Agriculture Commons^™

Potential Use Of The Conservation Security Program To Encourage Diverse Crop Rotations In Eastern South Dakota, Thomas Dobbs, Nicholas J. Streff

Economics Research Reports

A central concern in many discussions of ecological sustainability in agricultural regions of the U.S. Midwest and Great Plains is that of crop system diversity. Many factors have contributed to the loss of crop system diversity over that last half-century (Dumke and Dobbs), one of which is public policy. The U.S. Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 ('2002 Farm Bill') provided for a new agri-environmental program that could have potential to help restore some of the crop system diversity that has been lost. The Conservation Security Program (CSP) is that program. This report, drawn from a Master of …

South Dakota Agricultural Land Market Trends: 1991-2005, Larry Janssen, Erik Gerlach, Burton Plueger

Agricultural Experiment Station Circulars

Agricultural land values and cash rental rates in South Dakota, by region and by state, are the primary topics of this report. Target audiences are farmers and ranchers, landowners, agricultural professionals (lenders, rural appraisers, professional farm managers), and policy makers interested in agricultural land market trends. This report contains the results of the 2005 SDSU South Dakota Farm Real Estate Market Survey, the 15th annual SDSU survey developed to estimate agricultural land values and cash rental rates by land use in different regions of South Dakota.

Comparison Of 'Organic' And 'Conventional' Grains And Soybean Prices In The Northern Great Plains And Upper Midwest: 1995 Through 2003, Nicholas Streff, Thomas L. Dobbs

Economics Pamphlet Series

Price premiums for organic crops drew the attention of an increasing number of farmers throughout the 1990s. Premiums contributed to the expansion of U.S. farmland managed under organic farming systems during that time period. Expansion of organic farming systems continued at least through 2001. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service's most recent data on organic farming systems, U.S. farmers and ranchers added almost one million acres of certified organic farmland between 1997 and 2001, an increase of 74 percent. Over that same time frame, certified organic cropland increased by 53 percent). The USDA implemented national …

Dairies And Local Economic Development, Alvaro Garcia, Kenneth Kalscheur

SDSU Extension Fact Sheets

This fact sheet is one in a series intended to answer — with science-based land-grant university research — questions frequently asked by the public about issues and needs affecting agricultural growth, urban expansion, and rural community development in South Dakota. During 2002, the year with latest available USDA figures, livestock production in South Dakota represented 50.7% of total agricultural cash receipts, followed by 42.4% for crops and 6.9% for government payments. Dairy products, at $178,176,000, were fifth of all agricultural cash receipts and were a highly significant portion of the state’s economy. In light of possible dairy expansion in the …

Segregating Transgenic Grains: Results Of A Survey Among Country Elevators In South Dakota, Bashir Qasmi, Clayton J. Wilhelm, Evert Van Der Sluis

Economics Research Reports

In 2002, cash receipts from crop production in South Dakota totaled $1.76 billion, accounting for 38 % of all receipts of agricultural producers in the state (South Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service, 2003). The three most important crops grown in South Dakota are soybeans, corn, and wheat. In 2001, South Dakota ranked 8th in the production of corn and soybean and 9th in wheat production among the nation's crop producing states (South Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service, 2003). These three crops accounted for 86 % of all cash receipts from marketing crops in the state. Due to the state's reliance on grain …

The 2001 National Agricultural, Food, And Public Policy Preference Survey: The South Dakota Perspective, Gary Taylor

Economics Research Reports

Federal government policies significantly affect the behavior of farmers in South Dakota, the North Central region, and the nation as a whole. In general, producers favor programs that provide income support and protect them from the full impact of free market adjustments. Farmers and ranchers in 27 states were surveyed during the spring of 200 l. The survey contains questions about farm income and risk management, conservation and environmental policies, trade, food labeling, the changing structure of agriculture, producer demographics, and a series of optional questions. In South Dakota, 1500 producers received surveys and 325 returned completed forms. Most producers …

2002 Winter Wheat Budgets For South Dakota, Department Of Economics

Economics Pamphlet Series

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Prices For 'Organic' And 'Conventional' Grains And Soybeans In The Northern Great Plains And Upper Midwest: 1995-2000, Sherry K. Bertamsen, Thomas L. Dobbs

