Agricultural Economics Commons^™

The Product Of Property Tax: How Property Tax Affects Agricultural Production In Nebraska, James L. Kriz

Department of Political Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The question of what level of property tax is acceptable has become an increasingly prominent question within agriculture, which is shown by the rise of interest groups and bill introduction in Nebraska. As such, this paper examines how property taxes affect Nebraska's agricultural output. The study employs a quantitative analysis of all Nebraska counties over 21 years from 2000 to 2020. This study hypothesizes that as property tax rates increase, farm outputs will decrease. The study offers a new analysis in an understudied subsection of the agriculture policy literature and points towards a new direction in which the field can …

An Empirical Study On The Economic And Policy Drivers Of Livestock Risk Protection Utilization, Milan Chauhan

Department of Agricultural Economics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Federally supported risk management programs for livestock producers have existed for the last twenty years. Among these, Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) is a federally subsidized insurance tool available for cattle producers to manage downside price risk. In recent years, participation in LRP has surged. This paper examines the key economic and policy variables that partially drive LRP utilization and analyzes the role of risk management educational efforts in the decision to participate and the intensity of the insurance utilization using unique state-level panel data from 2003 through 2023.

The study analyzes three complementary metrics of insurance utilization: market volume (policies …

Evaluating Risk And Return Of Corn And Soybean Marketing Strategies Using Monte Carlo Simulation Methods, Johanna Ilves

Department of Agricultural Economics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study evaluates the performance of pre-harvest marketing strategies for corn and soybeans, using Monte Carlo simulation techniques. Given the increasing volatility in commodity prices and the evolving landscape of agricultural markets, producers face growing challenges in developing effective marketing plans that manage risk and enhance profitability. This thesis examines thirteen marketing strategies from 2008 to 2024, including benchmark harvest-only sales and various pre-harvest futures contract approaches. Historical futures price data for December corn and November soybean contracts were used to simulate 1,000 marketing outcomes per strategy per year, capturing a broad range of market conditions. Key performance indicators such …

A Case Study On Readiness Of Engineers In Agricultural Technology Start-Ups, Katie Marie Mowat

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

This dissertation explores the perceptions of practicing engineers regarding the skills necessary to be workforce-ready at agricultural technology (ag-tech) start-ups in the Midwestern United States. A qualitative case study methodology is leveraged, combining both interview and job description data. Given their uniqueness, the study divides the ag-tech start-up industry into two subcases: livestock and cropping systems. The Work Readiness Integrated Competence Model (WRICM) is used as the theoretical framework for this study and informs the conceptual framework and analysis processes. The study identified skills that fit into thirteen distinct categories, which are further grouped into four overarching resource groups. Skills …

The Impact Of Irrigation On Agricultural Land Values In The United States Southeast And An Analysis Of Farmland Prices In South Carolina, Christopher L. Thomas

All Theses

Land is a key component of the agriculture industry in the United States. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, farm real estate (land and buildings) accounted for 82.8% of total US farm sector assets in 2022, consequently making land the largest source of wealth in a farmer’s investment portfolio and the primary source of collateral used for farm operating loans. The Southeastern region of the United States has seen rapid farmland appreciation and intense population growth in recent years. This research investigates the rising farmland prices across the Southeast from both a regional and state-level perspective. Chapter Two …

Understanding Pre-Harvest Hedging Behavior And Basis Forecasting: The Role Of Information In Grain Marketing, Iyore Eronmwon

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

This dissertation examines decision-making under risk in grain marketing, focusing on how information influences behavior, attitudes toward accessible information, and methods for forecasting commodity basis. Through three essays, it explores the impact of information on hedging decisions, the determinants of information-seeking behavior, the extent to which students can serve as proxies for farmers in risk experiments, and the effectiveness of different forecasting approaches for commodity basis.

The first essay examines the impact of information on pre-harvest grain marketing hedging decisions and grain marketing information-seeking behavior. Specifically, it evaluates two types of information hypothesized to influence decision-making: expected cost of production …

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.

Where Is Your Crop Insurance Agent? Understanding The Geographical Distribution Of Agents, Cory Walters, Nathan Delay

Cornhusker Economics

Following the modifications to the Standard Reinsurance Agreement (SRA) in 2010, there was limited understanding of the impact of policy changes on agent availability. Our objective is to construct a model of the equilibrium supply of crop insurance agents and to test hypotheses regarding the factors influencing agent concentration, such as commissions, competition, and risk. We developed a theoretical equilibrium model of the federal crop insurance market, which encompasses three tiers: insurance companies, agents, and farmers. The model incorporates key features of the federal program, including government-set premiums and the stipulation that agents cannot refuse coverage or modify premiums for …

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 …

Nebraska Beef Cow Breeding Herd As Capital Stock, Richard Perrin, Margarida Noelia De Aguiar Cunha Souza, Lilyan E. Fulginiti

Cornhusker Economics

Throughout her lifetime, the capital stock value of a cow first rises as the size/quality of calves increase, then declines because there are fewer calves expected over her remaining lifetime. The value later in life begins to rise in anticipation of culling value.

We estimate the age distribution of the Nebraska cow herd every year, then we estimate the capital value of each cohort. Adding these values across ages and adjusting to 2015 prices, we obtain the series of capital values, measured in terms of 2015 dollars.

