26 research outputs found
THE ECONOMICS OF GRAIN PRODUCER CARTELS
The objective of this study is to measure economic payoffs from a grain cartel. Two basic approaches to extract economic rents are considered: (i) Mandatory supply controls to restrict production and raise grain price, and (2) export price discrimination using export taxes or subsidies. The economic impacts of different producer cartel scenarios were estimated using a long-term, nine-region world trade simulation model incorporating the assumptions of neoclassical trade theory. The SWOPSIM program was used to write the model equations. Economic Research Service trade data for 1989 were used to initialize the model. Results reflect long-run changes from 1989conditions and are at 1989 general price levels. The model simultaneously estimated outcomes in markets for nine commodities: beef, pork, poultry meat, wheat, corn, coarse grains (other than corn), oilseeds (soybeans, rapeseed, and sunflower seed), oilmeal, and sugar. Cross-effects among commodities and input-output relationships between field crop and livestock production are accounted for by substitution and complementary coefficients in behavioral equations. Countries and groups of countries included in the model are Australia, Canada, the European Community (EC), European Free Trade Association (EFTA), the United States (US), Japan, and the rest of the world (ROW). The simulation results report the consequences of restricting only US grain production (wheat, corn, and other coarse grains) from 5 to 20% below the 1989 production level. Grain supply restrictions were presumed to be mandatory, hence taxpayers incurred no additional outlays over those in 1989 . World price increases were modest for wheat, but greater for corn and other coarse grains in part because of differences in market share among grains. US consumers of grain and grain products buy less at higher prices and are worse off, as is the country as a whole. Consumer surplus falls nearly 7 billion in rents they collect from current programs. It seems unlikely that a producer group would risk gains of this size for the prospect of cartel rents a sixth the size or less from international markets. Gains to US producers are less for a wheat cartel than for either the feed grain cartel or for the wheat-feed grain cartel included herein. The unfavorable outcomes originate from the export demand for US wheat made highly elastic by opportunities to substitute feed grain for wheat in production and consumption especially in the long run. That is, a high wheat price and controlled production of wheat encourages importers to produce wheat, cut back feed grain production, and import low-cost feed grains.Crop Production/Industries, International Relations/Trade,
Common Agricultural Policy Rebalancing: The Basis for Possible Agreement
Agricultural and Food Policy,
European Economic Integration and the Consequences for U.S. Agriculture
The pace of political-economic change in former East Bloc nations of Europe defies accurate prediction. Some events such as more price-directed markets are predictable enough but integration of former East Bloc countries into the European Community remains a matter of speculation. Analysis indicates that the economics of agriculture favors acceptance by the European Community of members of the European Free Trade Association before former members of the. East Bloc. Analysis also indicates the considerable agricultural production potential of Central and East Europe will be unleased first by market-directed economies and later by integration with the EC -- if the latter occurs. US consumers gain more than producers lose so the economic welfare of Americans is raised modestly.International Relations/Trade,
Benefits to U.S. Agriculture from Terminating European Oilseed Subsidies
Exact date of working paper unknown
U.S. Investment Opportunities in East German Agriculture After Unification
Exact date of working paper unknown
Implementing a New Trade Paradigm: Opportunities for Agricultural Trade Regionalism in the Pacific Rim
The objective of this paper is to analyze the economic implications for American food producers, consumers, and society of alternative Pacific Rim free trade region (FIR) configurations.International Relations/Trade,
Wilderness User Campsite Selection
Modern management of forest resources involves more than correct application of silviculture and timber management skills. There are numerous opportunities for the forester to apply sociological and psychological skills. In managing forests for recreational use the major emphasis is sociological. I consider myself very fortunate to be able to apply my background in sociology in this research project. My interest in wilderness recreation as a participant led me to conclude that this would be the most stimulating recreation research for me to pursue. Initially it was rather difficult to get a handle on recreational research in this area but following some leads I quickly found the Forest Experiment Station files and journal articles by Forest Service researchers. Cross referencing in papers and articles led to compilation of a sizable bibliography of writings on all phases of management in American wilderness over the past forty years. Ideas for this project were germinated one day as I was reading a preliminary report on trail and campsite deterioration research. The author hypothesized that most camping takes place at an ecotone. This thought intrigued me and I started considering ways to find out where people camp in the wilderness and the logic behind their decisions. When I contacted John Hendee and Bob Lucas, they said that my ideas sounded reasonable and so I proceeded to formulate plans to carry out the research.Forest Resource