Agricultural Economics Commons^™

National Agri-Marketing Association Annual Conference Professional Growth Opportunities For Unl Students, Caleb Nuehring, Rosalee Swartz

Cornhusker Economics

The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) annual conference in April of each year is a highlight for Nebraska NAMA students. The students look forward to opportunities to network with professionals and attend sessions and workshops presented by internationally known speakers and experts.

NAMA is comprised of 23 professional chapters in six regions nationwide and has more than 3,500 professional and student members. NAMA members include professionals in agribusinesses, commodity associations, advertising and public relations agencies, as well as faculty, staff, and students from universities across the u.s. and Canada. At the state level, Nebraska's professional Cornhusker Chapter has nearly 70 members. …

Economic Impacts Of Increased Corporate Average Fuel Economy (Cafe) Standards, Ann K. Hunter-Pirtle

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

The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandates that U.S. transportation fuel producers blend specific volumes of ethanol and other biofuels with fossil fuels to spur U.S. biofuel production and to minimize foreign oil imports. Ethanol is more corrosive to auto engines than gasoline, and although vehicles manufactured since 2001 are approved to use up to a 15% ethanol blend (E15) (Naylor & Falcon, 2011), E10 is much more widely available. Ethanol producers therefore face a so-called blend wall at 10 percent—a maximum amount of ethanol that is usable domestically based on the demand for gasoline.

Meanwhile, gasoline demand in the U.S. …

Strengthening Nebraska Businesses, Charlotte Narjes, Anne Byers

Cornhusker Economics

The Nebraska Broadband Initiative in 2013 launched a new effort to help Nebraska businesses increase their economic vitality by understanding how to more effectively use broadband technologies. Key points of this initiative include:

Benchmarking Data: Gather data through a business assessment to establish initial benchmarks and measure impact.

Providing Resources to Businesses: Help individual businesses understand how they can use broadband to increase their economic vitality, understand their Return on Investments (ROI) and assist them in identifying steps for implementation.

Building Capacity: Build capacity in Nebraska for business coaches (i.e., economic developers, extension educators and Department of Economic Development field …

Technology Use By Businesses In Nebraska: Regional Comparisons, Becky Vogt, Charlotte Narjes, Roger Terry, Connie Hancock

Cornhusker Economics

In September 2013, the Nebraska Broadband Initiative partnered with the Strategic Networks Group (SNG) to conduct an email survey of Nebraska businesses on their use of broadband technologies. Responses from over 800 Nebraska businesses show that broadband is being widely used and is benefitting businesses across the state. This paper will take a closer look at the re-sponses by region of the state. For this report, the re-gion boundaries are defined by the Nebraska Economic Development Districts.

Technology Use In Agriculture, Rebecca J. Vogt, Charlotte Narjes, Anne Byers, Connie Hancock

Cornhusker Economics

In September 2013, the Nebraska Broadband Initiative partnered with the Strategic Networks Group (SNG) to conduct an email survey of Nebraska businesses on their use of broadband technologies. Responses from over 800 Nebraska businesses show that broadband is being widely used and is benefitting businesses across the state. The complete report can be found online at http://broadband.nebraska.gov/. Seventy of those businesses self-reported being in the agriculture/forestry/fishing industry. This paper will take a closer look at the responses from this industry sector.

Community Vitality Connects Nebraska, Charlotte Narjes, Connie Hancock

Cornhusker Economics

Fostering the future of Nebraska is the underlying mission of the newly formed Community Vitality Initiative (CVI) launched by UNL Extension. The Community Vitality Initiative is focused on expanding partnerships to build communities where businesses thrive, entrepreneurs have access to the resources they need and young people want to return. Currently multi-disciplinary teams include faculty from the Departments such as Ag Economics and the Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies and will include faculty from all the University campuses and service providers from outside of the University.

Three Essays On Renewable Energy, Kepifri Alpha Lakoh

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

This dissertation studies three main issues related to renewable energy in the United States and in Sub Sahara Africa.

