bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Demand for Farm Tractors in the United States and the United Kingdom
Authors: Rayner A. J. , Cowling Keith 
Published: July 2006

AbstractEconometric studies of the demand for farm tractors in the United States and the United Kingdom are compared within a theoretical framework. The motivation behind the demand for tractor services appears to have been similar, the results being consistent with profit‐seeking behavior of farmers whose investment decisions are constrained by uncertainty and available finance. However, whereas the dominant explanatory variable in the United Kingdom has been the real price of tractors relative to agricultural wages, the dominant variable in the United States appears to have been the price of tractors relative to crop prices. In addition, in the United States farm size changes have affected the use of tractor stock and thus the demand for tractors, whereas in the United Kingdom this was not the case. An attempt is made to explain the differences in investment behavior by reference to differences in the structure of the labor force, farm size, and government agricultural price and taxation policies.
Measurement of Leakage by the Use of an Input—Output Model
Authors: Little Charles H. , Doeksen Gerald A. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractLeakage due to the importation of goods and services is an important consideration in an impact analysis, since leakage reduces the multiplier effect. Through use of the input‐output technique, leakage coefficients can be estimated in order to determine the dampening effect of imports on sector multipliers. The only additional data requirement is information on the distribution of imports among the sectors of an economy. Leakage coefficients measure the indirect as well as the direct effects of the importation of goods and services. Leakage coefficients for changes in total output, income, and employment can be estimated from the standard input‐output model. Leakage coefficients are useful in research on area development, where measures of the total economy are needed. Estimates can be made of the “loss” of economic activity in a region due to imports and the “gain” which results from reducing imports. It is possible to estimate the reduction in leakage resulting from the elimination of part or all of the imports of one or more sectors of an economy.
Economics of Cost‐Share Leases in Less‐developed Countries
Authors: Adams Dale W , Rask Norman 
Published: July 2006

AbstractEconomists have long recognized that output‐share leases result in inefficiencies in variable resource use. Cost‐share leases have been suggested as a way of overcoming this inefficiency. Only in rare cases, however, has cost sharing become a part of share leasing in less‐developed countries. It is argued in this article that in less‐developed countries landowners generally make more net income by not adopting cost‐share leases. The societal loss due to output‐share leasing, and several policy alternatives, in addition to cost‐sharing, which might help resolve this inefficiency problem, are discussed.
Why Peasant Farmers Borrow
Authors: Long Millard F. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractInterest rates are high in the rural credit markets of poor countries. Yet it is often said that the rates of return on capital invested in traditional inputs is low. Under these conditions it would seem uneconomic for farmers to borrow; if funds are needed, farmers should sell assets. If the expected costs are greater than the expected benefits, farmers will not have as much incentive to borrow money. Indeed, the evidence suggests that in poor countries most farmers are free of debt. But there is great diversity; some farmers do have high marginal returns on capital; some borrow at low rates; seasonality influences the debt structure, as does the level of wealth; and transactions costs may make borrowing cheaper than selling assets. Introducing uncertainty reduces the chances that farmers will borrow.
Potential Effects of U.S. Commodity Grants to Other Countries
Authors: Deans Robert H. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractDifferent types of local currency have been generated by U.S. commodity grants since the inception of P.L. 480 in 1954. As an aid instrument, these local currencies have good points, but they also have serious deficiencies which can be traced to the inherent nature of soft currencies and their legal ownership. The differing economic effects of U.S.‐owned and country‐owned local currencies became significant when P.L. 480 became a major source of U.S.‐owned local currencies. Before 1954, about 95 percent of local currency deposits were country‐owned; since then, 66 percent of these deposits have been U.S.‐owned. The monetary and real effects of these two types of local currency are examined, as are the implications for U.S. aid policy.
The Use of a Business Game for Teaching Farm Business Analysis to High School and Adult Students
Authors: Curtis Samuel M. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractIn a controlled teaching experiment that involved 25 high school and 8 adult farmer classes, two ways of using a business game for teaching farm business analysis were compared with more traditional instructional methods. A small Pennsylvania dairy farm was simulated. Each of the classes using simulation made five yearly management decisions at weekly intervals. The criterion measures were a subject‐matter and a decision‐ability test. Test results immediately after the course revealed no significant differences among the methods of instruction with high school classes. The adult students who used the simulation in conjunction with a related student resource handbook scored significantly higher on the decision‐ability test. The experiment demontrated that business games can be used to teach farm business analysis at the high school and adult farmer levels.
