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B848: Economic Analysis Of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Wood Beams, Noel D. Stevens, George K. Criner Jun 2000

B848: Economic Analysis Of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Wood Beams, Noel D. Stevens, George K. Criner

Bulletins

This study assesses the costs of producing an innovative structural beam developed at the University of Maine that employs Maine’s underutilized timber resources. The new beams are composite beams that are made by reinforcing glue-laminated timber beams, commonly known as glulam, with fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) in the tension region of the beam. The current study addresses the following research objectives: (1) developing cost models for a range of FRP-reinforced eastern hemlock and non-reinforced southern pine glulam beam alternatives; and (2) conducting sensitivity analyses on key cost parameters.


B840: Firm Formation, Firm Failure, And Competitiveness: An Overview Of Maine's Entrepreneurial Economy, Dennis A. Watkins, Thomas G. Allen Apr 1994

B840: Firm Formation, Firm Failure, And Competitiveness: An Overview Of Maine's Entrepreneurial Economy, Dennis A. Watkins, Thomas G. Allen

Bulletins

The purpose of this paper is to establish a basic understanding of Maine's entrepreneurial economy. The competitiveness of Maine's small businesses, reflected in rates of firm formation and firm failure, is important to future economic growth and policy development. Previous research has pointed to the high proportion of small businesses operating in Maine, but questions concerning their entrepreneurial dynamism remain unanswered. Developing a useful policy response for future economic growth dictates that the following questions be fully explored: (1) What is the current state of Maine's entrepreneurial base and how does this base compare with other states in the New …


B841: Maine's Household Garbage, George K. Criner, Jonathan D. Kaplan, Svjetlana Juric, Nicholas R. Houtman Feb 1994

B841: Maine's Household Garbage, George K. Criner, Jonathan D. Kaplan, Svjetlana Juric, Nicholas R. Houtman

Bulletins

The objective of this report is to present findings from an analysis of Maine's nonbulky domestic waste stream.


B839: Black Bear Hunting In Maine: Do Hunter Characteristics Affect Opinions Regarding Hunting Regulations, Ramona Elhamzaoui, Kevin Boyle, Craig Mclaughlin, Jim Sherburne Jan 1994

B839: Black Bear Hunting In Maine: Do Hunter Characteristics Affect Opinions Regarding Hunting Regulations, Ramona Elhamzaoui, Kevin Boyle, Craig Mclaughlin, Jim Sherburne

Bulletins

In recent years, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W) has implemented several changes in hunting regulations to counter a steady increase in the harvest of Maine's black bears (Ursus americanus). These include several changes made during the early 1980s and a number of major changes that started with the 1990 hunt. The research reported in this paper considers hunters' opinions regarding current and proposed hunting regulations for black bears in Maine.


B834: An Economic Analysis Of Crops Grown In Rotation With Potatoes In Aroostook County, Maine, John V. Westra, Kevin J. Boyle Nov 1991

B834: An Economic Analysis Of Crops Grown In Rotation With Potatoes In Aroostook County, Maine, John V. Westra, Kevin J. Boyle

Bulletins

This bulletin examines rotations of potatoes with alternative crops to identify net revenue-maximizing rotations in Aroostook County, Maine.


B835: Landfills And Municpal Solid Waste In Maine, George K. Criner, John M. Halstead, Elizabeth Curtin, Steven C. Deller Aug 1991

B835: Landfills And Municpal Solid Waste In Maine, George K. Criner, John M. Halstead, Elizabeth Curtin, Steven C. Deller

Bulletins

Municipal leaders need current information about alternative disposal methods to make rational decisions on handling their town's waste. To provide an overview of landfilling and other waste-handling methods used in the upper New England states, a group of university researchers from New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont initiated a study of landfills and solid waste management practices. The study involved a comprehensive mail survey of municipalities in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. This report focuses upon and discusses the results of the landfill and solid waste management survey for Maine.


B833: A Residential Waste Stream Analysis: Orono, Maine, 1990, George K. Criner, Steven L. Jacobs, Chet A. Rock Aug 1991

B833: A Residential Waste Stream Analysis: Orono, Maine, 1990, George K. Criner, Steven L. Jacobs, Chet A. Rock

Bulletins

George Criner and Chet Rock of the University of Maine, and students from their Waste Management class analyzed household wastes from 33 residences in Orono. The purpose of the analysis was to obtain an estimate of total weekly residential waste weight and its composition by category (paper versus glass, etc.).


