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on Environmental Economics |
| By: | Wright, Andrew P; Hudson, Darren |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2012–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea12:119819&r=env |
| By: | Lee, Jaehyuk; Nadolnyak, Denis; Hartarska, Valentina |
| Abstract: | We analyze the impact of climate change on agricultural production in 13 Asian countries for 1998-2007 estimating country-level FE panel model using climate variables. Higher summer temperature and rainfall increase production, higher fall temperature decreases it in Southeast Asia, and increase in annual temperature decreases agricultural production in Asian countries. |
| Keywords: | climate change, production, food security, Asia, Environmental Economics and Policy, Food Security and Poverty, Production Economics, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea12:119808&r=env |
| By: | Brown, Rachael M.; Dillon, Carl; Schieffer, Jack; Shockley, Jordan |
| Abstract: | This study estimates the carbon footprint of a Henderson County, Kentucky grain farmer under different production strategies; traditional farming and precision agriculture technologies. Four constrained optimization, whole farm analysis models were formulated under no-till conditions. One of the models was optimized without utilizing any precision agriculture techniques and was used as a base model to compare the other three models which incorporated precision agriculture technologies (PAT). The three technologies investigated include sub-meter auto-steer, RTK auto-steer and automatic section control (ASC). These models are used to analyze the different production systems to determine if said technologies increase expected net returns and enhance the carbon input:output ratio. Given the levels of anthropogenic greenhouse gases released by the agricultural sector, quantifying the potential reduction in these gases due to the adoption of PAT is essential in seeing exactly how PAT can alter the impacts to the environment. The results show that all precision agriculture techniques produce a Pareto improvement over the base model. Specifically, automatic section control gave the greatest improvement with a mean net return that was 0.59% over the base. RTK provided the most significant enhancement in the carbon ratio with an improvement of 2.42% over the base model. All of these improvements over the base scenario can to the adoption of precision agriculture technology. |
| Keywords: | Resource and Environmental Economics, Production Economics, Precision Agriculture, Farm Management, Policy, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Production Economics, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea12:119802&r=env |
| By: | Tack, Jesse; Ubilava, David |
| Abstract: | El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) teleconnections imply anomalous weather conditions around the globe, causing yield shortages, price changes, and even civil unrests. Extreme ENSO events may cause catastrophic damages to crop yields, thus amplifying downside risk for producers. This study presents a framework for quantifying the effects of climate on crop yield distributions. An empirical application provides estimates of the effect that ENSO events have on the means of U.S. county-level corn yield distributions, as well as the probabilities of catastrophic crop loss. Our findings demonstrate that ENSO events strongly influence these probabilities systematically over large production regions, which has important implications for research and policy analysis in the production, risk management, climate change, and civil unrest literatures. |
| Keywords: | Climate, El Nino Southern Oscillation, Maximum Entropy, Risk, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, Production Economics, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea12:119785&r=env |
| By: | Penn, Jerrod; Hu, Wuyang; Cox, Linda; Kozloff, Lara |
| Abstract: | Much of Hawaiiâs economy relies on its unique marine environments, which are threatened by degradation from stormwater runoff. Using a stated preference method of choice-based conjoint (CBC) analysis, based on stylized photographs, this study examines both residentsâ and visitorsâ marginal value for levels of attributes associated with Hawaiian beach recreation. Each attribute (sand quality, water quality, congestion and water safety conditions) was significant for both residents and tourists, with water quality being the single most important attribute. There is little distinction between resident and tourist marginal value, except for a greater value lost for below average water quality among tourists. |
| Keywords: | Nonmarket Valuation, WTP, Beach, Environmental Economics and Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2012–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea12:119813&r=env |
| By: | Barfield, Ashley; Bergstrom, John; Ferreira, Susana |
| Abstract: | The production of many crops depends on biotic pollination. As pollinator populations decline, assessments of the potential consequential loss of economic value are critical. We estimate the economic value of pollination services ($608 million), crop vulnerability ratio (21 percent), and pollinationâs contribution to agricultural production value (5 percent) for Georgia. |
