bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dairy Farm Efficiency Measurement Using Stochastic Frontiers and Neoclassical Duality
Authors: Bravo‐Ureta Boris E. , Rieger Laszlo 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThis paper presents a stochastic efficiency decomposition model based on Kopp and Diewert's deterministic methodology. The stochastic model is used to analyze technical, economic, and allocative efficiency for a sample of New England dairy farms. The results suggest that mean economic efficiency for the farmers in the sample is about 70% and that, on average, there is little difference between technical (83.0%) and allocative (84.6%) efficiency. Analyses of the relationship between efficiency and four socioeconomic variables—farm size, education, extension, and experience—reveal that, despite some statistically significant associations, efficiency levels are not markedly affected by these variables.
Cointegration Tests and Spatial Price Linkages in Regional Cattle Markets
Authors: Goodwin Barry K. , Schroeder Ted C. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThis analysis empirically evaluates spatial linkages in regional cattle markets using cointegration tests of regional price series. Several markets were not cointegrated over the 1980 through 1987 period. However, significant increases in cointegration of several regional livestock markets are observed through the 1980s. The increased cointegration parallels significant structural changes in the livestock industry. A formal analysis of market characteristics reveals that distances between markets, industry concentration ratios, market volumes, and market types have significant influences on cointegration relationships between markets.
Marketed Surplus under Risk: Do Peasants Agree with Sandmo?
Authors: Finkelshtain Israel , Chalfant James A. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractUsing a newly defined notion of aversion to income risk, the behavior of the marketed‐surplus producer under price risk is characterized. Unlike the familiar case first examined by Sandmo, output depends on both ordinal preferences for goods and on risk attitudes. Conditions are found that yield an output level under risk that is smaller than under certainty. If these conditions do not hold, both risk and risk aversion may have a positive effect on output. Implications for econometric studies of risk attitudes are considered and illustrated with an example. Finally, we examine the effect of uncertainty on the peasant's long‐run equilibrium.
Testing for Consistent Aggregation
Authors: Chambers Robert G. , Pope Rulon D. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThis paper designs workable empirical procedures for testing or imposing supply (demand)‐price aggregators. Only single‐equation methods are considered to shift the focus from any particular optimizing paradigm toward the necessities for correctly tabulating firm‐level supplies (demands) and aggregate supply (demand). Both macro‐and micro‐level tests for consistent aggregation are developed. And constructive rules for aggregation based upon empirically observed micro behavior are provided in tabular form. Empirical tests reveal no support for the aggregate price most commonly reported by USDA. The constructive rules are then used to develop a new wheat‐price index consistent with supply aggregation.
Testing for Input Substitution in a Regulated Fishery
Authors: Dupont Diane P. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractInput restrictions are commonly used to prevent rent dissipation in fisheries. This paper examines whether these schemes are successful by calculating the degree of input substitution between restricted and unrestricted inputs. Conventional elasticities of substitution cannot be used when the firm faces controls on the use of some inputs. In this case, the appropriate measure of substitution, the elasticity of intensity, must be used. Data from the British Columbia salmon fishery provide evidence of input substitution possibilities for two vessel types. These results call into question the usefulness of input control schemes.
Understanding Farmland Price Changes
Authors: Just Richard E. , Miranowski John A. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThis paper develops a structural model of land prices which includes the multidimensional effects of inflation on capital‐erosion, savings‐return erosion, and real debt reduction as well as the effect of changes in the opportunity cost of capital. The results show that inflation and changes in the real returns on capital are major explanatory factors in farmland price swings in addition to returns to farming. Additionally, the effects of credit market constraints and expectations schemes are considered explicitly in the analytical model.
The Implicit Value of Corn Base Acreage
Authors: Herriges Joseph A. , Shogren Jason F. , Barickman Nancy E. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe impact of recent changes to the U.S. commodity program and efficacy of environmental regulations designed to discourage continuous corn rotations will depend upon the value farmers place on corn base acreage. This paper estimates this value by assuming that the benefits of access to the program are capitalized into farmland rents. Using Iowa rental survey data and a hedonic pricing approach, the rent gradient for base acreage is found to be on the order of $@@‐@@12 per acre. The discounted stream of returns to base acreage suggests an asset value for corn base of approximately $@@‐@@200 per acre.
Redistributing Income Back to European Community Consumers and Taxpayers through the Common Agricultural Policy
Authors: Bullock David S. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractA multiple‐policy‐instrument generalization of Gardner's surplus transformation curve analysis is applied to an empirical model of the EC wheat sector to compare welfare effects of policy change proposals. A production quota/support price combination is estimated as the most efficient means of making relatively small transfers from EC agriculture to consumers/taxpayers. A coresponsibility levy/support price combination is estimated as the most efficient means of making larger transfers. The importance of accounting for income transfer size, distortions in related markets, and the structure of markets when comparing welfare effects of policy change proposals is demonstrated.
Preserving Waterfowl Habitat on the Canadian Prairies: Economic Incentives versus Moral Suasion
Authors: van Kooten G. C. , Schmitz Andrew 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThis paper examines a pilot project of NAWMP that encourages farmers to promote or maintain waterfowl habitat by relying not only on economic incentives but on awareness, education, and moral suasion. The pilot project relies on farmers' attitudes to keep payments low because project payments substitute for grain program subsidies, thus constituting a transfer from Canadian taxpayers to U.S. contributors to NAWMP. A survey instrument and regression analysis are used to examine attitudes, economic incentives, and willingness to pay and willingness to accept compensation for modifying land use in order to conserve waterfowl habitat. The results indicate that current economic incentives offered to agricultural producers are inadequate because they ignore nonmarket costs, and that a positive attitude toward habitat preservation cannot be used as a substitute for monetary incentives.
Cash Crop Production, Food Price Volatility, and Rural Market Integration in the Third World
Authors: Fafchamps Marcel 
Published: July 2006

