Pressure screening and fluctuations at the bottom of a granular column

We report sets of precise and reproducible measurements on the static pressure at the bottom of a granular column. We make a quantitative analysis of the pressure saturation when the column height is increased. We evidence a great sensitivity of the measurements with the global packing fraction and the eventual presence of shear bands at the boundaries. We also show the limit of the classical Janssen model and discuss these experimental results under the scope of recently proposed theoretical frameworks.Comment: 17 pages, Latex, 8 eps figures, to appear in the European Physical Journal B (1999

SHORT-PERIOD PRICING MODELS FOR FED CATTLE AND IMPACTS OF WHOLESALE CARCASS BEEF AND LIVE CATTLE FUTURES MARKET PRICES

Demand and Price Analysis,

PRODUCTIVITY-CONCENTRATION RELATIONSHIP IN THE U.S. MEATPACKING INDUSTRY

Previous research found a positive relationship between concentration and total factor productivity in food manufacturing. On industry (i.e., meatpacking plants [SIC 2011]) was selected for independent analysis due to a relatively sharp increase in concentration in recent years. The methodology chosen was similar to previous studies. Total factor productivity increased 2.4 percent per year, and labor productivity increased 3.3 percent per year for meatpacking plants over the 1958-82 period. Concentration in meatpacking did not positively or negatively affect total factor productivity or labor productivity over the 25-year study period.Productivity Analysis,

TOWARD A PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF THE CARCASS BEEF MARKET - WEAK FORM TEST OF THE EFFICIENT MARKETS MODEL

Industrial Organization, Livestock Production/Industries,

AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF COMPETITION IN THE PRICE DISCOVERY PROCESS FOR SLAUGHTER LAMBS

Buyer competition in the price discovery process for slaughter lambs at an Oklahoma teleauction was studied. Number of buyers positively influenced both absolute and relative sale prices but did not significantly affect buyer gross margins. Buyer market shares also affected prices paid and buyer gross margins. Thus, competition among buyers was found to be important in the price discovery process.Demand and Price Analysis, Livestock Production/Industries,

Beef Packers’ Captive Supplies: An Upward Trend? A Pricing Edge?

Livestock Production/Industries,

Factors Influencing the Extent of Grid Pricing of Fed Cattle

Motives for grid pricing of fed cattle have been identified in previous research. Also, estimates of grid pricing exist from feedlot surveys and data generated via mandatory price reports since 2001. However, no research has attempted to estimate factors influencing the extent of grid pricing by cattle feeders. Cattle feedlot respondents to a survey primarily in Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, and Texas reported a wide range of grid pricing use in 2003. Two groups of feedlot respondents were created; those using grid pricing for half or less of their fed cattle marketings in 2003 and those using grid pricing for more than half of their marketings. Ordinary least squares and ordered logit models were estimated to determine factors affecting grid pricing use for the two comparison groups. For many potential factors influencing grid pricing, no significant differences were found between groups. The two most robust factors were the percent of fed cattle sold to the largest buyer and the percent of fed cattle marketed with some type of agreement, contract, or through an alliance or cooperative. Other significant factors related to market conditions and expected carcass performance of the cattle. However, results were neither consistent nor strong enough to explain the sharp drop in formula pricing fed cattle during the third year following implementation of mandatory price reporting.Livestock Production/Industries, Marketing,

Preferential Cattle and Hog Pricing by Packers: Evidence from Mandatory Price Reports

Preferential pricing was one of several concerns leading to mandatory price reporting. Seven years of “new” data from mandatory reports are examined to determine if evidence exists of preferential pricing by packers for fed cattle and slaughter hogs. Weekly data show some alternative marketing methods track closer to cash market prices than others. Some differences can be explained, while others are not as clear. Evidence was found that cash prices lead prices for alternative marketing methods on rising markets but trail them on declining markets.Alternative marketing arrangements, Cattle, Hogs, Marketing, Meatpacking procurement, Price discovery, Pricing, Livestock Production/Industries, Marketing,

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SLAUGHTER LAMB PRICES

Data on weekly summaries of slaughter lamb sales in 1996 were analyzed to determine price differences for factors affecting lamb prices. Models were compared with a 1991 study and across regions. Demand and supply variables were found important as well as marketing methods, sale lot sizes, seasonal and regional variables.Livestock Production/Industries,