The first chapter seeks to provide answers to a very fundamental question for second generation biofuels: “How much crop residue can farmers harvest from their fields for sale to cellulosic ethanol companies without affecting current levels of production?” The model developed is applied to 101 counties from four Midwestern states in the United States (Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska and Wyoming). Results show that soil organic matter significantly contributes to explaining changes in technical efficiency and total factor productivity. Furthermore, average crop …

Virtual Water, Marianna Khachaturyan, E. Wesley F. Peterson

Cornhusker Economics

Life on earth depends on water. Unfortunately, water resources are not evenly distributed. There are countries with abundant water supplies, such as Brazil or Canada, and countries that lack water resources, such as Egypt or Jordan. Because water is critical for the production of food and other goods, as well as for human consumption, recreation and ecosystem support, competition among the various users for available supplies is often intense. The problem is compounded by the fact that water markets often work imperfectly or are lacking altogether.

What can countries with limited water resources do? In rare cases, it may be …

Accounting For Product Substitution In The Analysis Of Food Taxes Targeting Obesity, Zhen Miao, John C. Beghin, Helen H. Jensen

Department of Agricultural Economics: Faculty Publications

We extend the existing literature on food taxes targeting obesity. We systematically incorporate the implicit substitution between added sugars and solid fats into a comprehensive food demand system and evaluate the effect of taxes on sugars and fats. The approach conditions how food and obesity taxes affect total calorie intake. The proposed methodology accounts for the ability of consumers to substitute leaner low-fat and low-sugar items for rich food items within the same food group. This substitution is integrated into a calibrated demand system in addition to the substitution among food groups, using recent food intake data and existing demand …

Conservation Compliance Under The House And Senate Versions Of The 2013 Farm Bill: A Role For Empathy Nudging?, Hans J. Czap, Natalia Czap, Gary D. Lynne, Mark E. Burbach

Cornhusker Economics

Current and past farming practices have led to significant environmental degradation in the form of soil erosion (sediments), as well as fertilizer and chemical related water pollution. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has long tried to implement policies to temper such negative effects on the environment. The 2008 Farm Bill which currently guides agricultural and related environmental/conservation policy is being revised on this front. The United States Senate and the House of Representatives are each currently proposing a version of the 2013 Farm Bill to change the existing system, making it more efficient in achieving environmental (and other …

Is There A Best Cow Size For Beef Cattle Producers?, Matthew Stockton, Sunil P. Dhoubhadel, Leslie Aaron Stalker

Cornhusker Economics

There are individuals in the beef cattle industry who claim there is a need for smaller brood cows, because smaller cows are more efficient and therefore more profitable. On the other hand, there are those who claim the larger the cow the better, and these generally are those who feed calves to slaughter. The proponents of both sides seem to have logical reasons that support their claims. So who is right?

Regional Broadband Plan Priorities Presented To The Nebraska Public Service Commissioners, Charlotte Narjes, Roger Terry, Connie Hancock, Rebecca J. Vogt, Jan Jackson Cejka

Cornhusker Economics

Nebraska Broadband Initiative regional plan priorities were presented to the Nebraska Public Service Commissioners in July. These priorities were created by extension led planning teams located across the state. The Departments of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication (ALEC), along with Extension are collaboratively working on the broadband initiative.

Be A Part Of The Plan - Engaging People - Linking The World, Charlotte Narjes

Cornhusker Economics

The Nebraska Broadband Planning Initiative, in its fourth year, is designed to increase adoption and utilization of broadband in communities and regions. Goals of this initiative include:

Increase adoption and utilization of Broadband in communities and regions with an emphasis on unserved and underserved regions.

Work as a region in developing regional Broadband plans that increase adoption and utilization of broadband.

Increase understanding of importance of Broadband as a foundation of economic growth.

The Initiative is focused around the following project areas:

Mapping

Planning (capacity building, technical assistance and regional planning).

Affordable Care Act And Your Ag Business, Marilyn Schlake, Carroll S. Welte, Charlotte Narjes, Jim Crandall

Cornhusker Economics

Implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is steadily moving forward. Whether you agree or disagree with the ACA, the fact is that it is currently the national law. Already we are seeing changes affecting how hospitals, doctors and insurance carriers operate. Regulations impacting individuals and businesses in the areas of benefits covered, maximum out-of-pocket costs, taxes and penalties began on October 1st. Spend time now to evaluate how these changes will affect you, your family and your business operations.