In addition, we calculate the value of the annual flow of services provided …

2025 Nebraska Farmland Values And Cash Rental Rates, Jim Jansen

Cornhusker Economics

The market value of agricultural land in Nebraska declined by 2% over the prior year to an average of $3,935 per acre, according to the 2025 Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Survey. This marks the first decline in the market value of agricultural land in Nebraska since reaching the record non-inflation-adjusted statewide land value in the survey's 46-year history in 2024.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Department of Agricultural Economics annually surveys land industry professionals across Nebraska, including appraisers, farm and ranch managers, agricultural bankers, and related industry professionals. Results from the survey are divided by land class and summarized by …

Gendered Differences In The Implementation Of A Rice-Based Enterprise Program In Sariaya, Quezon Province, Philippines, Imelda Dg Olvida, Nico Jayson C. Anastacio, Paul Jersey G. Leron

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

This study examined gendered differences in the experiences of local farmers in Sariaya, an agricultural municipality in Quezon Province, Philippines. Using the Harvard Analytical Framework, this paper aimed to provide insights into how gender influences the experiences of local farmers under the Rice Business Innovation System (RiceBIS) Community Program of the Department of Agriculture - Philippine Rice Research Institute (DAPhilRice). A qualitative approach was employed using data from focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Thematic analysis was used to identify emerging themes on the different gendered differences in the roles, resource access, needs, and challenges of local farmers in …

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 …

The Employer/Employee Relationship: It’S More Than Just Hiring, Cheryl A. Burkhart-Kriesel

Cornhusker Economics

For some businesses this year, they may be thinking about hiring one or more new employees. This is a big decision. Initially, they may be thinking, “Can this business support another employee?” That could be the easy question. The harder questions could be, “How do I find a good employee, and then what do I need to do to retain them?”

These questions are at the top of the minds of businesses all across the country right now. The workplace environment is subtly changing with current trends impacting both employees and employers. In a recently published article by the …

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.

Nebraska Crop Budgets Updated For 2025, Glennis Mcclure

Cornhusker Economics

For the 2025 production season, 83 crop budgets were developed for Nebraska. These budgets show slightly lower per-unit costs compared to 2023 and 2024. The primary factor behind the reduction in input costs is the lower estimated costs of fuel and fertilizer. In most cases, machinery depreciation and opportunity costs remained relatively stable, while land values and rental rates increased slightly. Additionally, seed and interest costs also rose in the 2025 budgets. Budget scenarios for individual producers may vary depending on the timing of their input purchases and fluctuations in prices.

The Nebraska crop budgets are updated annually to serve …

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 …

Understanding Market Outlooks, Elliott James Dennis

Cornhusker Economics

As 2024 has concluded, many industry analysts will reflect on the market trends and forces that shaped 2024 to make improved decision making in 2025. This is a pivotal time to evaluate the factors influencing commodity markets and plan for the future. Market outlooks play a vital role in this process, offering agricultural producers and industry stakeholders valuable insights into price trends, production forecasts, and market dynamics. By analyzing data from government agencies, universities, and private firms, these outlooks help users anticipate and navigate market fluctuations, whether through short-term forecasts or long-term projections spanning decades. With advances in technology and …

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 …

An Evaluation Of Record Keeping And Related Skills Training For Small Farm Producers In The Alabama Black Belt, Ashmita Nath

College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to evaluate record keeping and related skills training for small farm producers in the Alabama Black Belt. The specific objectives were to (1) examine socioeconomic characteristics, and (2) describe and assess the extent to which participants view training and how they have used the knowledge they acquired by participating in the sessions. The data used for the study were derived from a group of small farm producers in the Alabama Black Belt using convenience sampling. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman’s correlation analysis.

The results showed that most of the participants …

Instructions For Authors, Discovery Editors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Adaptation For Whom? Understanding The Impacts Of Dyke Policies On Small-Scale Farmers In Ca Mau Province Of Vietnam, Nguyen Minh Quang, Nguyen Van Minh, Nguyen Vo Chau Ngan, Martha B. Lerski

Publications and Research

Low-lying deltas worldwide are extremely vulnerable to sea-level rise. As the risks of climate-induced flooding become increasingly clear, the thirst for infrastructure-driven adaptation increases. This highlights a patent need to understand the impacts of engineering adaptation solutions, especially those targeting built structures such as dykes and sluices, on farmers from a bottom-up, farmer-centred perspective. The study addresses this call by examining cases where dyke policies, while successful in some dimensions, have undermined small-scale farmer livelihoods in Ca Mau ― Vietnam’s southernmost rural province. It identifies areas in need of attention and adds empirical data related to this group of farmers. …

Identifying Intangible And Biocultural Heritage Elements Toward Environmental Understanding: Engaging Stakeholders Through Art, Martha B. Lerski

Publications and Research

Grounded in a case study in Barbuda in the Caribbean, this research examines sustainability from the perspective of what arts and heritage can contribute to community engagement and local and broader understandings about the environment. This article documents a growing body of literature recognizing the role of arts and culture, including local knowledge and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), in climate change endeavors. Art and TEK present expansive world views. Contextual information situates research done on the island of Barbuda pre- and post-Hurricane Irma. Visual arts workshops engaged community members in mixed methods research. Results documented cultural elements, particularly intangible and …

Contents, Discovery Editors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Discovery: The Student Journal Of Dale Bumpers College Of Agricultural, Food And Life Sciences - Volume 26 2025, Several Authors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Featured Faculty Mentor/Student Team, Kelly Loftin, Eva Berryhill

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Round-Up On The Environment, Sandra J. Marcu

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Many people around the world have used and still currently use Roundup but are unaware of the effects it has on the environment. Roundup is a spray on application weedkiller that is widely used around the world today both residentially and commercially. It enables its user to grow a garden or a field of crops with a no-tilling approach to eliminate weeds. It is a well-known and popular choice for killing weeds that has been around since the mid 1970’s (Oca, 2017). John Franz, a Monsanto scientist discovered that glyphosate (main ingredient in Roundup) was an herbicide or weedkiller, and …