Showing papers in "Journal of Agribusiness in 1996"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors measured annoyance as the impact of odors from livestock facilities on enjoyment of property and found that annoyance was negatively correlated with term of residence, current employment on a farm, and acquaintance with the facility owner.
Abstract: Individuals exposed to odors from livestock facilities do not report annoyance uniformly. The reaction to a detectable odor depends on perceptions of the odor and its source which are mediated by odor attributes and personal factors. Correlations among these factors were tested in a rural context using date from a pilot study of seventeen households neighboring two swine operations in Michigan. Annoyance was measured as the impact of the neighboring facility on enjoyment of property. Characterization of odor as a problem was positively correlated with offensiveness, frequency and duration of exposure. Annoyance was negatively correlated with term of residence, current employment on a farm, and acquaintance with the facility owner. Annoyance was positively correlated with suburban characterization of the residence, unacceptability of the facility’s appearance and perception of odor as a problem. Strategies to minimize exposure augmented by increasing familiarity with the operation and owner can reduce annoyance.
15 citations
TL;DR: The required courses for agribusiness degrees at forty-three school were divided into six categories as discussed by the authors, and large ranges in the percentage of required credits by category were found, indicating that some changes occurred during the last ten to twelve years.
Abstract: The required courses for agribusiness degrees at forty-three school were divided into six categories. Large ranges in the percentage of required credits by category were found. Comparisons with other curricula surveys showed that some changes occurred during the last ten to twelve years. Emphasis on business skills has increased while course work in technical agriculture has decreased. By considering customer needs and competitor innovations, departments can attempt to add more value to their educational products.
12 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the factors that influence the adoption intensity of a soil conservation technology in a developing country and found that age of the head of household, tenure status, availability of family labor, and government programs have significant influence on adoption intensity.
Abstract: This study examines the factors that influence the adoption intensity of a soil conservation technology in a developing country. Factors that influence adoption intensity may not be the same as those that influence the incidence of adoption. In this study, adoption intensity is defined as the percentage of total upland acreage planted with Sloping Agricultural Land Technology by farmers in the Philippines. Because of the dependent variable’s truncated nature, a Tobit model is used in the analysis. Economic theory and previous research provide the basis for the soil conservation decision variables included in the study. Results suggest that age of the head of household, tenure status, availability of family labor, and government programs have significant influence on adoption intensity. Contrary to expectations, income and education of farmers do not have significant impacts on adoption intensity. These results are discussed in term of their implications for conservation programs in developing countries.
8 citations
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TL;DR: Auction market users and operators were surveyed regarding their source and use of livestock auction price information as discussed by the authors, and only 30 percent preferred publicly reported prices over reports from market operators or other sources.
Abstract: Auction market users and operators were surveyed regarding their source and use of livestock auction price information. Although important for marketing and to a lesser extent production decisions, only 30 percent preferred publicly reported prices over reports from market operators or other sources. The small share of market users willing to pay for public price reports suggests acceptable substitutes are available. Based on these results it is unlikely that user fees will be able to replace the current level of public support for auction market price reporting.
8 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyzed the relationship between selected student characteristics and experience and two proxies for success, i.e., graduate GPA and the probability of completing an agricultural economics graduate program.
Abstract: Criteria for admission to graduate programs are used by departments and graduate schools to identify characteristics assumed to be associated with “success”. They allow for more uniformity in student ability and preparation so graduate education is more efficient. This study analyzes the relationship between selected student characteristics and experience and two proxies for “success”—graduate GPA and the probability of completing an Agricultural Economics graduate program. Data are from past students in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas Tech University. Statistical differences among the means of student characteristics were evaluated, a regression model was estimated to predict graduate GPA, and a logistical regression was estimated to examine the probability of not completing a graduate program. Results show some difference in characteristics between those who complete and do not complete. Graduate GPA is significantly related to citizenship, degree program, quantitative GRE score, and previous program GPA. However, only above-average prior GPA and existence of financial assistance are significantly related to the probability of nor completing a graduate program.
6 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss issues pertaining to the development and implementation of international internships and emphasize the interrelationships between agribusiness students, industry and educators, emphasizing the importance of experiential learning in agri-business management training.
Abstract: International internships complement classroom instruction in preparing students for careers in the agribusiness industry. For experiential learning to be an integral part of agribusiness management training, the student, industry and educational institution must each play a role in the design and implementation of the program. This paper discusses issues pertaining to the development and implementation of international internships and emphasizes the interrelationships between agribusiness students, industry and educators.
2 citations
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TL;DR: Strategies for integrating decision cases in the design of college courses are examined based on five critical topics: course educational objectives, the sequencing of case and other course material, necessary facilities, timing and support, the number and mix of cases desirable in a course, and evaluation of students.
