This study introduces a method for finding input and output values that result in efficiency for all decision making units (DMUs) in all stages of a production network. This method contrasts with the usual application of DEA for measurement of efficiency and comparison of decision making units....

This study evaluates the tradeoff between agricultural production and water quality for individual producers using an integrated economic-biophysical hybrid genetic algorithm. We apply a multi-input, multi-output profit maximization model to detailed farm-level production data from the Oregon...

Environmental policy related to agriculture is generally administered by a government agency charged with achieving legislative objectives. The enabling legislation of an agency typically establishes a set of tools that the agency uses to influence the behavior on non-governmental agricultural...

The Conservation Effects Assessment Program (CEAP) of the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture has the calculation of trade-offs among farm profitability, environmental quality and program efficiency as one of its major objectives. This analysis requires...

The objective of this research was the development of a method that integrated an activity analysis model of profits from production with a biophysical model, and included the capacity for optimization over multiple objectives. We specified a hybrid genetic algorithm using activity analysis as a...

A sample of 226 cash grain farms in the Lake States-Corn Belt region are analyzed to estimate the impact of restricting pesticide use on profits. These 226 farms are classified into small medium, and large farms according to their sale revenues. The results suggest the existence of pest...