The Kyoto Protocol represents the first international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Proposed mitigation efforts may involve the agricultural sector through such options as planting trees, crop and livestock management changes, and biofuels production. The combined use of these...

With the increasing research interests in biofuels, global implications of biofuels production have been generally examined either in a partial equilibrium (PE) or general equilibrium (GE) frameworks. Though both of these approaches have unique strengths, they also suffer from many limitations...

Outbreaks of infectious animal diseases can lead to substantial losses as evidenced by 2003 US BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) event with consequent loss of export markets, and the 2001 UK FMD (Foot and Mouth Disease) outbreak that has cost estimates in the billions. In this paper we...

Agriculture operates in an uncertain environment. Yields, prices, and resource usage can change dramatically from year to year. However, most analyses of the agricultural sector, at least those using mathematical programming methods, assume decision making is based on average yields, ignoring...

The world is moving toward efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Net emission reduction efforts may involve the agricultural sector through options such as planting of trees, crop and livestock management changes, and production of biofuels. However, such options can be competitive with...

A recent outbreak of bird flu or avian influenza (AI), an especially highly pathogenicstrain (HPAI) of H5N1, started in Hong Kong in January 2003 and caused 159 humandeaths in Asia, Africa and Europe through early 2007. In addition, this outbreak resultedin millions of slaughtered birds and...

In this dissertation, several essays in the field of bio-security are presented.The estimation of the probability of an FMD outbreak by type and location ofpremises is important for decision making. In Essay I, we estimate and predict theprobability/risk of an FMD outbreak spreading to the...

In this dissertation three essays were presented. In the first two essays we measure theconsumer welfare changes caused by U.S. meat price changes. In the third essay thedynamic structure of international gasoline prices using the time series methodology isinvestigated.In chapter II, we...

The increasing awareness of, and concern over, possible terrorist attacks using biologicalthreats has increased attention and efforts for safeguarding U.S. agriculture. Whetherintentional or unintentional, a biological event likely would cause substantialconsequences well beyond the U.S....

Recent World Animal Health Organization (OIE) reports on Avian Influenza (AI) outbreaks in Asia, Europe and Canada suggest that there is a nonzero probability that anoutbreak may occur anywhere in the world, including the US. To help evaluate possible policy in the face of such an event, this...