Experimental auction and discrete choice experiment are two popular value elicitation methods. Theoretically they should yield the same results but empirical results have been mixed (e.g., Lusk and Schroeder 2004, 2006; Corrigan et al. 2010.) This study uses both methods to determine consumers’...

An animal traceability system can help control disease, improve food safety, improve production practices and provide enhanced marketing opportunities. However, attempts to establish a beef traceability system in the U.S. has faced resistance from many beef producers. Some of the reasons for...

The number of operating wineries in the United States has doubled during thepast decade. Most of this growth has been due to a large number of entrepreneuriallandowners developing their own small acreage vineyards and trying tobranch into winemaking. However, wineries are capital-intensive...

This study examines the rapidly expanding biofuels industry and identifies challenges for producer-owned biofuel projects. The U.S. ethanol industry has been growing rapidly, and biodiesel production is poised for similar growth. Producer involvement is driven by the desire to add value to farm...

While agricultural economics literature has become rife with the economics of ethanolproduction and cellulosic ethanol feedstock production, little has been written about capitalinvestment necessary for the magnitude of industry development mandated by the EnergySecurity and Independence Act of...

In 2011, communicating the cooperative value package to member-owners was identified as the most critical challenge among U.S. agricultural cooperatives. Rural cooperatives in three states were surveyed to identify current communications methods and to elicit the effectiveness of communicating...

Grain/fertilizer volumes are major risks for grain/supply cooperatives followed by fertilizer and fuel margins. Operating losses force stock write downs (22% probability) and negative cashflow (15% probability). Decisions on cash and stock patronage, infrastructure investment, and equity...

Fewer small meat processing plants combined with increased demand for locally-grown and process-verified meat products in recent years have spurred interest in the construction of producer-owned processing facilities. To help producers and Extension specialists develop preliminary feasibility...