The obesity epidemic in the US and elsewhere has re-doubled efforts to understand determinants of the quality of consumers' diets. Part of the discussion has centered on the potential of "fat taxes" and/or the subsidization of the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables to coax consumers to...

We analyzed the effects of Brazil and Argentina's currency devaluation on the U.S. soybean import demand in major importing countries. Results indicate that nominal exchange rates between the United States and importers affect the U.S. soybean export market. Additionally, we found evidence that...

This study examines if social capital has a role to play in environmental Kuznets curve estimation. It uses information from the World Values Survey to extract the variables representative of the social capital to develop an index using a principal component analysis. Estimation involves the use...

With increasing interest in renewable energy from agriculture, including biopower and cellulose ethanol, several aspects of the industry must be understood. Study of the organization of the biopower industry represents an under researched area and a new application of transaction cost theory to...

The USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) serves as the nation's lender of last resort by providing direct loans to farmers unable to obtain credit at reasonable rates and terms. Annual loan losses have been substantial, averaging $576 million for fiscal 1994-2004. An econometric model using survey...

Econometric models to estimate allocative and technical inefficiency include stochastic shadow distance frontiers, shadow cost frontiers, and shadow profit frontiers. In these models, the cost savings from eliminating both sources of inefficiency is often reported in total and then decomposed...

In Southern Alberta, agriculture is the largest water user. Thirteen irrigation districts plus numerous private irrigators hold licenses to withdraw more than 75% of the available surface water. Water use decisions made by farmers in irrigation districts have significant impacts on the...

This study evaluates the regional short run impacts of reduction in import tariffs in Brazil on poverty and distribution of income related to recent free trade area agreements. Results show that trade can reduce inter-regional income inequality, but poor urban households lose with trade...

One of the most important policy tools in developing countries for affecting economic growth and poverty reduction is expenditure policy. As governments decide how to allocate public spending, they need a clear understanding of how public investments translate into development outcomes. Using...