decreasing costs, competition, and an inelastic demand for farm products leaves little alternative but growth for a commercial farm. Farm growth is stimulated by the need to achieve size economies that arises partly from new technology and partly from large investments in machinery and equipment. Growth is encouraged by the improving managerial ability of the operator as he matures and gains experience. Increased family living needs and the desire to overcome the adverse effects of inflation on purchasing power spur interest in improving the farm's earning potential. In addition, the operator's goals may include size aspirations to satisfy the desire for a large operation or to support the family of a son or daughter attempting to become established in farming. Because the pressures for growth, both internal and external to the firm, are long-run phenomena in agriculture, continued study and evaluation of the process of entry, firm growth, and exit coordination are essential.
Interfacing Economic and Demographic Models for Rural Areas: Design and Methodological Considerations
Authors: Murdock Steve H. , Leistritz F. Larry , Jones Lonnie L.
Published: July 2016

Recent increases in the number of resource and industrial developments in rural areas [10] have led to the creation of a large number of comprehensive planning models usually identified as “economic-demographic” projection models [see for example 1, 3, 4, 5]. These models are used to delineate systematically the interrelationships among various economic, demographic, and social factors. They differ in their basic model structure, their degrees of flexibility, and range of user input options, and in terms of the geographic and governmental units for which projections are made. Each, however, includes a basic economic module, a demographic module, and a module for interrelating or interfacing the economic and demographic modules. Additional modules, such as fiscal impact, settlement allocation, public service, and housing demand modules, also may be included but they tend to operate directly on the outputs of one of the other three basic components and are thus largely addendums to the economic, demographic, or interface modules of such models.
Impacts of Non-Point Source Pollution Regulations on Mississippi Agriculture
Authors: Hurt Verner G. , Reinschmiedt Lynn L.
Published: July 2016

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, PL92-500, established the goals of making the nation's streams and lakes swimmable and fishable by 1983 and eliminating both point and non-point pollution discharge by 1985. Implementation of this act, even if carried out uniformly and on the basis of scientifically determined information, could have far-reaching impacts on the agricultural sector.

The purpose of this article is to:

1.

Review the requirements of the legislation.

2.

Review selected research.

3.

Estimate the potential economic impact of proposed regulations on agriculture in Mississippi.

4.

Identify research needed to minimize the adverse economic impact of attaining the objectives of the regulations.
A Critique of Federal Agricultural Programs
Authors: Pasour E. C.
Published: July 2016

Criticism of current agricultural programs is coming from within and outside agriculture. Secretary Bergland in recent “grassroots hearings” has called for new approaches in agricultural policy in which recipient benefits do not hinge on size of farming operation. Hjort suggests that despite widespread agreement on the objective of encouraging the family farm, “the cumulative effect of our farm programs may well have been to hasten the concentration of the farm sector….” (Hjort, p. 748). Producers of flue-cured tobacco voted overwhelmingly in December 1979 to continue a program but are upset about high quota rental prices. Outside agriculture, consumers are unhappy about the effects of farm programs on prices of milk, sugar, and other products. Students of the political process are concerned about the effects of the use of state power by small, politically powerful groups to secure economic gains.
The Impact of Selected Hedging Strategies on the Cash Flow Position of Cattle Feeders
Authors: Purcell Wayne D. , Riffe Don A.
Published: July 2016

Price risk has been a major problem for cattle feeders during the 1970s. Since 1972, variability in cash cattle prices has increased dramatically as a result of volatility in the feed grain sector, the cyclical liquidation of cattle numbers which began in late 1973, and cyclical moves in hog prices. The increased levels of price risk have prompted increased interest in hedging.

The literature on hedging strategies for cattle feeding operations continues to grow. Results of early studies show hedging has the capacity to reduce risk in cattle feeding as measured by the variance of per head profits (Heifner; Holland, Purcell and Hague). More recent studies have developed and tested strategies which have the potential both to reduce price risk and increase profits. Selective hedging is typically employed. A mathematical model to predict cash price, sell-buy signals based on some technical trading system, or some other approach is used to select when the cash position should be hedged.
Toward a Performance Evaluation of the Carcass Beef Market-Weak Form Test of the Efficient Markets Model
Authors: Ward Clement E.
Published: July 2016

Concern has been expressed by many people, from producers to consumers, regarding the adequacy and accuracy of reported wholesale carcass beef prices and their use in pricing slaughter cattle and beef. The controversy has generated numerous government investigations and lawsuits beginning at least as early as the mid-1960s (General Accounting Office, 1977, 1978; National Commission on Food Marketing). Despite the decade and a half of criticisms about cattle and beef pricing and price reporting, and the importance of the carcass beef market to the cattle and beef subsector, agricultural economists have devoted surprisingly few resources to analyzing carcass beef market performance.
A Control Theory Approach to Optimal Irrigation Scheduling in the Oklahoma Panhandle
Authors: Harris Thomas R. , Mapp Harry P.
Published: July 2016

Climatic conditions in semiarid regions like the Oklahoma Panhandle result in wide fluctuations in rainfall, dryland crop yields, and returns to agricultural producers in the area. Irrigated crop production increases peracre yields and significantly reduces fluctuations in yields and net returns.

