Agribusiness Commons^™

Economic Impacts Of Abolishing Vertical Integration In The Us Pork Industry, Konstantinos Giannakas

Department of Agricultural Economics: Presentations, Working Papers, and Gray Literature

This paper develops a multi-market framework of analysis of vertical relationships in pork production and game theoretic models of heterogeneous firms to examine the economic, market and welfare impacts of abolishing vertical integration in the US pork sector. Different scenarios on the causes of vertical integration and the potential states of nature that can emerge after the removal of this vertical market arrangement are considered within this framework. Analytical results are consistent across the different scenarios and forms of strategic interactions between pork producers and indicate that the abolishment of vertical integration in the US pork sector will hurt pork …

Factor And Demand Conditions Shaping Production Effectiveness In Remote Msmes: A Case Study Of Luci Snack In North Kalimantan, Saadiq Alhadi, Hasyim Asyari

Jurnal Vokasi Indonesia

The production effectiveness of agro-industrial MSMEs in remote frontier regions is severely hampered by geographic isolation and lack of basic infrastructure. This study examines the unique case of Luci Snack in North Kalimantan, operating without state electricity or land access. The research aims to analyze how the interaction between Factor Conditions (river logistics and technology) and Demand Conditions influences Production Effectiveness. Employing an embedded single-case study design, data were collected via in-depth interviews with the owner and village officials, participant observation, and documentation, then analyzed using the Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña (2014) interactive model. Findings reveal a paradox: (1) Production …

Farm-Level Financial Decision-Making Methodologies Within A Cow-Calf Enterprise: A Scoping Review, Heidi R. Johnson, Huiting Huang, Brenna Grant

Journal of Applied Farm Economics

Beef cow-calf enterprises face unique financial challenges, requiring methodologies to assess management and technology adoption decisions’ costs, revenues, and profitability. This scoping review synthesizes research on farm-level financial assessment methods specific to cow-calf operations aiming to adopt a new practice or technology. A literature search was conducted to capture various methodologies, examining studies published between 1960 and 2024. A total of 372 articles were screened for eligibility; 61 articles met the defined inclusion criteria. Eight economic and financial methodologies were identified: break-even analysis, cost effectiveness, gross margin, enterprise analysis, partial budgeting, cost-benefit analysis, financial feasibility and net present value, and …

Cost Effects Of Adding Poultry To Organic Vegetable Production Systems In California, Iowa, And Kentucky, Kwanele Magwaba, Alejandro Plastina, Ajay Nair, Maurice Pitesky, David J. Gonthier, Anne Carey, Faye Duan, Viktor Halmos

Journal of Applied Farm Economics

This study evaluates the economic viability of integrating poultry into organic vegetable crop rotations over three years in Kentucky and Iowa and two years in California. Given the growing global demand for food and heightened environmental awareness, understanding the financial implications of such integrated systems is crucial. Our comprehensive experiment compared integrated poultry-vegetable rotations with vegetable-only systems, assessing costs, revenues, and key factors influencing profitability. While integrating poultry reduced vegetable production costs by up to 10% in some cases, overall system costs increased due to high poultry expenses. Break-even poultry prices averaged $8/lb for low-density systems and $7 for high-density …

An Analysis Of Cover Crop Adoption In Southeastern Row Crop Systems: Benefits, Challenges, And Policy Implications, Madison H. Mccay, Yangxuan Liu, Alejandro Plastina, Guy A. Hancock, Amanda R. Smith

Journal of Applied Farm Economics

Cover crops, utilized by producers to provide seasonal soil cover between cash or forage crop cycles, play a significant role in diversifying crop rotations and enhancing environmental sustainability. This research aims to assess the economic impact and farmer perceptions of cover crop adoption in the southeastern United States, particularly in Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. Producers show interest in adopting cover crops with increasing awareness of their benefits, such as improved soil health, water quality, weed suppression, and reduced soil erosion. Despite these advantages, adoption rates are hindered by economic challenges. A survey conducted from January to March 2021 gathered data …

