A COMPARISON OF STATE AND USDA COST AND RETURN ESTIMATES

Concern has been voiced that U.S. Department of Agriculture (UDSA) Farm Costs and Returns Surveys are used for a wide variety of policy analyses but produce questionable estimates. USDA-developed crop and livestock cost and return estimates for New Mexico and other selected states are compared to estimates developed by state universities. Major differences exist, most important of which relate to the ability of the survey respondent to answer the questions posed. Regardless of the cause of the differences, closer cooperation between the USDA and state universities clearly is needed to develop consistent estimates.Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Noncontact temperature pattern measuring device

Laser pyrometer techniques are utilized to accurately image a true temperature distribution on a given target without touching the target and without knowing the localized emissivity of the target. The pyrometer utilizes a very high definition laser beam and photodetector, both having a very narrow focus. The pyrometer is mounted in a mechanism designed to permit the pyrometer to be aimed and focused at precise localized points on the target surface. The pyrometer is swept over the surface area to be imaged, temperature measurements being taken at each point of focus

Compliant walker

A compliant walker is provided for humans having limited use of their legs and lower back. It includes an upright wheel frame which at least partially surrounds an upright user wearing a partial body harness. It is attached to the frame by means of cable compliant apparatus consisting of sets of cable segments and angle bracket members connected between opposite side members of the frame and adjacent side portions of the harness. Novelty is believed to exist in the combination of a wheeled frame including a side support structure, a body harness, and compliance means connecting the body harness to the side support structure for flexibility holding and supporting a person in a substantially upright position when the user sags in the frame when taking weight off the lower extremities