Abstract: This paper examines strategies for integrating decision cases in the design of college courses The benefits of decision cases are acknowledged but teaching strategies that rely solely on decision cases are challenged A lack of real-world experience and knowledge among students can limit the effectiveness of teaching exclusively with decision cases in undergraduate or graduate classes In such classes, decision cases need not be the sole teaching approach Cases are much more often combined with lectures, problem sets and other teaching techniques Suggested guidelines for incorporating cases into the design of courses are based on five critical topics: 1) course educational objectives, 2) the sequencing of case and other course material, 3) necessary facilities, timing and support 4) the number and mix of cases desirable in a course, and 5) evaluation of students
2 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examine the important issues of establishing partnerships between agribusiness education programs and industry representatives including the benefits to firms, faculty and students, and detailed information is presented on how these partnerships are developed and implemented.
Abstract: This paper examines the important issues of establishing partnerships between agribusiness education programs and industry representatives including the benefits to firms, faculty and students. Detailed information is presented on how these partnerships are developed and implemented.
2 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, the economic impacts of reducing the national quota support price on North Carolina farm income and rural communities were analyzed for Virginia-type peanuts from $675 per ton to levels of $600 and $500 per ton.
Abstract: Excessive government losses and pressure from end users of peanuts have increased the likelihood of a peanut support price and quota reduction in the 1995 farm bill This study analyzes the economic impacts of reducing the national quota support price on North Carolina farm income and rural communities Effects of policies that reduce quota support price for Virginia-type peanuts from $675 per ton to levels of $600 and $500 per ton are estimated Reductions in the quota support price have significant impacts on quota owners and peanut producing regions A 10 percent reduction in quota and a $500 support price would result in a $43 million income reduction to North Carolina
2 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, a market framework was employed to derive the short-run welfare impacts to consumers and producers (users and non-users) of the removal of pesticides currently registered for use on sorghum.
Abstract: A national pesticide-use survey from sorghum producers and a survey of entomologists and weed scientists were used to determine the impacts of pesticide use on sorghum. A market framework was employed to derive the short-run welfare impacts to consumers and producers (users and non-users) of the removal of pesticides currently registered for use on sorghum. It was projected that the loss of atrazine, the most widely used pesticide in sorghum production, would have the largest overall impact, with an estimated total welfare loss between $58 and $65 million.
2 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors present an accumulation of evidence supporting this view and provide insights about how these activities might be integrated and how they can be used to improve the quality of teaching programs.
Abstract: University faculty have numerous responsibilities, but development of our own and our students’ human capital is our primary job. To effectively develop human capital of others requires investing heavily in our own capital. This includes being actively involved in discovering knowledge. In addition, as agricultural economists, our clientele demand relevant research output which requires regularly informing them about our research. Conducting research, publishing and communicating findings to interested parties better equips us to provide a quality teaching program. This article presents an accumulation of evidence supporting this view and provides insights about how these activities might be integrated.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine linkages between alternative farming practices and environmental quality and contrast the environmental impacts of high-yield farming with those of low-yielding farming, concluding that the benefits of high yield farming can be maximized with agricultural research and free trade in farm products.
Abstract: This paper critically examines linkages between alternative farming practices and environmental quality. Environmental impacts of high-yield farming are contrasted to those of low-yield farming. Traditional low-yield farming systems, while being promoted by environmental groups, have resulted in massive famine, higher cancer rates, soil erosion, and losses in wildlife habitat. Organic farming and other low-yield systems are land intensive and invade marginal farmland, thereby destroying wildlife habitat and biodiversity. Low-yield farming has not and cannot produce enough food to meet the food needs of the world’s population. By contrast, high-yield farming minimizes land use for food production and increase the availability of land for wildlife habitat and biodiversity. High-yield farming has contributed to economic development and lower birth rates, thereby reducing population growth. The environment risks from high-yield farming are considered low and have been declining. The benefits of high-yield farming can be maximized with agricultural research and free trade in farm products.
TL;DR: In this article, the transition to a market economy requires a transformation in the political and economic structures of state-owned farms and state- owned agribusiness enterprises in the former republic of Kazakhstan.
Abstract: This dissolution of the Soviet Union served the state-directed linkages between state-owned farms and agribusiness enterprises ordered by the command economic system. Likewise, the dissolution disrupted marketing channels connecting the agricultural sector to a market economy those of other former republics. The transition to a market economy requires a transformation in the political and economic structures of state-owned farms and state-owned agribusiness enterprises. Directors of state-owned farms in Kazakhstan face major challenges. The primary consideration is how the farm should be organized after privatization, that is, whether the farm should be transformed into a cooperative, a joint stockholding company, or divided into several private, individual farm operations or partnerships.