Agribusiness Commons^™

Evaluating The Cost Of Gain And Financial Returns Of Cattle Fed Hydroponically Produced Barley Fodder, Lex Peterson

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Hydroponically produced fodder continues to garner attention as a feed source within livestock production. This attention in part is due to a belief that hydroponically produced fodder is more efficient in its use of inputs such as water when compared to conventional feeds. Water efficiency is especially appealing in areas like the Intermountain West region of the U.S where water availability is often constrained. This analysis looks to understand how using hydroponically produced barley fodder to finish steers compares economically to finishing steers on a nutritionally equivalent conventional finishing ration. To do so, a stochastic simulation model is constructed to …

Analyzing Market Dynamics: Effects On Quality Grade Premiums And Discounts For Alfalfa Hay, Colby Wilkins

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

This paper looks at how market strength affects the price premiums and discounts associated with alfalfa hay quality grades. Previous research has mainly focused on how attributes of alfalfa hay influence the price received. In this study, we use ordinary least squares linear regression and visual data representations to examine the effects of market strength on price received in conjunction with hay quality. The results demonstrate that during periods of relatively high average prices of alfalfa hay there is no significant impact on the average premiums and discounts associated with hay quality. However, during periods of relatively low average prices, …

Balancing The Scales: Evaluating Variables Of Greatest Impact To Profit Margins When Finishing Cattle, Ryan Bake

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

This study examines the risk associated with finishing cattle in a feedlot, specifically in the context of historically high cattle prices and quality grade grid marketing systems that have not adjusted to these elevated prices. The analysis also looks at performance factors that drive profitability differences in pens of cattle in a commercial feedlot, and how market factors also impact profitability. Regression analysis determines the significance of performance variables such as days on feed, average daily gain, feed conversion rates, and carcass characteristics on pen profitability. The impact of cattle breeding and pre-feedlot management of the cattle are also considered …

Exploring The Motivations And Determinants Of Farmer’S Market Consumers And Organic Specialty Crop Producers, Jane Arnold

All Theses

This two-chapter thesis evaluates the motivations and determinants of the central figures in farmers’ markets and organic markets. The first chapter explores the rise of farmers’ markets popularity through an in-person survey that was designed and distributed to 274 farmers' market consumers. Logit and ordered logit regressions were used to identify the motivations and characteristics that affect the likelihood of being a frequent farmers’ market customer (visiting 5 times or more per season) and spending over $50. The second chapter investigates the organic markets for cucumber and kale, which are dominant specialty crops on today’s grocery shelves. To identify the …

Producer Perceptions Of Us Livestock Indemnity Policy, Victoria L. Campbell, Jada M. Thompson, Jenny L. Apriesnig, Glynn T. Tonsor, Dustin L. Pendell

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objective

Materials and Methods

Results and Discussion

Post-Productivism And Rural Revitalization In China: Drivers And Outcomes, Meiling Wu, Qian Forrest Zhang, John A. Donaldson

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

We propose that post-productivism offers a useful analytical framework for understanding the multi-scalar and diverse changes that are taking place in China’s rural revitalization. As a theoretical framework that emerged from the study of rural changes in the Global North, the applicability of post-productivism in the Global South has been contested. This paper offers the first comprehensive analysis of the emergence of post-productivism in rural China and uses post-productivism as a framework to conceptualize a wide range of changes in China’s rural revitalization. We conceptually clarify the driving forces that give rise to post-productivism and the outcomes these drivers produce. …

Reviving Trade Justice: How Arbitration Is Saving Wto Dispute Resolution (For Now), Christine Mcdaniel

Yeutter Institute International Trade Policy Review

Yeutter Institute Non-Resident Fellow Christine McDaniel provides her thoughts about how arbitration is saving World Trade Organization dispute resolution for the time being. She suggests that the dispute mechanism and the appeal process are not fully functioning, although a temporary solution has emerged, namely, arbitration and a speedy appeals process. She covers recent cases and options facing WTO members who have a complaint.