Population Growth and Agricultural Employment in Latin America, with Some U.S. Comparisons
Authors: Thiesenhusen William C. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractPolicy makers usually assume that the industrial sector will expeditiously absorb the growth of the labor force. But urbanization in Latin America is so far ahead of industrialization that continued advocacy of the type of agricultural modernization that encourages speedy off‐farm migration may merely add to urban unrest. The hacienda system seems to be near the root of the problem and it has an institutional parallel in the sharecropper South of the United States. The campesino and the cropper are, in some sense, analogous; and evidence is presented to show that latifundia‐type farming systems are not as able as family farms to (1) provide security of employment or adequate income necessary to keep workers in farming until a late enough stage of development, and (2) support an educational system that is capable of developing the skills needed for urban employment or for upgrading the rural labor force. The seriousness of the current movement to the cities in Latin America is accentuated since slums—the outward manifestation of underemployment and idleness —are growing faster than ours ever did. An agrarian reform policy of “contrived dualism” is briefly outlined; it may be the most inexpensive way to provide employment and increase effective demand, thus “buying time” for the industrial sector to catch up.
Determinants of Farm Family Income Inequality
Authors: Gardner Bruce L. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractIncome inequality is classified as “long run” when due to the distribution of resource ownership and “short run” when due to transitory disturbances or variations in returns to comparable resources. Owing to deficiencies of census size distributions of income, data pertaining to the distribution of human and non‐human resources are used to estimate long‐run inequality for each state. A cross‐sectional regression analysis of state differences in inequality and changes from 1949 to 1959 yields the following results: (1) labor market adjustments have been influential in reducing short‐run but not necessarily long‐run inequality; and (2) increases in the capital‐labor ratio, the average level of schooling, and research and extension are all associated with increasing dispersion of farm incomes, though also with increasing average incomes of farmers.
The Contribution of Foreign Assistance to Agricultural Development
Authors: Schutjer Wayne , Weigel Dale 
Published: July 2006

AbstractIn recent years, national and international aid agencies have allocated a considerable amount of resources to the agricultural sector of less developed countries. The purpose of the research reported in this article is to determine whether these resources have made an identifiable contribution to the recipients' agricultural production. To answer this question, a cross sectional sample of 13 major aid receiving countries was investigated. Changes in agricultural production between two three‐year periods (1960–1962 and 1964–66) were statistically related to the increase in land area cultivated, the increase in labor employed, and agricultural aid per hectare. The form of the statistical relationship was derived from a Cobb‐Douglas production function. Aid to agriculture was subdivided into three categories: (a) aid in financing agricultural inputs, such as fertilizer; (b) technical assistance; and (c) aid to finance facilities to produce agricultural inputs (e.g., fertilizer plants). The analysis showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between aid‐financed inputs and agricultural output. This type of aid explained nearly one‐third of the average 15 percent increase in agricultural output experienced by the 13 countries. On the other hand, there were no statistically significant relationships between the other two types of aid and agricultural production; but this is not surprising, considering the short period of time investigated.
A Conceptual Framework for Analyzing Economies of Vertical Integration
Authors: Logan Samuel H. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe objective of this paper is to develop a framework for quantitatively analyzing economic aspects of vertical integration by a firm. The model is based on a firm that possesses a multidimensional or lexicographic utility function in which some optimizing criteria are established for several variables. The two particular firm goals considered in this case are maximization of return on investment and reduction of short‐run risk. The effects of integration are considered first in terms of changes in costs under conditions of certainty and then in terms of changes in costs and/or uncertainty under imperfect market coordination. The latter situation occurs when the market mechanism is inadequate with respect to communicating the necessary or correct requirements of price and product specification.
Development of Soviet Agriculture under a Vintage Model of Production
Authors: Brubaker Earl R. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to examine within the framework provided by a vintage model of productive activity the pertinent evidence on output, inputs, and the age of fixed capital to further understanding of the sources of growth (1928–62) in Soviet agricultural output. The basic procedure consists of tentatively accepting the embodiment hypothesis, which states that any positive growth in factor productivity is the consequence of improved quality of fixed capital. Data on the age of capital are taken as indicative of its technological quality, and implied rates of growth in such quality are computed as a residual. Conclusions drawn from strict acceptance of the hypothesis are tempered to account for additional qualitative evidence and for the possibility that equipment may be a more effective carrier than structures. Everything considered, it seems that the embodiment hypothesis can make a useful contribution to understanding Soviet agricultural development.