Economic Impact Of The Ability Of Nebraska Agriculture To Irrigate: The Case Of 2012, Nebraska Farm Bureau, Decision Innovation Solutions

Nebraskiana Publications

With the harsh 2012 growing season behind for Nebraska crop producers, sights are now on the prospects for 2013. An exceptional drought gripped much of the United States from mid-June to the end of the growing season. In many regards, the drought persists in many parts of the country. Without significant moisture accumulations prior to spring planting 2013, drought conditions may continue into next year’s growing season. Since the drought of 2012 became a cause of concern in mid-2012, there have been discussions regarding ways to limit the use of water for agricultural purposes. Many of these discussions will result …

The Trade And Welfare Impacts Of Australian Quarantine Policies: The Case Of Pigmeat, John C. Beghin, Mark Melatos

Department of Agricultural Economics: Faculty Publications

We analyze the trade and welfare impact of quarantine measures imposed by Australia on imports of pigmeat. In particular, we account for changes to Australia’s pigmeat quarantine policy over time, including those changes related to the recent resolution of a WTO dispute between Australia and the European Union. Using a random utility model and applying it to corner solutions in import decisions, tariff equivalents (by major trading partner) are estimated for the different pigmeat quarantine regimes implemented by Australia during the period 1988-2009. The welfare impact on consumers, producers, and foreign exporters is computed using a partial equilibrium model calibrated …

Key Findings Of The Ntm-Impact Project, David Orden, John Beghin, Guy Henry

Department of Agricultural Economics: Faculty Publications

This special issue of The World Economy presents research findings from the European Commission–funded project “Assessment of the impacts of non-tariff measures (NTM)—on the competitiveness of the EU and selected trade partners” (NTM-Impact). Directed toward the EU and its trade partners, the project’s first overall objective was to collect and analyze new data on NTMs for key and representative agri-food products. This involved three components: creating a large symmetric international database on the diverse types of governmental standards and regulations used to address food safety and quality issues, constructing measures of heterogeneity among these standards and regulations; and evaluating the …

Agriculture And Food In Crisis: Conflict, Resistance, And Renewal [Book Review], Charles A. Francis

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Edited by Fred Magdoff and Brian Tokar. 2010. Monthly Review Press, New York, New York, United States. 348 p. Paperback, cloth US$ 75.00, paper US$ 18.95, ISBN-13 978-1-58367-226-6.

That doubling of food production over the next four decades will be needed to adequately nourish our human population is not news, but the incredible steps essential to achieve that goal and their political and social implications are less well reported. In this series of 16 essays edited by Fred Magdoff and Brian Tokar, several thoughtful specialists in global food issues explore the historical, biological, economic, energy, political and social dimensions of …

Sorghum Millet And Other Grains Crsp, Leader With Associates Cooperative Agreement No. Eep-A-00-06-00160: The New Program, John Yohe

INTSORMIL Presentations

INTSORMIL was created in 1979 by USAID and BIFAD as a long-term mechanism for agriculture development. It is meant to utilize capacity of U.S. land grant universities increase research capacity Increase food production. INTSORMIL was replaced in 2006 by the SMOG, Sorghum, Millet and Other Grains CRSP. The focus of these programs in Africa has been on sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, tef, and fonio. The programs have facilitated investigation of soil and water (environmental considerations), integrated pest management, nutrition and health, broadening market access, mitigating post-harvest constraints, enhancing productivity and livelihood in marginal areas, increasing income, improving food quality, …

Sorghum And Pearl Millet Improved Seed Value Chains In Zambia: Challenges And Opportunities For Smallholder Farmers, Priscilla Hamukwala, Gelson Tembo, Don Larson, Mark Erbaugh

INTSORMIL Scientific Publications

Sorghum and millet are a very important source of food and farm income for smallholder farmers, which can be enhanced especially if linked to new markets. These two crops have been widely viewed as minor traditional crops in the Zambian food systems. The two crops were displaced by maize in the 1900s with the opening of the copper mines. However, they remain important food crops for semi-arid areas of the country. In recent years, there have also been new market developments requiring farmers to increase productivity and production. Unfortunately significant productivity enhancements are impeded by low access to improved technologies …

Multifunctional Rural Landscapes: Economic, Environmental, Policy, And Social Impacts Of Land Use Changes In Nebraska, Twyla M. Hansen, Charles A. Francis, J. Dixon Esseks, J. Allen Williams Jr.