Irrigated production of food and fiber in the Oklahoma Panhandle has developed rapidly during the past three decades, increasing from 11,500 to 385,900 acres since 1950 (Schwab). The primary source of irrigation water in the area is the Ogallala Formation, an aquifer underlying much of the Great Plains region. Until the past couple of years, the presence of relatively low cost natural gas led producers to expand irrigated production and apply high levels of water to crops irrigated in the area.
Energy Accounting: The Case of Farm Machinery in Maryland
Authors: Foster Phillips , Flemming John , Wichelns Dennis
Published: July 2016

Farm machinery energy accounting has taken basically three approaches.

The first approach is concerned with the energy embodied in farm machinery on a national basis. Two studies have attempted to show the aggregate amount of energy embodied in the manufacture of farm machinery. Using input-output analysis, Bullard et al. provide estimates of the energy costs of goods and services for 1967. Measured in BTUs per dollar of final product, the energy cost of farm machinery at 1967 price levels is given as: coal, 34,478 BTUs; natural gas, 24,794 BTUs; refined oil, 12,541 BTUs; and electricity, 5,396 BTUs.
Impact of Industry in Rural Economies: An Input-Output Approach
Authors: Guedry Leo J. , Smith David W.
Published: July 2016

Industrialization is an integral part of many rural community development programs across the country. Interest in attracting industry is often based on an ex ante assessment by local groups and officials of the positive benefits accruing to the community or area from industrialization. Obvious benefits to a local economy include increased output, income, and employment. Benefits occur in the form of purchases of labor and inputs by industry from endogenous sectors and the resulting local trade. A complete understanding of these benefits by local groups and officials in rural economies is essential for the planning of effective industrial development programs.
An Evaluation of Feeder Cattle Grading Standards
Authors: Anderson Kim B.
Published: July 2016

Responding to the needs of the feeder cattle industry, the USDA (1979) implemented a new feeder cattle grading system which broke from the traditional method of using consistent grade terminology throughout the marketing process. The terms Prime, Choice, Good, etc. were replaced by three frame sizes (large, medium, and small) and three thickness scores (1, 2, and 3). The change from carcass quality terms to production-oriented terminology was deemed necessary because the product characteristics desired by cattle feeders differ from those desired at slaughter by the slaughterer-packer.
Impact of Elimination of the Food Stamp Program's Purchase Requirement on Participants' Food Purchases
Authors: Salathe Larry E.
Published: July 2016

The Food Stamp Act authorizes the distribution of food coupons (stamps) to households which meet certain income eligibility requirements. This legislation enables low-income households to buy more food of greater variety to improve their diet. In fiscal 1979, the cost of the Food Stamp Program amounted to $6.7 billion and the number of persons participating in the program averaged 18.9 million.
A Management Information System for Local Governments
Authors: Sjo John , Biere Arlo
Published: July 2016

We find two reasons to develop an improved management information system for local governments. One is the apparent inability of current local government management information systems to warn of imminent financial collapse or to indicate the degree of financial weakness of a local government. Another reason is the need for information that will promote the most efficient use of resources in providing public services.

During the 1970s certain local governments were unable to meet their obligations. Their current obligations exceeded current revenues. The nation was made aware of the crisis when New York City defaulted on some of its loan obligations and sought federal assistance. Other local governments have faced similar crises. Cleveland, Ohio, was in default for a short period during 1978 until it sold some of its assets (urban land and an electric power generating plant) to obtain cash and reduced its programs to reduce current outlays. The crises in those large cities have brought national attention to the financial problems of many local governments—urban and rural, large and small.
Inflation, Cash Flows, and Growth: Some Implications for the Farm Firm
Authors: Robison Lindon J. , Brake John R.
Published: July 2016

As farm sector prices continue to increase at rates higher than any since World War II, attention is being given to the cause of the price increases and their structural impacts on the farming sector. Land, a major component of farm assets, has been the focus of many studies examining the effects of inflation. Melichar showed current increases in land prices to be consistent with productivity gains. Lee and Rask illustrated that even though current levels of land prices may be justified, firms may have negative cash flows, especially if loans are repaid on level repayment plans. Current inflationary conditions led Robison to conclude that though current land prices may be justified, the benefits and costs are unequally distributed and that, increasingly, persons who in earlier years made land purchases are more able to afford to purchase more, thereby accelerating the trend toward fewer and larger farms.
Indiana Farm-Level Impacts of Possible Environmental Protection Agency Bans on Selected Soybean Insecticides
Authors: Cashman Christopher M. , Martin Marshall A. , McCarl Bruce A.
Published: July 2016

In spite of the economic benefits of insecticides to farmers and consumers, growing concern about the potential health and environmental hazards of some insecticides has resulted in the investigation of many insecticides by the Environmental Protection Agency (Boraiko). The use of several insecticides has already been banned. Others are under review and their use may be banned or restricted in the future.

