AgEcon Search Collection: Volume 30, Number 1, April 2001

HEALTH KNOWLEDGE AND CONSUMER USE OF NUTRITIONAL LABELS: THE ISSUE REVISITED

Title: HEALTH KNOWLEDGE AND CONSUMER USE OF NUTRITIONAL LABELS: THE ISSUE REVISITED

Authors: Kim, Sung-Yong; Nayga, Rodolfo M., Jr.; Capps, Oral, Jr.

Abstract: The role of health knowledge in consumer use of nutritional labels on food packages is explored using data from the 1995 Diet and Health Knowledge Survey. Two types of label use models, a binary choice label use model and a level of label use model, are employed with particular attention given to the endogeneity of health knowledge. The binary choice model is concerned with factors affecting the probability of label use. The level of label use model deals with factors affecting the number of food products in which label use occurred. The results show that health knowledge has a significant role in increasing label use.

THE DEMAND FOR FOOD GRAIN IN CHINA : NEW INSIGHTS INTO A CONTROVERSY

Title: THE DEMAND FOR FOOD GRAIN IN CHINA : NEW INSIGHTS INTO A CONTROVERSY

Authors: Zhang, Xiaobo; Mount, Timothy D.; Boisvert, Richard N.

Abstract: There is a substantial controversy in the economics literature over the magnitude of the expenditure elasticity for food grain in China that is caused, to a large extent, by whether time-series or cross-section data are used in the analysis. A set of reasonable elasticities for a complete demand system is estimated by using a panel of county level data in Guangdong Province for the last ten years. The results show that food grain has a small positive income elasticity, implying that food grain is not an inferior good in China. The reason that consumption per capita has not increased during a period of rapid economic growth in income is that the relative prices of the food and non-food substitutes for food grain have decreased.

IMPACTS OF THE NORTHEAST INTERSTATE DAIRY COMPACT ON SUPPLY, RETAIL PRICES AND THE WIC PROGRAM: AN INTRODUCTION

Title: IMPACTS OF THE NORTHEAST INTERSTATE DAIRY COMPACT ON SUPPLY, RETAIL PRICES AND THE WIC PROGRAM: AN INTRODUCTION

Authors: Nicholson, Charles F.; Wang, Qingbin; Lass, Daniel

IMPACTS OF THE NORTHEAST INTERSTATE DAIRY COMPACT ON THE WIC PROGRAM: EVIDENCE FROM BOSTON AND HARTFORD

Title: IMPACTS OF THE NORTHEAST INTERSTATE DAIRY COMPACT ON THE WIC PROGRAM: EVIDENCE FROM BOSTON AND HARTFORD

Authors: Wang, Qingbin; Anne, Zooyob; Halbrendt, Catherine; Nicholson, Charles; Sung, Jaimie

Abstract: This paper examines the impacts of the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact (Compact) on the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program using an autoregressive-moving average (ARMA) model and data from Boston and Hartford. While the results for Boston indicate that the difference between the net fluid milk price paid by WIC program and the forecasted fluid milk price with no Compact in effect was not significant over the period of July 1997 to June 1998, the results for Hartford suggest that the net price paid by WIC was significantly greater than the forecasted price with no Compact in effect over the same period. A similar analysis of the changes in markups suggests that the increase in the net fluid milk price paid by the WIC program in Hartford was largely due to increased markups.

AGRICULTURAL ADAPTATION TO URBANIZATION IN SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA

Title: AGRICULTURAL ADAPTATION TO URBANIZATION IN SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA

Authors: Larson, Janelle M.; Findeis, Jill L.; Smith, Stephen M.

Abstract: Most agricultural output in the northeastern United States comes from counties that have experienced significant development. A mail survey, with 300 responses, was conducted in southeastern Pennsylvania to determine farmer adaptation to urbanization in this region. Despite development, traditional agriculture still predominates. Changes in land use were examined using multinomial logit models. Results show that change in population density and farm preservation policies have an influence, as increased population density reduced total land operated and having land in an agricultural security area increased it. Both differential assessment and agricultural security areas increased the cultivation of traditional, land extensive crops.

IMPACTS OF THE NORTHEAST INTERSTATE DAIRY COMPACT ON NEW ENGLAND MILK SUPPLY

Title: IMPACTS OF THE NORTHEAST INTERSTATE DAIRY COMPACT ON NEW ENGLAND MILK SUPPLY

Authors: Nicholson, Charles F.; Resosudarmo, Budy; Wackernagel, Rick

Abstract: A two-equation random coefficients model and two estimates of milk prices in the absence of the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact (Compact) are used to estimate the impact of minimum price regulation for fluid milk products on milk production in the New England states. Estimated responses to price enhancement differed by state for cow numbers, but parameters for milk per cow were not significantly different among states. The amount of increase in milk production attributed to the Compact is estimated at 45 million pounds (about 1% of production) during the first year of minimum price regulation, primarily due to increased milk per cow.

