Agribusiness Commons^™

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 …

Temperature Variability And Its Effect On Seasonal Yield Of Rice In Bangladesh: A Long-Term Trend Assessment, Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, Md. Abdur Rouf Sarkar, Mou Rani Sarker, Andrew M. Mckenzie, Sheikh Arafat Islam Nihad, Akbar Hossain

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Bangladesh, an agriculturally reliant and climate-vulnerable country, requires real-time quantification of climatic variables, such as temperature, to sustain food security. However, the effects of spatial and temporal temperature variations on rice productivity across seasons remain underexplored. Our study addresses this gap by analyzing temperature data from 35 meteorological stations (1970-2020) using parametric and nonparametric methods. The Mann-Kendall test revealed a pronounced increase in minimum temperatures compared to maximum temperatures, particularly during the monsoon season. K-means clustering identified four seasonal station clusters, revealing that rising minimum temperatures positively influenced Aus rice yields in seven regions, while temperatures above 35 degrees C …

Economically Optimal Soil Sampling Density And Application Technology For Potassium Fertilizer For Soybean In The Mid-Southern Us, Bayarbat Badarch, Aurelie Poncet, Shelby Ridar, Nathan Slaton, Michael Popp

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

To maximize beneficial potassium (K) fertilizer use in irrigated soybean (Glycine max. (L.) Merr.) fields with spatially varying soil-test K (STK), the value of added information from more precise STK maps must be greater than the associated information collection costs. In eleven fields, we modeled the impact of soil sampling densities (SD) ranging from 2.2 samples ha-1 in the largest field (41.2 ha) to 13.59 samples ha-1 in the smallest field (7.4 ha) on STK maps with 0.4 ha grid size. The accuracy of profit-maximizing fertilizer rate prescription maps varied by SD and subsequent yield estimates using either uniform …

Biosecurity Investment Impacts On Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Control In United States Commercial Turkey Operations, Jada M. Thompson, Kelly Patyk, Victoria Fields, Matthew Branan, Amy Delgado, Kylie Roesler

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is an extremely transmissible virus that poses a significant threat to the U.S. turkey industry through contagion from migratory birds and results in whole-farm depopulation. To combat the disastrous economic impacts of HPAI, this study examined how biosecurity investments may have economic benefits to producers and the industry. Using data collected from a farm-focused survey of commercial turkey producers, the differences in biosecurity practices between farms affected by HPAI and unaffected farms in 2022 were analyzed. This evaluation aims to understand how effective biosecurity investments were towards reducing the susceptibility of a turkey farm to …

Satellite Remote Sensing Reveals Voluntary Cover-Crop Adoption And Crop-Rotation Hotspots In The Mississippi Alluvial Plain, Zobaer Ahmed, Connor Lawson, Kris R. Brye, V. Steven Green, Mike Popp, Aaron Shew, Lawton Nalley

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Government-subsidized programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program provide financial motivation for adopting cover crops. Nevertheless, many producers have internalized the holistic benefits of cover crops and voluntarily adopted them as a sustainable soil management practice. Yet, little is known about how cover crop adoption propagates beyond the first order link between financial incentives and total adopted cover crop acres. This study examined voluntary adoption of winter cover crops as well as which crop rotations had the highest cover crop use in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain (MAP) region. Cover crop locations were identified using remote …

Economic And Policy Drivers Of Climate-Smart Soil Health Practices In The United States, Roderick Rejesus, Serkan Aglasan, Lawson Connor

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Climate-smart soil health practices, such as cover crops and no-till, are considered to be key elements for climate change adaptation and mitigation in agriculture. We examine the empirical literature that provides data-driven evidence on the impact of cover crops and no-till on several economic variables of interest, such as yields, inputs, profits, risk, erosion, and water quality. In general, existing studies provide mixed evidence on the impacts of cover crops and no-till on these outcomes. Moreover, we discuss the empirical literature exploring the impact of economic and policy-related variables on adopting cover crops and no-till. We find that a number …

Minority Farmer And Rancher Delinquency And Local Cultural Climate: Evidence From Farm Service Agency's County Office Committees, Lawson Connor, Bruce L. Ahrendsen, Charles B. Dodson, Logan Moss

