Grass-fed beef cost and returns survey data from 2012 were analyzed to measure technical efficiency of GFB farms in the U.S. We found all inputs with expected signs. The average technical efficiency of GFB was 70% and the farms are operating with increasing returns to scale.

Three different pasture combinations of grass-fed beef production were evaluated for profitability and sustainability in the Gulf Coast Region. Systems 1 and 2 yielded higher profit than System 3. System 3 produced the lowest greenhouse gas impact. A trade-off was found between profitability and...

A survey was conducted to determine U.S. grass-fed beef producer perceptions of important challenges facing the industry. The most important challenges facing grass-fed beef producers were shortage of processors, lack of a clear marketing system, pasture management problems, and the long period...

This study examines preferences for cattle traits using mixed logit and latent class models. Choice experiment data from a 2013 mail survey of 1,052 U.S. grass-fed beef producers were used. Preliminary results indicate that producers prefer lower-priced, heavy, black, and easy-to-handle feeders...

This paper examines the possibilities of breaking into the cellulosic ethanol market in south Louisiana via strategic feedstock choices and the leveraging of the area’s competitive advantages. A small plant strategy is devised whereby the first-mover problem might be solved, and several...

This paper examines the introduction of energy cane and switchgrass in the available crops for production in the Louisiana Sugarcane Belt. Employing an optimal crop mix model net returns over variable costs for each county is maximized. Furthermore, this paper determines the optimal processing...

In order to more fully study the risks and uncertainty involved in cellulosic ethanol production, we examine a simulated plant in South Louisiana using Real Options Analysis

Conversion to combine harvesters has resulted in Louisiana sugarcane growers delivering a more perishable product to raw sugar factories. Dextran formation increases as the time between harvest and milling is extended. Milling of freshly cut sugarcane reduces the formation of dextran and...

Technical efficiency, scale and scope economies, marginal productive contributions for inputs and outputs, and efficiency drivers were determined for the Southeastern U.S meat goat enterprise. The average technical efficiency was 0.88. We find increasing returns to scale and scope economies for...