The Environmental Protection Agency must evaluate, monitor, and regulate a wide range of chemical compounds. To do so requires the collection and analysis of information on the environmental, health, and economic impacts of the use of many diverse chemicals. Though regulatory action by the Environmental Protection Agency may reduce health and environmental risks, such action can also alter the profitability and performance of a farming operation.
Production Function, Cost of Production, and Associated Optimality Linkages: A Textbook Supplement
Authors: Beattie Bruce R. , Griffin Wade L.
Published: July 2016

One of the most important concepts of production economics, the linkage of costs of production (expressed in terms of output) to the production function, is poorly treated in most intermediate level microtheory and production economics texts. In several texts the linkage is so sketchy it is of limited pedagogical value (e.g., Gould and Ferguson; Heady; Leftwich). The best available treatments are those of Doll, Rhodes, and West, Buse and Bromley, and Goodwin, all of which are in introductory texts. Certainly most students are not ready for abstract, analytical geometries in a first course. However, many upper-division students not only do not understand the input side — output side linkages and the resulting consistency of the input profit-maximizing conditions and the output profit-maximizing conditions, but also become confused as to the meaning of and relationship between marginal revenue and marginal value productivity and between marginal cost and marginal factor cost. Treatments like Goodwin's Figure 9.6 (p. 145) must be reinforced and more fully developed at the intermediate level.
Developing Regional Input-Output Models from the U.N. Format Adopted by the U.S. In the New 1972 Input-Output Model: Comment
Authors: Henry Mark
Published: July 2016

In a recent article in this journal, DiPietre, Walker, and Martella presented the derivation of the Total Requirements Tables for the 1972 U.S. input-output study. As this same derivation is available from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, it is unfortunate that the article contains a minor algebraic error.

The error is made in the derivation of equation 7 in the article and is carried through equations 8 and 9.
Risk-Return Assessment of Irrigation Decisions in Humid Regions
Authors: Boggess W. G. , Lynne G. D. , Jones J. W. , Swaney D. P.
Published: July 2016

The environment for decision-making at the farm-firm level has always been volatile, but particularly so in recent years. Product prices have seen wide fluctuations, due in part to a reduced emphasis on farm-price support programs and more reliance on world markets. Input prices, especially those that are energy related (fertilizers, chemicals, fuels), have also increased in an erratic manner in recent years.
Household Fluid Milk Expenditure Patterns in the South and United States
Authors: Huang Chung L. , Raunikar Robert
Published: July 2016

In recent years, significant changes have taken place in the food consumption patterns of American consumers. Evidence indicates that the ongoing changes in U.S. household food expenditure patterns occurred in response not only to sudden increases in food prices in the early 1970s and the recent salient inflationary period (Buse and Fleischner; Salathe), but also to demographic shifts, tastes, and preferences (LeBovit).
The Impact of Natural Gas Price Deregulation on the South Carolina Food-Processing Sectors
Authors: Henry Mark S.
Published: July 2016

The economic distortions that have been caused by federal regulation of natural gas markets have been the subject of many recent studies (Committee for Economic Development [CED]; Brickhill; Hall; MacAvoy and Pindyck; and Means). The most recent policy debate concerns the relative merits of alternatives to the price deregulation schedule of the 1978 Natural Gas Policy Act (NGPA). The range of options runs from freezing natural gas prices at current levels to complete decontrol of natural gas prices by January 1, 1986. Producers of natural gas, pipelines, distribution utilities, and end users all suffer from some sort of economic distortion under the NGPA (CED, pp. 50-60).
Supply Response to Technological Change and Regulation: The Case of Mechanically Deboned Poultry
Authors: McNiel Douglas W. , Burbee Clark R. , Wetzel Howard R.
Published: July 2016

The supply of poultry meat is being augmented by hundreds of millions of pounds annually at little economic cost and no increase in the output of chickens or turkeys. The food-processing innovation responsible for boosting the utilization efficiency of our scarce food protein resources is mechanical deboning, a technique that separates the remaining meat from bones destined to be rendered into inedible products. The potential gains to society from further widespread adoption of this technology could be enormous. Therefore, it is important to have a clear understanding of the factors that affect the market supply response to this technology, as well as the impact of additional regulations governing its use.
Entry into Farming: The Effects of Leasing and Leverage on Firm Survival
Authors: Richardson James W. , Lemieux Catharine M. , Nixon Clair J.
Published: July 2016