AbstractLarge farmers in the Third World often devote to cash crops a larger share of their land than do small farmers. This paper suggests a possible explanation: even in the presence of food markets, Third World farmers' food security is best assured by food self‐sufficiency. A model of crop portfolio choice under multivariate risk is used to show that reasonable assumptions regarding risk and preferences reproduce the observed pattern. Simulations further indicate that food market integration reduces the need for food self‐sufficiency. Policy implications are drawn regarding domestic trade liberalization and agricultural technology.
Material Productivity in Food Manufacturing
Authors: Adelaja Adesoji O. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractMaterial prices have risen in food manufacturing, resulting in material productivity growth. This study estimates material productivity indexes for New Jersey's food‐manufacturing sector. A 21% material productivity growth is indicated for the 1964–84 period. The mechanism of material productivity growth is also investigated. Results suggest that greater material efficiency is encouraged by rising material prices, wage rates, and regulation, and by declining food prices. Short‐run impacts on material productivity are caused by input substitution; beyond‐the‐short‐run impacts are caused by material‐saving technological change. In some food‐manufacturing subsectors, higher material prices may bring lower revenues to material suppliers.
Testing Restrictions on a Model of Japanese Meat Demand
Authors: Hayes Dermot J. , Wahl Thomas I. , Williams Gary W. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractTests for quasi‐separability, net substitutability, and perfect substitutability are developed and implemented on an almost ideal demand system model of the Japanese meat sector. The data set satisfies both symmetry and homogeneity. There is evidence of net complimentarity between chicken and dairy beef and chicken and pork. The tests indicate that Japanese Wagyu beef is considered a separate commodity to both imported beef and dairy beef. The results also indicate that fish can be treated as separable in the Japanese meat demand system.
Improving on Shadow Price Information for Identifying Critical Farm Machinery
Authors: McCarl Bruce A. , Kline D. Earl , Bender Donald A. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractA method is presented for identifying critical farm machinery in a linear programming context. The method uses a technical coefficient sensitivity analysis formula that overcomes problems associated with direct use of shadow prices for critical machinery identification. Case studies show the formula identifies the benefits of altering machinery generally with less than 10% error.
Grain Price Expectations of Illinois Farmers and Grain Merchandisers
Authors: Eales James S. , Engel Brian K. , Hauser Robert J. , Thompson Sarahelen R. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe study's purpose is to measure the extent to which futures and option prices reflect the subjective price distribution of a subset of market participants, farmers, and grain merchandisers in Illinois. Findings suggest that in most instances the futures price is an appropriate proxy for expected price. However, volatilities implied by option premia usually overestimate the subjective variances of producers and merchandisers. These differences between individual and market expectations of variance are consistent with findings of overconfidence in the psychology literature and should be considered by analysts when making observations about hedging decisions and risk aversion.
Testing for Structural Change: The Demand for Meat
Authors: Choi Seungmook , Sosin Kim 
Published: July 2006

