Agricultural and Resource Economics Commons^™

Rates Of Return To Public Agricultural Research In 48 U.S. States, Alejandro Plastina, Lilyan E. Fulginiti

Department of Agricultural Economics: Faculty Publications

The internal rate of return (IRR) to public investment in agricultural R&D is estimated for each of the continental U.S. states. Theoretically, our contribution provides a way of obtaining the returns to a local public good using Rothbart’s concept of virtual prices. Empirically, we use the spatial dependency among states generated by knowledge spillovers to define the ‘appropriate’ jurisdiction. We estimate an average own-state rate of 17% and a social rate of 29%. These figures should inform the policy debate on the allocation of federal funds to research in the actual food crisis environment.

The Republican River: Negotiation, Arbitration, And A Federal Water Master, J. David Aiken

Cornhusker Economics

Nebraska is in violation of the Republican River Compact Settlement for 2006 by an estimated 41,430 acre-feet (AF) of water. Kansas has claimed damages of $72 million for Nebraska’s settlement violations, has demanded irrigation cutbacks of nearly 50 percent, and has initiated formal arbitration proceedings under the settlement for resolving compliance disagreements. If Nebraska and Kansas are unable to negotiate a compromise on the water overuse, it is possible that a Federal Water Master would be appointed to ensure that future Nebraska water use stayed within settlement limits.

The Food, Conservation, And Energy Act Of 2008 Summary And Possible Consequences, Wesley L. Harris, Bradley Lubben, James L. Novak, Larry D. Sanders

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

The primary purpose of this article is to provide a summary and briefly comment on key provisions of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (PL 110-246) and discuss possible consequences of the selected provisions. As passed by the House and Senate, the act contains 15 titles (the pdf version covering 683 pages). While most provisions will be at least briefly discussed, more attention will be devoted to the production-related provisions, especially substantive changes from the 2002 act. The general title of any new farm bill is telling in both what is significant in the bill and in what …

Overview Of The 2008 Farm Bill, Bradley Lubben

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

The following presentations summarize various titles and sections of the 2008 Farm Bill and provide program details and mechanics of the new legislation as well as potential impacts of the new programs. The presentations were delivered at the 2008 Farm Bill Education Conference and serve as both an outline of the new programs as well as a working template for further education and analysis. The conference was organized by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln along with Auburn University, The University of Georgia, and Oklahoma State University. The conference was sponsored through grants from the Farm Foundation and the North Central Risk …

Markets

Cornhusker Economics

Markets

Using Appreciative Inquiry In Community Development, Alan Baquet, Connie Hancock, Charlotte Narjes

Cornhusker Economics

The Center for Applied Rural Innovation (CARI), an outreach effort of the Department of Agricultural Economics, is committed to being relevant and responsive to the needs of Nebraskans. Under the leadership of Dr. Alan Baquet, a trained facilitator in Appreciative Inquiry, CARI and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension are working with communities using an appreciative inquiry approach.

Communities have primarily used community development methods that look directly at the needs or problems, rather than on what is working well. This often leads to a focus on a certain project or program. Technical resources may be brought in to address a …

Biodiesel Production: Focus On Palm Oil And Jatropha, Kepifri Lakoh, E. Wesley F. Peterson

Cornhusker Economics

Given high gasoline prices and the negative environmental effects of burning fossil fuels, there is increased interest in alternative energy sources, including biofuels. Brazil and the United States have been leading the way with ethanol production derived from sugar cane and corn. Recently, there has been increased interest in another biofuel, biodiesel, particularly in Europe (the leading producer). Biodiesel, a non-petroleum-based diesel fuel, can be produced from the transesterification of vegetable oils or animal fats. In the United States, most biodiesel is made from rapeseed (canola) or soybeans. But elsewhere, there are other biodiesel feedstocks such as palm oil and …

Phase Ii Florida’S Ocean And Coastal Economies Report, Judith T. Kildow Dr

Publications

Phase II of Florida’s Ocean and Coastal Economics Report was prepared for the Florida Oceans and Coastal Council and funded under contract #RM077 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The Phase I report of Florida’s Ocean and Coastal Economies provided basic information that the NOEP compiles for all coastal states about employment, wages and output of those activities located geographically along Florida’s shoreline (Coastal Economy) as well as those activities directly dependent upon the oceans (Ocean Economy). That information not only described the status and trends of Florida’s Coastal and Ocean Economy but allowed comparison to economies in other …

