Replaced with revised version of paper 01/30/06.

Scholarly societies in economics (and many other professions) are clubs that provide members with a range of club goods, many of which have broader and economically significant spillover consequences for society at large. Yet surprisingly little is known about the historical evolution or current...

In the late 2000s, corn prices rose rapidly and were closely followed by prices of other major agricultural commodities. A widespread explanation for these market changes is an increased demand for corn in the production of ethanol, prompted by the introduction of programs intended to encourage...

In the past few decades, U.S. agriculture has become increasingly dependent upon purchased inputs as farmers increased the use of chemicals and machinery while reducing labor. Dependence on various energy intensive inputs is currently so great that if supply channels are disrupted, production...

In the past few decades, U.S. agriculture has become increasingly dependent upon purchased inputs as farmers increased the use of chemicals and machinery while reducing labor. Dependence on various energy intensive inputs is currently so great that if supply channels are disrupted, production...

Producers who manipulate and switch their reported crop-yields between separately insured units can increase their insurance indemnities substantially. A statistical model that identifies potential yield switching is developed. The unrestricted statistical model is singular and is identified by...

A sequential decision-making model was developed, and data from farm-raised catfish production were used to demonstrate its use. Outcomes of sequences of decisions which satisfied chance constraints on ending cash balances were traced through a specified time period. Discrete choice variables...