The 1979 Farm Finance Survey revealed that 42 percent of all farmers are over 55 years of age and these farmers control 48 percent of all farm assets. This implies that the ownership of about one-half of all farmland will be transferred in the next three decades.
World Agricultural Markets: Implications for U.S. Food and Agricultural Policy
Authors: White T. Kelley
Published: July 2016

In the absence of agricultural policy, the behavior of the agricultural sector is dictated by market forces. Any agricultural policy, other than one of “hands off—let the market forces rule,” is dependent upon programmatic tools which in one way or another attempt to interfere or modify behavior of the sector. If it is government's objective to design and implement a set of programs which will distort market behavior so as to achieve policy goals with minimum negative side effects, it is essential that policymakers understand the kind of market environment within which the U.S. farm sector exists and how this market is likely to behave, given alternative interferences.
Cooperative Antitrust Monopolization and the Theory of Contestable Markets
Authors: Centner Terence J. , Wetzstein Michael E.
Published: July 2016

The judiciary has relied on a firm's market share to evaluate the presence of monopoly power for a Sherman Act monopolization violation. However, an allegation that a firm's market share constitutes monopoly power may be refuted by evidence that there exists a contestable market. Contestable market theory shows that there is no monopoly power where there exists a threat of entry of other firms. This theory thereby offers agricultural cooperatives, which may have a large market share by reasons of the antitrust immunity provided by the Capper-Volstead Act, an argument to overcome allegations of a Sherman Act monopolization violation.
An Empirical Analysis of the Intertemporal Stability of Risk Preference
Authors: Love Ross O. , Robison Lindon J.
Published: July 2016

The interval measurement approach was used to obtain risk preference measures for 23 Michigan farmers in 1979 and again in 1981. This paper analyzes how risk preferences of the individuals in this group of decisionmakers changed over a two year time period. Risk preferences were most stable near typically experienced personal income levels.
Temporal Allocation Alternatives for Southeastern Red Delicious Apples
Authors: Motsinger L. R. , Epperson J. E. , Mizelle W. O.
Published: July 2016

This study examines the economic feasibility of storing southeastern U.S. Red Delicious apples under various circumstances. Circumstances encompassed type of storage, potential market share in the storage periods, perceived level of quality, and opportunity cost of storage. Reactive programming was used to allocate shipments throughout the harvest and storage periods. Except for apples harvested in August, storage was found to be economically feasible under all situations studied. The greatest economic benefit to producers was shown to come from the synergistic effect of storage and improvement in perceived quality.
Scheduling Inputs with Production Functions: Optimal Nitrogen Programs for Rice
Authors: Griffin Ronald C. , Rister M. Edward , Montgomery John M. , Turner Fred T.
Published: July 2016

The problem of scheduling input applications can be examined by extending conventional production function analysis. Using appropriately designed agricultural experiments, it is possible to estimate production function parameters with alternative specifications for input timing (and amount). A study of nitrogen applications to rice is employed to illustrate scheduling via production functions. Alternative specifications and functional forms are simultaneously examined to determine the sensitivity of economic results to these factors. Sensitivity is found to be high, and this finding is hypothesized to be critical for other approaches to input scheduling as well.
Whole Farm Risk-Rating Microcomputer Model
Authors: Anderson Kim B. , Ikerd John E.
Published: July 2016

The Risk-Rating Model is designed to give extension specialists, teachers, and producers a method to analyze production, marketing, and financial risks. These risks may be analyzed either individually or simultaneously. The risk associated with each enterprise, for all combinations of enterprises, and for any combination of marketing strategies is estimated. Optimistic, expected, and pessimistic returns above variable cost and/or total cost are presented in the results. The probability that total return will be equal to or greater than variable cost and/or total cost is also estimated.
Producer Returns from Cotton Strength and Uniformity: An Hedonic Price Approach
Authors: Ethridge Don E. , Neeper Jarral T.
Published: July 2016

Implicit (hedonic) producer prices for fiber strength uniformity were estimated for the southwest U.S. cotton market using seemingly unrelated regression and market sales data from 1983/84 and 1984/85. Fiber strength and length uniformity had significant effects on the price of cotton, but price was less responsive to both attributes than anticipated. Producer prices were most responsive to fiber length and micronaire and least responsive to color and strength. The market at the producer level appears to be making effective price adjustments with respect to factors such as fiber color, trash content, micronaire, fiber length, and location, but strength and length uniformity premiums and discounts are smaller than those paid by end users.
Dynamic Price Adjustments Between Commercial and Purebred Cattle Markets
Authors: VanTassell Larry W. , Bessler David A.
Published: July 2016