Estimating the Productivity of Agricultural Pesticides*
Authors: Headley J. C. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe controversy surrounding the use of agricultural pesticides has resulted in the examination of pest control technology and a need for estimates of the costs and benefits of pesticides. Estimates of the productivity of expenditures for agricultural pesticides are made from an aggregate production function analysis for 1963. The results indicate that chemical pesticides are a highly productive input, comparable to commercial fertilizer, and that the marginal value product of pesticides exceeds marginal factor cost by a considerable amount. These results are consistent with increasing sales volumes of pesticides and fertilizer nationally. Use of values determined through the market system to estimate benefits are a necessary part of evaluating chemical pest control. Up to the present time, no systematic effort has been made to estimate separately the productivity of pesticides. The findings point to a need for better data on the response of crops and livestock to pest control as well as a need for data on the external effects of chemical pesticides. Considerably more analysis and information are required to evaluate pesticide technology and to form good national policy in this area.
Simulation as a Method of Appraising Farm Programs
Authors: Tyner Fred H. , Tweeten Luther G. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractSimulation has been used extensively in the management sciences as a complement to more conventional methods of analysis. The procedure has also been applied in analyses of various sectors of the agricultural industry. Simulation can include time lags, nonlinearities, and recursive or reactive effects—without the restrictive assumption of an “optimum” solution. Consequently, it should find increasing application in the study of the effects of farm program alternatives. Simulation is used in this article to portray the workings of an economic model of the U.S. agricultural industry for the years 1930–1960. One simulation describes the levels of key dependent variables throughout the period, as a measure of the model's predictive ability. These results are used to evaluate a second simulation, which assumes no government diversions of commodities or cropland acreage and no payments to farmers.
A Simulation Study of Population, Education, and Income Growth in Uganda
Authors: Foster Phillips , Yost Larry 
Published: July 2006

AbstractIncreases in educational level tend to increase income. Higher community income in tum can enable more resources to be put into education. However, increases in population tend to spread scarce educational resources over more children, thereby inhibiting the rise in level of living that can come through increasing the educational investment in each individual. This paper analyzes for a developing economy how changes in birth and death rates affect population growth and educational and economic development. A simulation model of these demographic, educational, and economic processes, based on empirical data from the Buganda tribe in Uganda, is used to study the extent and timing of the responses. Both the method and the empirical results should have relevance for readers concerned with growth and development.
“Disguised” Unemployment Once Again: East Pakistan, 1951–1961
Authors: Robinson Warren C. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe concept of “disguised” unemployment plays an important role in development theorizing, yet its empirical content is uncertain. This paper studies the problem in rural East Pakistan, a densely‐populated rice‐producing area of South Asia. It is shown, using data on output and workers per acre and cropped acreage, that between 1951 and 1961 the degree of “disguised” unemployment increased sharply, amounting to some 20 percent of the 1961 labor force. This is attributed to the rapid population growth, which had begun two decades earlier, plus the fixed supply of other factors. The labor surplus that developed seems to have been largely “disguised” through work‐sharing, that is, a reduction in average hours worked per worker.
The Effect of Technology on the Farm Labor Market
Authors: Bauer Larry L. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe primary purpose of this paper was to estimate the time path of the effect of technology, as measured by research and extension expenditures, on the farm labor market. A distributed lag function was estimated by incorporating the concept of rational distributed lag functions, as developed by Dale Jorgenson, into a simultaneous equation model of the farm labor market. The estimated lag distribution, even though quite long, had a “hump” as hypothesized. The implicit production function implied a positive payoff to the economy from research and extension expenditures.
Differential Assessment of Farmland on the Rural‐Urban Fringe
Authors: Hady Thomas F. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractUrban pressures on farm real estate taxes have led, in the last decade, to adoption of differential assessment of farmland in at least 16 states. Broadly speaking, the laws fall into three categories: Preferential assessment, deferred taxation, and restrictive agreements. The laws are analyzed both from the standpoint of tax policy and from the standpoint of development policy. In neither case is it possible, given the present state of knowledge, to conclude firmly that the laws are desirable or undesirable. The analysis does, however, suggest a number of potential problems which should be analyzed before decisions are made.
Price and Output Response of Marketed Surplus of Foodgrains: A Cross‐Sectional Study of Some North Indian Villages
Authors: Bardhan Kalpana 
Published: July 2006

AbstractIf foodgrains producers are also the major consumers, price elasticity of production and price elasticity of marketed surplus should be distinguished. While the former is likely to be positive, the latter may theoretically assume either sign, and this introduces a complication in deriving the long‐run price elasticity of marketed surplus. Village‐level, cross‐sectional data are used to get a direct regression estimate of the short‐run price elasticity of marketed surplus for northwest India. The estimate seems to indicate negative elasticity. Other variables with statistically significant influence on marketed surplus are production level of foodgrains and income from milk.