Economics Pamphlet Series

Price premiums for organic crops drew the attention of increasing numbers of farmers in the Northern Great Plains and Upper Midwest during the 1990s. Continuing low prices for crops grown with 'conventional' farming methods during the late 1990s caused a growing number of farmers to explore the possibilities of switching to organic methods and obtaining organic certification. As part of the sustainable agriculture research program in the Economics Department at South Dakota State University (SDSU), we have been comparing 'organic' and 'conventional' crop prices over the past six years. This pamphlet contains an update of the price comparisons through 2000. …

2001 Winter Wheat Budgets For South Dakota, Department Of Economics

Economics Pamphlet Series

No abstract provided.

Future Directions For Joint Agricultural-Environmental Policies: Implications Fo The United Kingdom Experience For Europe And The United States, Thomas Dobbs, Jules Pretty

Economics Research Reports

Major agri-environmental programs tried in the United Kingdom (UK.) since the mid- 1980s are examined in this report. Special attention is given to the Environmental Sensitive Areas (ESA) scheme, the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS), and schemes to promote organic agriculture-first the Organic Aid Scheme and, following that, the Organic Farming Scheme. Several major studies and reviews of these and other agri-environmental schemes in England, Scotland, and Wales have been conducted in recent years. These studies and reviews are drawn upon to examine both the successes and shortcomings of various schemes in drawing farmers into more environmentally sound farming practices and …

Corn And Soybeans Basis Patterns For Selected Locations In South Dakota: 1999, Bashir Qasmi

Economics Research Reports

For successful marketing and merchandising in commodity markets, it is important to understand the relationship between cash and futures contract prices. The principal measure for relating these prices is local cash basis.

The Structure Of South Dakota Agriculture Changes And Projections, Matthew Diersen, Larry Jassen, Paula Loewe

Economics Research Reports

Agriculture in South Dakota has changed greatly in the second half of the 20th century and many more changes will occur in the next 20 to 50 years of the 21st century. ''The technology, organization, and structure of agriculture are dynamic, and future changes may dwarf past ones. The evolution of agriculture will have important impacts on farmers and society at large." (Hallam, 1993, pg. 1 ). The purposes of this report are: (1) to examine and explain key changes in the organization and structure of South Dakota's farm sector, (2) to provide a contemporary profile of farm business and …

2000 Winter Wheat Budgets For South Dakota, Department Of Economics

Economics Pamphlet Series

No abstract provided.

Historical Evolution Of Crop Systems In Eastern South Dakota: Economic Influences, Linda Dumke, Thomas L. Dobbs

Economics Research Reports

Cropping systems in the United States and throughout much of the world have moved toward shorter and less diverse rotations during the last half of the twentieth century. However, as we approach the new millennium, there is growing concern about the ecological sustainability of monocultures and such narrow rotations as the com-soybean rotation. Problems of pest control, crop disease, groundwater contamination from chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and soil erosion are proving to be very difficult when crop rotation systems lack diversity. "Silver bullet" technologies sometimes buy time, but without diversity, new ecological problems soon replace the problem just "solved" with …

Agricultural Land Values In South Dakota: A Comparison Of Methods And Findings From Two Surveys: 1995-1999, Larry Janssen

Economics Research Reports

This report provides comparative findings from two South Dakota farmland market value surveys (SDSU and SDASS) for the 1995 - 1999 period. The annual SDSU farmland market survey is a key informant mail survey of agricultural appraisers, lenders, and extension educators. The annual SDASS county-level farmland survey results are based on nearly 3300 telephone survey responses from a random sample of farmers and ranchers. This report also includes considerable documentation of methods used to generate land value estimates at the regional and statewide level from available data in both surveys. The results and discussion sections include comparisons of: (1) relative …

Organic Price Premiums For Northern Great Plains And Upper Midwest Crops: 1995 To 1998, Thomas L. Dobbs, Jamie L. Pourier

