We divide countries into two technology categories: developed and developing. Agricultural efficiency within each technology category was calculated. Cross-category efficiency measures were developed and combined with own-category measures to develop a technical difference index. Results...

In OLS and 2SLS regression analysis a positive relationship exists between small business and economic growth. A strong inverse relationship also exists between the incidence of poverty and small business and economic growth. Thus, the empirical result establishes the linkage between small...

In comparing second-best prices and quantities, studies assume that quantities bind with probability one. We present a more general and realistic model of second-best regulation where quantity instruments can bind with probability less than one. This additional flexibility of quantity...

This paper provides an assessment of the protein content of U.S. trade in dairy products and their potential impact on U.S. milk prices. The protein in imports of MPC, Casein & Albumins accounted for 5-6 percent of protein in total U.S. consumption during the period 1997-2002.

This research shows that the existing literature on milk marketing orders misses an important effect. Previous work ignores the interaction of marketing orders with milk grading regulation. We model this interaction and show that producer benefits from marketing orders have been smaller than...

This paper uses county-level data from California to test whether ethnic fragmentation and other measures of diversity and social capital are systematically related to spending on productive local public goods that affect rural quality of life. The specific focus of this paper is the impact of...

Over the past few decades, U.S. meat consumption patterns have changed. Food consumption patterns are influenced by changing demographic characteristics, changing lifestyles, increasing health, and nutrition concerns. Prior research suggests that these factors have significant influence on the...

We analyze the effects of crop insurance and the Marketing Loan Program on optimal nitrogen use and acreage allocation for a case cotton-sorghum farm in Texas. A mathematical programming model is used to simulate the optimal nitrogen fertilizer rate, crop acreage allocation, coverage level, and...

Collaboration and advanced information technology are considered essential for successful supply chain management. The effect of supply chain factors, along with store characteristics, market characteristics, and competitive position are considered upon performance measures for sales...

This paper presents a cost function for the pupil transportation industry in Minnesota. In-house provision of transportation was not shown to be more costly than outsourcing. Large contractors may seek the most profitable contracts in urban and suburban areas, while showing little interest in...