Life Sciences Commons^™

International Rice Outlook: International Rice Baseline Projections 2021–2031, A. Durand-Morat, S. Bairagi

Research Reports and Research Bulletins

The war in Ukraine and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are pushing input costs to record levels. Although rice prices have increased some in the last several months, production costs have increased more than proportionally, undermining rice profitability.

We project global rice production will surpass global rice consumption for most of the coming decade, with a small deficit developing by the end of the projected period.

The projected growth in production is almost exclusively due to productivity gains since the global rice area is projected to increase only marginally by 2029–2031.

The projected growth in global rice consumption …

International Rice Outlook: International Rice Baseline Projections 2020-2030, A. Durand-Morat, S. Bairagi

Research Reports and Research Bulletins

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and subsequent lockdowns impacted all economies worldwide and created an economic recession far graver than the Great Recession, contracting the global growth of gross domestic product (GDP) nearly by 4.0% in 2020, compared to -2.0% in 2009 (IHS Markit database). COVID-19 disrupted global and local food supply chains, and resulted in a significant increase in food prices (FAO, 2021). Both global and domestic rice prices increased, driven primarily by temporary export restrictions imposed by several leading rice exporters, such as Vietnam and Myanmar. The market uncertainty also created in panic-buying and hoarding; consequently, the rice demand …

Economic Contribution Of Agriculture And Food To Arkansas' Gross Domestic Product 1997-2019, Leah English, Jennie Popp, Wayne Miller

Research Reports and Research Bulletins

Agricultural production, processing, and retail industries are major contributors to Arkansas’ GDP. Agriculture contributes to the state economy through direct agricultural production, value-added processing, and agricultural retail activities. The Agriculture and Food Sector, which is comprised of agricultural production, processing, and retail industries, promotes economic strength through various interactions with other industries. The use of non-agricultural goods and services as inputs into the agricultural sector promotes diversified growth in Arkansas’ economy and thus plays a vital role in maintaining economic stability throughout the state. This report 1) compares the relative size of the Agriculture and Food Sector in Arkansas with …

The Benefits Of The Arkansas Rice Check-Off Program, B. Peterson-Wilhelm, L. L. Nalley, A. Durand-Morat, A. Shew, R. Parajuli, G. Thoma

Research Reports and Research Bulletins

As margins are reducing for agricultural producers there is a concerted effort to analyze all costs. One such cost for rice producers in Arkansas is their contribution to the Rice Check-off Program. This study analyzes the cost-benefit ratio of funds contributed by Arkansas rice producers and the holistic (both economic and environmental) benefits they receive. This study analyzes just five of the many programs the Rice Check-off Program invests in through the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture (UASDA) and suggests that every dollar invested generated an average return of $28.49 between 2002–2018 ($70.45 when ecosystem benefits are included). …

Economic Contribution Of The Agricultural Sector To The Arkansas Economy In 2017, Leah English, Jennie Popp, Wayne Miller

Research Reports and Research Bulletins

Agriculture and associated agricultural activities are major contributors to the Arkansas economy. Agriculture is defined as the sum of agricultural production and processing activities, unless otherwise specified, and includes crop and animal production and processing, agricultural support industries, forestry and forest products, and textile goods. Agriculture contributes to the economy through direct agricultural production and value-added processing, and also leads to economic activity in other parts of the economy. This report is the eleventh in a series of reports examining agriculture’s economic contribution to the Arkansas economy. The total economic contribution of agriculture (direct, indirect, and induced effects) on value …

Good Agricultural And Handling Practices For Grapes And Other Fresh Produce, Pamela L. Brady, Justin R. Morris

Research Reports and Research Bulletins

In recent years consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables has increased dramatically. This trend has increased the amount of produce being purchased at farmer’s markets, road-side stands, and neighborhood markets since consumers say they feel that the direct contact with growers at these markets makes them better able to assess the quality and safety of the produce. This buying trend has opened new markets to small- and medium-sized farms, which sell at these local outlets.