Economics Pamphlet Series

Price premiums for organic crops have drawn the attention of increasing numbers of farmers in the Northern Great Plains and Upper Midwest in recent years. Falling prices for crops grown with "conventional" farming methods have caused an increasing number of farmers to explore the possibilities of switching to organic methods and obtaining organic certification. One indication of this interest has been the relatively high attendance at meetings of organic and sustainable farming associations in 1998 and 1999. As part of the sustainable agriculture research program in the Economics Department at South Dakota State University (SDSU), we have been comparing "organic" …

Farm And Home Research: 50-2, Larry Tennyson, Jerry Leslie, Jaimi Reimer, Stephanie Misar

Farm and Home Research

In this Issue:

[Page] 2- Director’s comments

[Page] 3- President’s comments

[Page] 4- ‘Hope’: Edgar McFadden’s legacy: a bountiful harvest and bread for the world

[Page] 8- Break the sell-cheap, buy-high syndrome: State yearly loses millions in wages and other incomes by shipping out raw commodities

[Page] 10- Lessons and labs: Students jump-start their careers by working in SDSU labs

[Page] 12- Our ‘helping hands’ : A salute to technicians, students, secretaries—the research work crew

[Page] 14- Forewarned to forearmed: In climatology, knowing the past is key to predicting the future

[Page] 17- Wheat streak mosaic virus: In normal year, …

Planning Prices And Livestock Budgets For Farm Management Programs, Burton Pflueger

SDSU Extension Circulars

The budgets in this publication are based on approved farming practices and nutritionally balanced rations. Feed ingredients are priced on their comparative feed values. Com is used as the base for feed grain and other grains are priced based on their relative feed value to com. Alfalfa hay is used as the base for roughage. All roughage and succulents are priced as a percent of alfalfa hay. The livestock husbandman who uses the least-cost rations should not see significant changes in profitability by interchanging feed ingredients.

Sunflower Seed Marketing Patterns In South Dakota: Regional Variations, Bashir Qasmi

Economics Research Reports

U.S. Agriculture is going through a transition. Federal spending on farm programs is being curtailed and agricultural policies are being modified to make production of farm commodities responsive to market forces. In this competitive environment, efforts by the commodity groups for market development are becoming i:q.creasingly more important. However, to devise any market development plan for a commodity, understanding of the present status of the marketing system is important. At a minimum, one needs to know the methods of purchase and sale, types of buyers, shipment destinations, and transportation modes for the commodity. These aspects of grain marketing in South …

1999 Winter Wheat Budgets For South Dakota, Department Of Economics

Economics Pamphlet Series

No abstract provided.

The Mortenson Ranch: Cattle And Trees At Home On The Range. A Restoration Guidebook, Susan E. Boettcher, W. Carter Johnson, Scott Kronberg, F. Robert Gartner, Clarence Todd, Jeff Mortenson, Scott Fausti

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

Early agriculture on western rangeland met with little success and resulted in serious consequences including soil erosion, loss of native woodlands and wildlife, and economic ruin. The Mortenson family in Stanley County, South Dakota, has been engaged in restoring degraded rangeland on their ranch for more than 50 years. Their primary goal has been to return the land to its condition prior to white settlement while maintaining a profitable cattle ranching operation. In recent years the ranch has served as a model of successful ranching based on a conservation ethic. This guidebook summarizes the restoration techniques and grazing regime used …

Corn And Soybean Basis Patterns For Selected Locations In South Dakota: 1998, Bashir Qasmi, Lisa A. Johnson

Economics Research Reports

For successful marketing and merchandising in commodity markets, it is important to understand the relationship between cash and futures contract prices. The principal measure for relating cash and futures price is local cash basis or "Basis''.

