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Articles 751 - 780 of 1290

Full-Text Articles in Agricultural and Resource Economics

Lb108 Repeals Fence Viewer Process, J. David Aiken Mar 2007

Lb108 Repeals Fence Viewer Process, J. David Aiken

Cornhusker Economics

In Nebraska, if I want to make a neighbor pay for part of a division fence, I can ask him or her to do so. If they refuse, for over a century I could have requested fence viewers to determine how much of the division fence each neighbor should pay for. Now if I want to do that I must go to court. I can also build the fence myself and assume full responsibility for the costs of construction and maintenance. Ideally, neighbors should have a written agreement (filed with the real estate deeds) identifying how the costs of building …

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Measuring Economic Development Ii - Persistent Income Inequality 1980-2000, David J. Peters Feb 2007

Measuring Economic Development Ii - Persistent Income Inequality 1980-2000, David J. Peters

Cornhusker Economics

Economic development is “sustained progressive change to attain individual and group interests through the expanded, intensified and adjusted use of resources,” where “human welfare is the end product of the development process.”1 The previous issue of Cornhusker Economics2 used persistent poverty as one way to measure development at the communitylevel. Another way social scientists measure development is to look at how evenly income is distributed within a community. Thus, an equal distribution has ten percent of households receiving ten percent of the income, fifty percent of households receiving fifty percent of the income, and so on. Although the question of …

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Measuring Economic Development I - Persistent Poverty 1980-2000, David J. Peters Feb 2007

Measuring Economic Development I - Persistent Poverty 1980-2000, David J. Peters

Cornhusker Economics

Economic development is a priority for nearly all Nebraska communities. However, development is often confused with economic growth. Economic development entails “sustained progressive change to attain individual and group interests through the expanded, intensified and adjusted use of resources,” where “human welfare is the end product of the development process.”1 How do you measure such a value-laden and multifaceted concept to know whether development efforts have been successful? While there is no single answer to this question, one common and relatively easy method is to look at community poverty rates over time.

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Ethanol, Oil And Corn, Richard K. Perrin Feb 2007

Ethanol, Oil And Corn, Richard K. Perrin

Cornhusker Economics

When will ethanol plants stop being built? Ethanol plants under construction in Nebraska will have the capacity to grind over 40 percent of the Nebraska corn crop by the end of 2007, and nearly 60 percent by the end of 2008. Nationally, capacity for these years will be roughly 25 percent and 35 percent of the crop. The plants under construction will bring total annual ethanol production to 11 billion gallons or so, well over the renewable fuels standard of 7.5 billion gallons by 2012.

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Farm Business Succession And Estate Planning Or “What You Need To Know Before You Go To See The Attorney”, David J. Goeller Feb 2007

Farm Business Succession And Estate Planning Or “What You Need To Know Before You Go To See The Attorney”, David J. Goeller

Cornhusker Economics

Nearly everyone agrees that it is important to plan for the future. Why, then, do less than half of all farmers and ranchers have an estate plan? Many will say it is just too complicated so it gets put off until…well, later or maybe never. Farm and ranch estate planning can involve some rather complicated concepts. Attorneys and other estate planning professionals spend a lifetime honing their skills and evaluating various estate planning options. Should a trust or a will be used? What about a corporation or an LLC? Should we have a durable power of attorney and an advanced …

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Simulated Analysis Of Drought’S Impact On Different Cow-Calf Production Systems, Matthew C. Stockton, Roger K. Wilson Feb 2007

Simulated Analysis Of Drought’S Impact On Different Cow-Calf Production Systems, Matthew C. Stockton, Roger K. Wilson

Department of Agricultural Economics: Presentations, Working Papers, and Gray Literature

Five representative, firm-level, stochastic simulation models were constructed using historical production cost, cattle prices, weather information and scientifically collected production data from the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory operated by the University of Nebraska. The five hundred iterative results indicate the inclusion of crop residual grazing is a viable drought mitigation tool.

