Agriculture Commons^™

A Hedonic Analysis Of Farm Tractor Auction Prices, Madison Pearson, Chad Fiechter, Andy Campbell

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

Used farm machinery values play a critical role in farm management and in assessing the financial health of the agricultural sector. However, the heterogeneity of machines, particularly regarding embedded technology and usage, complicates efforts to isolate the factors that influence prices. This study leverages a detailed dataset from Tractor Zoom to estimate the effects of machine characteristics and market conditions on auction prices of used 300 to 450 horsepower tractors. We find a nonlinear relationship between machine usage and price: tractors with fewer than 500 hours of use lose approximately 118⁢𝑝⁢𝑒⁢𝑟⁢𝑎⁢𝑑⁢𝑑⁢𝑖⁢𝑡⁢𝑖⁢𝑜⁢𝑛⁢𝑎⁢𝑙⁢ℎ⁡𝑜⁢𝑢⁢𝑟,𝑤⁢ℎ⁡𝑖⁢𝑙⁢𝑒⁢𝑡⁢𝑟⁢𝑎⁢𝑐⁢𝑡⁢𝑜⁢𝑟⁢𝑠⁢𝑤⁢𝑖⁢𝑡⁢ℎ⁡𝑚⁢𝑜⁢𝑟⁢𝑒⁢𝑡⁢ℎ⁡𝑎⁢𝑛⁢10,000⁢ℎ⁡𝑜⁢𝑢⁢𝑟⁢𝑠⁢𝑠⁢ℎ⁡𝑜⁢𝑤⁢𝑜⁢𝑛⁢𝑙⁢𝑦⁢𝑎⁢𝑤⁢𝑒⁢𝑎⁢𝑘⁢𝑙⁢𝑦⁢𝑠⁢𝑖⁢𝑔⁡𝑛⁢𝑖⁢𝑓⁡𝑖⁢𝑐⁢𝑎⁢𝑛⁢𝑡⁢𝑑⁢𝑒⁢𝑐⁢𝑙⁢𝑖⁢𝑛⁢𝑒⁢𝑜⁢𝑓⁡𝑎⁢𝑏⁢𝑜⁢𝑢⁢𝑡2 per hour. We also document pronounced seasonal patterns, with …

Applied Reproductive Science: Technology, Ethics, And Management In Modern Animal Systems, Hagan Beach

Publications

This creative component course development project includes five (5) supplementary lessons focused on animal welfare concerns in livestock reproduction, biological foundations of ethical animal reproduction, responsible use of reproductive technology, ethical reproductive management, and ethical breeding decisions in livestock genetics. This resource also includes a teacher guide, supplementary instructional materials, assessment materials, implementation guidance, and reflection sections.

Together, these components give teachers a usable set of lessons and support materials for bringing ethical decision-making into animal science instruction. Although each lesson can stand on its own, the sequence was arranged to move from foundational reproductive science into more applied questions …

Buying Intention Of True Price Labelled Food Products For Different Motive-Based Consumer Segments, Machiel J. Reinders, Houkje Adema, Liam Dwyer, Ellen J. Van Loo

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Doubly Stochastic Model Of Government Interventions To Preserve Ecosystems Services In The Context Of Large-Scale Industrial Agriculture, Karma Brame, Wendy Calderon, Kaylee Clark, Josh Hiller, Natalia Negrete

Spora: A Journal of Biomathematics

Deforestation, driven by industrial agriculture and cattle farming, has significantly impacted communities and ecosystems across the globe. In this paper, we develop a discrete-time Markov model to evaluate the effectiveness of market-based interventions, such as payments for ecosystem services (PES) and taxes, in addressing forest loss within the context of large-scale agriculture. Specifically, we focus on how commodity price variability influences deforestation decisions. To model these price fluctuations, we represent agricultural prices as geometric Brownian motion (GBM). By linking commodity price dynamics to land use transitions, our model aims to provide insight into how financial mechanisms can slow or stop …

The Effect Of Climate Change On California’S Agricultural Economy, Anmol Singh

Honors Capstones

This study examines the relationship between climate variability and agricultural production in California, focusing on major specialty crops including almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and grapes. Using annual data from 1993 to 2023, the analysis evaluates how temperature and precipitation influence agricultural output while controlling for differences across crop types. The study employs ordinary least squares regression models using the natural logarithm of crop production as the dependent variable. In addition to a baseline linear specification, an extended nonlinear model including squared temperature and precipitation terms is estimated to test for potential nonlinear climate effects.