| Keywords: | Pollination, Colony Collapse Disorder, Georgia, Bioeconomic, Value, Vulnerability, Ecosystem Services, Crops, Honeybees, Pollinators, Pollination Dependency, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2012–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea12:119780&r=env |
| By: | Ferreira, Vera (cieo - research centre for spatial and organizational dynamics); Panagopoulos, Thomas (cieo - research centre for spatial and organizational dynamics) |
| Abstract: | Soil erosion is serious economic and environmental concern. Assessing soil erosion risk in the Alqueva dam watershed is urgently needed to conserve soil and water resources and prevent the accelerated dam siltation, taking into account the possible land-use changes, due to tourism development, intensification of irrigated farming and biomass production, as well as climate change. A comprehensive methodology that integrates Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with geostatistical techniques was adopted to study different land-use and management scenarios. The main objective of this study stage is to determine the soil erosion vulnerability of an agro-silvo pastoral system. The resultant soil erosion map shows an average of 14.1 t/ha/ year, with serious erosion risk (higher than 50 t/ha/year) in 4.3% of area. The highest values are associated mainly to high slopes and low vegetation. The final prediction maps for soil erosion and for each factor considered, can be used as a solid base to create a Decision Support System so as to provide specific procedures for decision-makers, promoting for sustainability of the ecosystems, reducing the risk of erosion and consequently increase lifetime of dam, under various land use and management scenarios |
| Keywords: | Soil Erosion; Land-use; Geostatistic; RUSLE; Geographic Information System |
| JEL: | Q01 Q15 Q24 |
| Date: | 2012–01–23 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:cieodp:2012_004&r=env |
| By: | Jensen, Jennifer; Dicks, Mike |
| Abstract: | The research addresses the economic problem of deforestation. A contributing factor to deforestation is coffee production. Coffee is an indigenous plant that is naturally occurring in the native tropical forests. However, conventional coffee is grown on cleared forest soil. In the native forest there is the potential for additional fruits (bananas, mangoes, avocados) and wood products while in the conventional coffee production system the only product is coffee. Conventional coffee production often causes deforestation and soil erosion while the organic coffee production system does not. In addition, the price risk associated with the coffee monoculture is high and has proven disastrous to the sustainability of coffee production in past years. Thus, determining the comparative cost and return between the two methods can provide important information for coffee producers. The purpose of the research is to determine the per acre profitability between conventional and organic coffee. This will be determined by researching the distribution of quantity on representative plots. This will help identify any size or scale economies. Determining the difference in profit per acre between organic and conventional coffee production included identifying and working with production stakeholders, engaging in fieldwork, site and case study selection, and determining measurable, non-market benefits and costs that pertain to environmental and community factors. This included, but is not limited to fertilization, water, pesticide use, and timber harvest. |
| Keywords: | coffee, inputs, outputs, species variation, Costa Rica, organic, conventional, Agribusiness, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, International Relations/Trade, Risk and Uncertainty, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea12:119864&r=env |
| By: | Uematsu, Hiroki; Mishra, Ashok K. |
| Abstract: | The objective of this study is to estimate the impact of natural amenity on farmland values in the contiguous United States using a quantile regression approach and data from the 2006, 2007, and 2008 Agricultural Resource Management Surveys. The contribution of this study is three-fold. First, we explicitly include variables representing natural amenity and soil characteristics of farmland. Second, we employ a quantile regression approach to examine potentially heterogeneous impacts of natural amenity and soil characteristics at different quantiles of farmland values. Third, we utilized data from a nationwide survey of farm household to examine findings in studies using regional data are consistent at a national scale. Our quantile regression analysis offers some insightful results. Natural amenity is positively correlated with farmland values and its impact is often more pronounced at a higher price range of farmland. |
| Keywords: | Farmland Values, Quantile Regression, Natural Amenity, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, C14, Q15, Q24, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea12:119804&r=env |
| By: | Wang, Hua; Caffey, Rex H.; Petrolia, Daniel R. |