Computer Software for Farm Management Extension
Authors: Candler Wilfred , Boehlje Michael , Saathoff Robert 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe authors describe their recent experience in designing computer programs for use in farm management extension. They argue that the software (that is, computer programs) needs of extension are more demanding than the corresponding needs for research and that this explains the slow adoption of computer technology in the extension field. Although the development of appropriate computer programs can involve a major initial investment, this is nevertheless the only way to get the variable (and average) cost of computer advice to farmers down to an economic level.
The Existence of Broiler Cycles: An Application of Spectral Analysis
Authors: Rausser Gordon C. , Cargill Thomas F. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe broiler industry has experienced rapid growth, instability, and structural change during the postwar period. A time‐series analysis of important industry variables is presented. Auto‐spectral methods are employed to investigate hypothesized 30‐month cycles, while cross‐spectral methods are utilized to determine if significant lead‐lag relationships exist between the various time series. Moreover, these methods, as well as complex demodulation, are used in an attempt to determine the effects of vertical integration. The results cast doubt on the hypothesis that regular cycles of approximately 30 months characterize the broiler industry and suggest that time differences (lead‐lag relationships) among various time series are not generally significant. The possible effects of vertical integration generally conform to intuitive notions.
Tax in Kind to Reduce Supply and Increase Income without Government Payments and Marketing Quotas
Authors: Heady Earl O. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractTheoretically, a tax in kind can be used to reduce supply and increase net farm income. Applied through a share payment to government, private marginal costs are increased and supply is decreased. The government also has a food fund to be used for aid or similar purposes. The mechanism requires neither government payments nor compulsory market quotas to lessen supply. However, compulsory sharing is necessary to prevent “free riders.” Variants of the mechanism would include a gross sales tax collected in conjunction with income taxes. The mechanism provides a policy alternative with interesting potentials in income distribution.
Optimum Dairy Plant Location with Economies of Size and Market‐Share Restrictions
Authors: Kloth Donald W. , Blakley Leo V. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractSignificant economies are possible under optimum organizations of the U. S. dairy industry, but models that minimize industry costs with a single firm in each market overestimate the potential savings. The effects of market‐share restrictions for processing firms are estimated. Costs are higher than under single‐firm organizations but remain below levels for the current plant‐size environment. The major interregional effect of the restrictions is on the regional identity of the firms processing milk for local markets, not on the total quantity of milk transported between regions. With market‐share restrictions, more milk is processed locally.
On Multistage Multiproduct Production Functions
Authors: Mundlak Yair , Razin Assaf 
Published: July 2006

AbstractTo avoid the problem of product aggregation, the production process is formulated as F(a) = G(v) where a and v are vectors of products and factors respectively. F(a) is further specified as a multistage CES function and estimated by using the first‐order conditions and duality relations. Some general questions of judging the results and the adequacy of grouping are discussed.
Impact of Water Recreational Development on Rural Property Values
Authors: Schutjer W. A. , Hallberg M. C. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractPublic investment in water‐based recreation facilities is made to increase the recreation potential of an area and to improve the economic resource base of the area. Estimates of the impact of one such investment on the structure of the land market and on property values were made for a rural area in Pennsylvania. The findings of the study support the general hypothesis that investment in water‐based recreation facilities does significantly influence the value of rural property and the structure of the rural land market. Property characteristics and subdivision activity on surrounding properties had to be considered in addition to distance from the recreational development to measure the impact of this public investment.
Implications of Changes in the Methods of Wholesaling Meat Products
Authors: Stout Thomas T. , Hawkins Murray H. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBoth the meat procurement methods used by retail food stores and the associated pricing arrangements have undergone fundamental changes in recent years. These changes mark significant adjustments in market conduct in the wholesale meat trade. Although much of the change that is occurring is in response to structural and technological changes in the industry, the rate of change seems accelerated by the growth of meat programs. Programs represent a primitive but rapidly evolving systems‐approach to meat procurement, distribution, and merchandising. Detailed product specifications, increased purchase by description direct from meat packers, formula pricing, and central warehousing figure prominently among the changes accompanying program development. The pressures which result from these changes impinge upon conventional attitudes and procedures in meat packing and in livestock production and marketing.