A cost curve for livestock auction markets was estimated using a frontier function estimator. This estimator has the advantages of consistency and asymptotic efficiency (for certain disturbance specifications). The one-sided residuals satisfy theoretical requirements for cost curves and allow...

Perch fisherman in the Great Lakes yellow perch industry are found to use informal vertical exchange relationships which bind together fishermen and buyers through "moral obligations." These exchange arrangements while providing an assured outlet also raise substantial entry and exist barriers...

Allowing animal patents provides potential benefits and costs for livestock producers. Costs, considered here, are royalty payments and collection mechanisms, made more complex by the unknown future distribution of multiple patented traits in the herd. This article evaluates three proposed...