The results indicate that temperature has a …

A Jobs-To-Be-Done Framework For Mapping Digital Innovation Opportunities In Climate-Smart Agrifood Systems, Lourival Carmo Monaco Neto, Allan Gray

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

The agrifood sector faces well-documented barriers to climate-smart agriculture (CSA) adoption, reflecting systematic difficulty identifying where digital tools address specific stakeholder needs rather than a technology shortage. This paper presents a prescriptive framework for mapping digital innovation opportunities in complex, multi-stakeholder agrifood systems. Grounded in Jobs-to-be-Done (JTBD) theory and structured as a two-dimensional matrix of meta-jobs and value chain segments, the framework was developed through a design science research (DSR) paradigm evaluated on utility, coherence, and actionability. Construction involved a purposive synthesis of three literature streams and iterative refinement through 136 stakeholder engagements within a six-month university-affiliated startup studio cycle. …

The Effects Of Avian Influenza On Consumer Egg Prices In The United States, Jacob B. Franklin

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Undergraduate Honors Theses

Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) create major challenges to poultry supply chains due to the high mortality rates in flocks, leading to disruptions in production and higher costs for producers. Using quantitative data from Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, USDA, and National Agricultural Statistics Service, this research analyzes changes in egg production, retail prices, and regional variations throughout the United States for the 2022-2025 HPAI event. A time-series regression model was used to control for production costs, seasonal patterns, and regional differences. All of these measures come together to quantify the impact of HPAI outbreaks on consumer …

High Throughput Phenomics Pipeline For Pulse Crop Nutritional Breeding, Amod Udayanga Madurapperumage

All Dissertations

Dry pea (Pisum sativum L.), lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.), and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) are major pulse crops valued for their high nutritional composition and importance to global food systems. Pulses are rich in carbohydrates, protein, and essential minerals, making them ideal whole foods and critical contributors to food and nutrition security. Due to these advantages, pulse breeding programs are increasingly focusing on enhancing nutritional traits, such as protein quality, amino acid balance, and micronutrient density, through the process of biofortification. However, improvement of agronomic traits remains equally essential. Characteristics such as plant height, standability, stress tolerance, …

Exploring Google Trends In Assessing Personal Finance Needs For Cooperative Extension Service Programming, Megan Wells

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Cooperative Extension Service (CES) relies on systematic needs assessments to guide program development; yet, traditional approaches often depend heavily on stakeholder input and professional judgment, offering limited insight into consumer level needs. This mixed methods study explored Google Trends as a complementary, consumer driven data source for assessing Family Resource Management (FRM) needs within the Arkansas CES. Grounded in Witkin and Altschuld’s three level needs assessment framework and Uses and Gratifications Theory, the study integrated three data sources representing stakeholders, service providers, and consumers: (1) Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) advisory committee reports, (2) survey of Family Consumer Science …

Validation Of Rice Tissue Sampling For In-Season Nutrient Management Of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, And Potassium, Tanner Smith

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are the 3 most important nutrients involved in rice (Oryza sativa L.) growth and development. Tissue sampling has been proven to be a potential tool to provide inseason information about plant nutrient concentrations at specified timings and growth stages. With increased interest in tissue sampling and improving nutrient management effectiveness, more information is needed to validate plant tissue concentrations at which additional fertilizer inputs may be warranted. Experiments were conducted in 2024 and 2025 at the Rice Research and Extension Center (RREC) near Stuttgart, Ark.; Pine Tree Research Station (PTRS) near Colt, Ark.; …

A Q-Methodology Study Of How Viewers Within The Southeastern Circuit Perceive The Future Of The Western Sports Industry, Molly Mckettrick

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Western Sports occupy a unique position within American Culture, reflecting traditions rooted in agricultural communities and livestock practices, while also evolving as contemporary spectator events. Despite the growing visibility of Western Sports through media coverage on various digital platforms, there is limited research on how general audiences perceive the sport, which is the purpose of this study: to examine how viewers perceive the sport. This study examines viewer perspectives regarding the sport across various digital platforms, due to limited research on how general audiences perceive the sport while employing Q-Methodology to identify shared perspectives among spectators. A total of forty …

Unveiling Factors Influencing Extract Yield From Milled Rice In Brewing, Matthew Aitkens

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) presents a locally sourced, climate-resistant starch source for the brewing industry. As barley faces increased uncertainty due to rising temperatures, Arkansas-grown rice offers a more stable and cost-effective alternative starch source. However, the use of milled adjunct rice by brewers has remained limited, largely due to knowledge gaps about cultivar-specific properties relative to brewing. Chapter 1 provides an overview of rice as a brewing adjunct, reviewing the physiochemical properties important to brewing success. These properties include kernel size, kernel breakage, amylose content, and gelatinization temperature. Mashing strategies for multiple different brewing layouts are overviewed, showing practical …

Evaluation Of Maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance Administration And Feed Access Time On Finishing Cattle Performance, Behavior, And Carcass Characteristics, Carsten L. Loseke

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

Novel products and bunk management techniques may significantly influence economically relevant performance metrics of feedlot cattle. The objective of the first experiment was to evaluate maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance (mBAS) administration on performance, carcass, health, and cortisol outcomes of yearling steers. Steers (n = 1,754, initial BW = 423 kg, SD = 25 kg) were received and assigned to pens for treatment allocation. Steers received either 10 mL of the mBAS or a mineral oil placebo at initial processing and reimplant. Hair samples were collected from a subset (n = 4 steers/pen) on d 0 and d 14. …