AbstractRecent research on meat demand demonstrates the importance in empirical demand analyses of identifying and measuring structural changes. This paper develops and applies a method of analyzing structural changes in preferences using parameters from empirical demand equations derived from an underlying utility function. Structural changes alter the marginal rate of substitution between goods at fixed points of prices and quantities. The evolution of preference changes is measured by time‐varying multiplicative terms in a translog utility function. The application to meat concludes that structural change occurred in the 1970s and provides measures of the time pattern of demand shifts.
Characteristic Supplies and Demands in a Hedonic Framework: U.S. Market for Cotton Fiber Attributes
Authors: Kenneth R. Bowman , Ethridge Don E. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractHedonic price analysis has frequently been used to determine agricultural commodity characteristics' values. While hedonic price theory consists of a two‐stage process, second‐stage commodity characteristics' equations have not been successfully estimated until now. The estimated system consisted of 11 first‐stage equations to determine cotton characteristics' values. The second stage consisted of 24 characteristic demand and 20 characteristic supply equations to model the underlying characteristic market structure. Cotton characteristic values were shown to vary across regions and over time as characteristic supplies and demands varied.
Public Grazing in the West and “Rangeland Reform '94”
Authors: LaFrance Jeffrey T. , Watts Myles J. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractPrivate grazing fees differ substantially and systematically across states in the West. In contrast, federal policy establishes the same grazing fee on federal lands, regardless of location. We analyze locational differences in private grazing fees with an econometric model. Differences in private grazing fees across states can be explained largely by economic forces consistent with a competitive spatial market. A uniform increase in the federal grazing fee will lead to a large variation in economic effects between states and across individual public lands ranchers. We propose the permanent transfer of public grazing rights to the private sector.
Aggregation, Flexible Forms, and Estimation of Food Consumption Parameters
Authors: Ramezani Cyrus A. , Rose Donald , Murphy Suzanne 
Published: July 2006

AbstractGrouping schemes, commodity aggregation, and the choice of functional specification significantly influence the results of empirical demand studies. This article assesses the importance of these factors for estimating aggregate food consumption parameters. A flexible food demand model that nests alternative specifications is estimated using U.S. data. Foods are aggregated based on a new grouping scheme adopted from the “Dietary Guidelines for Americans.” Nutrient intake elasticities with respect to food prices and expenditure are calculated. The influence of socioeconomic variables on consumption and nutrient intake is analyzed. Price, income, and demographic effects are found to be highly significant. Our findings are invariant to the choice of functional form.
Trade and Tax Policy Reform and the Environment: The Economics of Soil Erosion in Developing Countries
Authors: Coxhead Ian , Jayasuriya Sisira 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe widespread view that trade reform is bad for the environment has rarely been subjected to close scrutiny. In a developing country model we trace general equilibrium impacts of tax and tariff policy changes on upland resource allocation and, by implication, on the rate of erosion. Our analysis highlights the role of domestic market linkages as conduits between lowland and upland economies. When economywide effects are taken into account, indirect policies such as tariff reforms may in some cases provide better means for reducing upland erosion than would direct environmental policies.
Evaluation of Factors Influencing Student Class Attendance and Performance
Authors: Devadoss Stephen , Foltz John 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThis study quantifies the effects of student behavior, teacher attributes, and course characteristics on class attendance and performance. Several notable factors that influence attendance and grades are motivation, prior grade point average (GPA), self‐financing by students, hours worked on jobs, quality of teaching, and nature of class lectures. This study provides strong empirical evidence of the positive influence of class attendance on student performance.
A Two‐Stage Rural Household Demand Analysis: Microdata Evidence from Jiangsu Province, China
Authors: Gao X.M. , Wailes Eric J. , Cramer Gail L. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractIn this paper we evaluate economic and demographic effects on China's rural household demand for nine food commodities: vegetables, pork, beef and lamb, poultry, eggs, fish, sugar, fruit, and grain; and five nonfood commodity groups: clothing, fuel, stimulants, housing, and durables. A two‐stage budgeting allocation procedure is used to obtain an empirically tractable amalgamative demand system for food commodities which combine an upper‐level AIDS model and a lower‐level GLES as a modeling framework. The results indicate that the slow growth of food consumption in China during the latter half of the 1980s is a result of income stagnation rather than consumption saturation. Growth in the demand for better food and shelter by Chinese rural households will continue to be a major concern.
Closely Related Good Prices in the Travel Cost Model
Authors: McKean John R. , Walsh Richard G. , Johnson Donn M. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThis travel cost demand study included prices for closely related goods such as money and time costs of on‐site time, on‐site purchases, and other trip activities. A disequilibrium labor market model was estimated. The sample was mainly composed of persons who did not substitute earned income for leisure time. The few persons who had the capability to substitute time for money were excluded from the sample. Consumer surplus was estimated to be $@@‐@@69 per trip using the expanded model. A model using only the conventional travel cost variables resulted in estimated surplus per trip of $@@‐@@45.
Declining U.S. Tobacco Exports to Australia: A Derived Demand Approach to Competitiveness
Authors: Beghin John , Hu Fan 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe loss of competitiveness of U.S. tobacco leaf exports to Australia is empirically investigated, using industry‐level time‐series market data. Tobacco‐relative prices, market structure, scale, Australian market distortions, and changing characteristics of cigarettes are accounted for in the investigation. A decomposition analysis reveals that a switch to lighter cigarettes and changes in the Australian domestic tobacco content policy are the major contributors to the decline of U.S. tobacco exports. Tobacco price differences between the U.S. and its competitors, alone, cannot explain the loss of competitiveness of U.S. tobacco in Australian cigarette manufacturing.
Technology Adoption in the Presence of an Exhaustible Resource: The Case of Groundwater Extraction
Authors: Shah Farhed A. , Zilberman David , Chakravorty Ujjayant 
Published: July 2006