The Orgins Of The Seasonal Cycle In 19th Century Us Money Markets And The Evolution Of Futures Contracts, Joseph Santos

Economics Research Reports

Early scholars of aggregate fluctuations, including Jevons ( 1884) and Kemmerer ( 1910), introduced the notion that seasonal cycles were relevant to the study of other, seemingly more important, fluctuations in macroeconomic time series. Kuznets (1933) continued this approach, recognizing the tendency for seasonal variations to exacerbate the variability of employment and capital accumulation. But, as economic contractions intensified in the J 930's, economists began to discount the relative importance of the seasonal cycle. Work by Mitchell (1927), Pigou (I 929) and later, Burns and Mitchell ( 194 7), promulgated the view that fluctuations in commercial activity were relevant to …

Corn And Soybeans Marketing Patterns In South Dakota: Regional Variations, Bashir Qasmi

Economics Research Reports

U.S. Agriculture is going through a transition. Federal spending on farm programs is being curtailed and agricultural policies are being modified to make production of farm commodities responsive to market forces. In this competitive environment, efforts by the commodity groups for market development are becoming increasingly more important. However, to devise any market development plan for a commodity, understanding of the present status of the marketing system is important. At a minimum, one needs to know the methods of purchase and sale, types of buyers, shipment destinations, and transportation modes for the commodity. These aspects of grain marketing in South …

Comparison Of Organic And Conventional Crop Prices: 1995 To 1997, Thomas L. Dobbs, Lisa M. Carr

Economics Pamphlet Series

Organic industry sales by United State (US) natural product distributors have been growing at more than 20 percent annually during the 1990s. Demand growth for certified organic agricultural commodities has been strong both in the us and abroad. For example, Japan's demand for organically grown us soybeans has been especially strong in recent years. This growth in demand, together with growing concerns about the profitability and ecological sustainability of more "conventional" farming systems in some areas, is causing new interest in organic agriculture. Therefore, as part of our sustainable agriculture research program in the Economics Department at South Dakota State …

1998 Winter Wheat Budgets For South Dakota, Department Of Economics

Economics Pamphlet Series

No abstract provided.

Optimal Hedge Ratios For Corn Marketing In Eastern South Dakota, Karen Brovold, Bashir Qasmi

Economics Research Reports

In the past, few South Dakota agricultural producers have made use of the futures market to manage their risk exposure. According to a survey, conducted in 1970, only eleven percent of South Dakota producers used futures contracts and five percent used options to market their grain (Shane). The need for producers to become more market-oriented has increased with the passage of the 1996 Freedom to Farm Act. The Freedom to Farm Act gives producers increased flexibility to adjust production based on market incentives. Prices are expected to become more volatile due to changing market conditions over the next few years. …

Grain Marketing Patterns In South Dakota: Methods Of Purchase, Methods Of Sale, Grain Destinations, And Modes Of Transportation, Bashir Qasmi, Kelly Mcdaniel

Economics Research Reports

The U.S. Agriculture is going through a transition. Federal spending on farm programs are being curtailed and agricultural policies are being modified to make production of farm commodities responsive to the market forces. In this competitive environment, efforts on the part of the commodity groups for market development are becoming increasingly more important. However, in order to devise any market development plan for a commodity, the understanding of the present status of the marketing system is important. At the minimum, one needs to know the methods of purchase and sale, types of buyers, shipment destinations, and transportation modes for the …

Wheat Marketing Patterns In South Dakota: Regional Variations, Bashir Qasmi, Kelly Mcdaniel

Economics Research Reports

U.S. Agriculture is going through a transition. Federal spending on farm programs is being curtailed and agricultural policies are being modified to make production of farm commodities responsive to market forces. In this competitive environment, efforts on the part of the commodity groups for market development are becoming increasingly more important. However, in order to devise any market development plan for a commodity, understanding of the present status of the marketing system is important. At the minimum, one needs to know the methods of purchase and sale, types of buyers, shipment destinations, and transportation modes for the commodity. These aspects …

Case Study Of The Profitability Of A South Dakota Farm Using The Integrated Farm Managment Program, Charles L. Prouty, Thomas L. Dobbs

Economics Pamphlet Series

This report is one of five covering case study farms in the east-central South Dakota portion of the Big Sioux Aquifer area. The other four reports are South Dakota State University Econ Pamphlets 95-1 through 95-4, published in September 1995. operators of each of the case study farms covered in the five reports were participating in some segment of the Federal farm program aimed specifically at improving the ecological sustainability of U.S. agriculture. The case farm featured in this report was participating in the Integrated Farm Management (IPM) program of the 1990 Farm Bill. Since the data collection and analyses …