SIMULATION OF HARVESTING ASPARAGUS: MECHANICAL VS MANUAL

Asparagus harvesting methods and strategies have remained unchanged since inception in Washington. A bioeconomic model was developed to determine the profit optimizing frequency of harvesting for manual and mechanical harvesting techniques. The mechanical harvester is economically viable if the harvester cuts 72.3 percent and 73.55 percent of what a hand crew would cut for process and fresh utilization, respectively. The results indicate that decreasing the frequency of harvest increases profit for asparagus used in processing. This research is the first attempt to address the problem of asparagus harvesting with a bioeconomic model.Crop Production/Industries,

AN EMPIRICAL BARGAINING MODEL OF PRICE DISCOVERY: AN APPLICATION TO THE WASHINGTON/OREGON ASPARAGUS INDUSTRY

The bargaining process and its role in price discovery within the Pacific Northwest asparagus industry is analyzed using a general empirical bargaining model. Growers' and processors' inverse supply and demand functions define boundaries for the negotiated prices. OLS and Heckman's two-stage estimation procedures are used to estimate a stochastic bargaining model of price determination. The results indicate that basic supply and demand forces exert substantial influences on the bargaining process. In particular, expected levels of supply play a paramount role in the level of prices offered, while past prices also influence current offers. The general framework of analysis used in relation to asparagus can be generalized to other commodities where bargaining plays a role in price discovery. The model can be used to investigate the extent to which major economic forces impact bargaining behavior.Crop Production/Industries, Demand and Price Analysis,

A Bargaining Model of Price Discovery in the Washington/Oregon Asparagus Industry

Crop Production/Industries, Demand and Price Analysis,

TARIFFICATION UNDER THE URUGUAY ROUND OF GATT: THE CASE OF SWISS ASPARAGUS TRADE

International Relations/Trade,

EUROPEAN PACKAGING AND RECYCLING REGULATIONS: IMPLICATIONS FOR FOOD MARKETING AND TRADE

International Relations/Trade,

METHODOLOGY FOR TREND ANALYSIS AND PROJECTION OF PRODUCTION, MARKET SHARES, AND CONSUMPTION

Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

THE CONSEQUENCES OF AN OPEN FIELD BURNING BAN ON THE U.S. KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS SEED INDUSTRY

An econometric model of the U.S. Kentucky bluegrass seed industry in the Pacific Northwest is specified and estimated in order to evaluate the short and long run consequences of yield reductions associated with a ban on open field burning of grass residues. While results differ among regions, model simulations of short run effects of reduced yields attributed to the burning ban indicate price increases for grass seed ranging from 0 to 69 percent and long run effects indicate increased acreage of grass seed production due to producers responses to higher prices.Crop Production/Industries,

AN INTRASEASONAL BIOECONOMIC MODEL OF PLRV NET NECROSIS

A bioeconomic model is developed as an IPM planning tool to combat PLRV net necrosis in the PNW potato industry. Environmental/biological and production processes are linked to marketing activities using discrete time control. We find that pesticides can be optimally timed to reduce applications and still protect against net necrosis.Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy,

A Brief Overview of the United States' Grape Industry

The United States grape industry is undergoing rapid changes. This article reviews some of the major events of the past few years which have had a major impact on the grape industry. The apparent increase in demand, particularly for wine, during the late 1960's and early 1970's, coupled with several short crop years, led to higher grape prices. The industry responded with expanded acreage. With favorable weather the U.S. grape industry is capable of producing unprecedented larger crops, although new plantings will be severely curtailed. While prices received by growers for grapes will undoubtedly be below those of recent years, consumers in the years ahead should find ample supplies of wine, raisins, fresh table grapes and other grape products