Agricultural Economics Commons^™

Feasibility Of Corn Stover For Biogas Production In Northwestern Illinois: A Case Study Of Jo Daviess And Carroll Counties, Anthony Amotoe-Bondzie

Masters Theses

The growing demand for renewable energy and sustainable waste management has intensified interest in agricultural residues such as bioenergy feedstocks. This study evaluated the feasibility of converting corn stover into biogas through anaerobic digestion (AD) in Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois, with consideration of the Savanna Industrial Park as a potential centralized processing hub. Although corn stover represents one of the largest biomass resources in the United States, this research identifies a critical gap between theoretical availability and practically recoverable feedstock. Using a mixed-methods framework, the study integrates biomass quantification, methane yield modeling, economic analysis, and policy assessment. Results …

The Loss Function Of Usda Forecasters: Evidence From Wasde Animal Product Price Forecasts, Chad Fiechter, Siddhartha S. Bora, Todd H. Kuethe

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

The loss function is a mathematical representation of the costs experienced by a forecaster when observed outcomes differ from what was predicted. Prior studies suggest that USDA forecasts are not optimal based on an assumed mean-zero quadratic loss function. This study proposes an alternative view of forecast evaluation, which assumes all USDA forecasts are produced to minimize the forecasters’ costs, and searches for the dimensions of the loss function under which optimality holds. We illustrate the degree to which USDA loss functions vary across a series of WASDE price forecasts. A better understanding of USDA forecasters’ costs will benefit forecasters …

Assessing Utah's Agricultural Producer And Small Processor Interest In Value-Added Food Production, Kynda R. Curtis, Makaylie Langford, Karin E. Allen, Ruby Ward

All Current Publications

In 2024, Utah State University researchers conducted a study of Utah agricultural producers and food processors interested in value-added food production. This fact sheet provides an overview of the study’s results on respondents’ operational details, including years in business, number of employees, and annual sales, as well as their interest in and rationale for expanding into value-added food production. It also discusses their current or planned timeframe for processing operation implementation, the types of products and markets involved, processing locations, and sales projections. Finally, it highlights the resources, tools, information, and services respondents identified as most useful for their processing …

Agricultural Producer And Food Maker Food Processing Operation Needs Assessment Overview, Makaylie Langford, Kynda R. Curtis, Karin E. Allen, Ruby Ward

All Current Publications

In 2024, Utah State University conducted a study of Utah's farmers, ranchers, and food makers related to value-added food production and processing. This fact sheet provides an overview of the survey results related to respondents, their operations, products, and marketing outlets. It also discusses respondents’ familiarity with key regulatory and resource organizations, the types of products and business resources they find difficult to obtain or access, and the primary obstacles to their processing operations. These results can be used by Extension faculty, policymakers, agricultural organizations, and local economic development agencies to guide targeted support for Utah’s farmers, ranchers, and …

Target Consumers For Beef Jerky, Kynda R. Curtis, Makaylie Langford, Karin E. Allen, Ruby Ward

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes the target market (consumer group) for packaged beef jerky, based on survey data collected from a Utah State University study in the fall of 2024. It includes details of the study and recommendations for beef jerky producers and retailers.

Applied Research For Corn Production In Indiana, 2024, Daniel Quinn

Purdue University Press Books

The 2024 edition of Applied Research for Corn Production in Indiana offers accessible, research-based tips for farmers who want to improve corn production practices by using applied field-research trials. Daniel Quinn and the Purdue University Corn Agronomy team reveal practical ways to boost yields, reduce costs, and improve sustainability on the farm. Their findings are derived from applied research trials across the state and relate to important topics such as planting practices, fertilizer use, crop nutrition, cover crops, and new technologies. Applied Research for Corn Production in Indiana distills complex research into clear insights and supplies corn producers with effective …

Applied Research For Corn Production In Indiana, 2023, Daniel Quinn

Purdue University Press Books

The 2023 edition of Applied Research for Corn Production in Indiana offers accessible, research-based tips for farmers who want to improve corn production practices by using applied field-research trials. Daniel Quinn and the Purdue University Corn Agronomy team reveal practical ways to boost yields, reduce costs, and improve sustainability on the farm. Their findings are derived from applied research trials across the state and relate to important topics such as planting practices, fertilizer use, crop nutrition, cover crops, and new technologies. Applied Research for Corn Production in Indiana distills complex research into clear insights and supplies corn producers with effective …

Determinants Of Farmers’ Choices Of Adaptation Strategies In Rural Semi-Arid Agricultural Communities Of Tanzania: A Case Study Of Mwanga And Same Districts In Kilimanjaro Region, Bahati Ally Magesa

