http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/34020 Search the Channel search http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/simple-search http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/10227 Title: Front Cover Wed, 28 Sep 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/10228 Title: Contents Page Wed, 28 Sep 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/10229 Title: Inside Front Cover Wed, 28 Sep 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/10230 Title: The Demand for Economic Policy Analysis: Is Anyone Listening? <br/> <br/>Authors: Batie, Sandra S. Wed, 28 Sep 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/10231 Title: Consumer Preferences for Locally Made Specialty Food Products Across Northern New England <br/> <br/>Authors: Giraud, Kelly L.; Bond, Craig A.; Bond, Jennifer J. <br/> <br/>Abstract: Does willingness to pay a premium for local specialty food products differ between consumers in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont? Two food categories are investigated: low-end ($5) and high-end ($20) products. Premia estimates are compared across states and across base prices within states using dichotomous choice contingent valuation methods. Results suggest that the three states of northern New England have many similarities, including comparable price premia for the lower-priced good. However, there is some evidence that the premium for the higher-priced good is greater for the pooled Vermont and Maine treatment than for the New Hampshire treatment. Vermont and New Hampshire residents are willing to pay a higher premium for a $20 than for a $5 food item, while the evidence suggests that Maine residents are not. Wed, 28 Sep 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/10232 Title: ARER Reviewers, September 2004 - August 2005 Wed, 28 Sep 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/10233 Title: Cattle Accumulation and Land Use Intensification by Households in the Brazilian Amazon <br/> <br/>Authors: Caviglia-Harris, Jill L. <br/> <br/>Abstract: In developing countries across the globe the impact of livestock on deforestation levels has been profound. This paper explores the role of the cattle industry in household decision making for small landholders in the Brazilian Amazon. Important inquiries raised in the literature are addressed, including the determinants of the co-evolution of deforestation and cattle herds, the possibility of production specialization, and the role of cattle in household livelihoods. Panel data suggest that households have changed focus from crop introduction to cattle. Empirical models reveal that location, wealth, and education are among the important determinants of production decisions and cattle accumulation. Policy recommendations include a focus on the cattle sector coupled with initiatives to establish and enforce protected areas. Wed, 28 Sep 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/10234 Title: An Empirical Analysis of Internet Use by U.S. Farmers <br/> <br/>Authors: Mishra, Ashok K.; Park, Timothy A. <br/> <br/>Abstract: The Internet may reduce constraints on a farmer’s ability to receive and manage information, regardless of where the farm is located or when the information is used. Using a count data estimation procedure, this study attempts to examine the key farm, operator, regional, and household characteristics that influence the number of Internet applications used by farm households. Findings indicate that educational level of the farm operator, farm size, farm diversification, off-farm income, off-farm investments, and regional location of the farm have a significant impact on the number of Internet applications used. Wed, 28 Sep 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/10235 Title: ARER GUIDELINES FOR MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION Wed, 28 Sep 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/10236 Title: Abstracts of Selected Papers, NAREA Annual Meetings, Annapolis, Maryland, June 12-15, 2005 Wed, 28 Sep 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/10237 Title: Using DEA and VEA to Evaluate Quality of Life in the Mid-Atlantic States <br/> <br/>Authors: Marshall, Elizabeth; Shortle, James <br/> <br/>Abstract: In this study we use data envelopment analysis (DEA) and an extension of DEA called value efficiency analysis (VEA) to explore the “"production”" of quality of life within counties in the mid-Atlantic region and the extent to which production frontiers and efficiency differ between rural and urban counties. These methods allow us to identify counties that are inefficient in their quality of life production, and to rank (using DEA) those counties according to their distance from a performance standard established by other observed counties(using VEA), or by a single unit designated as "“most preferred"(using VEA).” Wed, 28 Sep 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/10238 Title: Analysis of Cardinal and Ordinal Assumptions in Conjoint Analysis <br/> <br/>Authors: Harrison, R. Wes; Gillespie, Jeffrey; Fields, Deacue <br/> <br/>Abstract: Of twenty-three agricultural economics conjoint analyses conducted between 1990 and 2001, seventeen used interval-rating scales, with estimation procedures varying widely. This study tests cardinality assumptions in conjoint analysis when interval-rating scales are used, and tests whether the ordered probit or two-limit tobit model is the most valid. Results indicate that cardinality assumptions are invalid, but estimates of the underlying utility scale for the two models do not differ. Thus, while the ordered probit model is theoretically more appealing, the two-limit tobit model may be more useful in practice, especially in cases with limited degrees of freedom, such as with individual-level conjoint models. Wed, 28 Sep 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/10239 Title: Impact of Macroeconomic Policies on Agricultural Prices <br/> <br/>Authors: Awokuse, Titus O. <br/> <br/>Abstract: Existing empirical evidence on the impact of