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The conversion of farmland near cities to other human uses is a global trend that challenges our long-term capacity to provide food, fiber, and ecosystem services to a growing world population. If current trends continue in the United States, the population will reach 450 million by the year 2050. At the same time, an accelerating change in land use will reduce today’s two acres per person of farmland to less than one acre per person. This is scarcely enough to produce food for our domestic population, without any food available for export – even assuming advances in technology. We need …

Intsormil Crsp: Sorghum, Millet And Other Grains Collaborative Research Support Program: Leader With Associates Cooperative Agreement No. Eep-A-00-06-0016-00; Award From The U.S. Agency For International Development To The University Of Nebraska-Lincoln, Joseph Schmidt

INTSORMIL Scientific Publications

Pursuant to the authority contained in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) hereby awards to University of Nebraska - Lincoln (hereinafter referred to as the "Recipient"), the sum of $9,000,000.00 to provide support for a program in Sorghum, Millet, and Other Grains Collaborative Research Support Program as described in the Schedule of this award and in Attachment B, entitled "Program Description."

This Leader with Associates Cooperative Agreement is effective and obligation is made as of 09-30-2006 and shall apply to expenditures made by the Recipient in furtherance of program objectives during …

Economic Importance Of Irrigated Agriculture 2003, Charles Lamphear

Department of Economics: Faculty Publications

Just how important is irrigated agriculture to the Nebraska economy? This question was first addressed nearly forty years ago in a study conducted by Drs. Theodore W. Roesler and F. Charles Lamphear, University of Nebraska Department of Economics. This initial study was updated in 1972 and, again, in 1991. The latest update study for 2003 was recently completed by Dr. Charles Lamphear, emeritus professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UN-L). He was assisted by emeritus professors Dr. Roy Frederick, UN-L Department of Agriculture Economics and Dr. Dale Flowerday, UN-L Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, along with several UN-L extension specialists. The results …

Marketing Locally Produced Foods: Consumer And Farmer Opinions In Washington County, Nebraska, Mindi L. Schneider, Charles A. Francis

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Local food system potentials were studied in Washington County, Nebraska, United States. As a departure from most studies of locally based systems, farmers were surveyed in addition to consumers for potential participation. Data about the current food system and opinions and preferences for local production, marketing, and purchasing of food were collected using self-administered mail questionnaires. The response rate was 35% for the farmer survey and 37% for the consumer survey. Results indicated that, on the farming side of the food system, conventional corn and soybean production and marketing predominated in Washington County, and farmer interest in producing for local …

Facing A Watershed: Managing Profitable And Sustainable Landscapes In The 21st Century, Heidi Carter, Richard Olson, Charles A. Francis

CARI Extension and Education Materials for Sustainable Agriculture

Overview of Freshwater Use, Introduction to Watershed Management, and a Watershed Management Plan

Group Dynamics in Designing and Implementing a Watershed Management Plan

Information Sources for Watershed Management

Conservation Buffers and Riparian Management

Farmland Protection, Green Corridors, and Suburban Sprawl

Information Sources for Sustainable Agriculture and Sustainable Agriculture Education

Land Transfers In Twelve Counties In Nebraska, 1928-1933, L. F. Garey

Historical Research Bulletins of the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station

The land transfers in twelve counties in Nebraska for the period 1928 to 1933 have been studied and the findings are submitted in this bulletin. The data on which the study is based were obtained from records in the office of the Register of Deeds in each county and from other sources and include transfers which occurred during the period indicated. The counties included in the study are Boone, Cass, Cuming, Dakota, Dawes, Frontier, Gage, Hamilton, Harlan, Lancaster, Nuckolls, and Valley.

A Study Of Farm Families And Their Standards Of Living In Selected Districts Of Nebraska 1931-1933, Margaret Fedde, Ruth Lindquist

Historical Research Bulletins of the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station

This study of farm families in selected districts of Nebraska was undertaken in order to obtain information regarding the total money value of family living and the proportion of the total used for each of the principal groups of goods. A further purpose was to measure the adequacy of the living provided. The study was begun in January, 1931, and continued through the year 1933. The districts selected included Cass and Fillmore counties throughout the three-year period, and to these Buffalo county was added at the beginning of 1932.