This paper examines technological leapfrogging industries characterized by long term investments in perennial crops. Threshold farm size and economic valuation are used to evaluate adoption of harvester innovations. Less than 1 percent of Polish farmers are able to adopt overhead harvesters and...

In this paper we develop an autoregressive spatial simultaneous equations model to investigate the county-level determinants of small business growth and median household income in Appalachia during the period 1990-2000. Our GS2SLS and GS3SLS estimation results indicate significant spatial...

Using an econometric model the economic impact of the September 11, 2001(9/11) terrorists' attacks on the U.S. homeland on the trucking transportation sector in the United States is examined. Also, the econometric model was modified to show how this event may have inflicted economic damage on...

Using National Agricultural Workers Survey data, we estimate U.S. farm worker wage differentials by legal status. In order to adequately correct sample selection bias, we develop a Heckman-type two-stage method with an ordered probit model in the first stage and a wage equation model in the...

Fresh fruits and vegetables are perceived to be nutritious and healthy, but more costly than some less nutritious foods. Supermarket scanner data are used to analyze the purchase behavior of higher- and lower-income consumers for produce. Eight sub-categories of fruit are identified; six of...

A three-step estimation method and a Nonlinear Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System (NQAIDS) are used to assess the vegetable demand behavior of rural and urban households in the Philippines. The results show that most of the expenditure and own-price elasticities of the vegetables analyzed are...

The Mississippi and Louisiana dairy industry was devastated by Hurricane Katrina when 400+ farms were severely damaged. These producers face difficult choices between repairing damages (estimated at $120,000/farm) or ceasing operations. An estimated 25-30 percent of impacted farms may quit...

The Atlantic shark fishery is considered to be overcapitalized. One approach to capacity management is the purchase and permanent retirement of fishing vessels, fishing permits, or both under voluntary buyback programs. Representatives of the commercial shark fishery have proposed such an...

This paper evaluates the feasibility of farmer-owned crop insurance accounts. The accounts, similar to retirement accounts, accumulate pre-subsidy premiums and dispense indemnities. Government involvement is that of guaranteeing loans if indemnities exceed the account balance. Substantial...

Opportunities for small produce wholesalers are affected by concentration in the supply chain, and availability and use of information technology for cost and service issues. Case studies evaluated perceptions, technology adoption and use, and strategies. Ongoing relationships, contracts and...