THE EFFECTS OF THE STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM ON DEFORESTATION IN GHANA

Title: THE EFFECTS OF THE STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM ON DEFORESTATION IN GHANA

Authors: Benhin, J.K.A.; Barbier, E.B.

Abstract: This paper is a theoretical and empirical investigation into the impact of the structural adjustment program (SAP) on forest loss in Ghana between the period 1965-95. An optimal control model is used to derive estimable reduced form equations for forest loss, cocoa land, maize land and timber production, which are in turn functions of mainly input and output prices. Piecewise linear and switching regression approaches are used to distinguish between the influence of the post from the pre-adjustment policy impacts on forest land use. The overall results show that cocoa land expansion and timber production, but not maize land expansion, are significant causes of forest loss in Ghana. However, the impact on forest loss in the post-adjustment period was reduced. Changes in the relative output and input prices due to the SAP may have played a significant role in the reduced impact of agricultural and timber related deforestation in the post-adjustment period.

COVER AND CONTENTS PAGES

Title: COVER AND CONTENTS PAGES

Abstract: Includes: Front Cover; Editorial Information; Contents Page

COMPARING THE IMPACTS OF RETIREE VERSUS WORKING-AGE FAMILIES ON A SMALL RURAL REGION: AN APPLICATION OF THE WISCONSIN ECONOMIC IMPACT MODELING SYSTEM

Title: COMPARING THE IMPACTS OF RETIREE VERSUS WORKING-AGE FAMILIES ON A SMALL RURAL REGION: AN APPLICATION OF THE WISCONSIN ECONOMIC IMPACT MODELING SYSTEM

Authors: Shields, Martin; Deller, Steven C.; Stallmann, Judith I.

Abstract: The Wisconsin Economic Impact Modeling System, a conjoined input-output/econometric model of Wisconsin counties, is used to simulate the economic and fiscal impact of two alternative residential development patterns. Under the first scenario, the impact of migrating retirees on a small tri-county region in northern Wisconsin is examined. Under the second scenario, the impact of the migration of younger families with children is examined. A comparison-contrast between the two scenarios demonstrates that the characteristics of the migrating household can have a significant impact on the nature of the impacts.

IMPACTS OF THE NORTHEAST DAIRY COMPACT ON NEW ENGLAND RETAIL PRICES

Title: IMPACTS OF THE NORTHEAST DAIRY COMPACT ON NEW ENGLAND RETAIL PRICES

Authors: Lass, Daniel A.; Adanu, Mawunyo; Allen, P. Geoffrey

Abstract: Northeast Dairy Compact impacts were estimated for Boston and Hartford retail prices using an econometric model. Asymmetric speeds of adjustment to farm price increases and decreases were found; however, tests indicated that retail prices do return to the same level following equal farm price increases and decreases. Model forecasts suggested no structural changes occurred during the out-of-sample period, July 1996 through June 1998. Simulations with and without the Compact predicted lower retail fluid milk price impacts than actual July 1997 changes. These predicted impacts separate the effects of farm price changes on retail prices from possibly confounding effects.

TRADING POULTRY LITTER AT THE WATERSHED LEVEL : A GOAL FOCUSING APPLICATION

Title: TRADING POULTRY LITTER AT THE WATERSHED LEVEL : A GOAL FOCUSING APPLICATION

Authors: Jones, Kezelee; D'Souza, Gerard

Abstract: We explore the transfer of poultry litter among watersheds incorporating both economic characteristics (litter demand and supply) and environmental characteristics (vulnerability to phosphorus runoff, a major pollutant). A combination of techniques was employed: the Lemunyon-Gilbert P-Index model to determine watershed environmental vulnerability, GIS for land use coverages, and a goal focusing model (incorporating Saaty's eigen-value approach for penalty weight estimation) to identify optimal litter shipments among watersheds. Both primary and secondary data were used. The results should be useful to producers and policy makers in the study area and in other areas where poultry production is linked to water quality, and contribute to a more sustainable poultry sector.

EXPLAINING DEER POPULATION PREFERENCES: AN ANALYSIS OF FARMERS, HUNTERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Title: EXPLAINING DEER POPULATION PREFERENCES: AN ANALYSIS OF FARMERS, HUNTERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Authors: Curtis, John; Lynch, Lori

Abstract: Wildlife managers must consider the public's preferences for wildlife population levels when determining management policies. In 1996, Maryland farmers, hunters and the general public were surveyed to determine their preferences for increasing, maintaining, or decreasing deer population numbers. Using a random utility theoretic framework with an ordered response probit model, the factors that explain preferences such as residential location, socioeconomic characteristics, landscape damage, agricultural yield loss and vehicle accidents were analyzed.

END MATERIALS

Title: END MATERIALS

Abstract: Includes: Guidelines for Manuscript Submission; Back Cover