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Climate change is a global phenomenon that poses a significant threat to agricultural farming and the livelihoods of farmers, particularly in semi-arid regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. Since agriculture is the primary source of employment in the region, enhancing the sector’s adaptive capacity has become increasingly important. This paper examines the key determinants influencing farmers’ choices of adaptation strategies to climate change impacts in the Mwanga and Same Districts of Tanzania. A total of 200 farmers participated in a household survey conducted using a simple random sampling technique. A binary logistic regression model was employed to analyse the association between selected …

White Nose Syndrome In Bats And Infant Mortality In Georgia, Rhys Medcalfe, Sean Medcalfe, Simon Medcalfe

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: White nose syndrome (WNS) is a disease in bats caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans that can result in bat mortality rates of over 90%. WNS was discovered in Georgia in 2012 in 3 counties but has continued to spread to 14 counties as of 2023, with P. destructans detected in a further seven. Biodiversity loss has been linked to human health outcomes including infant mortality. Understanding the link between WNS, biodiversity loss, and infant mortality in Georgia is important because Georgia ranks 42^nd out of the 50 states for infant mortality rate.

Methods: Using panel data from …

Essays On The Economics Of Farmland Valuation And Investment In U.S. Agriculture, Colson Tester

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents three empirical essays that collectively advance the understanding of farmland valuation in key U.S. agricultural regions, emphasizing the critical advantages of comprehensive, transaction-based data over traditional survey methods. Farmland represents a significant portion of agricultural wealth, and its accurate valuation is crucial for farmers, investors, and policymakers, influencing everything from credit access to investment strategies. Historically, research has often relied on subjective survey data, which can suffer from biases, inaccuracies, and insufficient granularity. This dissertation addresses these limitations by leveraging extensive datasets of arm’s-length farmland transactions, offering a more precise and market-driven perspective on land values. The …

From Fruit To Nut: Revisiting Pili Nut (Canarium Ovatum Engl.) Production Capacities And Value-Adding Activities In Sorsogon, Philippines, Joey Richard V. Dio, Ryan V. Dio, Dulce Corazon F. Lacson

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The value chain of agricultural products significantly influences their profitability and socio-economic contribution. This study developed a descriptive model of the pili (Canarium ovatum Engl.) nut value chain in Sorsogon, the primary producer in the Philippines, and the only province with large-scale commercial operations. Using a descriptive research approach, data were collected through purposive interviews with 15 key informants—farmers, processors, and traders—guided by Porter’s value-chain framework. Results indicate that Sorsogon produces about 3 times the quantity required daily (< 2,233 kg) by Bicol-based processors, leading to underutilization and post-harvest losses attributed to limited storage facilities and market linkages. The processing stage, which converts pili fruits into nuts and kernels, demonstrates the highest operational efficiency, while the trading stage remains constrained by limited market access. Stakeholders often perform overlapping functions, and traditional sun-drying methods remain common. Furthermore, an aging farming population, limited succession planning, and inconsistent implementation of food safety standards continue to pose challenges to industry growth. These inefficiencies result in reduced profitability and restrict expansion. Strengthening the value chain through improved processing systems, broader market integration, and streamlined production activities is necessary to enhance economic returns and support the sustainable growth of Sorsogon’s pili nut industry.

Integrated Pest Management Adoption, Pesticide Handling And Knowledge Gaps Among Cotton Farmers In Tanzania: Implications For Human And Environmental Health, Sospeter Jibunge Charles

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The global demand for cotton has risen significantly due to its extensive use in the textile and manufacturing industries, making it one of the most valuable cash crops worldwide. However, this growing demand for cotton production is severely threatened by the currently emerging pests which are intensified by the occurring of climate change and variability. As a result, many smallholder farmers have increasingly turned to chemical pesticides use to control the pests and maintain cotton production. But, while pesticides are effective in controlling pests and improving yields, their improper use and mismanagement pose serious risks to human health and the …

Characterizing The Relationship Between Parturition In Beef Cattle And The Lunar Phase And Meteorological Factors., Caroline E. Chambers

Honors College Theses

For beef cattle, parturition is one of the most critical stages in the reproductive process. It is crucial that farmers understand the factors that may influence the timing of parturition. There is a persistent preconception that the onset of parturition is influenced by the lunar phase and weather factors. The objective of this study is to characterize the association between parturition in beef cattle, the lunar phase, and/or different weather factors such as barometric pressure and temperature. Cattle records were obtained from Chambers Family Farm in Cumberland Furnace, TN. Data was collected from 142 calvings from January 2017 to October …

Fragmentation In The U. S. Fed Cattle Market: Implications For Price Transparency And Discovery, Taralee M. Hudson