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Does The Data Support Ikerd’S “Economic Fallacies Of Industrial Hog Production”?, Azzeddine Azzam Jan 2007

Does The Data Support Ikerd’S “Economic Fallacies Of Industrial Hog Production”?, Azzeddine Azzam

Cornhusker Economics

In one of the most comprehensive studies of U.S. hog production, McBride and Key (2003) found that although the cost of producing hogs declines with increasing farm size across producer types (farrow-to-finish, farrow-tofeeder, and feeder-to-finish), the distribution of costs is such that many small and medium-sized operations produce at a cost that is competitive with industrial-scale operations. The study attributed the cost competitiveness to managerial ability, which "is likely to be as important as size economies lowering the costs of hog production" (p. 18). The same view is shared by Ikerd (2001), a well-known advocate of small hog farms. He …

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Accounting For Agricultural Decline With Economic Growth In Taiwan, Ling Sun, Lilyan Fulginiti, E. Wesley F. Peterson Jan 2007

Accounting For Agricultural Decline With Economic Growth In Taiwan, Ling Sun, Lilyan Fulginiti, E. Wesley F. Peterson

Department of Agricultural Economics: Faculty Publications

In this paper, we develop an empirical model to decompose the evolution of the agricultural share of GDP into three components: price changes, factor endowment changes and technological change. Our results suggest that relative prices have a positive but small influence on the share of agriculture in GDP in both the long-run and the short-run. An increase in capital per unit of labor, on the other hand, is associated with a smaller agricultural share. Technical change has been biased in favor of the agricultural sector but this effect has been swamped by the magnitude of the input effects, in particular, …

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Farm Wages In Nebraska, H. Douglas Jose Jan 2007

Farm Wages In Nebraska, H. Douglas Jose

Cornhusker Economics

As farm sizes increase, questions related to labor management, employee working conditions and employee wages become more important. Farm operators want to know if the wages they are providing are competitive and employees want to ensure they are being compensated fairly. The most comprehensive set of information on farm wages in this region is a report published by Iowa State University in 2006. This resulted from a survey of Iowa farmers who employ one or more workers on a full-time basis. Another source of information is the periodic report of farm wages published by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

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The Swine Industry: 2006 S The Year In Review, Allen Prosch Jan 2007

The Swine Industry: 2006 S The Year In Review, Allen Prosch

Cornhusker Economics

January of 2006 was marked by some concern that the modest expansion in pork production may be more than markets could absorb. Cash and futures markets started lower, and it was clear that daily product movement would dictate prices. Both market fundamentals and attitudes appeared negative.

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Let’S Be Practical: A New Integration In The Approach To Economic Policy, Gary D. Lynne Jan 2007

Let’S Be Practical: A New Integration In The Approach To Economic Policy, Gary D. Lynne

Cornhusker Economics

Both the Nebraska Unicameral and the U.S. Congress are just now coming back into session with many new faces, in Nebraska due to the term limit law showing its impact, and with a shift in the power structure in Washington. With all this change, and the many substantive policy issues facing these entities, from the farm bill to the war in Iraq, along with the wide array of environmental, ecosystem and natural resource (e.g. global warming, renewable energy, water and biodiversity) issues, as well as the always present set of social issues (e.g. the minimum wage), perhaps it is a …

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Federal Court Invalidates Initiative 300, J. David Aiken Jan 2007

Federal Court Invalidates Initiative 300, J. David Aiken

Cornhusker Economics

On December 15, 2005, the U.S. District Court for Nebraska (Judge Camp) ruled that Article 12 Section 8 of the Nebraska Constitution (popularly known as Initiative 300) violated federal law. The court ruled that I300, which regulates corporate farming, violated the Interstate Commerce Clause and the Americans with Disabilities Act. On December 13, 2006, a three-judge panel of the Eighth Federal Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Judge Camp’s 2005 ruling that 300 violated the Interstate Commerce Clause. The state of Nebraska will appeal the circuit court’s decision to the United States Supreme Court.