Agricultural Extension Service, Technology Adoption, And Production Risk Nexus: Evidence From Bangladesh, Muhammad Jangir Alarm, Pavesh Kumar Sarma, Ismat Ara Begum, Jeff Connor, Lin Crase, Shiek Mohammad Sayem, Andrew M. Mckensie

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Rice production is inherently risky and volatile, and farmers in Bangladesh face a wide range of risks, including weather, pest and disease attacks, interruptions to input supply, and market-associated risks. Moreover, poor farm households often perceive risks in adopting new technology, even though it could improve productivity and food security. Such households are thus caught in a “risk-induced trap” that precludes them from realizing the benefits of technological innovation. Extension service is one way to help farmers improve risk management skills and escape risk-induced traps, but there is limited empirical analysis of its impact in Bangladesh. The objective of …

Comparative Performance Analysis Of Green Bond Issuers To Their Conventional Counterparts, Mai Hosam Farag

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis conducts a comparative performance analysis of green bond issuers versus their conventional counterparts. In the context of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, which underscores the financial sector's role in promoting environmental sustainability, green bonds have emerged as crucial instruments for financing eco-friendly projects. This research investigates the financial performance of firms issuing green bonds using metrics such as sales growth, return on assets (ROA), and total debts through Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analysis. The analysis covers 54 publicly traded bonds issued in North America between 2018 and 2022. Despite the growing popularity of green bonds, there are …

Three Essays In Food Security And The U.S. Sugar Program, Jacob Michels

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Chapter one devises an approach to adjust estimates of the number of food insecure for changes in sedentarism over time. Existing methodologies are biased upwards and date back several decades. We build a household model utilizing a Stone-Geary utility function, which rationalizes households shifting their labor decisions towards sedentary activities. Our comparative statics examine the impacts of changes in the productivities of sedentary types, as opposed to my physically demanding types, of activities and also their returns. Our empirical approach is informed by our theoretical model and comparative statics, in which we construct a unique pseudo-panel dataset. Sitting time serves …

Effect Of Beef Heifer Development Systems Utilizing Corn Residue And Late Summer Planted Cover Crops On Growth, Reproductive Performance, And Economics, Hannah F. Speer, Robert A. Cushman, Harvey Freetly, Jay Parsons, Jessica Windh, M. E. Drewnoski

Department of Agricultural Economics: Faculty Publications

The objective of this study was to evaluate growth and reproductive performance of heifers developed using 3 different winter systems in the midwestern U.S. Spring-born heifers (n = 1,156; 214 d of age; SD ± 17 d) were used in a 3-yr study to evaluate performance in winter development systems, which utilized cover crop (CC) and corn residue grazing. Heifers were assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: grazing corn residue with 0.77 kg/d dried distillers grains (CD) or 1.69 kg/d wheat midds (CW) supplementation followed by a grower ration in the drylot, or grazing late summer planted oat-brassica CC followed …

Annual Forage Insurance Program Performance, Jay Parsons

Cornhusker Economics

In 2014, the Annual Forage Insurance Program (AFIP) was offered for the first time by the USDA – Risk Management Agency (RMA) as a pilot program for the states of Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. It was expanded to include Colorado in 2016 and New Mexico in 2017. This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the program, and the goal of this article is to provide a summary of where the program is and how it is being used. We will focus specific attention on Nebraska but also provide an overview of the national picture.

The …

The Growth Of Ethanol In Brazil: Sugarcane, Corn, And A Few Other Things, Fabio Mattos

Cornhusker Economics

Although we can expect more ethanol produced from corn in the coming years, it is unclear whether it will keep expanding at the same pace as in recent years or how much it will contribute to total ethanol production.

One point to keep an eye on is the typical dynamics of markets. If supply and demand conditions and price movements make corn-ethanol more profitable, ethanol plants in Brazil will keep increasing their production. If it makes more economic sense to produce corn-ethanol (as it happened recently), they will use more corn to produce ethanol.

Supply and demand conditions for ethanol, …

Barley Grass And Its Management In Crops, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Barley grass is a common name for Hordeum glaucum and H. leporinum. Barley grass is a major crop weeds species because the seed is readily dispersed, it is renowned for rapidly germinating in autumn, and post-emergent herbicide control options are limited. It can also act as an alternate host for cereal diseases and can develop resistance to herbicides.

The rapid germination of the species after rainfall gives barley grass the potential to act as a green bridge for cereal root rot diseases

Exploring Producers' Willingness To Pay For Ecosystem Services: Three Essays On Soil Health, Location Preferences, And Cover Crop Adoption, Kaouter Essakkat

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation comprises three essays: one assessing Midwest producers' willingness-to-pay (WTP) for soil health-enhancing ecosystem services (ES), another examining the impact of policy implementation locations on WTP, and a third identifying factors influencing producers' adoption of cover crops (CC).

