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Evaluation Of Best Management Practices To Reduce Nutrients Runoff In Watersheds In Arkansas, Hector German Rodriguez Diaz Dec 2009

Evaluation Of Best Management Practices To Reduce Nutrients Runoff In Watersheds In Arkansas, Hector German Rodriguez Diaz

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

There are many non point sources (NPS) of pollution issues across the state of Arkansas. Each region of the state has different concerns. Many watersheds have been included in the Arkansas's 2008 303(d) list for NPS impairments with sediment and nutrients being the primary causes of concern. This research hypothesized that there are no cost or net returns risks when adopting best management practices (BMPs) to control nutrients runoff and that selection, timing, placement and cost have no impact on the implementation of BMPs. Using two priority watersheds, the L'Anguille River and the Lincoln Lake, as examples, the environmental benefits …


The Association Between Alcohol Sales And County Level Economic Growth In Kentucky, Julia Hinkle Rollins Jan 2009

The Association Between Alcohol Sales And County Level Economic Growth In Kentucky, Julia Hinkle Rollins

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

This thesis evaluates the effectiveness of using alcohol sales as an indicator of development or lag associated with development in Kentucky counties using summary statistics, shift-share analysis and an econometric model. The summary statistics are used to evaluate possible lines of causality and the Shift-share analysis and econometric model deal the specific characteristics of the county that are assumed to be influenced by the sale of alcohol. Limitations to the county level data were limiting to the time period evaluated in this thesis. As a result, much of the findings were inconclusive as to the relationship between county level economic …


The Importance Of Nutrition Label Usage In The Context Of Obesity: A Cross-Country Study Of The Usa And Turkey, Emine Bayar Jan 2009

The Importance Of Nutrition Label Usage In The Context Of Obesity: A Cross-Country Study Of The Usa And Turkey, Emine Bayar

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Obesity, the second leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., and related health problems increase people’s concerns about healthy food consumption. The increased prevalence of obesity is a major concern of societies both in developed and developing countries. Nutrition label usage has been increasing due to the link between diet and health. This study intends to provide a framework for describing profiles of consumers who are more likely to use nutrition labels in USA and Turkey, a developing country with increasing obesity rates in recent years. Empirical results present similarities and differences between consumers’ attributes for food label usage …


The Impact Of Perceived Barriers To Export: An Analysis Of Kentucky Agricultural And Food Processing Firms, Kelly A. Davidson Jan 2009

The Impact Of Perceived Barriers To Export: An Analysis Of Kentucky Agricultural And Food Processing Firms, Kelly A. Davidson

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

As intra-industry trade increases in U.S. agricultural and food processing industries, the historical agricultural trade surplus is tightening. In efforts to maintain the trade surplus a focus has shifted towards the promotion of agricultural and processed food exports among small and medium sized firms. This study intends to identify and evaluate the potential for exports among small to medium sized agricultural and food processing firms in Kentucky through a collection of survey data. The objectives of this thesis are to identify the state’s product marketing opportunities and product specifications for international exports while identifying transaction requirements for potential exports. An …


An Interaction Between Risk Perceptipton And Trust In Response To Food Safety Events Across Products And Regions, And Their Implicaitons For Agribusiness Firms, Jonathan D. Shepherd Jan 2009

An Interaction Between Risk Perceptipton And Trust In Response To Food Safety Events Across Products And Regions, And Their Implicaitons For Agribusiness Firms, Jonathan D. Shepherd

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Food safety events receive substantial media coverage and can create devastating economics losses for agribusiness firms. It is unclear what factors influence consumers’ purchasing decisions before or after a food safety event occurs. The objectives of this study is to identify these factors that influence purchasing decisions, determine how consumers respond to hypothetical food safety events, and compare these findings across different products and geographical regions. The data for this research was obtained from two surveys. One survey concerned fresh produce while the second focused on meat products. The SPARTA model, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, is used …


Hedging To Safety: A Political Economy Of Derivatives, Risk And Agriculture In The Developing World, Sasha Coler Breger Bush Jan 2009

Hedging To Safety: A Political Economy Of Derivatives, Risk And Agriculture In The Developing World, Sasha Coler Breger Bush