Considerations For Starting A Winery, Justin R. Morris

Research Reports and Research Bulletins

This publication is for anyone who has ever considered entering the wine industry. The goal of this publication is to provide information about requirements and procedures for starting a winery. It is not a “how-to” manual but rather is designed to serve as a starting point to investigate the many aspects of owning and operating a winery. Although the manuscript frequently refers to procedures for starting a winery in Arkansas, the concepts presented are applicable throughout the U.S. Detailed economic information on starting a winery is covered in a companion publication. Both publications are part of a project supported by …

The Muscadine Experience: Adding Value To Enhance Profits, Justin R. Morris, Pamela L. Brady

Research Reports and Research Bulletins

The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture received a grant from the National Research Initiative (NRI), CSREES USDA. The purpose was to help small- and medium-sized farmers and entrepreneurs enhance the viability of their farms through the establishment of vineyards, on-farm wineries, and production of value-added products from grapes and grape by-products. This publication looks at efforts by the UA Grape and Wine Research Program to enhance the profitability of muscadine grapes. Included are discussions of research designed to develop the market potential of muscadines as fresh fruit and as value-added products such as juice, wine, sweet spreads, vinegar, and …

Production And Handling Practices For Safe Produce, Pamela L. Brady, Justin R. Morris

Research Reports and Research Bulletins

The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture received a grant from the USDA’s Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems program to help small- and medium-sized farms become more profitable and to therefore add stability to the family farm. One approach to doing this is to help farmers growing produce reduce or eliminate safety hazards which may be associated with their products.

Production Budgets For Arkansas Wine And Juice Grapes, Emilio Noguera, Justin R. Morris, Keith Striegler, Michael Thomsen

Research Reports and Research Bulletins

Production budgets are presented for wine and juice grapes suitable for cultivation in Arkansas. Varieties examined include V. labruscana, French-American and American hybrids, V. aestivalis, V. rotundifolia, and V. vinifera. Important production considerations specific to each of these varieties are summarized. Results indicate considerable variation in profit potential among varieties. However, one or more varieties can be profitably grown in most regions of the state. With the exception of Sunbelt, V. labruscana varieties showed the least profitability. V. rotundifolia (muscadine) varieties hold promise as a new crop for the warmer southern regions of Arkansas, while Chambourcin shows strong profit potential …

The Muscadine Experience: Adding Value To Enhance Profits, Justin R. Morris, Pamela L. Brady

Research Reports and Research Bulletins

The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture received a grant from the USDA’s Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems (IFAFS) program. The purpose was to help small- and medium-sized farmers and entrepreneurs become more profitable and therefore add stability to the family farm. One approach to doing this is to investigate opportunities to enhance profits by adding value to traditional raw products.

Evaluation Of Small Grain Forage Crops And Cultivars Of Soft Red Winter Wheat For Stocker Cattle, L. B. Daniels, K. F. Harrison, D. S. Hubbell Iii, E. B. Kegley, D. Hellwig, Z. B. Johnson

Research Reports and Research Bulletins

Use of small grain forage crops for stocker cattle production was extensively evaluated in two separate three-year research projects at the Livestock and Forestry Branch Research Station near Batesville, Ark. The first section of this Research Report presents results of a study in which 216 commercial crossbred steers (Avg. body weights 463 lb) grazed forage of wheat, oats, rye, ryegrass, wheat + rye, wheat + ryegrass, rye + ryegrass, and wheat + rye + ryegrass during the winter and spring months from 1999 through 2002. Grazing of these forages during the winter and spring provides excellent gains in stocker cattle …

Focus Group Survey Results: Typical Arkansas Crop Producer Production And Marketing Practices, Jason Hill, Michael Popp, Patrick Manning

