Economic Considerations for Playa Management Alternatives

Playa lakes are very important to the Texas High Plains. They provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, and are the Ogallala Aquifer’s primary recharge source. Plowing and sedimentation have caused substantial damage to the overall health of many playas. A need exists to protect this resource for future generations. Several government programs are available to assist landowners with playa preservation including CP23A, the Wetlands Reserve Program, and the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program. This study evaluates each conservation program and weighs the economic benefits and costs of program implementation.Southern Great Plains, Playa Lakes, CP23A, Conservation Reserve Program, Wetlands Reserve Program, Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program, Environmental Economics and Policy,

BSE, U.S. Beef Trade and Cattle Feeding Industry

A brief review of the beef and cattle market following the diagnosis of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in Canada and U.S. in 2003 is conducted. The focus is on the recent changes in the beef market experienced by major exporting and importing countries with special emphasis on the beef trade and cattle industry in the U.S. A single case of BSE in the U.S. has significantly disrupted global beef trade. Many countries banned beef imports from the U.S. and Canada. Continuation of these bans through 2004, particularly for the U.S., resulted in reduced beef exports. Brazil has become the number one beef exporter with estimated exports of 1.47 million tons in 2004 and is forecast to export 1.62 million tons in 2005. U.S. is the largest beef importer in the world. U.S. beef exports were a record 1.143 million tons in 2003. Beef exports from the U.S. for 2004 have been 0.202 million tons, just 17.7 percent of 2003 exports. The value of beef export losses for 2004 has been estimated as $2.73 billion. U.S. is forecast to export 0.272 million tons in 2005, representing a 35 percent increase over 2004. However, the beef export forecast for 2005 is still far below the pre-BSE levels. On the other hand U.S. beef imports have increased from 1.36 million tons in 2003 to 1.63 million tons in 2004. Imports are expected to reach 1.7 million tons in 2005. The lack of Canadian beef and live cattle imports, in conjunction with already tight U.S. supplies and strong demand, drove both beef and cattle prices up in the latter part of 2003. However, a decline of 29 percent in beef prices was experienced from December 2003 until March 2004 after the diagnosis of BSE in the U.S. BSE has also impacted live cattle trade, especially among the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners.International Relations/Trade,

Integrating Stakeholder Input into Water Policy Development and Analysis

Agricultural water use is becoming an issue in much of the South due to population growth. Results of projects evaluating the impacts of conservation strategies aimed at reallocating or extending the life of water supplies are being met with great skepticism by stakeholder groups. In order to gain acceptance of results, it is essential that stakeholder groups be involved from the beginning in the identification of potential water conservation strategies and be kept informed throughout the project. The objective of this paper is to review previous attempts at involving stakeholders and the methodology currently being employed in the Ogallala Aquifer Project.conservation, Ogallala Aquifer, stakeholder, water policy, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Consumer/Household Economics, Q250, Q280,

ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF PRECISION IRRIGATION IN THE NORTHERN TEXAS HIGH PLAINS

The benefit of changing to Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI) from uniform application methods needs to be assessed for technology adoption. Precision irrigation involves water application in optimum amounts. Results indicate that feasibility of precision irrigation depends on field variability, crop value, economies of scale, and useful life of the equipment.Land Economics/Use,

ECONOMIC AND EPIDEMIOLOGIC POLICY IMPLICATIONS OF ALTERNATIVE BOVINE BRUCELLOSIS PROGRAMS

This paper analyzes policy implications arising from the National Brucellosis Technical Commission Study. A systems simulation model was designed to estimate physical losses resulting from alternative bovine brucellosis programs. Changes in benefits, costs, level of infection and net benefits were calculated by program alternatives for determining economic and epidemiologic implications. Results indicate all alternative programs considered yield positive net benefits and reduce the prevalence of the disease. The results imply a need for further research to determine a program that is both epidemiologically and economically optimal.Livestock Production/Industries,

Economic Analysis of a Water Truck for Feedyard Dust Suppression

Dust created in feedyards can adversely affect cattle performance. Dust suppression can be accomplished by moistening pen surfaces with traveling gun(s) sprinklers, solid-set sprinklers, and water trucks. This study specifically addresses the fixed and operational costs associated with a water truck for various sized feedyards.water truck, dust suppression, fixed costs, operational costs, Farm Management, Livestock Production/Industries,

Economic Evaluation of Wind Energy as an Alternative to Natural Gas Powered Irrigation

High natural gas prices have agricultural producers searching for alternative energy sources for irrigation. The economic feasibility of electric and hybrid (electric/wind) systems are evaluated as alternatives to natural gas powered irrigation. Texas Panhandle and Southern Kansas farms are assessed with a quarter-mile sprinkler system, three crops, and two pumping lifts. Breakeven points identify the price at which conversion from a natural gas irrigation system to an electric or hybrid system is cost effective. Results indicate electricity is a more feasible energy source for irrigation and policy changes such as net metering are necessary to make hybrid systems viable.electricity, irrigation, natural gas, wind energy, Agribusiness, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, International Development, Land Economics/Use, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Q12, Q20, Q42,

Economic Analysis of Manure Harvesting Equipment in Feedyards for Dust Control

This study concentrated on one method of dust control which is harvesting manure with equipment. An economic analysis including hourly fixed and operational costs were performed on the following: tractor-pulled box scraper, front-end loader, dump truck, spreader truck, elevating scraper and tractor-pulled end dump. The purpose of this study was to generate cost data for feedyard owners/operators to reference when making manure management and equipment purchasing decisions.manure harvesting equipment, tractor-pulled box scraper, front-end loader, dump truck, spreader truck, tractor-pulled end dump, Agribusiness, Environmental Economics and Policy,

Economic Analysis of a Traveling Gun for Feedyard Dust Suppression

Dust created in feedyards can adversely affect cattle performance. Dust suppression can be accomplished by moistening pen surfaces with traveling gun(s) sprinklers, solid-set sprinklers, and water trucks. This study specifically addresses the fixed and operational costs associated with a traveling gun sprinkler system for various sized feedyards.traveling gun, dust suppression, fixed costs, operational costs, Livestock Production/Industries,

Economic and Groundwater Use Implications of Climate Change and Bioenergy Feedstock Production in the Ogallala Aquifer Region

The sustainable water use especially for irrigated agriculture in the Texas Panhandle Region is a major concern. A semi-arid climate and average low rainfalls results in little surface water being available year-round. The Ogallala Aquifer is the primary source of irrigation water in this region. The intensive irrigated agricultural production and growing livestock industry have led to substantial decline of water tables. Furthermore, climate change and growing bioenergy feedstock productions exacerbates the water shortage and quality problems. Given the critical dependence of the regional economy on Ogallala Aquifer, underground water use is an intergenerational issue that must be evaluated in terms of the sustainability of agricultural activities in the long run. This paper develops a dynamic multi-county land allocation optimization model which integrates three sectors: agriculture, climate and hydrology. The sustainable water use and associated irrigated agricultural economic consequences under climate change are analyzed. This model also serves as a policy tool in evaluating economic impacts of alternative bioenergy expansion policies and water saving technologies in Ogallala Aquifer Region. The simulation results show that availability of extractable water has a direct impact on optimal land allocation. Deficit irrigation for major crops is an effective short-run strategy for water sustainability. In the longer run, dryland and pastureland farming will dominate. Climate change has heterogeneous impacts on agricultural production over counties and sub-counties because of the non-uniform hydrological characteristics.Groundwater, Land Use Change, Climate Change, Bioenergy feedstock, Dynamic Optimization Model, Deficit Irrigation, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Q24, Q25, Q54,