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

It has become common for researchers and international development institutions to recommend the use of derivative instruments to developing country farmers and policymakers as a means of insuring agricultural incomes against the threats posed by volatile global commodity prices. Despite such enthusiasm, very little research to date examines whether or not derivative instruments actually can deliver income support to agricultural producers who face commodity price risk. This dissertation evaluates these recommendations, focusing upon the potential income security benefits of hedging with futures instruments for coffee farmers in Mexico, Brazil and Uganda during the 1998-2002 coffee crisis. The three-part quantitative and …


Three Essays On Environmental Issues Associated With Broiler Production In Louisiana, Nirmala Adhikari Devkota Jan 2009

Three Essays On Environmental Issues Associated With Broiler Production In Louisiana, Nirmala Adhikari Devkota

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The increasing trends of integrated and concentrated broiler production results in a serious threat to environment through excessive litter production and lack of its proper disposal. Production concentration in limited area is a major source of surface as well as ground water pollution. Nonpoint source pollution from broiler litter applied on land remains a major concern in Louisiana and elsewhere in Southeastern USA. This study examines alternative approaches to reduce pollution originating from broiler production. First, I evaluate why some producers adopt BMP faster than others and what kind of factors affect the time to adoption decision. The duration model …


Nerica, Kimaa, And The Sustainability Of Rice Farming In Magbainba Ndohahun Chiefdom, Sierre Leone: An Anthropological Perspective, Christopher M. Thomas Jan 2009

Nerica, Kimaa, And The Sustainability Of Rice Farming In Magbainba Ndohahun Chiefdom, Sierre Leone: An Anthropological Perspective, Christopher M. Thomas

Global Honors Theses

With the looming threat of a world food shortage, it has become increasingly important for developing African countries to strengthen their indigenous farming practices. This thesis examines the system of rice farming within Sierra Leone’s rural Magbainba Ndohahun Chiefdom, which the author visited in 2008 as part of a University of Washington interdisciplinary program on rice farming methods. Practices related to fallowing, fertilization, hired labor, and land tenure (kimaa) are discussed and placed within the context of long-term sustainability.


The Expansion And Diversification Of The Export Sector And Economic Growth: The Costa Rican Experience, Gustavo Filipe Canle Ferreira Jan 2009

The Expansion And Diversification Of The Export Sector And Economic Growth: The Costa Rican Experience, Gustavo Filipe Canle Ferreira

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

A large body of empirical literature has investigated the linkages between exports and output. Nevertheless, empirical evidence remains inconclusive and the topic remains open to discussion. Additionally, a number of studies have examined the positive effects that export diversification may have on economic growth. Within the Latin America region, Costa Rica has been lauded for its long democratic tradition, relative economic stability, and for evolving from being a small economy heavily reliant on exports of coffee and bananas, to become the largest software exporter per capita in Latin America. This study examined the impact that the expansion and diversification of …


Biophysical Economic Analysis Of Nutrient And Sediment Management Practices In The Mississippi Alluvial Valley, Augustus Nyako Matekole Jan 2009

Biophysical Economic Analysis Of Nutrient And Sediment Management Practices In The Mississippi Alluvial Valley, Augustus Nyako Matekole

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Conventional drainage systems and poorly drained soils tend to increase row crop agriculture nutrient and sediment effluent loads. Best management practices help reduce row crop production environmental pollution. This dissertation looked at nutrient and tillage management practices that could help farmers address future total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for the Cabin-Teele sub-watershed, within the lower Mississippi River Basin. The dissertation had two objectives. The first objective was to examine the economic and environmental impact of tillage and nutrient management practices in reducing agricultural pollutants to meet TMDL requirements. Relative cost effectiveness of different tillage and nutrient management practices were analyzed …


The Economic Importance And Management Of Mercury Contamination In Pelagic Fisheries, Tina Marie Willson Jan 2009

The Economic Importance And Management Of Mercury Contamination In Pelagic Fisheries, Tina Marie Willson