The first essay pioneers the understanding of agricultural producers’ valuation of soil health-associated ES amid growing concerns of soil degradation due to agricultural intensification. Using a discrete choice experiment, this study assesses producers’ WTP for a policy that incentivizes ES provision, specifically improved water quality, carbon sequestration, and enhanced crop yield. Surveying producers across Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska, our results show …

Brome Grass And Its Management In Crops, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Brome grass (Bromus spp.) is one of the most competitive grass weeds in wheat. Over the last 10 years, brome grass has increased in importance to a greater extent than any other weed species in Australia.

Recent changes in crop production systems, increased conservation tillage, a lack of available selective herbicides, and a decline in system diversity have seen an increase in the importance of this weed in Western Australia (WA).

Seed is the main source of brome grass infestation and, as few seeds remain dormant, the most important aspect of management is to reduce its seed bank.

Annual Ryegrass And Its Management In Crops, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) is one of the most serious and costly weeds of annual winter cropping systems in southern Australia. It is highly competitive and can compete with a crop as early as the 2-leaf stage.

Annual ryegrass is a winter to spring growing weed that can emerge from late autumn to early spring. The number of emergence flushes and the density of plants that emerge are related to initial seedbank levels and the frequency and amount of rainfall.

2024 Nebraska Agricultural Custom Rates With Statewide Survey Summary, Glennis Mcclure

Cornhusker Economics

The 2024 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Custom Rates Survey indicates that rate increases are the norm since the latest survey was completed in 2022. Table 1 provides a summary and percentage change for several common custom operations from 2022 to 2024. Custom field operations such as drilling and planting show increases in 2024 from seven to twenty-seven percent and harvesting rates for various crops indicate state average rate increases from fourteen to twenty-three percent, with the irrigated corn harvest now at $47.84 per acre for the state average. Other custom services, such as spraying for weed control using a self-propelled sprayer, …

Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Highlights 2023-2024, Jim Jansen, Jeff Stokes

Nebraska Farm Real Estate Reports

For the fifth consecutive year, the all-land average value in Nebraska rose for the year ending February 1, 2024, averaging approximately 5% higher than the prior year. Figure 2 summarizes these figures and trends along with the percent changes over the preceding year’s all-land average for the eight districts in the state.

The statewide all-land average value for the year ending February 1, 2024, averaged $4,015 per acre, or about a 5% ($180 per acre) increase from the prior year’s value of $3,835 per acre. Rates of increase were the highest in the North and Northeast Districts, as these areas …

Deferred Grazing And Sheep At The Break Of Season In South West Western Australia, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

Grazing annual pastures in the first 12 days after germination can lower the productivity of pastures during winter by removing poorly rooted plants, and by reducing plant leaf area to sub-optimal levels. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) recommends deferring grazing of pasture paddocks at the break-of-season until feed on offer is at least 500–800 kilograms of dry matter per hectare (kg DM/ha). At this level, pasture plants are likely to be firmly rooted and have sufficient leaf area to be productively grazed.

Horizontal Concentration And Vertical Concentration In Capitalist Agriculture: Re-Interpreting Marx And Chayanov, Qian Forrest Zhang

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

How capitalism transforms peasant farming is a central question in agrarian studies. The two most important theoretical perspectives on this question—Marxist and Chayanovian theories—both have limitations. The former overlooked how commercial capital can transform smallholders’ production through vertical integration and extract surplus from smallholders through commodity relations; the latter neglected how labor commodification transforms smallholders’ family economic behaviors. These two theories, however, complement each other on these two fronts. Through critically re-interpreting Marxist and Chayanovian theories, this paper offers a synthesis that integrates the two perspectives into a coherent theoretical framework and proposes that capitalist agriculture expands through both “horizontal …

Agronomic And Economic Productivity Of Summer Annual Forage Systems Under Different Poultry Litter Application Methods, Ivanelle Meyer, Michael P. Popp, Christine C. Nieman, Amanda J. Ashworth, Phillip R. Owens

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Poultry litter (litter) is a nutrient dense fertilizer that increases nutritive value and yield in pastures in the mid-southern US. Nutrient losses due to runoff and nitrogen volatilization are common when broadcasting litter. As such, incorporating litter below the soil surface (subsurface) was evaluated in comparison to broadcasting in 2021 and 2022 by quantifying yield and nutritive value of annual forages. The study was a randomized complete block design with three forage treatments—sorghum-sudangrass only (Sorghum bicolor L.), cowpea only (Vigna unguiculata L.), and their mixture, and three litter application methods (broadcast, subsurface, and a no litter control). Litter …

On-Site Sensory Experience Boosts Acceptance Of Cultivated Chicken, Mark Chong, Angela K. Y. Leung, Tricia Marjorie Fernandez

