The advantages and limitations of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for energy generation are reviewed under various physical efficiency limits, operational design and financial assistance programs. Recent increases in utility and fuel costs in poultry production as well as public awareness of and...

Replaced with revised version of paper 06/19/07.

Total and average per ton costs of land-applying manure demonstrate the importance of spatial factors on the potential effect of policy limits for water and air emissions. Per ton costs vary with the need to transport greater distances for land application, reflecting the spatial distribution of...

This study analyses the stochastic behavior of price-cost margins (PCMs) in the U.S. meat industry. It, first, develops and estimates a vertical relationship economic model to derive PCMs in the U.S. meat industry (Beef, Pork, and Poultry). Second it analyzes the behavior of PCMs by decomposing...

Dairy farmers in Louisiana were surveyed to find out the factors leading these farmers to terminate best management practices. Results indicated that only few farmers have exited the practices once they adopt those. However, the longevity of best management practices adoption can be increased by...

This paper presents a dynamic principal-agent analysis of an incentive system for Salmonella control in the pork supply chain. The incentive system determines quality premiums to the producer, testing frequencies for hogs delivered, as well as charges to the producer for testing and penalties....

Replaced with revised version of paper 06/29/07.

The article aims to investigate how operational managerial practices can contribute to improved farm level efficiency at dairy farms. Operational managerial practices are defined as animal health, breeding, and feeding practices. The main contribution of the article is that it investigates...

An Augmented Relative Price Spread (ARPS) model is employed to explain recent changes in real US beef wholesale-retail (WR) and hence farm-retail (FR) marketing margins. It is found that the surge in retail market concentration in 1999 most likely increased retail market oligopsony power...

Tradeoff between different utility rates and policy intervention to induce dairy producer to join a regional digester are studied. Results demonstrate that a regional digester for the dairy industry in California is feasible given the digester receives $0.05 per kWh and government intervention...