Are Returns From Commercial Farming Heterogeneous? Case Of Wheat Growers In North India, Saroj Verma, Kirtti Ranjan Paltasingh, Phanindra Goyari

Journal of Applied Farm Economics

Contract farming (CF), generally a commercial farming system, is widely perceived as a welfare enhancement strategy in rural areas where agriculture is the major source of livelihood. However, those welfare implications have not been adequately explored in Indian agriculture. So, this study examines the returns to CF and the heterogeneity in their returns across various groups of wheat growers in Haryana, a leading agrarian state in India. Using an endogenous switching regression model on cross-sectional data of 754 farm households, the study found that CF adopters would lose 27% of their gross margins and 11% of their crop output if …

Navigating Geopolitical Disruptions: Adaptive Strategies For The Agri-Food Sector, Barbara H. Skudrzyk

Dissertations

This study explores how Polish food supply chain stakeholders enhance global resilience in response to geopolitical disruptions. Focusing on the geopolitical conflict in Ukraine, this dissertation explores its effects on Poland’s agri-food supply chain and the adaptive strategies employed to foster resilience. The research aims to pinpoint and analyze the most significant operational risks within Polish agri-food supply chain stakeholders. This study explores how risks impact key areas of the supply chain, given their central role in food security and economic stability, and evaluates how well current strategies mitigate disruption and build resilience. Ultimately, this work develops a comprehensive framework …

Why Agtech Startups Fail? Evidence From Global Shutdown Patterns In 2025 And The Cost-Adoption Mismatch Effect, Ankit Chandra, Ishani Lal

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

Agricultural technologies are widely seen as a driver for sustainability, resilience, and food-system transformation. Yet in 2025, agtech startup across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa experienced multiple shutdowns. Although each company closed for its own reasons, the failures highlight consistent underlying patterns. We analyze 18 publicly reported shutdowns across controlled-environment agriculture (CEA), robotics, insect protein, digital platforms, sensors, and ag-biotechnology. We find that most ventures struggled not with scientific feasibility but with economic and adoption dynamics at the farm level. We identify a Cost-Adoption Mismatch Effect, in which the capital and operational burden of a technology exceeds farmers’ capacity …

Brewing Resilience: Cooperatives, Micro-Mills, And The Quest For Survival In Costa Rica's Changing Coffee Landscape, Leila N. Iredell

Honors Theses

This thesis examines how different organizational models in Costa Rica's coffee sector shape producers’ ability to capture value, build resilience, and sustain rural livelihoods in a rapidly changing global market. In comparing traditional cooperatives and new micro-mills, I examine specifically how control over the value chain, access to markets, and social infrastructure differ across models and what these differences mean for the farmers who depend on them. This project analyzes how the collapse of international price agreements and decades of market volatility drove producers toward new strategies, from independent processing and direct trade to coffee tourism. Costa Rica stands as …

Between The Rails: Experiential Education And Its Impact On Compliance And Consistency In Racetrack Surface Management, Heather Mackenzie

Theses and Dissertations--Community & Leadership Development

Recent regulatory requirements within the Thoroughbred racing industry have increased expectations for consistent collection and reporting of racetrack surface data. Despite clear standards, implementation in daily operations remains inconsistent, highlighting a gap between regulation, knowledge, and practice. This study examined the impact of an experiential education curriculum on racetrack personnel’s self-efficacy and reporting consistency.

Using a quantitative design, data were collected through pre- and post-surveys measuring self-efficacy and records of the number of days surface data were entered. Descriptive statistics, paired-samples t-tests, and effect size analyses were used. Results showed a statistically significant increase in self-efficacy (p < .001) with large effect sizes, indicating meaningful gains in confidence and comfortability. Reporting consistency did not show a statistically significant change (p = .885).