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

The U.S. fed cattle market is one plagued by recurring stakeholder concern. Market participants frequently raise questions about the transparency of fundamental information under existing reporting frameworks, and the extent to which Private Negotiation, the dominant trading institution, effectively facilitates price discovery. Although extensive research has sought to address these issues, much of it has failed to account for the market’s increasingly fragmented structure. This thesis is comprised of three chapters that collectively examine price transparency and discovery through the lens of market fragmentation. Each chapter presents research related to the fed cattle market and is intended to stand …

The Economics Of Us Row Crop Production With Large-Scale Autonomous Machines, Joshua Strine, Chad Fiechter, James Lowenberg-Deboer

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

Labor challenges are underpinning large multinational farm machine manufacturers' development of autonomy solutions for their large-scale machine offerings. This study simulates a linear optimization model to examine the economics of large-scale autonomous machines for a rotational maize and soybean farm in the Midwest US. Results support the hypothesis that autonomous machines can be economically viable for farms facing severe labor shortages. However, under current technology and pricing structures, conventional mechanization remains the most profitable option for farms with reliable labor. Critical factors shaping the competitiveness of autonomy include subscription fees, field efficiency, and human supervision requirements. As these factors evolve, …

Farm Efficiency And Precision Agriculture Technology, Chad Fiechter, Brady Brewer, Jennifer Ifft, Michael Boehlje

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

Precision agriculture technology (PAT) is often viewed as a potential driver of future efficiency gains in farming. Using within-farm variation from an unbalanced panel of Kansas farms, this study examines the impact of PAT bundles on efficiency in generating gross revenue. On average, we find little evidence that these technologies improve efficiency. However, among less efficient farms, several bundles are linked to notable efficiency gains, underscoring the importance of accounting for farm heterogeneity.

Two Essays On Agricultural Trade Policy And Total Factor Productivity, Hanifi Otgun

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

This dissertation consists of two essays: the first examines the welfare and trade implications of the 2016–2017 drought in Brazil and the subsequent temporary import ban on Robusta coffee; the second examines how trade openness influences agricultural total factor productivity across 26 NUTS-2 regions in Türkiye from 2013 to 2020.

The first essay focuses on Brazil, a major Robusta coffee producer and exporter that faced a significant drought in 2016–17, reducing Robusta output. In response, the government initially allowed one million 60-kg bags of Robusta coffee to be imported. An import ban was imposed shortly afterward due to lobbying by …

Assessing Crop Rotation Productivity, Soil Health, And Fertility, And Economic Performance, To Enhance Semi-Arid High Plains Cropping Systems Sustainability, Ezequiel Maria Villamil

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

Sustainable crop production in the semi-arid High Plains of Nebraska faces challenges from limited precipitation, high interannual variability, and economic risk. This dissertation investigates the long-term productivity, water use, soil health, and economic sustainability of dryland crop rotations, with emphasis on the role of pulses as alternatives to fallow.

Chapter 1 analyzes nearly three decades (1995–2023) of on-farm data from the High Plains Agricultural Laboratory (Sidney, Nebraska) to compare seven crop rotations, including wheat, corn, millet, sunflower, and field peas. Results showed that wheat–corn–fallow (W–C–F) consistently outperformed traditional wheat–fallow (W–F) and more intensified four-year rotations, providing the highest grain yields, …

Economically Optimal Soil Sampling Density And Application Technology For Potassium Fertilizer For Soybean In The Mid-Southern Us, Bayarbat Badarch, Aurelie Poncet, Shelby Ridar, Nathan Slaton, Michael Popp

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

To maximize beneficial potassium (K) fertilizer use in irrigated soybean (Glycine max. (L.) Merr.) fields with spatially varying soil-test K (STK), the value of added information from more precise STK maps must be greater than the associated information collection costs. In eleven fields, we modeled the impact of soil sampling densities (SD) ranging from 2.2 samples ha-1 in the largest field (41.2 ha) to 13.59 samples ha-1 in the smallest field (7.4 ha) on STK maps with 0.4 ha grid size. The accuracy of profit-maximizing fertilizer rate prescription maps varied by SD and subsequent yield estimates using either uniform …

Evaluating Policy And Industry-Based Interventions For Healthier Online Food-Away-From-Home Choices: A Scoping Review, Vincenzina Caputo, Jiayu Sun, Ellen J. Van Loo

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

The rapid digital transformation of the food-away-from-home (FAFH) sector has redefined how consumers access and select meals. Digital delivery platforms such as Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Meituan have become influential market intermediaries, shaping the nutritional landscape of food environments and raising concerns about their healthfulness. This study reviews empirical evidence on policy-based and industry-led interventions aimed at improving dietary outcomes in digital FAFH environments. Following PRISMA guidelines and using machine-learning–assisted screening (ASReview), 37 peer-reviewed studies were identified across four domains: nutritional labeling, fiscal measures, food-assistance programs, and digital nudges or decision-support tools. Findings indicate that although traditional food-policy instruments designed …