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Book Review: The Nature Of The Farm: Contracts, Risk, And Organization In Agriculture By Douglas W. Allen And Dean Lueck, Azzeddine Azzam Jan 2007

Book Review: The Nature Of The Farm: Contracts, Risk, And Organization In Agriculture By Douglas W. Allen And Dean Lueck, Azzeddine Azzam

Department of Agricultural Economics: Faculty Publications

The conventional wisdom about the future of family farming in North America is that it is a bleak one. Like any other family firms, family farms are not immune to industrialization and eventually all stages of food production will be in the hands of large corporations. The poultry industry has become the poster-industry for the corporate take-over of food production and the guide to what is in store for the rest of agriculture. That, among other theories about organizational features of North American agriculture, is closely examined by Allen and Lueck’s Nature of the Farm—Contracts, Risk, and Organization in Agriculture. …

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The Science Of Targeting Within Landscapes And Watersheds To Improve Consevation Effectiveness, Todd Walter, Mike Dosskey, Madhu Khanna, Jim Miller, Mark Tomer, John Wiens Jan 2007

The Science Of Targeting Within Landscapes And Watersheds To Improve Consevation Effectiveness, Todd Walter, Mike Dosskey, Madhu Khanna, Jim Miller, Mark Tomer, John Wiens

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Our ernphasis in this chapter has been an the science that underlies efforts to target conservation efforts to enhance the effeciiveness (and cost-effectiveness) of management, mitigation and restoration.

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The Art Of Leasing Negotiation In A Frenzied Environment, Bruce Johnson, Allen Prosch, Aaron Raymond Dec 2006

The Art Of Leasing Negotiation In A Frenzied Environment, Bruce Johnson, Allen Prosch, Aaron Raymond

Cornhusker Economics

Let’s face it. The farm economy across much of Nebraska has literally been turned upside down in the past few months by the “Ethanol Gold Rush.” Demand for corn has shot corn prices upward beyond $3.00 per bushel, when only a year earlier the harvest prices hovered around $1.50. Many expect these new price levels to hold, at least for the 2007 crop season.

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Making The Competition Irrelevant - The Blue Ocean Strategy, Cheryl A. Burkhart-Kriesel Dec 2006

Making The Competition Irrelevant - The Blue Ocean Strategy, Cheryl A. Burkhart-Kriesel

Cornhusker Economics

What if you were involved in a business where all the market trends were showing a decline, indicating limited potential for growth? Here is the reality - your primary customer no longer sees your product or service as important. Other products and services have simply pushed you out. Technology and globalization are making it increasingly difficult to compete. Your realistic assessment tells you that the cost cutting strategies you have been implementing can only take the business so far. In essence, the business appears to be going nowhere.

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Thinking Of Changing Your Mind, Now That You Already Planted Wheat?, Matthew Stockton, Roger K. Wilson Dec 2006

Thinking Of Changing Your Mind, Now That You Already Planted Wheat?, Matthew Stockton, Roger K. Wilson

Cornhusker Economics

Because wheat prices had increased dramatically this past year relative to other commodity prices, and seemed to remain strong, some producers decided to plant wheat this fall on acres that traditionally were planted to corn or soybeans. With the recent upswing in the corn market these producers may now be wondering if they should stick with the wheat they already planted or reconsider their plans and plant corn.

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Economics Of Management Options For Lake Mcconaughy, Ray Supalla, Thomas V. Buell Nov 2006

Economics Of Management Options For Lake Mcconaughy, Ray Supalla, Thomas V. Buell

Department of Agricultural Economics: Presentations, Working Papers, and Gray Literature

The amount of water stored in Lake McConaughy reached a historical low in the Fall of 2004 and again in 2006. In 2005 and 2006 CNPPID irrigators received less than a full supply of Lake McConaughy water for the first time since the system came on line over 60 years ago. Electric power interests, recreation interests and the regional economy have also been adversely affected by low water levels. What, if anything should the State of Nebraska do to minimize the adverse impacts from this situation and/or prevent it from developing again in the future?