B831: The Role Of Human Capital In The Adoption Of Conservation Tillage: The Case Of Aroostook County, Maine, Potato Farmers, Michele C. Marra, Beatrice C. Ssali Jul 1990

B831: The Role Of Human Capital In The Adoption Of Conservation Tillage: The Case Of Aroostook County, Maine, Potato Farmers, Michele C. Marra, Beatrice C. Ssali

Bulletins

Given the continuing potential loss from soil erosion and the significant effort put forth recently to alleviate the problem in Aroostook County, it is important to study ways to improve the success rate of that effort. One way to improve the soil loss problem is for farmers to adopt conservation tillage practices for those areas where there are significant benefits from doing so. The objective of this study is to identify the characteristics important in the adoption decisions of Aroostook County farmers. The Maine results will be compared with results from a study in Iowa to identify any differences in …


B827: Toward A Cooperative Marketing Strategy For Fresh Wild Blueberries, Timothy A. Woods, Michele C. Marra, James D. Leiby Aug 1989

B827: Toward A Cooperative Marketing Strategy For Fresh Wild Blueberries, Timothy A. Woods, Michele C. Marra, James D. Leiby

Bulletins

Marketing wild blueberries as a fresh product has become an increasingly viable alternative for Maine wild blueberry producers. This bulletin presents the results of research that identified marketing regions with the greatest profit potential for fresh wild blueberries and whether there are packaging or promotional strategies that are likely to be more successful than others within these regions. The authors analyze retail demand for fresh wild blueberries in Maine, Boston, and New York City, as well as describe the results of a survey of wholesale buyers of fresh blueberries in Boston. The conclusions based on the analysis of demand at …


B825: A Comparison Of Lowbush Blueberry Harvesting Technologies: Experimental And Economic Results From The 1988 Field Tests In Washington County, Maine, Michele C. Marra, Timothy A. Woods, Russell Parker, Nu Nu San, Mario F. Teisl May 1989

B825: A Comparison Of Lowbush Blueberry Harvesting Technologies: Experimental And Economic Results From The 1988 Field Tests In Washington County, Maine, Michele C. Marra, Timothy A. Woods, Russell Parker, Nu Nu San, Mario F. Teisl

Bulletins

The describes research that evaluated the new mechanical harvesting technologies for wild blueberries and compared them to the traditional technology of hand raking under different assumptions about prices, costs, farm size, and yield. It provides information to growers about the circumstances where mechanical harvesting will be most useful and where the hand rakers can be used to the best advantage.


B822: The Economic Benefits Of Late-Season Black Fly Control, Stephen D. Reiling, Kevin Boyle, Marcia L. Phillips, Vicki A. Trefts, Mark W. Anderson Sep 1988

B822: The Economic Benefits Of Late-Season Black Fly Control, Stephen D. Reiling, Kevin Boyle, Marcia L. Phillips, Vicki A. Trefts, Mark W. Anderson

Bulletins

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) contracted with the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Maine to study the economic benefits of black fly control. The DEP requested that the study focus on the benefits of late-season black fly control. This decision was based on the belief that any control program for black flies would be initially directed toward the late-season varieties since they primarily exist along the Penobscot River between the towns of Millinocket and Howland. The purpose of this report is to present the results of a study to measure the economic benefits …


B820: Inmigration To Maine: 1975-1983, Louis A. Ploch Feb 1988

B820: Inmigration To Maine: 1975-1983, Louis A. Ploch

Bulletins

This publication is the capstone report of a series of research studies, begun in 1976, of inmigration to Maine. During the 1976-1984 period, three separate, but coordinated, studies were conducted by the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Maine Agricultural Experiment Station. The impetus for the studies was the release in 1974 and 1975 of a series of population estimates by the U.S. Bureau of the Census. These data, and especially their analysis by Calvin Beale of the USDA, were confirmation that rural areas throughout the United States were growing as a result of inmigration from urban areas. Moreover, Maine, …


B817: A Profile Of The Farm Financial Sector In Maine, John Scott Swanberg, Michele C. Marra Jan 1987

B817: A Profile Of The Farm Financial Sector In Maine, John Scott Swanberg, Michele C. Marra

Bulletins

The purpose of this report is to provide an integrated view of the current market for agricultural credit in Maine so that those responsible for policy in this area as well as producers and their associations will be able to make well informed decisions for the future.


