SUPPLY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES FOR THE TART CHERRY INDUSTRY

Two interrelated supply problems facing the tart cherry industry are long-run cyclical patterns in industry productive capacity and substantial annual supply fluctuations. Following the termination of a federal marketing order in effect for 14 years, the industry has considered a number of other supply management options. None have been adopted on a broad industry basis. Recent proposals involved formation of a multi-state supply management cooperative and use of a state marketing order in Michigan. Annual supply management alternatives include reserve pool, market allocation, and non-harvest. An orchard removal incentive program was proposed to reduce industry productive capacity.Agribusiness,

FEASIBILITY OF PACKAGING POTATOES IN INSTITUTIONAL SIZE RETORT POUCHES

Packaging potatoes in institutional size retort pouches is analyzed as a possible market outlet for Michigan potatoes. A two-pronged research approach involves estimation of unit costs of retort pouch potato products (RPP) and an assessment of the market potential for RPP in the food service industry. Break-even costs for a six-pound pouch is estimated to be $2.62 (44¢ per pound), which translates to a likely price disadvantage relative to competing products. Food service operators expressed general satisfaction with existing potato products and will not readily switch to use of retort pouch potato products.Agribusiness,

Local Public Services in Wisconsin: Alternatives for Municipalities with a Focus on Privatization

Both rural and urban municipal officials, faced with increased local resistance to higher taxes, increasing expenditure needs, weakening financial support from higher levels of government, and the growing pressure to "do more with less" have accelerated their search for alternative ways of delivering local public services. The downsizing of government has been brought to the forefront of public discussion in part due to the general conservative shift at the federal and state level and the need to maintain a balanced budget at the local level. Related private sector trends downsizing middle management as a means to become "leaner and meaner," reducing duplication and waste, and increasing earnings, profit levels, and returns to investors. At the same time many local public officials are faced with rising costs to maintain an aging infrastructure, accommodating the needs of special populations, satisfying rules and regulations imposed by higher levels of government, funding new investments to meet the demands of a growing economy in some instances, or maintaining critical services in the face declining economies. In short, the rules of the game for effective management of local governments have changed.

Radio Astronomy

Contains summary of research and reports on nine research projects.National Science Foundation (Grant AST81-21416)National Science Foundation (Grant AST82-14296)National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Grant S-10781-C)National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Grant NAGW-373)National Science Foundation (Grant AST79-19553)M.I.T. Sloan Fund for Basic ResearchNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Grant 04-8-M01-1)National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Grant NAG5-10)National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Contract NAS5-22929)Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Contract MDA 903-82-K-0521)Center for Advanced Television Studie

Cognitive Information Processing

Contains goals, background, research activities on one research project and reports on three research projects.Center for Advanced Television StudiesAmerican Broadcasting CompanyAmpex CorporationColumbia Broadcasting SystemsHarris CorporationHome Box OfficePublic Broadcasting ServiceNational Broadcasting CompanyRCA CorporationTektronix3M CompanyProvidence Gravure Co. (Grant)International Business Machines, Inc

SUPPLY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES FOR THE TART CHERRY INDUSTRY

Two interrelated supply problems facing the tart cherry industry are long-run cyclical patterns in industry productive capacity and substantial annual supply fluctuations. Following the termination of a federal marketing order in effect for 14 years, the industry has considered a number of other supply management options. None have been adopted on a broad industry basis. Recent proposals involved formation of a multi-state supply management cooperative and use of a state marketing order in Michigan. Annual supply management alternatives include reserve pool, market allocation, and non-harvest. An orchard removal incentive program was proposed to reduce industry productive capacity

FEASIBILITY OF PACKAGING POTATOES IN INSTITUTIONAL SIZE RETORT POUCHES

Packaging potatoes in institutional size retort pouches is analyzed as a possible market outlet for Michigan potatoes. A two-pronged research approach involves estimation of unit costs of retort pouch potato products (RPP) and an assessment of the market potential for RPP in the food service industry. Break-even costs for a six-pound pouch is estimated to be $2.62 (44¢ per pound), which translates to a likely price disadvantage relative to competing products. Food service operators expressed general satisfaction with existing potato products and will not readily switch to use of retort pouch potato products

LOCAL PUBLIC SERVICES IN WISCONSIN: ALTERNATIVES FOR MUNICIPALITIES WITH A FOCUS ON PRIVATIZATION

Both rural and urban municipal officials, faced with increased local resistance to higher taxes, increasing expenditure needs, weakening financial support from higher levels of government, and the growing pressure to "do more with less" have accelerated their search for alternative ways of delivering local public services. The downsizing of government has been brought to the forefront of public discussion in part due to the general conservative shift at the federal and state level and the need to maintain a balanced budget at the local level. Related private sector trends downsizing middle management as a means to become "leaner and meaner," reducing duplication and waste, and increasing earnings, profit levels, and returns to nvestors. At the same time many local public officials are faced with rising costs to maintain an aging infrastructure, accommodating the needs of special populations, satisfying rules and regulations imposed by higher levels of government, funding new investments to meet the demands of a growing economy in some instances, or maintaining critical services in the face declining economies. In short, the rules of the game for effective management of local governments have changed