The value of the timing option implicit in CBOT corn futures contract is estimated. Separate estimates are obtained for the option without and with convenience yield. The effect of the option on basis behavior at day one of the maturity month is examined and is found statistically significant.

Environmental issues such as air and water quality related to livestock production currently receive much attention. Potential methods for environmental improvement range from regulation to market solutions. This study looks at consumer willingness to pay for pork products with embedded...

This paper analyses the optimal hedging decisions for risk-averse producers facing crop risk, assuming crop yield insurance futures and options can be used. The first-best optimal hedge requires a futures position or an option position proportionate to the individual beta depending on whether...

A bivariate probit model was used to examine the relationship between actual and intended purchase of irradiated beef. The likelihood ratio test rejected the equality of parameters affecting actual and intended purchase decisions. Actual purchases were affected by package labels and appearance,...

A two-stage model is developed to study food processing firms' brand advertising and its welfare effects on farmers in a duopsony/duoploy setting. In stage 1 firms compete to differentiate their products through brand advertising, and in stage 2 firms engage in quality competition. Farmers may...

The importance of heterogeneity of animal attributes in livestock production is assessed. Preliminary results indicate that variance and skew measures of attributes may be becoming more important over time.

The objective of this paper is to investigate the impact of media advertising on the US consumption of imported wine. A panel data of seven countries and twelve years from 1994-2005 is used to estimate the demand function for US wine imports. Our empirical analysis reveals evidence of strong...

Replaced with revised version of paper 07/15/08.