The most critical policy issue …

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The Cost Of Reducing Irrigation, Ray Supalla Nov 2006

The Cost Of Reducing Irrigation, Ray Supalla

Department of Agricultural Economics: Presentations, Working Papers, and Gray Literature

For several decades Nebraska has proudly and appropriately regarded irrigation development as an important source of economic growth. However, in some parts of the state we now have too much of a good thing! To meet our Compact obligations to Kansas and Colorado in the Republican Basin and to comply with the proposed Cooperative Agreement for the Platte Basin we must find a way to consume less irrigation water. The cost of reducing irrigation and the equity implications will depend on what methods the state uses to achieve this objective.

We recently estimated the costs to irrigators and to the …

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Water Optimizer: A Tool For Decision Support And Policy Analysis, Derrel L. Martin, Ray Supalla Nov 2006

Water Optimizer: A Tool For Decision Support And Policy Analysis, Derrel L. Martin, Ray Supalla

Department of Agricultural Economics: Presentations, Working Papers, and Gray Literature

Water Optimizer is a tool for analyzing alternative water management strategies when the available water supply is limited. It can be used by producers to determine the profit maximizing crops to produce and the optimum amount of water to apply to each crop, given a particular water supply. It can also be used to evaluate the economic consequences of public policies which expand or reduce the amount of irrigation.

The Water Optimizer model can compute the profit maximizing strategy for producers located in any county in Nebraska where there is significant irrigation. This can be done for three different soil …

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The Market Acceptance And Welfare Impacts Of ‘Terminator’ Technology, Marianna Khachaturyan, Amalia Yiannaka Nov 2006

The Market Acceptance And Welfare Impacts Of ‘Terminator’ Technology, Marianna Khachaturyan, Amalia Yiannaka

Cornhusker Economics

An Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) system is effective when infringers can be identified, successfully sued for damages and deterred from further infringement. The effectiveness of IPRs in plant varieties is limited due to high detection costs of unauthorized use of seed that embodies intellectual property (e.g., genetically modified (GM) seed) and high enforcement costs. Seed companies have traditionally performed limited research and development (R&D) in self-pollinating plants mainly because seed saving limits their ability to recoup their investment.1

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Market Reports Nov 2006

Market Reports

Cornhusker Economics

No abstract provided.

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Retailing Patterns Across Nebraska In 2005, David J. Peters Nov 2006

Retailing Patterns Across Nebraska In 2005, David J. Peters

Cornhusker Economics

Understanding your local trade area is important because retail sales taxes are an important source of revenue for local governments; and the geographic concentration of retailing directly affects smaller communities. This analysis provides some base information that allows a better understanding of local trade areas. It should be considered a first step in developing a larger trade area plan and strategies for expanding the retail sales base. Pull factors are the best method to summarize the relative success of an area’s retail sector. Pull factors estimate the relative proportion of retail sales that a county draws from outside its borders, …

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The Economics Of Dry Distillers Grain As A Creep Feed For Yearling Cattle, Matthew Stockton Nov 2006

The Economics Of Dry Distillers Grain As A Creep Feed For Yearling Cattle, Matthew Stockton

Cornhusker Economics

With the expected increase in ethanol production, one may expect an increase in production of its by-product, distiller’s grain. This by-product can be either sold as wet distiller’s grain (WDG) or as dry distiller’s grain (DDG). The value of DDG prices is expected to continue to fall relative to the value of corn, making this a much talked about alternative for feeding livestock of many different species. While much of the attention for the use of this by-product feed has been directed toward intensive livestock production such as dairy, hogs and fed cattle, recent work at the West Central Research …

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Nebraska Network 21: Summary Of Visionary Food Systems Curricula Action Team, Governor’S Task Force On Agriculture And Natural Resources Education, Dick Fleming Nov 2006

Nebraska Network 21: Summary Of Visionary Food Systems Curricula Action Team, Governor’S Task Force On Agriculture And Natural Resources Education, Dick Fleming

