Technical efficiencies calculated using aggregated inputs are biased. It is shown empirically and analytically that input aggregation decreases calculated technical efficiencies and changes relative technical efficiencies among firms. Moreover, aggregation fails to separate technical efficiency...

In this paper, the effectiveness of generic versus brand advertising for yogurt is evaluated, using a polynomial distributed lag model. Brand advertisement is found to be more than twice as effective as generic in increasing per capita consumption of yogurt. These results are then compared to...

The productivity of farmers at six different age cohorts was computed by estimating production functions using 1987 census data. The results suggest that farmers of different ages operate with slightly different technologies and use various inputs at different efficiencies. Compared with...

Farmer productivity by age was estimated, allowing for differences because of efficiency and returns to scale. Using Census of Agriculture data, estimates vary by state, but returns to scale average 1.07. Efficiency increases average 4.5 percent every ten years of age, to the age interval 35 to...

Dairy farm numbers are declining in nearly every region and county of New York State but the rate of decline varies between years and counties. Converting inefficient or unprofitable farm resources to nonfarm use is part of the adjustment process. New York dairy counties are at different stages...