Grid Marketing And Beef Carcass Quality: A Discussion Of Issues And Trends, Scott Fausti, Bashir Qasmi, Matthew Diersen

Economics Staff Paper Series (1969 - 2017)

Beef industry data suggest that improvements in carcass yield and quality grades have stagnated recently. Empirical analysis, based on USDA market reports, indicates that the share of steer slaughter volume marketed on a grid is less than industry estimates and the growth in market share has stagnated. Trend analysis of market share suggests that grid pricing has become an important marketing channel, but has not become the dominant marketing channel. The lack of industry progress toward achieving the carcass quality goals suggests that grid pricing has not captured the level of market share needed to realize the goals envisioned for …

Conservation Reserve Program In South Dakota: Summary Of Major Findings, Nicole Klein, Larry Janssen, Gary Taylor, Emmanuel Opoku

Economics Commentator (1972- 2016)

No abstract provided.

Human Reactions To Today's Economic Realities: Some Thoughts, Bruce B. Johnson

Cornhusker Economics

In recent days, the media has been full of economic news—much of it unsettling and hard to even comprehend:

• Gasoline hits a historic $4.00 per gallon for the first time in the U.S.
• Angry protests gather in developing nations over surging food prices.
• Expected world food production shortfalls mount as weather factors cut into production levels.
• From locally to globally, extreme weather events (a reflection of global climatic change) are occurring with increasing frequency—and with them, severe economic disruption.
• Unemployment levels rise as the U.S. economy slows.
• Consumer confidence falls to a 16-year low. …

South Dakota Agricultural Land Values And Cash Rental Rates: 2008, Burton Plflueger, Larry Janssen

Economics Commentator (1972- 2016)

No abstract provided.

Understanding The New Farm Income Safety Net, Bradley D. Lubben

Cornhusker Economics

The new farm bill recently enacted by Congress includes some major changes in the farm income safety net that will affect producer sign-up and risk management decisions over the 2008- 2012 life of the bill. With current commodity prices at levels high above the existing price-based farm income safety net, many producers have assumed the impact of the farm program will be minimal for the life of the new bill. However, the changes in the new farm bill, particularly the inclusion of two new revenue-based programs, demand a much closer look on the part of producers.

Biofuels: A Molecular Perspective, Brody Crowe

Papers from "UHON395 Carbonomics: Can Bioenergy save the World?"

What is the best biomass source and conversion process to create the biofuels to power our country in the future? Specifically, is cellulosic ethanol capable of becoming a viable biofuel? To answer these questions, the processes used to convert biomass into fuel, as well as the biomass itself, were examined on a molecular level, focusing on the chemistry behind the reactions. After that, developing technologies were examined to determine their potential. Lastly, alternative biomass sources were examined. Given recent mandates and developing technologies, the United States is capable of developing a thriving cellulosic ethanol industry. In addition, algae has shown …

State Policies In The North Central Region Promoting Ethanol, Laura Demmel

Papers from "UHON395 Carbonomics: Can Bioenergy save the World?"

The government has played a major role in supporting the progress of the ethanol industry. This paper examines what influence state governments have had and presently have in the development, production, and expansion of ethanol manufacturing. A vast array of subsidies, mandates, and other government supports are utilized in planning, constructing, producing, and expanding ethanol facilities as well as promoting and influencing greater ethanol consumption. Three general areas are considered in this paper: outlinked support, factors of production subsidies, and intermediate goods subsidies. This paper examines state subsidies specifically found within a twelve-state area, known as the North Central Region …

Solar Energy: A Fresh Look At The Sun, Sarah Kruse

Papers from "UHON395 Carbonomics: Can Bioenergy save the World?"

This paper was my attempt to give solar energy a voice in the midst of discussion about the growing problems with global warming, fossil fuels, and bio-fuels. In reading and studying these topics, it becomes clear that with or without considering the damage fossil fuels are doing to the planet, there are many economic and political reasons to seriously consider alternative sources of energy. However, switching to new sources should be done with careful consideration of their own pros and cons. In my reading about solar energy, the pros seemed undeniable and the cons seemed surmountable. Solar energy has not …

Carbon Farming: A Look At Carbon Sequestration In Agriculture, Joshua Van De Walle

Papers from "UHON395 Carbonomics: Can Bioenergy save the World?"