| Abstract: | In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) was established to integrate programs for habitat restoration and infrastructure protection. The Authority has begun aligning the stateâs coastal spending to reflect increasing public interest in the restoration of surface acreage. Concurrent with these changes, programmatic emphasis has been placed on rapid land building (RLB) techniques that rely on mechanical dredges and sediment conveyance pipelines to build new land. The apparent costs and benefits of this approach are increasingly compared in the scientific community to more traditional and natural methods of restoration, such as freshwater diversions (DIV). Given limited state and federal budgets for coastal restoration, advocates of these competing approaches have disagreed on a number of levels related to project efficacy. Petrolia et al. (2009) explored measures of cost-efficacy for RLB technologies and focused on sediment dredging costs associated with varying project scales. This research extends that analysis by developing a series of detailed generic models that incorporate time and risk considerations within a benefit-cost construct. |
| Keywords: | Coastal Restoration, Wetland, Economics, Benefit-Cost, Marsh Creation, Freshwater Diversion, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea12:119740&r=env |
| By: | Tur Cardona, Juan; Wailes, Eric; Dixon, Bruce; Danforth, Diana |
| Abstract: | Multifunctional agriculture is particularly fundamental to some working lands conservation policies and programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), Conservation Security Program (CSP) and Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP). Farmers can also be engaged in providing recreational and agri-tourism services such as hunting, fishing, bird-watching, farm tours, petting zoos and hospitality services. Using the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) we analyze factors associated with participation in conservation, recreation and agri-tourism activities as a function of farm structure, farm financial measures, production practices, and socio-demographic characteristics of the farm operator. To estimate the functional relationships we estimate a binary logistic model where the dependent variable takes a value equal to one if the farm operator reports in the ARMS survey participation in conservation programs, recreation or agritourism. Results show that the level of farm operator education and cultural practices that use conservation technical assistance are significant at the 0.01 and 0.10 levels, respectively, in explaining participation. Farm financial characteristics were not significant. Location (state where operator is located) is also not significant. |
| Keywords: | multifunctional agriculture, agri-environmental policy, rice, logistic model, Agricultural and Food Policy, Land Economics/Use, Q18, Q26, Q28, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea12:119768&r=env |
| By: | Vaz, Eric (cieo - research centre for spatial and organizational dynamics); Walczinska, Agnieszka (Heidelberg University) |
| Abstract: | Erosion has been a distress on anthropogenic activity since antiquity. The changes in spatial properties in coastal changes in wetland systems have had a constantly mutating morphology, often obliging economic activity to readapt itself to the geomorphological conditions. This has had a profound impact on a common territorial identity based on the land use processes of regions prone to geomorphological change. The case of fisheries in the Algarve for instance, where often local catchments would be a support for economic activity in Mediterranean regions, are a vision of economic and historical activity that has changed, not only due to economic transitions, but also due to availability of resources and natural phenomena such as coastal erosion. Wetland and coastal systems are coined with the existence of over 70% of all human activity, all of these intricate relations of environmental and socio-economic change occur at a spatial level and where economic activity is often present. The manifested physical effect on the geophysical and land changes is evident in the occurring consequences on land cover, but also on land use types and anthropogenic exploration of these areas. A deeper understanding of the changes occurring at territorial level simultaneously on the tendencies on coastal erosion, allow monitoring of most adequate actions in fragile regions. This paper proposes an integrated assessment based on spatial analysis and quantitative spatial methodologies as to allow a methodology of analyzing change, and studying the impacts registered in the valuable stretch of the Ria Formosa in Portugal |
| Keywords: | Coastal Change; Territorial Dynamics; Spatial Modelling; Coastal Systems; Spatial Analysis |
| JEL: | Q01 R14 R52 |
| Date: | 2012–01–23 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:cieodp:2012_002&r=env |
| By: | Jones, DeDe; Mayfield, Gid |