Vector autoregression was utilized to investigate dynamic relationships existing between prices of purebred bulls and prices of slaughter steers, utility cows, feeder calves, and cow-calf pairs. Results suggest purebred bull prices respond most quickly to an increase in utility cow prices (proxy for slaughter bull prices). Feeder calf prices exhibited the most pronounced positive effect on the price of herd sires, with a lagged response which took over two years to build.
Risk Efficient Perennial Crop Selection: A Motad Approach to Citrus Production
Authors: Teague Paul W. , Lee John G.
Published: July 2016

Numerous studies have analyzed annual crop mix decisions in light of producer risk preferences. Few studies have focused on perennial crop mix decisions. This study attempts to identify not only the optimal mix of grapefruit and oranges for various riskaversion levels, but also optimal planting densities within each species. Experimental plot data from a grapefruit and orange spacing trial over the 1970-82 period were used in a MOTAD formulation to address optimal perennial crop mix and planting density decisions under different capital constraints. An examination of results suggests crop mix and planting density diversification within and across species of citrus as a means of reducing income variability.
Farm Income Enhancement Potential for Small, Part-Time Farming Operations in East Central Oklahoma
Authors: Sanford Scott , Tweeten Luther
Published: July 2016

Linear programming and stochastic farm growth simulation models are used to assess the impact of alternative enterprise selection, variation in farm income, inflation, and off-farm income on the growth of small, part-time farms in East Central Oklahoma. Results indicate that alternative rates of inflation or variation in farm income do not significantly impact the operation or expansion of part-time farming operations. Adoption of alternative enterprises on part-time farms can lead to full-time farming operations where expansion initially is aided through use of off-farm income. Small full-time operators could greatly enhance family income by obtaining off-farm employment and income.
The Agricultural Risk Management Simulator Microcomputer Program
Authors: King Robert P. , Black J. Roy , Benson Fred J. , Pavkov Patti A.
Published: July 2016

The Agricultural Risk Management Simulator (ARMS) is a microcomputer program designed to help users evaluate strategies for managing yield and price risk in crop farming operations. Risk management strategies are defined by choices regarding crop mix, the purchase of multiple peril crop insurance, and the use of forward contracting. Probabilistic budgeting is used to determine the net cash flow probability distribution for each strategy considered. Flexibility with regard to both sources of probabilistic information and the form of yield and price probability distributions is a noteworthy feature of the program.
Determinants of Cattle Finishing Profitability
Authors: Langemeier Michael , Schroeder Ted , Mintert James
Published: July 2016

Data from a western Kansas feedlot were analyzed to estimate the quantitative impacts of price and performance variables on profits per head from finishing cattle. Sale prices, feeder prices, and corn prices had the most impact on profit variability over time. Differences in sale prices, feeder prices, and feed conversions were important in explaining the difference in steer and heifer profits over time. Results suggest that breakeven prices should be calculated for a range of fed cattle, feeder, and corn prices, and that these three variables need to be stochastic in representative farm modeling efforts.
Quality as A Latent Variable in Recreation Access Analysis
Authors: Luzar E. Jane , Gan Christopher , Kanjilal Barun , Messonnier Mark
Published: July 2016

Recreation trends indicating an increasing demand for quality recreation experiences suggest the need for special consideration of quality in analysis of fee access recreation. By viewing quality as a subjective latent variable, this paper uses a simultaneous equation framework to consider the use of subjective versus objective appraisals of quality in fee-based recreation access analysis.
The Political Economy of Agricultural Trade Negotiations on the Uruguay Round of MTN: Can the U.S. and European Community Reach an Acceptable Compromise in the GATT?
Authors: Ames Glen C.W.
Published: July 2016

A model of the political economy of agricultural policy formulation was used to analyze the current stalemate in the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations. The combination of social welfare increasing and transferring policies in the European Community and the U.S. is one of the primary causes of the deadlock in trade negotiations. The Community's farm policy of high internal price supports, limited market access, and export subsidies represents short-term equilibria in the market for social-welfare policies which distribute benefits to producers at the expense of consumers and taxpayers. Thus, the opportunity for internal reform of the CAP leading to a compromise in the GATT negotiations is problematic at best. However, international commitments to agricultural policy reform will force the Community to make concessions which will bring equivalent change in domestic policy.
An Evaluation of Risk Management Strategies for Dairy Farms
Authors: Bosch Darrell J. , Johnson Christian J.
Published: July 2016

