RECENT CHANGES IN THE REGIONAL STRUCTURE OF U.S. DAIRY PRODUCTION

Gauging the impact of recent policy changes, this article analyzes production characteristics and the impact of the dairy assessment for northeastern dairy farmers as compared to other major production regions. Employing a restricted translog variable profit function, returns to size, shadow prices, supply elasticities for milk and livestock as well as demand elasticities for concentrate were estimated. Northeastern, just as Midwestern farmers, were less responsive in milk supply and concentrate demand, more responsive in livestock production, and less efficient than their California and Texas counterparts. The dairy assessment affected profits of northeastern farmers later than those of other regions. Negative shadow prices indicated overinvestment into fixed factors.Livestock Production/Industries,

AN OPTIMAL CONTROL FRAMEWORK FOR INTER - REGIONAL DAIRY POLICY ANALYSIS

An eleven-region stochastic coefficient econometric model was estimated and used in an optimal control framework to evaluate the effectiveness of the dairy price support program and marketing orders in reducing and stabilizing government purchases of dairy products. The results showed significant pressure on the reduction of the support price both in the presence and absence of Class I differentials. The optimal control model also showed that the drop in price support levels did not dramatically alter the regional distribution of milk production.Agricultural and Food Policy,

BENEFITS TO AGRICULTURAL WORKERS UNDER THE UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION AMENDMENT OF 1976

The "Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 1976" are expected to provide income protection for about two-fifths of all hired agricultural workers. The program became effective in January 1978. Of these insured workers, three-tenths are expected to receive benefits, expected to average about 14 percent of average annual earnings if 1970 employment relationships hold. Nearly one-fourth of unemployed farm workers who receive benefits will likely exhaust their entitlements before finding new jobs. Large interstate variations are expected around these averages as a result of differing State qualifying regulations, benefit schedules, and personal work histories

COVERAGE OF AGRICULTURAL WORKERS UNDER THE UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION AMENDMENT OF 1976

The "Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 1976" 31e expected to insure about two-fifths of all hired agricultural workers. Large interstate variations in the proportion of workers insured result from their cliffering work histories and state's qualifying provisions. Of these insured workers, three- tenths will receive benefits, ranging from about $250 to$1,000 depending upon the state benefit schedule and the worker's employment history. Average benefits amount to 14 percent of earnings of the workers which average $3,613. Nearly one-fourth of the beneficiaries will exhaust their benefit entitlements

DISCUSSION: SYSTEMS APPROACH TO AGRICULTURAL PROBLEMS

Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

Cost of Unemployment Insurance for Farmworkers in Selected States

Regression analysis with data for 12 Northeastern States, Ohio, Florida, and Texas explains 93 percent of the variation in cost rates of unemployment insurance coverage among these States. Of the explained variation in the cost rates of such coverage for farmworkers, 57 percent is accounted for by system variables and 43 percent by labor force variables. Simulation with a fixed population spotlights the widely varying influences of different States' qualifying and benefit schedule requirements. Average total benefits per worker ranged from $266 to$486. An attempt was made to adjust the benefit payments to allow for the cost of living in each State