An Assessment of the India Soy Protein Market

This research is a first step in determining India's future need for soy-based protein products. The objective of this study is to determine India's protein demand over the next ten years. Then, using the per capita protein demand derived from this study, along with income, population, and dietary information, per capita soy protein consumption was estimated for the same time period. It was found that income growth has a large positive affect on protein consumption.Demand and Price Analysis, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Cross-Hedging Distillers Dried Grains: Exploring Corn and Soybean Meal Futures Contracts

Ethanol mandates and high fuel prices have led to an increase in the number of ethanol plants in the U.S. in recent years. In turn, this has led to an increase in the production of distillers dried grains (DDGs) as a co-product of ethanol production. DDG production in 2006 is estimated to be near 11 million tons. A sharp increase in ethanol production and thus DDGs is expected in 2007 with an increase with the number of ethanol plants. As with most competitive industries, there is some level of price risk in handling DDGs and no futures contract available for this co-product. Ethanol plants, as well as users of DDGs, may find cross-hedging DDGs with corn or soybean meal (SBM) futures as an effective means of managing risk. Traditionally, DDGs are hedged using only corn futures.

DETERMINANTS OF SALE PRICE AND FARM VALUE IN THE MISSOURI SHOW-ME SELECT REPLACEMENT HEIFER PROGRAM

Farm Management, Livestock Production/Industries,

HOW MUCH VALUE IS THERE IN A PRODUCER BRANDED BRED HEIFER PROGRAM?

Agricultural producers are pursuing many methods by which to add value. Typically, some type of change in commodity form is used to add value. However, there exist methods by which added value occurs through intensive management practices, particularly in seedstock production. We investigated the brand premium to a producer-owned quality-based bred heifer program. Results indicated that producers garner in access of a $100/head premium, while potentially reducing future search/advertising costs through building brand loyalty.Livestock Production/Industries,

Estimating the Value Added Product Life Cycle

This research analyzes factors affecting product and profit life-cycles for new value added products. The methodology used shows how sales and profits evolve and how exogenous factors affecting sales and profits. Results indicate that producers can increase the level of sales and profits over time through initial marketing efforts.Marketing,

The Value of Carcass Characteristic EPDs in Bred Heifer Price

This study used hedonic modeling to assess the marginal implicit value of bred heifer characteristics and of carcass characteristic expected progeny differences of bred heifer calves. Using data for 692 pens of Show-Me Replacement Heifers Inc. heifers marketed over the 2001 through 2004 period, we find heavier heifers are priced higher than lighter heifers, artificially inseminated heifer pens were premium priced, Angus animals received a premium, pens that are expected to calve at optimal period of the year and within a 30-day window received premiums, calf performance EPD birth weight was positive, only marbling carcass characteristic EPD was positive and significant, buyers prefer larger lots to smaller lots, buyers pay the highest price for lots sold during the mid-point of the sale, and buyers pay a higher price for a pen bred to the same sire. It may be that certain post-weaning carcass characteristics are not of value to buyers because they either sell at weaning or due to the co-mingling of cattle certain expected production capabilities are of little value.Demand and Price Analysis, Livestock Production/Industries,

Cross-Hedging Distillers Dried Grains Using Corn and Soybean Meal Futures Contracts

Ethanol mandates have led to an increase in the production of distillers dried grains (DDGs), a co-product of ethanol production that is incorporated into livestock rations. As with most competitive industries, there is some level of price risk in handling DDGs, and there is no DDG futures contract available for managing price risk. Commonly, DDGs are hedged using only corn futures. Our results suggest that cross-hedge risk may be reduced by including soybean meal futures in an encompassing cross-hedge strategy. Further, we also conclude soybean meal futures currently may be slightly more effective at reducing risk than in the past.cross-hedge, distillers dried grains, ethanol, price risk, Agribusiness, Demand and Price Analysis,

Cross-Hedging Fishmeal: Exploring Corn and Soybean Meal Futures Contracts

During 2006 the fishmeal price nearly doubled from $500MT to over$900MT. The objective of this research is to determine the optimal cross-hedge ratio between fishmeal and soybean meal and corn, and corresponding hedging weight between corn and soybean. Results indicate all hedging weight should be placed on the corn futures contract. This is an interesting result since prior fishmeal cross-hedging research has not analyzed the corn futures contract as a risk management mechanism.Crop Production/Industries, Risk and Uncertainty,

Beef Reproductive Technology Adoption- Impact of Production Risk and Capitals

Agriculture, Beef, Artificial insemination, Estrus synchronization, Social capital, Production risk, Technology adoption, Farm Management,

Cow-Calf Producer Interest in Retained Ownership

The beef industry’s share of domestic meat demand continues to decline, as increasing vertical coordination in pork and poultry contribute to these industries’ ability to offer convenient, consistent, and less expensive products. For such vertical coordination to be effective, incentives must be properly aligned so that those responsible for making the most important investments for system profitability are appropriately compensated. This study demonstrates that cow-calf producers who invest in quality registered cattle and those who are interested in incorporating feedlot and carcass data into herd management decisions are also more interested in retained ownership.beef cattle, property rights theory, retained ownership, Livestock Production/Industries, Marketing, Q13,