After several months of increases, fossil fuel prices decreased substantially in August and September of 2006. • Crude oil prices directly affect gasoline prices, which are an important determinant of ethanol demand. Natural gas prices are an important cost of ethanol production. • This...

While projected cattle prices are considered to be the primary determinant of the financial viability of the representative ranches, the prices of feed crops and bi-products can also have an impact. The ranches produce hay and are often net buyers or net sellers. At least two of the ranches...

The Agricultural & Food Policy Center (AFPC) updated the comparison of corn and sorghum county loan rates following the general methodology outlined in the October 2002 Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) study on corn and sorghum loan rates. The study answers two questions:...

The Secretary of Agriculture recently provided Congress with a report entitled “2007 Farm Bill Proposals” prepared by USDA. The report contains a large number of proposed changes to the 2002 Farm Bill, which could directly impact the incomes of crop producers. One such proposal calls for...

Recent increases in natural gas and fossil fuel based energy sources have had a negative impact on the financial condition of agricultural producers across the nation. • In addition to higher fuel costs for trucks, equipment, and irrigation motors, the cost of nitrogen fertilizer is closely...

The Agricultural and Food Policy Center (AFPC) at Texas A&M University develops and maintains data to simulate eighteen representative cotton operations in major production areas of seven states. The chief purpose of this analysis is to project those farms’ economic viability for 2005 through...

The Agricultural and Food Policy Center (AFPC) at Texas A&M University develops and maintains data to simulate twelve representative cow/calf operations in major production areas of ten states. The chief purpose of this analysis is to project those ranches’ economic viability for 2006 through...