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Farm delinquency is linked to many negative indicators of farm survival, including increased risk of bankruptcy and farm failure. Minority farmers and ranchers (MFR) have been found to exhibit higher rates of delinquency on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans compared to their non-Hispanic White male counterparts. These findings persist even after accounting for economic/financial factors expected to predict loan repayment performance. In this study, to further explore the existing discrepancy between loan default rates for MFR and White, non-Hispanic borrowers, we look more broadly than financial indicators and introduce MFR representation on the FSA County …

Measuring The Impact Of Hurricane Incidence On Agricultural Production Risk Using Insurance Data, Hunter D. Biram, Micah Cameron-Harp, Jesse Tack

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Hurricanes are considered among the most destructive natural disasters in the United States. The exposure of agricultural production systems to hurricanes varies between regions in contrast to global risks like commodity price volatility and international trade policies. The regional differences in hurricane exposure may lead to heterogeneity in crop insurance premium rates. This work aims to measure the impact of hurricane incidence on production losses for crops grown in the Mississippi Delta. We leverage a county-month panel of insurance losses spanning 2002-2021 from the US Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency, and daily data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric …

Stock-To-Use Ratio And Price Of Rice: Deciphering The Relationships, Khondoker Abdul Mottaleb, Joohun Han, Willy Mulimbi, Durand-Morat Alvaro

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

The stock-to-use ratio (STU) is a widely utilized indicator to assess market conditions and forecast price movements for agricultural commodities. However, before drawing any conclusions, it is essential to empirically investigate the relationship between STU and commodity prices. Using rice as a case study, this research examines the empirical linkage between rice prices and STU, both collectively and individually across 16 leading rice-producing and consuming countries. To do so, the study first employs the panel vector autoregression approach to capture the dynamic interrelationships in a panel data setting, followed by vector autoregression estimation at the individual country level. The results …

Surface Water Irrigation Reservoirs Improve Groundwater Recovery In A Heavily Stressed Aquifer, Joshua Michael Blackstock, Obembe Odipo, Aaron Shew, Michele Reba, Joseph Massey, Phillip R. Owens, Christopher D. Delhom

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Expansion of irrigated cropland area in eastern Arkansas has led to the formation of regional cones of depression and creation of critical groundwater areas for the Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer (MRVA) in Arkansas. In response, use of surface water reservoirs for irrigation in the Grand Prairie critical groundwater area (GPCGA) has been implemented toward improving groundwater recovery, but effects of this strategy are unclear. We leverage publicly available satellite imagery and geospatial computational resources to estimate in GPCGA: (1) total surface water area on cropland and non-cropland potentially used for irrigation using a supervised classification model and (2) causal …

Feed Prices, Substitution Patterns, And Technical Efficiency In Feedlot Cattle, Andrew E. Anderson, James L. Mitchell, Jamie R. Luke

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

The cattle feeding industry is sandwiched between relatively volatile commodity markets, and efficiency is critical. Changing prices for feedstuffs may cause substitution and output effects, in turn impacting technical efficiency. Using Kansas feedlot data, we estimate the effects of feed prices on cattle performance, focusing on the feed conversion ratio, average daily gain, and days on feed. Results show that several feed prices do indeed impact technical efficiency. These results have implications for management adapting to changing feed prices. Further, there are policy implications for programs that may impact commodity prices.

Cultivating The Wild: Strategies For Entrepreneurs Navigating Niche And Specialty Food Markets, Trey Malone, Courtney F. Cooper

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction Consumer demand for authenticity and sustainability in food systems is growing, creating both opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs in niche and specialty markets. While wild-foraged and hunted foods are often perceived as more "natural" and sustainable, attempts to scale these products through farming may compromise their perceived authenticity.Methods To explore these dynamics, we conducted discrete choice experiments with a nationally representative sample of 1,039 U.S. consumers. Participants evaluated their willingness to pay (WTP) for salmon, venison, and morel mushrooms, presented in both wild-foraged/hunted and farm-raised forms.Results Consumers exhibited strong preferences for wild versions of all three products, with average …

Cultural Worldview And Rural Consumer Preferences For Genetically Modified Foods, Nathan P. Kemper