Everywhere you look, there is someone talking about global warming or the environment. Currently, there is a lot of hype about the ethanol industry. People are genuinely interested in the environment, perhaps more than ever before. Therefore, I decided to write this paper on the carbon farming and how farmers can capture the economic benefit of sequestering carbon. I will explain the importance of carbon sequestration, what a cap-and-trade policy is, the ability for agriculture to help out, ways in which the farmer can help out, and how offsets can be provided by the newly created Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX).

China And Global Warming, Andrew Hassing

Papers from "UHON395 Carbonomics: Can Bioenergy save the World?"

China has recently become the world’s greatest greenhouse gas emitter, surpassing the United States. The unprecedented growth of the economy and population surpassed all expectations. Coal is the cheapest and most abundant source of energy for this expansion. Also, worries of energy dependence complicate the matters. The effects of global warming can be seen throughout the countryside. Although it does not currently have any mandatory emission regulations, China has put forth many initiatives to reverse this trend. More efficient technology is in development, such as advanced coal uses. Other sources of energy like hydroelectric, solar, wind, bio, and nuclear are …

Impact Of Biofuels On Forestland In Central America, Ayako Ebata

Papers from "UHON395 Carbonomics: Can Bioenergy save the World?"

Although biofuels are thought to be one of the solutions for reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the net effects might be ambiguous when indirect land use effects are incorporated. Along with the increasing price of biofuel crops, forest lands might be destroyed throughout the world. In this study, the net effect of the increases in U.S. production of corn due to ethanol demand is explored in terms of additional land impacts and deforestation in Central America. I present data from FAO and Searchinger et al, where it is suggested that the Central American region has been in the process …

Building A Lightweight Future For American Transportation, Jennifer D. Schmidt

Papers from "UHON395 Carbonomics: Can Bioenergy save the World?"

New materials are being sought out to replace steel in conventional American vehicles as a way to increase fuel efficiency. Carbon fiber composites are lightweight materials that could replace steel without decreasing strength or safety of a vehicle. These new composites have the possibility of reducing carbon dioxide emissions and increasing overall efficiency of a vehicle throughout its lifetime. Carbon fiber production has the potential to be less carbon intensive than steel production, and it could increase the efficiency of a manufacturing plant due to its compactness and to new technology. Fuel efficiency can be improved by using many techniques …

Updating The Farm Bill Safety Net In An Expanding Sea Of Risk, Wes Harris, Bradley Lubben, James Novak, Larry Sanders

Department of Agricultural Economics: Faculty Publications

Several months past due, the Food, Conservation and Energy Act (FCEA) of 2008 (P.L. 110-246) is now law. Reform, budget, and national and international politics were central issues fueling a debate that resulted in this new bill. Whether this new Farm Bill will ultimately succeed in providing an adequate farm and food safety net and whether it is a “good” or “bad” bill depends on one’s perspective. As to cost, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) scores the bill at $307 billion for a 5–year period (2008–2012), with 68% going to nutrition, 11% to commodity programs, 8% of estimated expenditures to …

Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Developments 2007-2008, Bruce Johnson, Ben Blomendahl, Ryan Lukassen

Nebraska Farm Real Estate Reports

In this, the 30th year of the UNL Farm Real Estate Market Developments Survey and report series, some of the most dramatic changes ever in the market have occurred. During the year ending February 1st 2008, the average value of Nebraska farmland rose 23%, the largest annual increase in the series. Virtually every region of the state experienced strong cropland value increases. Cash rental rates experienced record advances as well, with 2008 levels for the cropland classes being 17% to 24% higher than 2007 levels. Clearly, the agricultural real estate market has responded to crop commodity prices which have shot …

Community Vision Is Important To New Residents, Charlotte Narjes, Cheryl A. Burkhart-Kriesel

Cornhusker Economics

New residents to the Nebraska Panhandle want to see their communities succeed. To better understand the reasons new residents move to the Panhandle, twelve focus groups were held across the region. The focus groups are part of a University of NebraskaSLincoln research project funded by a 2006 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture National Research Initiative (USDA-NRI), looking at the characteristics and motivations of new residents in the eleven counties. The research project includes a demographic study, a mail survey to new residents, an iterative three-phase survey process to community development practitioners and a focus group of new …