B807: A Study Of The Maine Lamb Industry, George Criner, Russell C. Parker Feb 1985

B807: A Study Of The Maine Lamb Industry, George Criner, Russell C. Parker

Bulletins

This study of the Maine lamb industry is concerned not only with farm-level sheep and lamb production, but also with all aspects of the marketing chain—from the farm to the consumer. Although this study relies primarily upon Maine data the set of opportunities and constraints discussed are generally representative of those found throughout New England.


B804: The Growth And Change Of High Technology Industries In The State Of Maine: Implications For State And Local Development Policy, Dennis A. Watkins, Thomas G. Allen Nov 1984

B804: The Growth And Change Of High Technology Industries In The State Of Maine: Implications For State And Local Development Policy, Dennis A. Watkins, Thomas G. Allen

Bulletins

To shed light on Maine’s high-tech industries, employment and production data were gathered for 11O firms including 20 three-digit SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) categories. The time periods covered were 1970, 1976, and 1981. This data base was provided by the Bureau of Employment Security and the Bureau of Labor Standards of the Maine Department of Labor. The research was guided by the following questions: How are firms distributed among specific high technology industries and has this distribution changed over time? What is the geographic distribution of high technology firms within the state and how is this distribution changing? How dynamic …


B780: A Cost Analysis Of Pruning Procedures In Lowbush Blueberry Production, Eric J. Hanson, Amr A. Ismail, Homer Metzger Jan 1982

B780: A Cost Analysis Of Pruning Procedures In Lowbush Blueberry Production, Eric J. Hanson, Amr A. Ismail, Homer Metzger

Bulletins

Burning fields with fuel oil is currently the most practical method of pruning blueberries but is costly and destructive to the organic material on the surface of the soil. Fuel oil is a nonrenewable resource that is rapidly increasing in cost and, in the future, may become less readily available for this use. The need to develop alternative means of pruning lowbush bleuberries is evident. This bulletin compares the economics of six pruning procedures on operations of three sizes. The budgets are based on certain assumptions and costs which will change over time. The results will allow blueberry growers to …


B778: A Comparison Of Maine Open Water And Ice Fishing Activities And Participants, Janice L. Taylor, Stephen D. Reiling Sep 1981

B778: A Comparison Of Maine Open Water And Ice Fishing Activities And Participants, Janice L. Taylor, Stephen D. Reiling

Bulletins

This publication focuses on the characteristics, attitudes, and preferences of Maine anglers and examines the differences that exist between open water and ice fishing activities and participants. The results provide valuable information for management purposes in that the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife can assess future policies on the basis of more complete information about fishermen in general and the attitudes and preferences of open water and ice anglers in particular.


B756: Factors Affecting The Unit Costs Of Milk Distribution, Homer B. Metzger Jan 1979

B756: Factors Affecting The Unit Costs Of Milk Distribution, Homer B. Metzger

Bulletins

Large variation in unit costs among firms performing essentially the same functions is characteristic of the milk distribution industry. This is so despite their operating under economic conditions which provide generally similar prices for goods and services needed for processing and delivery operations. Presumably the special character of the firms in terms of size, management, age of facilities, and equipment may account for cost differences. What the factors may be is import ant to understanding the ability of firms to operate profitably under a pricing system in which prices received for products sold are largely determined by the lowest cost …


B746: Economies Of Size For Maine Potato Packing Plants, Edward F. Johnston Dec 1977

B746: Economies Of Size For Maine Potato Packing Plants, Edward F. Johnston

Bulletins

The objective of this study was to find where economies in scale lie, and what, if any, would be the preferred or most economical in packing facilities. Data relative to equipment and labor requirements and capabilities and to materials and services were obtained through manufacturers, sales agencies, research studies and case studies. Two computerized programs were developed to select equipment, labor, and facilities which would be most efficient and least-cost and this was done for packing 10-pound bags with potatoes. Ten model lines resulted from the analysis allowing for input rates of 80 to 800 cwt/hr when based on a …


B742: Improving The Incomes Of Small Farm Families In Coastal Maine, Homer B. Metzger, Nicholas E. Flanders Oct 1977

B742: Improving The Incomes Of Small Farm Families In Coastal Maine, Homer B. Metzger, Nicholas E. Flanders

Bulletins

Two basic objectives were formulated for this study: 1) To determine the physical, human and financial resources, as well as the source of income from farm and non-farm outlets available to small farm families living in coastal Maine; and, 2) To develop optimal organizations of existing small farm and family labor resources in order to maximize the incomes of these farm families.