| Abstract: | Prairie dogs are burrowing rodents located throughout the United States. The black-tailed prairie dog is a common species that primarily inhabits the Great Plains region, with a large population in Texas. While these animals continue to thrive in many locations, there has been a significant reduction in numbers over the past one hundred years. Several conservation efforts have attempted to remedy this situation. The Black-tailed Prairie Dog Conservation and Management Plan is a long-term monitoring program between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and cooperating landowners. This planâs purpose is to develop a strategy that conserves the species while simultaneously protecting property rights. One of the planâs recommended methods for keeping populations at manageable levels is recreational hunting. This practice provides several landowner benefits, including species control and economic returns. The following study explores three land use scenarios related to implementing a prairie dog hunting operation. It provides a ten-year financial impact and risk assessment for a typical Texas Panhandle producer. |
| Keywords: | Prairie Dogs, Texas Ranching, Risk Management, Agribusiness, Agricultural Finance, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Financial Economics, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea12:119764&r=env |
| By: | Panagopoulos, Thomas (ceio - research centre for spatial and organizational dynamics) |
| Abstract: | The present paper present some of the adverse ecological parameters studied for the assessment of reclamation of the lignite spoil heaps of Ptolemaida in North Greece. Natural revegetation was the first step before reclamation began and it was studied. Natural vegetation of lignite spoil heaps was heterogeneous and 7 plant communities were identified, described and mapped. Soil samples geographically positioned indicated that the spoil heaps were heterogeneous and with many unfavourable physicochemical properties. Soil properties were related to natural vegetation and were indicators in assessment of reclamation potentiality of the site. Surface soil temperatures reached 62oC during summer and temperature difference observed between the lightest and darkest spoil materials was 12oC. Between a bare soil and a soil covered by natural vegetation, the soil temperature difference was nearly 20oC. In order to understand the variation of soil properties, graphical interpretation was done with the use of geostatistics in a geographic information system. Cross validation was used to compare the prediction performances of the geostatistical interpolation algorithms. Site quality was estimated from soil properties and natural vegetation composition. The prediction maps resulting from the interpolation techniques help to determine which areas had optimal conditions for forest species development and landscape reclamation success |
| Keywords: | Geostatistics; Landscape Reclamation; Soil Temperature; Lignite Mine |
| JEL: | Q01 Q15 Q24 |
| Date: | 2012–01–23 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:cieodp:2012_003&r=env |
| By: | Atreya, Ajita; Susana, Ferreira |
| Abstract: | We use hedonic property models to estimate the spatial variation in flood risk in the city of Albany, GA. In addition to knowing whether a property is in the floodplain, we have a unique dataset with actual inundation maps from tropical storm Alberto that hit Albany in 1994. In the absence of information on the structural damages caused by a flood, having information on the actual inundated area can be useful to tease out information effect of a new flood from potential reconstruction cost. We find that the discount in actually inundated properties is larger which supports our hypothesis that homeowners respond better to what they have visualized (âseeing is believingâ) and also the potential reconstruction cost in addition to information effect is capitalized in property prices. |
| Keywords: | Flood Risk, Inundation, Spatial, Discount, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, Q, R, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea12:119738&r=env |
| By: | Asci, Serhat; Borisova, Tatiana; VanSickle, John J.; Zotarelli, Lincoln |
| Abstract: | This study focuses on development of agricultural best management practices (BMPs) for potato production areas in Northeast Florida, and presents the results of the initial situation assessment. BMP implementation is the primary strategy used by agencies and farmers to improve the efficiency and to ensure environmental sustainability of agricultural production. Although BMPs are defined as âeconomically feasibleâ and âcost-effectiveâ, economic analysis conducted as a part of BMP development has been limited, leaving the room for disagreement about economic impacts of specific BMPs. As a part of the situation assessment, we used interviews, group discussions, a survey, and a field trip to collect information about farmersâ production practices and to examine farmersâ opinions about BMP development process. Then, partial budget analysis was used determine the relative impacts of various factors (including the implementation of nitrogen fertilization management BMP) on production returns. Finally, an economic model is proposed to incorporate production risk analysis in BMP evaluation process. |