Variability in feed prices and crop yields are important sources of risk to dairy farmers. A simulation model of a representative dairy farm was used to evaluate crop insurance and hedging as risk management strategies. These strategies lowered expected net returns but also reduced risk. The preferred set of strategies at lower levels of risk aversion included hedging and crop insurance, although a base scenario in which no risk management strategies were employed was also efficient. The preferred strategy at higher levels of risk aversion was a combination of crop insurance and hedging.
A Stochastic Simulation Analysis of a Small-Scale Catfish Processing Plant
Authors: Branch William , Tilley Daniel S.
Published: July 2016

Stochastic simulation was used to analyze revenues and costs for a small-scale catfish processing plant under various combinations of operating capacity utilization and price paid for live fish. The probability for a positive level of daily net income ranged from 11 to 100 percent depending on the price paid for live fish and level of operating capacity utilized. Daily average total cost per pound of live fish processed changed by 2.10 percent given a 10 percent change in live fish processed. Short-term cyclical patterns in revenues and costs suggest a need for financial planning to provide for possible year-end revenue shortfalls.
A More Objective Procedure for Determining Economic Subregions: Cluster Analysis
Authors: Cox P. Thomas , Siskin Bernard , Miller Allan
Published: July 2016

In his 1967 presidential address to the AAEA, Charles E. Bishop raises the question: “Why have agricultural economists not devoted more resources to the study of structural changes in rural communities and to public policies relating to the location of economic activity and of population?”. Later in the address, he partially provides the answer through the comment that “We must reorient our thinking in terms of location and scale of organizations and interrelations among firms and among communities … it will be necessary for us to make basic changes in our philosophical approaches to problems, our analytical tools,…”.
Identifying Extension's Community Resource Development Clientele and Adapting Economic Information to the Needs of Each
Authors: Cavender Ray
Published: July 2016

In recent times, few concepts have enjoyed as much exposure or suffered more abuse than Community Resource Development. Social scientists have dissected its components with the skill of the surgeon's hand and too frequently with the clarity and understanding associated with UFO's (unidentified flying objects).

The “novice expert” has contributed greatly to the “popular parade” of information on Community Resource Development. Among his more notable contributions have been complicated frameworks, models, approaches, strategies and processes - - all guaranteed to foster community growth and progress.
Identifying Extension's Marketing Clientele and Adapting Economic Information to Their Needs
Authors: Schermerhorn Richard W.
Published: July 2016

This task with respect to any extension marketing program, can be divided into four parts (1) identify the clientele of extension marketing work, (2) identify the problems of the various clientele, (3) relative to these problems, identify the types of economic information needed for solving the problems of this clientele, and (4) suggest how this economic information can be adapted to the needs of this clientele. The first section of this paper will identify the clientele and the latter section will deal with problems, information needs, and methods of adapting information relative to each defined type of clientele.
Relevant Research Areas and Organizational Questions Relative to Federal-State Research Programs in the Economics of Agricultural Production
Authors: White James H.
Published: July 2016

In dealing with the subject of federal-state research programs, I shall summarize areas and topics for research as visualized by some of those engaged in production economics research in the southern region, and raise some questions relative to organization for Federal-State cooperation on research programs.

Complicating the problem of coordination of effort is the traditional compartmentalization of research and the entanglement one often encounters in administrative procedures when encroaching into areas and topics of research claimed by others.
An Appraisal of the Market for Agricultural Economists - - Structure and Performance
Authors: Breimyer Harold F.
Published: July 2016

“The Great Society is the ‘age of the economist.’ One finds economists not only at the center of economic policy, in the Council of Economic Advisers, but also as important formulators of policy in the Departments of Defense, HEW, and HUD, and even as analysts of the status of the performing arts.” (USDA could have been added.)

Despite the contemporary accuracy of these lines from a recent issue of The Public Interest, any inference that the Great Society was the first “age of the economist” is patently wrong. That label belongs to the New Deal era.
An Analysis of Extension Needs for Agricultural Economists
Authors: Nesius Ernest J.
Published: July 2016

Whether we are to discuss Extension as an administered agency or as a type of work in which agricultural economists engage themselves must be clarified first. If the choice is to feature the needs from an administrative point of view, probably the real issues would be missed. Therefore, the choice must be meeting the agricultural needs for economics through Extension. There is something to say about Extension needs, however, from the administrative viewpoint, and I do plan to put an oar on that side of the question as well.
An Appraisal of Needs for Agricultural Economists in Foreign Economic Development
Authors: Coutu A. J.
Published: July 2016

Statements are varied on the need as distinct from those on employment opportunities for Agricultural Economists abroad. The more useful information on potentialities must recognize congressional as well as political, economic and military uncertainties associated with U. S. foreign policy. The following comments are directed at probable employment opportunities.