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

The consumer acceptance of genetically modified (GM) foods varies widely based on personal values and social context. This study investigates how cultural worldviews—measured through the Individualism–Communitarianism and Hierarchical–Egalitarianism dimensions—affect willingness to pay (WTP) for food labeling attributes related to GM content. We surveyed 932 U.S. primary grocery shoppers and conducted a discrete choice experiment (DCE) with poultry product options. Using a Mixed Logit model and supplemental cognitive data from Query Theory, we find that rural individualists are more accepting of GM-labeled products. At the same time, urban communitarians show a stronger preference for non-GM labels. These results offer insight into …

The Effects Of Extreme Weather On Rural Transportation Infrastructure And Crop Prices Along The Lower Mississippi River, James Mitchell, Hunter D. Biram

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Extreme weather events are worsening the fragile rural infrastructure in the United States, impacting trade flows of agricultural products. The Mississippi River, vital for transporting agricultural commodities, reached historic lows during the 2022 and 2023 fall harvests, increasing transportation costs and lowering crop prices. This paper estimates the cost of these drought events by analyzing Arkansas soybean basis data and Mississippi River stream gauge data. Low river levels significantly weaken soybean prices, with the impact being a function of a grain market's distance to a river port. Findings have implications for public policy investment in rural infrastructure and risk management …

Assessing The Implicit Prices Of Health And Wellness Product Attributes In Pet Food: A Hedonic Analysis Approach, Lonnie Hobbs Jr., Andrew Anderson

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Here we examine product attributes present in dry dog food to show there exist potential price premiums and discounts associated with health and wellness attributes in dry dog food. The findings indicate price premiums are associated with attributes related to digestion and allergy care. Pricing discounts are found to be associated with immune support and dental attributes. The results of this study are anticipated to be a starting point for more sophisticated and dynamic analysis of pricing and willingness-to-pay studies in the pet food industry.

Vitamin A Fortification: Key Factors And Considerations For Effective Implementation, Joohun Han, Alvaro Durand-Morat, Khondoker Abdul Mottaleb

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Vitamin A fortification plays a crucial role in achieving long-term economic development in developing countries by supporting the growth and development of human capital. While fortification programs involve a range of nutritional, agricultural, economic, and political considerations, there is a lack of a comprehensive overview of the topic in the literature. Our review highlights the importance of holistic approach in designing fortification programs: the effective program should consider (a) the agronomic, economic, and administrative capability of the target regions in regard of fortification method and vehicle to maximize effectiveness; (b) strategies to ensure the producers' and consumers' adoption to enhance …

Racial Differences In Knowledge, Attitudes Toward Vaccination, And Risk Practices Around Lyme Disease In The United States, Madiha Shafquat, Niyati Patel, Brandon Mcfadden, James H. Stark, L. Hannah Gould

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction Lyme disease (LD) incidence in the United States is highly regional, with most cases occurring in 16 high-incidence jurisdictions. LD incidence and severity of disease have been found to vary by race. This study describes racial differences in knowledge, attitudes toward vaccination, and risk practices related to LD.Methods Four web-based surveys were conducted with adults and caregivers of children in high-incidence jurisdictions and 10 states neighboring them. Respondents were recruited via an established online panel to represent the general population. Self-reported race was pooled into 3 categories: 'White', 'Black or African American', and 'Other' for analysis. Analyses were conducted …

Understanding Dairy Livestock Farmers' Intention To Adopt Sociocultural Dynamics For Food Security Using The Theory Of Planned Behaviour, Paresh Kumar Sarma, Mohammad Jahanghir Alam, Samiha Sarwar, Sadika Haque, Golam Rabbani, Ismat Ara Begum, Andrew M. Mckenzie

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study examines the impact of socio-cultural dynamics (SCD) on food and nutrition security in dairy farming households. Recognizing the role of cultural practices, social networks, and access to resources in shaping food security, we emphasize the need to incorporate these factors into interventions for dairy farming. Using a systematic random sampling technique, we surveyed 400 households in the Rajbari District of Bangladesh in 2024 and analyzed the data using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM model). The results revealed a positive association between the intention to adopt socio-cultural dynamics and food …

Lumpy Heterogeneity In Groundwater Service Values And Time Preferences, Kent F. Kovacs, Heather Snell, Brandon R. Mcfadden, Rodolfo M. Nayga Jr.