AbstractIn this paper we integrate technology diffusion within Hotelling's exhaustible resource model. The modern technology is a conservation technology such as drip irrigation used with groundwater. Resource quality heterogeneity and rising water prices are responsible for the gradual adoption of the modern technology, and under reasonable conditions the diffusion curve is an S‐shaped function of time. Without intervention, the diffusion process will be slower than is socially optimal, and optimal resource use tax will accelerate the diffusion of the conservation technology and slow down excessive resource depletion caused by market failure due to open access conditions.
How Much Can Informational Outreach Programs Increase Food Stamp Program Participation?
Authors: Levedahl J. William 
Published: July 2006

AbstractData from the Panel Survey of Income Dynamics (PSID) indicate that one‐fourth of the households eligible for the Food Stamp Program (FSP) do not know they are eligible. Using an FSP participation equation that incorporates a household's perceived FSP eligibility, it was estimated that informational outreach programs directed at these households have the potential of increasing the overall FSP participation rate by a maximum of 18% and benefit payments by 12.6%. These results can be useful in establishing realistic goals for FSP informational outreach programs.
Legal Status and Earnings of Agricultural Workers
Authors: Isé Sabrina , Perloff Jeffrey M. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractAgricultural workers who work in the United States earn 15% more on average than do undocumented workers. These earnings differentials vary substantially with demographic characteristics. For example, much of the weekly earnings loss from not having legal status can be offset by language ability. Most of the earnings differential is due to wage differentials rather than hours differentials.
A Hedonic Analysis of Herbicides: Do User Safety and Water Quality Matter?
Authors: Beach E. Douglas , Carlson Gerald A. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractFarmers may value water quality and user safety characteristics of herbicides as they select among products to obtain weed control. Expenditures per application in the U.S. corn and soybean herbicide markets are explained by several safety characteristics in addition to market and weed control characteristics. The explicit inclusion of safety characteristics in the farm decision model indicates that not all safety aspects of pesticide use are external to farmers. Leaching potential and user toxicity are statistically significant, but their elasticities are small relative to broadleaf and grass weed control efficacy.
Growth and Structural Change in U.S. Food and Fiber Industries: An Input‐Output Perspective
Authors: Lee Chinkook , Schluter Gerald 
Published: July 2006

AbstractWe analyze growth and structural change of the food and fiber industries in the U.S. economy, 1972–82. Growth and structural changes are examined in terms of how changes in a sector's output can be apportioned between changes in (1) domestic final demand, (2) export demand, (3) interindustry demand, and (4) domestic supply ratios. Results indicate that growth of U.S. agricultural sectors is nearly equally dependent upon exports and domestic demand, while growth of processed food and nonfood agricultural processing sectors is heavily dependent on domestic demand.
Substitution Effects in CVM Values
Authors: Cummings Ronald G. , Ganderton Philip T. , McGuckin Thomas 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThere is increasing recognition that statistical estimates of the average willingness to pay for environmental programs may be biased by the failure of respondents, or of the statistical methodology, to consider the effect of substitute programs and goods. We design and implement a CVM survey that estimates the impact of substitution effects on the willingness to pay for an environmental program. We find a statistically significant impact and suggest that the set of potential substitutes is very large.
Multiperiod Production with Forward and Option Markets
Authors: Lence Sergio H. , Hayes Dermot J. , Sakong Yong 
Published: July 2006

AbstractProduction and hedging in both forward and options markets are analyzed for forward‐looking firms that maximize expected utility. In the presence of unbiased forward and options prices, it is shown that such firms will use options as hedging instruments. This result contrasts with the conclusions from studies that assume myopic behavior, and occurs because forward‐looking agents care about the effect of future output prices on profits from future production cycles. Simulations support the theoretical results and show how the introduction of an options market influences the optimal forward position.
Evaluating Generic Milk Promotion Effectiveness with an Imperfect Competition Model
Authors: Suzuki Nobuhiro , Kaiser Harry M. , Lenz John E. , Forker Olan D. , Kobayashi Kohei 
Published: July 2006

AbstractA framework is proposed for incorporating the degree of market competition in evaluating milk promotion effectiveness. The imperfect competition model allows simultaneity in price and quantity with an endogenous fluid milk premium. The model's usefulness is demonstrated with Japanese generic milk promotion data. Results show a conventional exogenous‐price or exogenous‐premium model will underestimate returns to milk promotion.