The central idea in these comments is that foreign economic development activities for U. S. Agricultural Economists over the next few years will most likely focus on cooperative research in areas of commercial agriculture and rural poverty.
Discussion: The Role of Food and Agriculture in the International Affairs of the United States
Authors: Pagoulatos Emilio
Published: July 2016

The role of food and agriculture in world affairs is an extremely broad and multifaceted subject. Attempts to understand it require the contributions of a number of disciplines, such as agricultural economics, international trade and finance, history, and international politics. Therefore, it is virtually impossible to do it justice in a twelve-page manuscript or in a forty-minute presentation.
Discussion: Protection of Agricultural Land: An Institutionalist Perspective
Authors: Vandeveer Lonnie R.
Published: July 2016

Hite and Dillman have addressed an issue important to this country in their paper. This issue, our changing prime farmland resource base, has received much attention recently and is likely to receive more in the future. Although the views expressed in the Hite and Dillman article are both original and stimulating, they deserve further discussion. Following are comments on the basic premise of their paper, the role of positive economics in this issue, and potential implications for agricultural land retention in the South.
The Determinants of Wage Increases in New Manufacturing Plants in Rural Areas
Authors: Klindt Thomas H. , Deaton Brady J. , Landes Maurice R.
Published: July 2016

The spatial trend of manufacturing industry toward smaller towns and rural areas, particularly in the South and West, appears to be continuing into the 1980s (Haren, 1980). Economic research has been undertaken to examine the reasons for this national shift (Haren, 1970; Beale; Lonsdale et al.), the influence of community decisions on the location process (Smith et al.; Klindt et al.; Kuehn et al.), and various facets of industrial impact on rural communities (Summers et al.; Reinschmiedt and Jones; Deaton and Landes).
Integration, Risk, and Supply Response: A Simulation and Linear Programming Analysis of An East Texas Cow-Calf Producer
Authors: Angirasa Aditi K. , Shumway C. Richard , Nelsen T. C. , Cartwright T. C.
Published: July 2016

The beef cattle industry in the Southeast is dominated by the cow-calf enterprise. Considerable discussion and research has addressed the economic potential of producers in the Southeast carrying calves longer on pasture rather than shipping them to other regions for stockering and backgrounding. Some have suggested that the region has a comparative advantage for increased grain and grass finishing of animals (Farris and Dietrich). At the firm level, the decision to retain calves must be based, among other things, on the availability of forage and on current and expected prices. The longer calves are kept, the greater the competition between cows and calves for available forage.
Lease Versus Purchase of a Center-Pivot Irrigation System: A Georgia Example
Authors: Robertson J. Douglas , Musser Wesley N. , Tew Bernard V.
Published: July 2016

Use of irrigation has been increasing rapidly in the Southeast. For example, irrigated acreage in Georgia increased by 20 percent in 1980, to 0.988 million acres (Skinner, 1981), and increased 16.5 percent in the previous year (Skinner, 1980). Research has been completed on the costs and profits of irrigated crops (Tew and Musser).
Selecting Alternative Federal Income Tax Structures for Farm Supply Cooperatives
Authors: Robbins Lynn W. , Simon Marion F.
Published: July 2016

Farm supply cooperatives provide farm inputs that are used by producers and nonproducers. The development and urbanization of many rural areas have caused farm supply cooperatives to be faced with more and more potential patrons who are not producers. The use of farm inputs by nonproducers has thus expanded the farm supply cooperatives' market potential, while threatening to force them out of what may be preferred tax status.
Efficiency and Equity Aspects of Nonpoint Source Pollution Controls
Authors: Spurlock Stan R. , Clifton Ivery D.
Published: July 2016

Achieving water quality goals will necessitate adoption of best management practices (BMP's) by some or all farmers. Water quality is expected to improve as farmers adopt BMP's such as conservation cropping systems, structural measures, and conservation tillage methods. Currently, there is an absence of pollution abatement incentives strong enough to induce farmers to abate sediment, nutrients, and pesticides to desirable social levels. Although a specific socially optimal level of pollutants may be difficult (or impossible) to quantify, the U.S. Congress, by passing the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (P. L. 92-500), has demonstrated the need for improvements in water quality.
A Bioeconomic Simulation Approach to Multi-Species Insect Management
Authors: Boggess William G. , Cardelli Dino J. , Barfield C. S.
Published: July 2016

Classical approaches to the economics of pest management have focused almost exclusively on single-species models. This study develops and implements a methodology with which to evaluate multi-species, non-stochastic, managerial decisions subject to stochastic elements of the plant-insect system. Multi-species insect management strategies (combinations of scouting interval, threshold value, and choice of pesticide) are analyzed using a physiological mechanistic soybean plant growth model coupled to three insect population dynamics models. Preliminary results indicate that net returns are maximized and variance is reduced with lower thresholds and more frequent scouting than current recommendations.
Effective Learning in Large Classes Through Risk Management
Authors: Broder Josef M. , Tew Bernard V. , Williams Jeffery R.
Published: July 2016