B709: An Evaluation Of The Potential For Maine Raised Oysters, Wallace C. Dunham, Munden M. Bray May 1974

B709: An Evaluation Of The Potential For Maine Raised Oysters, Wallace C. Dunham, Munden M. Bray

Bulletins

The primary purpose of the study reported here was to investigate the feasibility of developing profitable markets for Maine raised Ostrea edulis. More specifically the objective were to (1) evaluate trend in oyster supplies, including landings, imports, and exports in the U.S., Canada and France; (2) analyze trends in oyster consumption in the U.S., Canada, and France and develop a predictive equation based on factors influencing consumption in each of these areas; (3) evaluate the economic feasibility of developing a half-shell oyster market for Maine raised oysters.


B707: Analysis Of Waste Disposal Problems Related To Maine Poultry Processing Plants, F. Richard King, Forest M. French Feb 1974

B707: Analysis Of Waste Disposal Problems Related To Maine Poultry Processing Plants, F. Richard King, Forest M. French

Bulletins

This study analyzed waste disposal problems related to Maine poultry processing plants. The problems of the Maine plants are quite typical of those found in the industry outside Maine. Two exceptions to this generality are amount of water used and cost of replacement and operation of the treatment facility. Maine plants appear to use more water than plants located in competing areas but they are of larger average size and have access to municipal water supplies and therefore are not particularly disadvantaged.


B641: A Comparison Of Food Prices In Boston, Massachusetts And Bangor, Maine: December, 1965, Allan W. Mackinnon, Bonnie G. Marsh, John C. Dean, Richard E. Vizard May 1966

B641: A Comparison Of Food Prices In Boston, Massachusetts And Bangor, Maine: December, 1965, Allan W. Mackinnon, Bonnie G. Marsh, John C. Dean, Richard E. Vizard

Bulletins

The results of this study, using store surveys and advertised price comparisons, showed that the cost of food-at-home items is higher in Bangor than in Boston. In addition to higher average prices in Bangor for many items, the total average expenditure for the group of food items is 4% higher in Bangor. Although it is clear that the cost of food is higher in Bangor, the study made no attempt to determine any of the causes of the cost differentia1. Two possible reasons might be the distance of Bangor from some of the major food suppliers and the difference in …


B637: Reducing The Frequency Of Home Delivery Of Milk, Homer Metzger, James H. Clarke Aug 1965

B637: Reducing The Frequency Of Home Delivery Of Milk, Homer Metzger, James H. Clarke

Bulletins

Home delivery of milk is faced with rising costs and price competition from stores. To remain in business the retail route operator must sell more product per customer or provide a minimum amount of service for customers. This report is concerned with the feasibility of providing a minimum amount of service through reducing the frequency of delivery on home delivery routes. Information on experience with and attitudes toward reduced delivery was obtained by personal and mail interviews from distributors in the northeast and from households in Kentucky, Maine and West Virginia during the period 1960 to 1963.This study is a …


B553: Consumer Packages For Maine Mcintosh Apples, Charles H. Merchant, Earle E. Gavett, John W. Underwood, Frank J. Mcdonald Dec 1956

B553: Consumer Packages For Maine Mcintosh Apples, Charles H. Merchant, Earle E. Gavett, John W. Underwood, Frank J. Mcdonald

Bulletins

Three kinds of consumer packages for apples were developed for testing in the 1955-56 marketing season. In developing these packages, the authors modified the jumble-pack, polyethylene package in a way that would protect the fruit from most of the bruising and still maintain almost complete visibility of the fruit. One consumer package developed was a long narrow polyethylene bag, another was a polyethylene bag with a divider insert, and the third package had a cell partition placed in a similar plastic bag. All three packages were well accepted by consumers in the Portland market.


B547: Transparent Plastic Cartons Boost Egg Sales, Richard Saunders Mar 1956

B547: Transparent Plastic Cartons Boost Egg Sales, Richard Saunders

Bulletins

In merchandising tests conducted in three supermarkets located in Portland, Maine, sales of large, Grade A eggs were increased an average of 16 per cent using transparent plastic egg cartons. Total eggs sales in the stores were increased 11 per cent. The experiment involved testing two types of egg cartons—a completely transparent carton made of clear plastic, and a windowed carton with partial visibility through the top of the carton. A standard 2 x 6, cardboard carton with no visibility—the one regularly used by the supermarkets—was used as a control throughout the tests. In two of the cooperating stores egg …