THE ECONOMICS OF INCREASING SPEED IN SEA TRANSPORTATION: THE CASE FOR THE SOUTHERN U.S., MEXICO, CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

Public Economics,

A SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF THE FOOD WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE SECTORS IN MISSISSIPPI

Agribusiness,

POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES IN TRANSPORTATION ON THE TRADE OF FOOD PRODUCTS BETWEEN THE U.S. AND LATIN AMERICA

International Relations/Trade, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

A PRELIMINARY ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF ROUNDUP READY SOYBEANS IN MISSISSIPPI

The advent of genetically altered seed has had a revolutionary effect on the cotton, soybean, and corn seed industries. The basic premise for the use of these seed are to reduce costs through lower applications of chemicals and savings on trips through the field, thus, lowering production costs. Seed companies, however, charge a premium and a fee for use of the seed. This paper compares the costs associated with conventional and roundup ready soybeans. Data were collected from the ACost of Production@ survey of Mississippi producers that is administered by Mississippi State University through the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The survey is a random sample of producers fields that allows for a derivation of the cost of production for each field. The study suggests that while costs reductions can be achieved, the cost savings are offset by the technology fees. The study is based on limited data and points to the need for continued research on the long-run profitability of genetically altered seed to the soybean producers of Mississippi.soybeans, genetically altered seed, roundup ready, costs of production, Production Economics,

SOYBEANS QUALITY PRICE DIFFERENTIALS FROM AN ELEVATOR'S PERSPECTIVE

Soybean prices are determined by interaction between various factors. At an elevator, discount prices for unique characteristics can range from 0.02 cents per bushel to 7.71 cents per bushel of soybeans. This variation suggests that producers of soybeans need quality-characteristic specific information concerning soybeans pricing at the market. This study uses a hedonic model to evaluate price differentials associated with soybean quality based on grain elevator data during the 1998 production period. Foreign material, moisture, bean damage, and net weight were found to significantly influence the cash price of soybeans.hedonic, quality, discount, Crop Production/Industries, Demand and Price Analysis,

DESIGNING GRADUATE EDUCATION FOR AGRIBUSINESS STUDENTS

For several years, universities in the U.S. have been struggling with defining and refining undergraduate and graduate agribusiness education programs. With the release of the recommendations of the National Agribusiness Education Commission, the search for the key ingredients of a Masters-level program has intensified. Mississippi State University has been among those universities attempting to define the parameters of a "cutting edge" agribusiness program. Faculty interest within the College of Business and Industry and the Agricultural Economics Department to develop a joint program has precipitated intensive efforts to achieve this goal. A nationally recognized agribusiness group of six academic leaders served as a Cooperative State Research Service team to assess the University's potential, using the concept of an agribusiness institute as an integrating and management vehicle. Efforts in this direction have been aided by a USDA planning grant now moving into its second year. A survey of Mid-South agribusiness leaders indicates the interest of the industry in development of the program. The final step is to address the logistical details required to convert the current Master of Agribusiness Management in the Department of Agricultural Economics to a jointly administered program of study.Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

AN ANALYSIS OF INTERMODAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY USAGE BY INTERMODAL PORTS AND TERMINALS IN THE AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD- PRODUCT MARKET

Agribusiness, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,