Risk Management strategies for maintaining student performance in large classes are discussed. Risk management theory is discussed and used to describe student behavior. Results of risk management experiments in which students are exposed to alternative levels of grading are reported along with other factors which influence student behavior. Class performance was not found to decline under a system involving only a 50 percent chance of assignments being graded. Procedures for implementing and limitations of chance grading systems in large classes are discussed.
A Microcomputer Model for Irrigation System Evaluation
Authors: Williams Jeffrey R. , Buller Orlan H. , Dvorak Gary J. , Manges Harry L.
Published: July 2016

ICEASE (Irrigation Cost Estimator and System Evaluator) is a microcomputer model designed and developed to meet the need for conducting economic evaluation of adjustments to irrigation systems and management techniques to improve the use of irrigated water. ICEASE can calculate the annual operating costs for irrigation systems and has five options that can be used to economically evaluate improvements in the pumping plant or the way the irrigation system is used for crop production.
Cotton Exports: Analysis of the Relationships between Sales and Shipments
Authors: Ayuk Elias T. , Ruppel Fred J.
Published: July 2016

Relationships between cotton export sales and export shipments are examined, and a quarter-specific lag structure is estimated. Two econometric systems are estimated, one employing export shipments and the other using export sales. Results indicate that sales are more sensitive to changes in economic variables than shipments and that stocks net of outstanding export sales are more responsive to price and interest rate changes than gross stocks. Sales and shipments are different variables and cannot substitute for one another in econometric modelling. Use of export sales data should be considered in estimation of export demand and stock demand parameters.
Economics of Alternative Beef Cattle Genotype and Management/Marketing Systems
Authors: Stokes Kenneth W. , Farris Donald E. , Cartwright Thomas C.
Published: July 2016

Two questions commonly raised by cow-calf producers are, “What type of beef animal is most profitable?” and “Can profits be increased by maintaining ownership of calves through the stocker and feeding stages?”

These two questions are highly interrelated as performance in cow-calf stage carries over into the Dostweanine staees.
Analyzing the Economic Impact of National Beef Import Level Changes on the Virginia Beef and Pork Sectors
Authors: Baum Kenneth , Safyurtlu Ali N. , Purcell Wayne
Published: July 2016

Dynamic, recursive simulation models for the national livestock-feed sector have been designed by agricultural economists for the specific purpose of making long-run projections and evaluating alternative agriculture policies (Reynolds et al.; Yanagida and Conway). While these models are useful for describing the workings of the national grain and livestock sectors, they are incomplete for policy evaluation purposes at a subnational or state level (Knapp et al.; Maki et al.). In these situations, unless state or regional production and marketing patterns are represented as a constant percentage of the national model solution values, the impact of changes in a state's crop or livestock production relative to other states and alternative policy decisions cannot be considered (Ratajczak). Consequently, a state model must be able to reflect the impact of national and international policies and events to be effective and functional (Colyer and Irwin).
Interaction of Japanese Rice and Wheat Policy and the Impact on Trade
Authors: Jabara Cathy L.
Published: July 2016

An important objective of Japanese agricultural policy since the early 1960s has been to increase farm incomes by raising the farm price of rice, the country's principal agricultural crop (Hayami). This objective was accomplished through a two-tiered pricing scheme administered by the Japanese Food Agency, the country's principal purchaser and seller of rice, which maintained producer support prices at levels higher than the consumer equivalent. However, in recent years, the accumulation of excess rice stocks has forced Japan's policymakers to implement major changes in rice policy to reduce persistent overproduction. These policies include diversion payment programs that provide incentives to divert paddy land to production of priority crops such as wheat, barley, and soybeans, as well as surplus disposal programs that subsidize the disposal of accumulated rice stocks for export, industrial, and feed use. Other policy changes include adjustments in the wholesale (resale) prices of rice and wheat to favor rice consumption, and adjustments in producer support prices to promote production of competing crops. This study analyzes the impact on trade of recent changes in Japanese rice and wheat policy.
Agro-Ethics: Extension, Research, and Teaching
Authors: Johnson Glenn L.
Published: July 2016

Student unrest and the dissatisfaction of activists with the performance of “the establishment” shook our society to its roots in the late 1960s and early 1970s, as underlying values and accepted concepts of right and wrong were criticized. Agriculture did not escape and is still widely criticized. Agro-ethics was born. Phrases sufficient to indicate the extent of the current concern about agro-ethics include: animal rights, environmental ethics, recombinant DNA, hard tomatoes/hard times, the export of our soil, energy ethics, Nestle and the multi-nationals, feeding the world's hungry, the plight of the small farm, helping the poorest of the poor, farmer-adapted technology, small is beautiful, and who controls U.S. agriculture.