Research Reports and Research Bulletins

This report contains information from a 2001 focus group survey of production practices and marketing decisions of ‘typical’ representative Arkansas farms from selected counties in eastern Arkansas. While the National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) publishes similar information through the Arkansas Agricultural Statistics Service, reporting of these statistics is often not differentiated across crops or specific farm type. Therefore, one of the major objectives of this survey was to ascertain production practices for specific crops and farm types typical of row crop farms in eastern Arkansas. Responses were categorized into production regions dominated by either rice or cotton production. The results …

Vietnam’S Rice Economy: Developments And Prospects, Kenneth B. Young, Eric J. Wailes, Gail L. Cramer, Nguyen Tri Khiem

Research Reports and Research Bulletins

Vietnam shifted rapidly from being a net rice importer prior to 1987 to become the second largest world rice exporter by 1995. Net rice exports have leveled off at about 3.8 million metric tons from 1997 to 1999. The world rice price has dropped dramatically in 2000 to barely cover the rice production cost in Vietnam, and net rice exports are expected to fall to 3.4 million mt because of the poor import demand in 2000. This report reviews the policy adjustments that led to the rapid growth in rice production and evaluates the prospects for Vietnam to continue as …

Farm Operator Satisfaction With Retail Pesticide Suppliers In The Arkansas Delta, Bruce L. Dixon, Damon Mckelvey, Travis Rogers, Frank L. Farmer, Daniel M. Settlage

Research Reports and Research Bulletins

Two hundred ninety farm operators in the three easternmost crop reporting districts in Arkansas responded to a mail survey in November 1996 about their preferences and satisfaction with retail pesticide suppliers.Results show most farmers are quite satisfied with their main retail pesticide supplier, although 55.5% of the farm operators used more than one retail pesticide supplier in 1996. Users of multiple suppliers were less satisfied with their suppliers than those using only one supplier. Availability of certain pesticides was the most frequently mentioned reason for using multiple suppliers. Several attributes were important in selecting the main supplier with reputation being …

An Economic Assessment Of The Myanmar Rice Sector: Current Developments And Prospects, Kenneth B. Young, Gail L. Cramer, Eric J. Wailes

Research Reports and Research Bulletins

In this study, the Myanmar rice economy is described in the context of the current political situation and state of national economic development. The forces that are changing rice production and exports are identified; however, the rate of development involves a complex integration of government intervention and politics, as well as availability of resources. Probable scenarios for rice production and export are projected based on recent growth trends and expected infrastructure development. The Arkansas Global Rice Model is used to integrate the Myanmar rice sector with the global rice market in developing projections.

The Mercosur Rice Economy, Ralph Bierlen, Eric J. Wailes, Gail L. Cramer

Research Reports and Research Bulletins

There has been growing interest among nations in the western hemisphere in preferential trading arrangements (Taylor et al., 1995; Schuh and Junguita, 1993). Since 1990, 33 regional agreements have been registered with the World Trade Organization — the supranational organization that sets the rules for international trade (Blandford, 1995). One of the most important of these trading arrangements is the Mercado Comun del Sur (Common Market of the South), commonly referred to by its acronym, the MERCOSUR. (See Table 1 for a definition of acronyms and technical terms.) The MERCOSUR is a customs union whose member nations are Argentina, Brazil, …

Yield, Earliness And Fiber Strength Of Blends Of Cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum L.) Cultivars, J. S. Mcconnell, F. M. Bourland, W. H. Baker, B. S. Frizzell

Research Reports and Research Bulletins

Pricing of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) has been determined primarily by fiber length and grade, which were manually determined. Implementation of the high volume instrument (HVI) cotton classing system in 1991 allowed other fiber quality parameters to be objectively and rapidly measured (Deussen, 1989). One quality parameter added to the pricing structure by the advent of HVI in determining the value of ginned lint is fiber strength (Table 1). Open-end spinning, a new technology being utilized by the textile industry, requires high-strength cotton fibers (>25 g/tex) for manufacture of yarns. As this technology becomes more widely used, cotton with …