California Ocean And Coastal Investment Study Final Report, Kildow

Publications

The National Ocean Economics Program (NOEP), in cooperation with the California Coastal Conservancy and the Ocean Protection Council (OPC), completed this study to provide an inventory of state expenditures for the coast and ocean for fiscal years 2005-06 (FY 2006) and 2006-07 (FY 2007). The purpose of the study is to understand where current public investments are being made and whether further investments need to occur to be consistent with the OPC Strategic Plan as well as those of various state programs.

North Central Risk Management Education Center, Cheryl Griffith

Cornhusker Economics

The North Central Risk Management Education Center (www.ncrme.org) has provided program coordination for extension risk management education in the North Central Region since 2001. Hosted at the University of Nebraska Agricultural Economics Department, the center recently received approval from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) for an additional $1.2 million in funding through 2010. By that time, six million dollars will have been awarded to the North Central Center for programming in risk management education.

The mission of the center is to provide producers in the North Central Region with the …

Understanding Nature-Based Tourism: What North Dakota Can Tell Us, Cheryl A. Burkhart-Kriesel

Cornhusker Economics

Rural communities, not only in the United States but also in foreign countries, are increasingly looking toward the tourism industry as a source for potential economic growth. One particular aspect of tourism, nature-based tourism, is often a good match for rural areas. Historically, businesses that provided hunting and fishing were some of the first nature-based tourism ventures. But today, nature-based tourism in rural areas encompass everything from guesthouse lodging and catering, to bird watching, canoeing and ranch or farm stays.

A 2008 article in Great Plains Research highlighted research results from a survey of business owners involved in rural tourism …

Ethanol And Food Prices: Preliminary Assessment, Richard K. Perrin

Department of Agricultural Economics: Faculty Publications

Food prices in the U.S. rose dramatically in 2007 and early 2008. Given the integration of the world markets for foodstuffs, prices increased around the world as well, leading to riots in a number of countries in early 2008. The popular press has tended to attribute these food price increases to demand for corn by the ethanol industry. Grain prices are one determinant of food prices, but they constitute less than 5% of food costs in the U.S.(a higher percentage elsewhere.) This paper focuses on the likely relationship between ethanol and food prices, ignoring the potential role of other important …

Another Successful Year For Nebraska Nama, Laura Witte, Rosalee A. Swartz

Cornhusker Economics

The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) is comprised of over 25 chapters in six regions nationwide and has more than 3,500 professional and student members. NAMA professionals have backgrounds in advertising, marketing, media and other areas of agribusiness. This year, eleven members of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) student chapter of NAMA attended the NAMA Annual Conference held April 15-18 in Kansas City, MO. The Conference proved to be an exciting experience, where the Nebraska team competed in the student marketing competition and vied for national awards and scholarships.

Over 30 student chapters participated in the marketing competition at the annual …

Non-Farm Proprietors And The Nebraska Economy: 1997-2006, Randolph L. Cantrell

Rural Initiative Program: Publications and Reports

Non-farm proprietors are of growing importance in the Nebraska economy. This paper utilizes recently released data from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) to further explore this important class of workers, and to identify trends in their distribution and impact across Nebraska’s 93 counties. These data demonstrate that growth in non-farm proprietor jobs has not been matched by growth in income for those jobs, and that the discrepancy between jobs and income is most pronounced in rural portions of the state.

A Sustainable Rural Nebraska: Academic Program Review For The Nebraska Rural Initiative, Sandra K. Scofield

Rural Initiative Program: Publications and Reports

The University of Nebraska Rural Initiative focuses the knowledge, skills and creativity of the four campuses (Kearney, Lincoln, Omaha and the Medical Center) upon stabilizing and enhancing the economy and quality of life in nonmetropolitan Nebraska. We are committed to working in partnership with federal, state and local governments, communities, businesses, agriculture, non-governmental organizations and other institutions of higher education to achieve our mission.

A key role of the Rural Initiative is to provide a bridge between NU faculty, students, campuses, and centers that are or can be actively engaged in cross-disciplinary research and outreach that may lead to practices …