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

From a choice experiment about groundwater management, we consider time preferences and groundwater service values through sociodemographic characteristics using a model called the discounted latent class model. A policy-motivated latent class has a higher income, greater familiarity with an aquifer, and more concern for the risks that groundwater decline poses to people and the environment. A business-as-usual latent class has a conservative ideology. Exponential discounting is preferred, and the discount rate is larger for the policy group than the business-as-usual group. Other models we use include the discounted mixed logit model and the discounted logit-mixed logit model.

Determinants Of Market Participation Among Milk Producers In Kyrgyzstan, Akhmadjon Nurullaev, Eunchun Park, Bruce L. Ahrendsen, Stijn Speelman, Lawson Connor

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Numerous studies have been conducted to comprehend the economic importance of market participation for producers. However, a significant gap remains, particularly in Central Asia. This study assesses market participation drivers for Kyrgyzstan's milk producers using the Life in Kyrgyzstan dataset, encompassing a comprehensive nationwide farm-level survey. Findings reveal that household assets boost market entry and sales volume, whereas distance from markets discourages participation but can increase sales for active sellers, reflecting transportation cost strategies. The insights inform policy interventions benefiting rural small-scale milk producers in Central Asian countries that share similar cultural backgrounds.

Vulnerability And Adaptation In Flood-Prone Ecosystems Of Bangladesh: A Case Study Of Rice Farming Households, Mohammad Chhiddikur Rahman, Md Abdur Rouf Sarkar, Md Jahangir Kabir, Md Shajedur Rahaman, Jatish C. Biswas, Md Abdullah Aziz, Mohammad Ariful Islam, Md Abdullah Al Mamun, Niaz Md Farhat Rahman, Andrew M. Mckenzie

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Floods in Bangladesh significantly impact rice production, a vital element of food security. While regional flood effects have been extensively studied, the specific impacts on rice, the country's primary staple, remain underexplored. This study assesses the effects of floods on rice production, availability, and prices, alongside identifying household vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies. Using both quantitative and qualitative data from secondary sources and interviews with farmers, we analyzed how floods affect rice cultivation and market dynamics. Our findings showed that floods predominantly affect wet season Aman rice, temporarily disrupting cultivation, national yield, and market prices. However, the adoption of stress-resistant varieties …

The Adoption Of Biosecurity Measures And Its Influencing Factors In Bangladeshi Layer Farms, Mohammadyar Jahangir Alam, Ismat Ara Begum, Md Al Mamun, Md Asif Iqbal, Andrew M. Mckenzie

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Developing nations like Bangladesh are particularly vulnerable to poultry diseases, notably Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Adopting biosecurity approaches that assist farms in disease control and prevention can decrease the industry-wide dissemination of infectious diseases. In light of these factors, this study was carried out to investigate the implementation of biosecurity practices on layer farms in Bangladesh. Using a stratified random sample method, a total of 315 layer farms from fourteen upazilas (sub-districts) in seven districts were surveyed using a semi-structured interview schedule. The study explored layer farmers' experiences with biosecurity procedures adopted on farms that included equipment, employees, and visitors. …

Bridging Taste And Health: The Role Of Machine Learning In Consumer Food Selection, Saroj Adhikari, Brandon R. Mcfadden

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Navigating the modern food landscape is complex, often leading consumers to make suboptimal dietary choices due to information, time constraints, and psychological vulnerabilities. Machine learning (ML) presents a promising solution to enhance the contemporary grocery shopping experience by providing personalized dietary recommendations tailored to individual preferences and characteristics. Traditional methods of dietary guidance cannot account for nuanced consumer characteristics and preferences. In contrast, ML algorithms can incorporate specific information about individuals and continuously adapt to provide personalized recommendations, considering factors like historical eating habits, socio-demographics, nutritional requirements, etc. This paper explores the potential value of ML in enhancing personalized dietary …

Consumer Preferences For Low-Methane Beef: The Impact Of Pre-Purchase Information, Point-Of-Purchase Labels, And Increasing Prices, Kelly A. Davidson, Brandon R. Mcfadden, Sarah Meyer, John C. Bernard