macroeconomic variables on agriculture remains mixed and inconclusive. This paper re-examines the dynamic relationship between monetary policy variables and agricultural prices using alternative vector autoregression (VAR) type model specifications. Directed acyclic graph theory is proposed as an alternative modeling approach to supplement existing modeling methods. Similar to results in other studies, this study’s findings show that over the time period analyzed (1975–2000), changes to money supply as a monetary policy tool had little or no impact on agricultural prices. The primary macroeconomic policy instrument that affects agricultural prices is the exchange rate, which is shown to be directly linked to interest rate, a source of monetary policy shock. Wed, 28 Sep 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/10240 Title: Farmland Preservation and Residential Density: Can Development Rights Markets Affect Land Use? <br/> <br/>Authors: McConnell, Virginia; Kopits, Elizabeth; Walls, Margaret <br/> <br/>Abstract: This paper examines transferable development rights (TDRs) policies as a way to preserve farmland and change the density of development. Characteristics of TDR markets are described, including why they might promote efficiency, and the difficulties that arise in implementing them. Evidence from an established TDR program in Calvert County, Maryland, is used to assess the potential for TDRs to influence subdivision density, and to achieve local land preservation goals. The Calvert program has succeeded in creating an active and stable TDR market, and has therefore preserved a large amount of farmland in the region. But we find that the demand for additional density permitted with TDRs occurs mostly in rural areas and not in the higher density town centers and residential areas. Wed, 28 Sep 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/10241 Title: Editorial Board Page Wed, 28 Sep 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/10242 Title: Implications of a Carbon-Based Energy Tax for U.S. Agriculture <br/> <br/>Authors: Schneider, Uwe A.; McCarl, Bruce A. <br/> <br/>Abstract: Policies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions are likely to increase energy prices. Higher energy prices raise farmer costs for diesel and other fuels, irrigation water, farm chemicals, and grain drying. Simultaneously, renewable energy options become more attractive to agricultural producers. We consider both of these impacts, estimating the economic and environmental consequences of higher energy prices on U.S. agriculture. To do this we employ a price-endogenous agricultural sector model and solve that model for a range of carbon-tax-based energy price changes. Our results show mostly positive impacts on net farm income in the intermediate run. Through market price adjustments, fossil fuel costs are largely passed on to consumers. Additional farm revenue arises from the production of biofuels when carbon taxes reach $30 per ton of carbon or more. Positive environmental benefits include not only greenhouse gas emission offsets but also reduced levels of nitrogen leaching. Wed, 28 Sep 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/10243 Title: Market Integration: Case Studies of Structural Change <br/> <br/>Authors: Franken, Jason R.V.; Parcell, Joe L.; Sykuta, Michael E.; Fulcher, Christopher L. <br/> <br/>Abstract: The grain/oilseed industry is undergoing considerable structural change through mergers and new value-added businesses, which raises price-related questions. We analyze the level of price integration prior to and following a merger between two grain firms and the start-up of a producer-owned ethanol facility. This research utilizes error correction vector autoregression analysis to compute market integration structural change effects. We find evidence that market integration initially increases with the merger, but deteriorates with time following the merger. We find no significant localized change in the level of price integration for the case of a new value-added business. Wed, 28 Sep 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/10244 Title: Applying the Miceli Model to Explain Cooperation in Municipal Solid Waste Management <br/> <br/>Authors: Tiller, Kelly J.; Jakus, Paul M. <br/> <br/>Abstract: As traditional methods of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) become increasingly expensive due to increased regulation, many local governments are considering cooperation as a waste management strategy. A theoretical model is used to specify a partial observability probability model to analyze the decision Tennessee counties made to form either a single-county solid waste region or a multi-county region. We find that, while economies of scale may be a factor in the consolidation decision, similarities and differences between counties in current individual provision levels of solid waste services, ability to pay for services, and expectations for future solid waste service demands are statistically more important. Wed, 28 Sep 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/10245 Title: NAREA Awards Wed, 28 Sep 2005 22:58:59 GMT http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/10246 Title: Importance of Cost Offsets for Dairy Farms Meeting a Nutrient Application Standard <br/> <br/>Authors: Ribaudo, Marc; Agapoff, Jean <br/> <br/>Abstract: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires concentrated animal feeding operations to develop and implement a comprehensive nutrient management plan. Changes in manure management to meet nutrient application standards will generally increase production costs. Some of these costs can be offset by savings from replacing commercial fertilizer with manure nutrients, and through financial assistance programs such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). A manure application cost model was used to examine the costs to confined dairy farms of meeting nutrient application standards, and the ability of fertilizer offsets and EQIP to reduce these costs. Wed, 28 Sep 2005 22:58:59 GMT