Overall, experiential education …

The Impact Of A Kentucky Nutrition Education Program Social Marketing Campaign On Resident Health, Trinity Elizabeth Foster

Theses and Dissertations--Agricultural Economics

Poor diet quality and physical inactivity are common health issues in the United States. To remedy these issues among low-income households, the United States Department of Agriculture created the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education Program (SNAP-Ed), which promoted healthy eating and physically active lifestyles through multiple avenues. The social marketing approach of SNAP-Ed uses marketing strategies to relay information to the public. In Kentucky, a statewide billboard campaign was launched in 2018 encouraging residents to focus on nutrition and physical activity. This study investigates the impact of that campaign on health outcomes in counties throughout the state. Using billboard location …

Technical Skills And Their Roles In Agribusiness Supply Chain Management Education, Ryan Loy, Logan L. Britton, F. Bailey Norwood

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

The integration of advanced technical skills and supply chain management (SCM) tools is critical for the evolving demands of agribusiness. This study identifies the technical competencies, software proficiencies, and educational strategies essential for preparing students to excel in modern SCM roles. Through semi-structured interviews with 26 SCM professionals across US agribusiness sectors, the study highlights the demand for expertise in tools such as SAP, Power BI, and SQL alongside capabilities in data-driven decision-making and adaptability. Despite theoretical preparation, graduates often lack practical experience with industry-standard technologies, underscoring a gap in academic curricula. The findings suggest that agribusiness programs should emphasize …

Modelling Nature? The Digital Twinning And Untwinning Of Urban Farms, Prerona Das, Orlando Woods, Lily Kong

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

Data-driven solutions and innovations have been extended to various industries, including agriculture, to increase efficiency. With the emergence of smart farming and agriculture 4.0, advanced technologies such as IoT, big data, machine learning, and cloud computing are increasingly integrated into farming. Among these, technologies such as digital models, digital twins and the metaverse are now used to control various farming activities remotely based on real-time data. However agricultural ecosystems, involving uncertain nature-based factors and complex human-nature interactions cannot always be accurately represented or predicted by digital models. Digital models aim to reduce natural environments into controllable game-like situations and undermine …

Energy Poverty, Economic Growth And Environmental Degradation In South Asia: Do Energy Resources Matter?, Memona Rasheed, Hooi Hooi Lean, Nam Foo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Developing countries can combat energy poverty by enhancing renewable energy and economic growth with minimal adverse environmental effects. In this paper, we present a comprehensive analysis of energy poverty, renewable energy, economic growth, carbon dioxide emissions, and urbanization (URB) in South Asian countries from 1990 to 2021, focusing on Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. We employed econometric analysis techniques like Panel Pooled Mean Group (PMG)-Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL), Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS), and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) to provide empirical results, as they enable panel data and control for endogeneity. The findings suggested that the fight …

Urban Transportation And Marketing Efficiency Among Tomato Marketers In Oyo State, Nigeria, Chuks O. Idiaye, Isaac Busayo Oluwatayo, Nafisat O. Tijani

ASEAN Marketing Journal

The study examined the effect of urban transportation on tomato marketing efficiency using major markets in Ibadan metropolis in south-west Nigeria as case study. The data used were collected from a total of 170 tomato marketers using a structured questionnaire. The locations of the markets included Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa East, Ibarapa North, Ido, Lagelu, and Akinyele. Descriptive statistics, Shepherd’s measure of efficiency and Multinomial regression were used to analyze the data collected. Findings from the study revealed that transportation plays a crucial role in the marketing of tomato in Oyo state, Nigeria and that mini-cabs are the most preferred means …

Comparative Competitiveness Of Ugandan And Ethiopian Coffee In International Markets, Aaron Ecel, Robert Muwanga, Bob Ssekiziyivu, Oliver Nakanwagi

Business Management Review

Purpose: This study compares the global competitiveness of Ugandan and Ethiopian coffee exports, analyzing export performance, market dynamics, and structural determinants to inform policy interventions.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Using quantitative analysis of 2012-2023 trade data from UN Comtrade and ITC Trade Map, we apply Constant Market Share Analysis (CMSA) and Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) metrics.