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The presence of mercury in the U.S. fish supply is a growing public health concern. At high levels, mercury can be harmful to humans and ecosystems, and represents a growing threat not only to public health, but also to the economic and ecological viability of many fisheries. This research examined the economic issues surrounding mercury contamination in fish, developed a population dynamics and bioeconomic model to investigate the problem, and compared a variety of management actions to reduce consumer exposure to contaminants. The dissertation begins with an overview of contamination issues in U.S. fisheries, including a review of the historical …


An Analysis Of Government Policy Impacts In The Ethanol And Sugar Markets, Hassan Marzoughi_Ardakani Jan 2009

An Analysis Of Government Policy Impacts In The Ethanol And Sugar Markets, Hassan Marzoughi_Ardakani

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

ABSTRACT This study determines the impact of U.S. government policies on U.S. ethanol market and its consequences for the U.S. corn, sugar, and HFCS markets. Using corn as the primary input in ethanol and HFCS production in the United States, along with the substitutability between sugar and HFCS, has linked the U.S. ethanol market to the U.S. HFCS, sugar, and corn markets. To address the problem, two sets of data, quarterly and annual data, were collected and a simultaneous econometric model was constructed. Estimated results show that the “2007 Energy Independence and Security Act” will increase the domestic corn price …


Essays On Environmental Issues Associated With The Diary Production Region In Louisiana, Larry Michael Hall Jan 2009

Essays On Environmental Issues Associated With The Diary Production Region In Louisiana, Larry Michael Hall

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The Louisiana dairy production region (LDPR) is located in southeast Louisiana and includes five parishes (Tangipahoa, Washington, Livingston, St. Helena, and St. Tammany). It is home to approximately 90% of the state’s dairy industry and is a major contributor to nonpoint source pollution (NPS) in the area’s watershed through nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment effluents. While point source (PS) effluents are easily identified and subject to federal and state regulations, NPS mitigation efforts must address uncertainties such as location of the NPS as well as stochastic parameters such as rainfall and its effect on nutrient and sediment flow. This dissertation presents …


An Analysis Of The Impact Of The Eu Sugar Policy Reform On Acp Countries: A Quota Market Framework, Liliane Kiswendsida Zoungrana Jan 2009

An Analysis Of The Impact Of The Eu Sugar Policy Reform On Acp Countries: A Quota Market Framework, Liliane Kiswendsida Zoungrana

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The pressures for reform within the World Trade Organization have led to the European Union (EU) reforming its sugar policy with a price cut phased from 2006 and scheduled to end in 2009. The reform will have an impact on the sugar protocol African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries that have a preferential market access to the European Union with a protected price. This study investigates the effect of EU sugar policy reform has on these ACP sugar countries. First, it examines how the protocol countries’ sugar supply and demand determinants. While the determinants of supply in some countries performed …


Three Essays On The World Rice Market: A Structure, Conduct, And Performance Paradigm Approach, Hyunsoo Kang Jan 2009

Three Essays On The World Rice Market: A Structure, Conduct, And Performance Paradigm Approach, Hyunsoo Kang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In the past several decades, the international rice market has undergone major changes experiencing a strong expansion in traded volumes and in the volatility of rice prices. International rice prices are, furthermore, expected to remain at relatively high levels because of higher fertilizer and fuel prices, especially as stocks held by those exporters still allow unrestrained sales. With this instability in the world rice market, we need to consider the structure, conduct, and performance (S-C-P) of the world rice market. The main objective of this dissertation will be to examine the world rice market based on S-C-P methods. This dissertation …


Remittances, Foreign Direct Investment And Economic Growth In Latin America And The Caribbean, Pablo Antonio Garcia-Fuentes Jan 2009

Remittances, Foreign Direct Investment And Economic Growth In Latin America And The Caribbean, Pablo Antonio Garcia-Fuentes

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Some of the literature about foreign direct investment (FDI) analyzes the location of FDI. It tries to identify the factors that affect FDI flows. On the association between remittances and growth, this is still an open discussion. This journal style dissertation is an attempt to investigate about the associations between remittances and FDI and growth in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The first paper investigates the effect of remittances on U.S. FDI outflows to LAC. It uses data on 14 LAC countries for the period 1983-2003. The results show that market size is one of the main determinants of …