| Keywords: | Florida potato production, partial budget analysis, risk analysis, best management practice, nitrogen fertilization, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Production Economics, Risk and Uncertainty, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea12:119797&r=env |
| By: | Vorotnikova, Ekaterina; VanSickle, John; Borisova, Tatiana |
| Abstract: | The objective of this study was to examine the economic benefits associated with precision fungicide application system for Florida strawberry production. Given the weather and disease forecast system developed by the University of Florida researchers (Peres, 2010a , strawberry growers can potentially 1) reduce fungicide application rates during cool and dry conditions without affecting yields, thus reducing production costs; or 2) apply fungicide at the precise time of high disease pressure during warm and wet weather, therefore, decreasing disease development and spread, and increasing the yields and profits. |
| Keywords: | fungicide application reduction, precision disease management system, strawberry, effect on yield, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Production Economics, Risk and Uncertainty, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea12:119791&r=env |
| By: | Bangsund, Dean A.; Hodur, Nancy M.; Leistritz, F. Larry; Nudell, Dan |
| Abstract: | The uncertain future of the Conservation Reserve Program has created substantial interest for agricultural producers, rural businesses, community leaders, sportsmen, and wildlife organizations. Many regions of the upper Great Plains have participated heavily in the CRP as evidenced by program acreage reaching land enrollment limits; however, current enrollment and re-enrollment criterion are expected to substantially reduce CRP acreage in many parts of the Great Plains. The divergence of interests between pursing post-CRP lands for agricultural production versus retaining the wildlife habitat and wildlife populations supported on CRP lands presents land owners and agricultural producers with important land management decisions over the next several years. This research examines the regional economic implications of post-CRP land use among traditional agricultural uses, wildlife production, and multiple-use practices. Of particular interest is whether multiple-use management on post-CRP lands can produce similar returns to landowners and producers as traditional land uses, and determine the effects of multiple-use management on post-CRP lands on regional economic output. A multiple-use system implemented on post-CRP lands based primarily on beef grazing while producing corn and barley for forage and retaining a portion of acreage in dedicated wildlife habitat would not compete economically with other conventional land uses. The net change in gross receipts within the regional economy from agricultural uses of post-CRP lands exceeded lost recreational expenditures in all scenarios evaluated. |
| Keywords: | North Dakota, Conservation Reserve Program, Recreation, Agriculture, Land Management, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2011–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:nddaae:119832&r=env |
| By: | Register, D. Lane; Lambert, Dayton M.; English, Burton C.; Jensen, Kimberly L.; Menard, R. Jamey; Wilcox, Michael D. |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes the geographic distribution of âgreen energyâ sector clustering in the lower 48 United States using recent developments in industry concentration analysis. Evidence suggests that the ten green energy subsectors and the aggregate of the firms comprising the green energy sector are regionally concentrated. Positive changes in industry concentration from 2002 to 2006 tended to be greatest in non-metropolitan counties, suggesting comparative advantage with respect to site location for the composite of firms making up these sectors. |
| Keywords: | Agglomeration, Location Quotient, Renewable Energy, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Industrial Organization, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea12:119742&r=env |
| By: | Hristovska, Tatjana; Watkins, Bradley; Anders, Merle |
| Abstract: | Arkansas is the top domestic rice producer, representing nearly half of total U.S. rice production. Sediment is one of the major pollutants in rice producing areas of Arkansas. In order to mitigate this problem no-tillage management is often recommended. No-tillage is not well understood by farmers who believe that no-till is less profitable due to lower yields offsetting cost savings. This study evaluates the profitability and variability of no-till in the typical rice-soybean rotation used in Arkansas rice production. Crop yields, prices and prices for key production inputs (fuel and fertilizer) are simulated for the rotation, and net return distributions for rice, soybean and the two-year rotation are evaluated for no-till and conventional till using stochastic efficiency with respect to a function (SERF) analysis. The results indicate that both risk neutral and risk-averse rice producers would prefer no-till over conventional till management in the two year rice-soybean rotation, and that no-till soybeans contribute greatly to the overall profitability of the rotation. |