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This study set out to assess if presenting cultivated chicken in the context of a familiar meal, in a familiar dining setting, would motivate repeat consumption and recommendation. A survey of 107 diners was conducted at Huber's Butchery and Bistro in Singapore – the world's first butchery to serve cultivated meat – from April to June 2023. The findings showed that eating cultivated chicken significantly boosted post-consumption acceptance levels. In addition, cultivated chicken's tastiness may be a more important factor than its integration into a familiar meal or dish in fostering repeat consumption. Implications for the cultivated meat industry, limitations, …

Circular Economy Thinking, Huia Adkins

Turning The Dial conference

Join us for an engaging session led by Huia Adkins, where we'll explore the principles and practices of circular economy thinking. Huia will provide insights into the importance of shifting from a linear to a circular model of production and consumption, highlighting the benefits for businesses, society, and the environment.

"Been Doin' This 20 Years" - Insights Of A Long-Term Food Recycler, Eric Berrill

Turning The Dial conference

Who we are; how our farming roots with Nindi Feedlots led to current food recycling operations at Nork Solutions, and our very near future of exporting our innovations via NúaTech. Our plans to accelerate our rate of innovation and iterative development via a virtous cycle of R&D in NúaTech, and improvement insights via real-world deployment in Nork Solutions.

A quick look at economic and ethical case for a non-zero level of overproduction of food staples. The benefit for regulation to differentiate between overproduction wasted to landfill, and overproduction reintegrated back into any level of the food supply chain.

The function …

Driving Sustainability With Circular Packaging, Hamoun Aria

Turning The Dial conference

Disrupting Tradition, Empowering Sustainability

Get ready to explore the cutting edge of packaging innovation with Hamoun Aria from C4C Packaging in this dynamic session. Hamoun will guide us through the latest advancements in sustainable packaging solutions, showcasing C4C Packaging's innovative approaches to reducing environmental impact while maintaining product integrity.

Join Hamoun's speech, discover how C4C's innovative approach is redefining packaging, creating a more sustainable future for the beverage industry, and providing Australian businesses with a competitive edge in the global marketplace.

Innovation - Packaging, Eduard Alcordo

Turning The Dial conference

Join us for an exciting session with Eduard Alcordo from FP Paradigm, where we'll explore groundbreaking advancements in food and beverage packaging technology. Eduard will provide insights into FP Paradigm's transformational mission and vision, highlighting their commitment to developing breakthrough technology aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based plastics.

Breakout - Sustainable Packaging: The Balance Between 2025 & 2030 Targets, Nerida Kelton, David Kilpatrick, Michael Dosser, Bonnie Marshall

Turning The Dial conference

This session will bring together four experts that come from fibre and renewables, active & intelligent packaging, Single Use Packaging regulations, Save Food Packaging Design and Sustainable Packaging Design. Together they will discuss how to navigate the food waste and packaging waste paradox and how to design the optimum packaging with the lowest environmental impacts without unintended consequences.

Speakers

• Nerida Kelton, AIP
• David Kilpatrick, Zipform
• Michael Dossor, Result Group, Managing Director
• Bonnie Marshall, National Retail Association, Communications Manager, Policy team

Breakout - Food Waste: What More Could We Do?, Janet Howieson Dr, Lynne Loo, Shy Vishnumohan Dr

Turning The Dial conference

Dive deep into the critical issue of food waste and explore practical solutions to maximise value-adding opportunities within the food and beverage manufacturing sector. Speakers

• Sam Oakden, End Food Waste Aus
• Phil May, DPIRD
• Fran Ferreira, Foodbank WA, Chief Operating Officer
• Janet Howieson, Curtin University
• Hayley Borissow, Sodexo, Sustainability & Decarbonisation Manager

Breakout - Practicalities Of Esg – How To Prepare, Plan And Respond To The Green Economy, Karen Erasmus, Elizabeth Ploetz

Turning The Dial conference

This workshop is designed to help businesses respond to growing demands to disclose not only emissions data, but broader ESG information.

While there is a major focus on carbon emissions and disclosure, there is increased pressure to disclose supply chain impacts on topics such as waste, water management, packaging, sourcing/procurement, employment practices, and customer/employee health and safety.

This 90-minute workshop will focus on four key areas:

• An overview of the ESG landscape and how it is reshaping trade lines and competition.
• The ESG essentials including stakeholder expectations, reporting landscape, data, strategy and communication.
• Case study discussion on energy transition, climate-related …