Three Essays On Veterinary Drug Maximum Residue Limits, Akinbode Okunola

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

This dissertation consists of three essays: the first examines the prevalence of veterinary drug maximum residue limits (MRLs), the regulatory behavior of countries in setting these MRLs, and the degree of country-level compliance with international standards of Codex Alimentarius (Codex). The second evaluates the extent to which compliance with international standards across countries can help to manage potential transmission of resistant bacterial from animals to humans through consumption of contaminated meat, dairy and aquaculture products. The third focuses on how differences in regulatory standards across countries can impact international trade in the global beef, pork, and poultry markets.

The first …

Evaluating Short-Day And Intermediate-Day Sweet Onions As Early-Season High Tunnel Onions In West Virginia, Lewis Jett

Midwest Vegetable Trial Reports

High tunnels can be used to grow winter alliums such as onions, garlic and leeks.  Onions are  diverse and include groups such as short-day and intermediate-day bulb onions as well as non-bulbing scallions or green onions.  Onions can be diverse in color, size and shape.  Short day onions are typically sweet onions which start bulbing when photoperiods reach 10-12 hours. Short-day onions are typically planted in November-December in the Deep South of the U.S. for spring harvest.   Intermediate day onions start bulbing when the photoperiod is 12-14 hours.  Intermediate day onions are planted in the spring in the Mid-Atlantic region. …

Analyzing Criteria Air Pollutants And Meteorological Parameters In The Rio Grande Valley, Laredo, And Corpus Christi Region Of South Texas, Angela Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

Recently, the Rio Grande Valley has experienced significant population growth due to economic opportunities, cross-border commerce, SpaceX, and the Rio Grande and Texas liquid natural export terminal presence. The Rio Grande Valley has an estimated population of 1,368,723. This region is largely understudied, along with nearby urban centers such as Laredo and Corpus Christi. The Rio Grande Valley and Laredo regions are a concern due to their population growth and heavy cross-border transportation. Data from the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality Continuous Ambient Monitoring Sites was collected from January 1st , 2024, to December 31st, 2024. Statistical analysis, such as …

Mining The Usda Snap Bean Association Panel For Resilience: Genetic Dissection Of Heat And Disease Tolerance In Snap Bean, Atiya F. Khan

All Theses

Snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an economically and nutritionally important vegetable crop whose production is increasingly threatened by rising temperatures and emerging bacterial diseases, particularly in the southeastern United States. Heat stress during reproductive development can significantly reduce yield, while newly emerging pathogens such as Pseudomonas capsici present additional risks to crop productivity. This study leveraged the USDA Snap Bean Association Panel (SnAP) to investigate the genetic basis of heat tolerance and disease resistance and to identify germplasm and genomic regions useful for breeding resilient cultivars.

To evaluate heat tolerance, a subset of the SnAP panel was …

Conventional Vs. Regenerative Apple Orchard Management In Michigan, Anthony Poynter

Masters Theses

This study compares the variables and outcomes of a conventional apple orchard and a regenerative apple orchard production system in Kent County, Michigan. The premise is that conventional agriculture relies on high-input systems characterized by synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, while regenerative agriculture focuses on long-term soil health, biodiversity, and ecological processes. These differences are important as soil degradation, nutrient loss, and environmental impacts are becoming too significant to ignore. Most research on alternative ways to farm, such as regenerative practices, is focused on annual crops, while perennial orchard systems, especially in the Great Lakes region, have gained limited …

Refining Treatment Thresholds Of Insect Pests In South Carolina Soybeans Using Simulated Injury And Natural Populations, Adam Whitfield

All Dissertations

Insect pests are a major limiting factor to profitable soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., production in South Carolina, yet current economic thresholds are largely based on historical data and may not reflect modern cultivars, production practices, or input costs. Key insect pests in South Carolina can be categorized into three major feeding groups: defoliators, stem feeders, and pod feeders. Defoliating insects include, but are not limited to, soybean looper, Chrysodeixis includens (Walker); velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis (Hubner); green cloverworm, Hypena scabra (Fabricius); grasshoppers; and numerous species of beetles. Stem feeders include, but are not limited to, kudzu bug, Megacopta cribraria …

Are Sticky Prices Present In Us Ag Land Lease Rates, John Tyler Blazzard

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Land is an essential resource in production agriculture. Limited supply and high demand for land have resulted in increasing land values which are a barrier to entry for beginning farmers and ranchers with limited access to capital and credit. One way to overcome the high costs of purchasing land is to lease it. While more affordable than purchasing land, cash rents are also increasing. The objective of this research is to determine whether agricultural cash rents follow farm income symmetrically over time. This is accomplished by implementing Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regressions with two-way fixed effects which account for rental …