Economic analysis of four apple orchard technologies under three marketing alternatives

Agricultural research in Tennessee and surrounding states has generally been geared primarily toward traditional agriculture. A farmer, in evaluating a specialty crop like applies as an alternative enterprise is then faced with the problem of acquiring timely data that are relevant to his/her situation and assimulating the information into a format that is flexible enough to accept and evaluate various technologies and markets. Therefore, this study determined the resource requirements for 12 apple orchard-market combinations. They consisted of one standard, two semi-dwarf, and one dwarf orchard, each differentiated by tree density and rootstocks with each operating under the conditions found in the wholesale, farmers, and pick-your-own markets. The net returns over time from each orchard-market combination were compared and analyzed. Also, selected economic characteristics of each orchard-market combination were compared to alternative agricultural enterprises. A computerized spreadsheet was used to develop the orchard-market budgets. All inputs and prices were obtained by personal interviews with farmers, farm chemical and implement dealers, and university and extension personnel. All applicable orchard and marketing operations were performed in accordance with recommended practices. The 12 orchard-marketing combinations were economically evaluated utilizing six approaches. They consisted of undiscounted returns, breakeven analysis, benefit-cost ratios, accumulated net present values, internal rates of return, and annuity values. Using the six comparison criteria, the Standard orchard was consistently ranked as having the least earning potential and the Dward orchard was consistently ranked as having the greatest. The two Semi-dwarf orchards gave mixed results. However, most of the comparative criteria indicated the more intensive Semi-dwarf II orchard had more earning potential than the less intensive Semi-dwarf I orchard. The six comparison criteria consistently ranked the Wholesale market as having the least earning potential and the Pick-Your-Own market consistently had the greatest, followed closely by the Farmers market. The Standard orchard and the Wholesale market were the most sensitive to economic changes. The Dwarf orchard and the Pick-Your- Own market were the least sensitive to a change in the economy such as in interest rates. Generally, the net returns per hour of labor and per acre for the apple orchard-marketing combinations were competitive when compared to alternative agricultural enterprises. Also, the annual labor requirements per acre for the orchard-marketing combinations were competitive with the alternative enterprises. Potential producers wanting to maximize profits should consider a semi-dwarf or dwarf orchard. A standard orchard should only be considered by growers wishing to direct market a variety not found on dwarfing rootstocks. Growers should be aware that even though the economic risks seem to decrease as the complexity and intensiveness of the orchard changes from the Standard to the Dwarf orchards, literature indications are that the technological risks seem to increase. All other things being the same, the degree of earning potential from an apple orchard is dependent on how the apples are marketed

CONSUMER SHOPPING PATTERNS AND PREFERENCES FOR PACKAGE SIZES

Consumer/Household Economics,

PREFERENCES OF MID-ATLANTIC SEAFOOD BUYERS TOWARD FARM-RAISED HYBRID STRIPED BASS

A market survey of three mid-Atlantic food-fish market levels was conducted to provide information on finfish buyers' market characteristics, finfish attribute preferences, and buyers' attitudes toward farm-raised hybrid striped bass. Results showed that most firms are located in the suburban areas, and they purchased their fish from producers and wholesalers. Quality was rated as the most important finfish attribute; and, aside from restaurants, buyers are generally familiar with hybrid striped bass and indicated that it could easily be substituted for wild striped bass. Most buyers were either not sure or feel hybrid striped bass could not substitute for other fish species although they all expressed a willingness to offer farm-raised hybrid striped bass. Finally, the possibility of fish farmers selling directly to all market levels has great potential if the fish size is around two to three pounds and the form is whole for the wholesaler and retailer and fillet for the restaurants.Consumer/Household Economics,

FOOD TRADE FLOWS OF THE DELAWARE RIVER PORT SYSTEM

Agribusiness,

ANALYSIS OF TRENDS AND FORECASTS IN COFFEE PRICES AND CONSUMER CONSUMPTION IN THE NORTHEAST AND UNITED STATES

Demand and Price Analysis, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

ZAP -- Enhanced PCA Sky Subtraction for Integral Field Spectroscopy

We introduce Zurich Atmosphere Purge (ZAP), an approach to sky subtraction based on principal component analysis (PCA) that we have developed for the Multi Unit Spectrographic Explorer (MUSE) integral field spectrograph. ZAP employs filtering and data segmentation to enhance the inherent capabilities of PCA for sky subtraction. Extensive testing shows that ZAP reduces sky emission residuals while robustly preserving the flux and line shapes of astronomical sources. The method works in a variety of observational situations from sparse fields with a low density of sources to filled fields in which the target source fills the field of view. With the inclusion of both of these situations the method is generally applicable to many different science cases and should also be useful for other instrumentation. ZAP is available for download at http://muse-vlt.eu/science/tools.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, 1 table. Accepted to MNRA

ANALYSIS OF CONSUMER PREFERENCES FOR PACKAGE SIZES FOR BEEF AND PORK PRODUCTS AS RELATED TO THEIR DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS

Delaware consumers were surveyed to obtain information about package size preferences for fresh beef and pork products. A chi-square and gamma analysis was made and age was found to be significant and positively correlated to the size of package chosen for various roasts and flank steak. Age and preferred package size was negatively correlated for ground beef, sirloin steak, spareribs, and pork chops. The larger the family the greater the tendency to buy larger packages of ground beef and roasts, as well as spareribs and pork chops. Those with higher incomes tended to purchase larger steaks. Females showed preferences for smaller packages while males preferred larger packages.Consumer/Household Economics,

AN ANALYSIS OF CONSUMER CHARACTERISTICS CONCERNING DIRECT MARKETING OF FRESH PRODUCE IN DELAWARE: A CASE STUDY

Consumer/Household Economics, Marketing,

AN ANALYSIS OF CONSUMERS' VIEWS AND PREFERENCES REGARDING FARMER TO CONSUMER DIRECT MARKETS IN DELAWARE

Consumer/Household Economics,

AN ANALYSIS OF HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION OF FRESH POTATOES IN DELAWARE

Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,