Findings: Uganda demonstrated stronger growth in export value (156% from 2012–2023) and quantity (7% annual growth), driven by commodity composition effects (72.8%). However, its lower unit values ($2,578/unit) reflect reliance on bulk Robusta exports. Ethiopia, despite stagnant volume growth, commands premium prices ($5,186/unit) due to specialty Arabica …

Genetically Modified Crops In Africa: Evidence On Adoption, Economic Benefits, Environmental Effects, And Constraints, Aloyce Hepelwa, Innocensia John

Tanzanian Economic Review

Africa faces deep food insecurity with over 300 million undernourished people driven by, low agricultural productivity, and climate shocks. To enhance food production and sustainable development, there is potential seen in genetically modified (GM) crops. To explore the potential of GM crops, this paper examines their production, adoption, economic and environmental impacts, adoption barriers, and policy implications in Africa and globally. This is done using a structured narrative review of peer-reviewed literature, reports, and policy documents (2014–2024) sourced from different databases complemented by stakeholder consultations. The findings show that GM has expanded considerably worldwide driven by high productivity, reduced pesticide …

From Fruit To Nut: Revisiting Pili Nut (Canarium Ovatum Engl.) Production Capacities And Value-Adding Activities In Sorsogon, Philippines, Joey Richard V. Dio, Ryan V. Dio, Dulce Corazon F. Lacson

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The value chain of agricultural products significantly influences their profitability and socio-economic contribution. This study developed a descriptive model of the pili (Canarium ovatum Engl.) nut value chain in Sorsogon, the primary producer in the Philippines, and the only province with large-scale commercial operations. Using a descriptive research approach, data were collected through purposive interviews with 15 key informants—farmers, processors, and traders—guided by Porter’s value-chain framework. Results indicate that Sorsogon produces about 3 times the quantity required daily (< 2,233 kg) by Bicol-based processors, leading to underutilization and post-harvest losses attributed to limited storage facilities and market linkages. The processing stage, which converts pili fruits into nuts and kernels, demonstrates the highest operational efficiency, while the trading stage remains constrained by limited market access. Stakeholders often perform overlapping functions, and traditional sun-drying methods remain common. Furthermore, an aging farming population, limited succession planning, and inconsistent implementation of food safety standards continue to pose challenges to industry growth. These inefficiencies result in reduced profitability and restrict expansion. Strengthening the value chain through improved processing systems, broader market integration, and streamlined production activities is necessary to enhance economic returns and support the sustainable growth of Sorsogon’s pili nut industry.

Characterizing The Relationship Between Parturition In Beef Cattle And The Lunar Phase And Meteorological Factors., Caroline E. Chambers

Honors College Theses

For beef cattle, parturition is one of the most critical stages in the reproductive process. It is crucial that farmers understand the factors that may influence the timing of parturition. There is a persistent preconception that the onset of parturition is influenced by the lunar phase and weather factors. The objective of this study is to characterize the association between parturition in beef cattle, the lunar phase, and/or different weather factors such as barometric pressure and temperature. Cattle records were obtained from Chambers Family Farm in Cumberland Furnace, TN. Data was collected from 142 calvings from January 2017 to October …

Human Capital, Immigration, And Growth: A State-Level Dynamic Panel Study, William R. Cooper

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

This study examines whether who immigrates, rather than how many, matters for state economic growth in the United States. It integrates a policy-relevant proxy for skill (H-1B approvals) into an augmented Solow framework that separates immigration's quantity channel from its human capital channel and estimates dynamic effects in a balanced quarterly panel of 50 states (2010 to 2023 ). The empirical strategy estimates a two-step difference GMM Arellano-Bond model that reinforces identification using a double/debiased machine learning (DML) variant that orthogonalizes high-dimensional nuisance components via cross-fitting. This design targets the distinct roles of immigrant headcount versus skill in per capita …