Nebraska Network 21: Publications

Nebraska Network 21 was established as a result of a grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources to creatively meet the learning needs of Nebraskans in the 21st century. One outcome was establishment of the Visionary Food Systems Curricula Action Team. The Action Team held Summit I on Reinventing Agriculture and Natural Resources Education on Feb. 10, 1998 and Summit II on Nov. 19, 1998. Both Summits attracted more than 100 Nebraskans from across the state. Following Summit II, the Legislative Committee proposed establishing a group that would maintain …

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Market Journal Toolbox, Becky Small, Darrell R. Mark Nov 2006

Market Journal Toolbox, Becky Small, Darrell R. Mark

Cornhusker Economics

Producers often rely on cash market sales without the use of forward contracting, futures hedging and other risk management tools for several reasons. Some producers perceive that the use of hedging lowers their net price or increases price variability on average. Others view hedging as a risky price enhancement mechanism that is reliant on being able to successfully forecast futures prices. Selling crops or livestock that have not yet been raised, paying margin calls and dealing with brokers are all viewed as risk-inducing activities for some farmers and ranchers. Many producers indicate their use of forward contracting and hedging is …

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Fall Tax Planning, Tina N. Barrett Oct 2006

Fall Tax Planning, Tina N. Barrett

Cornhusker Economics

There are many benefits to doing fall tax planning for your operation, but the best is what it may cost you if you don’t do it. Really good tax planning requires someone who is knowledgeable in the changes made in the tax law each year, creative enough to think outside of what is normal and realistic enough to know what is possible.

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Pillars Of Growth In Nebraska’S Non-Metropolitan Economy, Eric Thompson, Ernie Goss, Chris Decker, Cheryl A. Burkhart-Kriesel, Bruce Johnson, Ben Schmitz, Julian Neira, Pavel Jeutang Oct 2006

Pillars Of Growth In Nebraska’S Non-Metropolitan Economy, Eric Thompson, Ernie Goss, Chris Decker, Cheryl A. Burkhart-Kriesel, Bruce Johnson, Ben Schmitz, Julian Neira, Pavel Jeutang

Rural Initiative Program: Publications and Reports

Agriculture is a critical part of Nebraska’s economy, and changes in the fortunes of agriculture play an important role in the success of the state’s non-metropolitan regions. Trends toward consolidation and rising productivity in agriculture, however, have raised concerns about the future of non-metropolitan Nebraska. Some citizens and policymakers have begun to wonder if the economy can create sufficient job opportunities for non-metropolitan residents. The answer to this question depends not only upon the relative strength of the agricultural sector, but also upon the presence of other industries that can join agriculture as pillars for employment growth in non-metropolitan Nebraska. …

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Whither Grain Ethanol?, Richard K. Perrin Oct 2006

Whither Grain Ethanol?, Richard K. Perrin

Cornhusker Economics

Grain ethanol has been in the Nebraska news almost weekly over the last couple of years - plans announced, plant construction begun, plant openings, etc. The news has buoyed corn prices this fall, despite gasoline prices in the vicinity of $2.00/gal that reduces demand for ethanol. There is concern by some that diversion of corn from food (meat, milk and eggs) to fuel will have serious consequences for livestock and food markets. Concerns are also expressed that overexpansion will turn the ethanol boom into a bust. Much research remains to be done to clarify these economic issues, but some insights …

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The Heart Of The Farm, Meg Klosterman Kester, Maggie Miller Oct 2006

The Heart Of The Farm, Meg Klosterman Kester, Maggie Miller

Cornhusker Economics

The 22nd Annual Women in Agriculture Conference was held September 14-15, 2006 in Kearney, Nebraska. This year’s conference theme was “The Heart of the Farm,” chosen because of the vital role women play in their operations, both as a producer and a relationship builder. There were nearly 400 women in attendance from 57 Nebraska counties, four states and Australia. Over 50 percent of conference attendees were sponsored by local lenders and agribusinesses.

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