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Cattle production is estimated to be the largest methane (CH₄) emitter associated with consumer demand in the United States of America (U.S.). With a national commitment to reducing methane emissions by 30% before 2030, methane-reducing additives (MRAs) in livestock feed are being explored as a viable solution. This study investigated consumer preferences for low-methane ground beef produced using one of three MRAs with varying levels of methane mitigation: Aspagopsis taxiformis (seaweed), the organic compound 3-nitroxypropanol (3NOP), or a blend of essential oils (e.g. garlic extract and citrus). In a nationally representative survey, 3,009 respondents completed a labeled discrete …

Consumer Preferences And Valuation For Sustainably Produced Rice In Ghana, Adabrah-Danquah Vera, Durand-Morat Alvaro, Lawton L. Nalley, Mandiaye Diagne, Benedicta Nsiah Frimpong, Wei Yang

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Improving the sustainability of rice, a global food staple with a significant environmental footprint, is of utmost importance, given the growing population and increased depletion of natural resources. The Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) standard is the first globally recognized certification standard for sustainable rice production. SRP comprises 41 requirements structured under 12 indicators and 8 themes, through which farmers can receive SRP certification and use the SRP label. This study assesses consumers' preferences for SRP-certified sustainable rice in Ghana. We surveyed 1168 consumers in Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale, the three largest cities in Ghana, to ascertain their preferences for each …

North Dakota Corn Efficiency Frontier: Stochastic Frontier Analysis, Bayarbat Badarch, David C. Roberts, Michael P. Popp

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

According to climate studies in North Dakota, the state's crop-growing season has been extended. In addition, many studies have shown technological advances in crop production. However, the state has not addressed how crop yield has been affected by weather changes. Thus, this paper investigates the state's corn (Zea mays) yield potential and efficiency measures based on agricultural input use and weather variables from 1994 to 2018. We found that the effects of temperature and precipitation on the state's corn yield frontier (potential) were greater than those of changing agricultural input variables. The stochastic frontier model indicates that the …

A Historical Assessment Of The Number Of Days Required To Plant The Arkansas Soybean Crop, Bayarbat Badarch, K. Bradley Watkins, Terry Griffin

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

The primary objective of this paper is to quantitatively analyze the number of acres planted per suitable fieldwork day and the total number of fieldwork days available for the complete planting of soybeans (Glycine max L.) in Arkansas. Total days to plant soybeans in each spring from 1980 to 2023 averaged about 33 days, indicating that roughly 33 days are expected, on average, from the month of April to May based on USDA-NASS weekly crop progress and condition data. Furthermore, the average soybean planted acres is estimated at 106,736 acres per day within the study period. Recently, variations in …

Economic Evaluation Of Grazing Steers On Summer Annuals Sod-Seeded Into Warm-Season Perennial Pasture, Ivanelle Meyer, Michael P. Popp, Christine C. Nieman, James L. Mitchell, Kenneth P. Coffey

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objectives

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Demand For Milk And Milk Products In The Rural Household Of Bangladesh: A Panel Data Analysis, Eshrat Jahan Mahfuza, Mohammad Jahangir Alam, Andrew M. Mckensie

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Milk is considered an essential source of protein for people of all ages. However, Bangladeshi people, particularly those living in rural areas, tend to consume less milk and milk products than necessary. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the demand for milk and milk products among rural consumers and the factors affecting their consumption habits. The study utilizes balanced panel data from three waves of the Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey: 2011–12, 2015, and 2018–19, collected by the International Food Policy Research Institute. Both the Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) and Fixed Effects Model were employed. The expenditure elasticity for liquid …

A Markov Regime-Switching Event Response Model: Beef Price Spread Response To Processing Capacity Shocks, Eunchun Park, Christopher N. Boyer, Clinton L. Neill

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

This research introduces a new method for event studies in time-series analysis named the Markov regime-switching event response model (MS-ERM). The MS-ERM is a comprehensive approach that integrates two different event study approaches: 1) measuring the impact of an event through structural shift and 2) measuring the impact via additional distributional components. As an empirical application, the study measures the impact of beef-packing plant closures on the weekly live-to-cutout beef price spread. The results indicate that the MS-ERM is a promising tool for event studies, particularly when an empirical dataset has both groups of events that cause and do not …