| Keywords: | simulation, rice-soybean, no tillage-profitability, risk analysis, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea12:119676&r=env |
| By: | Salifu, Abdul; Grogan, Kelly; Spreen, Thomas; Roka, Fritz |
| Keywords: | citrus greening, huanglongbing, asian citrus psyllid, Crop Production/Industries, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea12:119748&r=env |
| By: | Gedikoglu, Haluk |
| Abstract: | Current study analyzed the socio-economic factors that impact farmersâ willingness to grow switchgrass and Miscanthus in Missouri and Iowa. The results of study show that current level of farmersâ willingness to grow either crop is low. Hence, there are barriers to accomplishing to goal of producing 21 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol by 2022, as set by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The results of the ordered probit regressions show that farmers with higher education levels and smaller farm sales are more willing to grow energy crops. The results of this study show that currently growing energy crops is more attractive to small farms as a source of crop diversification, rather than an alternative crop production in the big scale by large farms. |
| Keywords: | Bioenergy, Cellulosic Ethanol, Switchgrass, Miscanthus, Ordered Probit, Agricultural and Food Policy, Environmental Economics and Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2012–01–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea12:119663&r=env |
| By: | Haque, Mohua; Biermacher, Jon T.; Kering, Maru K.; Gureztky, John A. |
| Abstract: | There is limited information available explaining the agronomic and economic relationships between yield and nitrogen and phosphorus applications to growing switchgrass produced in phosphorus-deficient soils. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on feedstock yield and measures of expected total cost, gross revenue, net return, and breakeven price of feedstock produced in phosphorus-deficient soils in the southern Great Plains. Data were collected from a three-year, two-location agronomic field study conducted in south-central Oklahoma. Two discrete nitrogen treatments (0 and 134 kg ha-1) and four discrete phosphorus treatments (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg ha-1) were randomly assigned to small plots arranged in a randomized complete block designed (RCBD) study. Random effects mixed ANOVA models were used to estimate the effects of nitrogen, phosphorus and nitrogen by phosphorus interactions on feedstock yield and the economic variables specified. Results showed that, on average over site-years, switchgrass yield increases from 10.5 to 12.3 Mg ha-1 with the highest (101-kg ha-1) treatment; however, we found no statistical difference in net profitability between phosphorus treatments. Yield and net return did respond significantly to 135 kg-1 of N ha-1. Our results suggest that phosphorus-deficient soils do not seem to have the same impact on switchgrass yield and profitability as they do for the yields and profitability of other crops traditionally grown in this region. |
| Keywords: | bioenergy feedstock, economics, phosphorus-deficient soils, nitrogen, switchgrass, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, Production Economics, |
| Date: | 2012–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea12:119765&r=env |
| By: | Yeboah, Osei; Naanwaab, Cephas; Goktepe, Ipek; Kyei, Foster |
| Abstract: | The United States is remarkably safe, when it comes to food supply. Nevertheless, food can become contaminated with a variety of germs. According to reports by a food safety group of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food-borne illness caused by bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella not only take a huge toll on American consumersâ health but they cost the United States an estimated $152 billion annually in health care and other losses. To curb this increasing phenomenon, there has been a reintroduction of bacteriophage in the treatment of bacteria on raw foods. This study utilized a survey questionnaire administered by telephone to consumers in four different states; Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. In this study, as in other willingness to pay studies, a binary Logit model was employed to estimate consumersâ WTP an additional amount for fresh produce treated with bateriophage technology. The Logit model expresses consumersâ WTP as a function of income, education, race, gender and geographical location (States). Based on the estimation results, income was found to be significant at the 5 percent level in determining a consumerâs WTP. In this particular study, Caucasians were willing to pay an additional amount relative to other races at the 10 percent significance level. Also, where a consumer lived (State) was found to be significant with consumers in the states of Georgia and North Carolina having higher WTP relative to Alabama and South Carolina. |
| Keywords: | willingness-to-pay, bacteriophage, fresh produce, logit model, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Consumer/Household Economics, Environmental Economics and Policy, |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:saea12:119733&r=env |