ABSTRACT Increasing row crop productivity—as measured by yields per acre—is an important topic from a number of perspectives. On a global scale, increased output per unit of land is needed to meet growing world food demand. On a regional scale, investments in yield‐enhancing basic research...

Utilizing an input-output approach, this paper reports the local economic impacts from the expansion of an ethanol plant in Missouri. With the expansion ofthe U.S. ethanol industry in the form of both new and expandingplants both types of growth should be taken into account. This research...

An organizational perspective is taken in analyzing the general case of the biomass exchange and the specific case of the Iogen Corporation as it attempts to commercialize their cellulose ethanol technology. An example contract is examined in detail and compared to current straw and hay supply...

During 2006 the fishmeal price nearly doubled from $500MT to over $900MT. The objective of this research is to determine the optimal cross-hedge ratio between fishmeal and soybean meal and corn, and corresponding hedging weight between corn and soybean. Results indicate all hedging weight should...

Mailbox milk prices from a representative dairy operation in Illinois are used to gauge the farm-level hedging effectiveness of Class III milk futures. The results indicate a hedge ratio of 0.85 can reduce price risk by over 90%. The importance of seasonal basis components is highlighted.

Given the recent interest in renewable energy from agriculture based on row crop waste and energy crops, this paper takes a transaction cost view of biomass supply chain strategies. First an investigation of the biomass and bioenergy literature reveals a need for an organizational perspective on...

Agricultural supply chains, especially those from producer to first handler, are relatively mature institutions. While agricultural economists often observe the evolution of marketing structures in developing nations, it is a rare opportunity to research a developing market within North America....

This paper presents research results based on data from two biomass producer surveys collected from mid Missouri and southern Illinois. Specific topics of interest include the effect of price and producer characteristics on willingness to supply, assets producers currently own and services they...

The selection of herd bulls is important in determining profitability of commercial ranchers and cow-calf operators as well as purebred producers. In this research, the key attributes of bulls – based on visual, performance, and ultrasound data – are valued using a traditional...