Effects of Country-of-Origin Labeling on Meat Producers and Consumers

Although several studies have estimated the costs of country-of-origin labeling (COOL), no previous study has documented how these costs will be distributed across the livestock sector or how producer and consumer welfare will be affected. This analysis presents an equilibrium displacement model of the farm, wholesale, and retail markets for beef, pork, and poultry that documents how producers and consumers will be affected by COOL. Findings reveal that as the costs of COOL are shifted from the producer to the processor and retailer, producers are made increasingly better off while consumers are made increasingly worse off. Further, an increase in aggregate consumer demand of 2% to 3% is likely sufficient to offset lost producer welfare due to COOL costs.beef, country of origin, equilibrium displacement model, labeling, pork, poultry, Consumer/Household Economics,

CONSUMER DEMAND FOR MANDATORY LABELING OF BEEF FROM CATTLE ADMINISTERED GROWTH HORMONES OR FED GENETICALLY MODIFIED CORN

This study estimates the value of policies that would mandate labeling of beef from cattle produced with growth hormones or fed genetically modified corn. At no cost, 85 percent of resondents desired mandatory labeling of beef produced with growth hormones and 64 percent of respondents preferred mandatory labeling of beef fed genetically modified corn. Estimates suggest that consumers would be willing to pay 17.0 percent and 10.6 percent higher prices for beef on average to obtain information provided via mandatory labeling about whether the beef is from cattle produced with growth hormones or fed genetically modified corn, respectively.beef, contingent valuation, genetically modified foods, growth hormones, mandatory labeling, Demand and Price Analysis, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

CONSUMER VALUATION OF BEEF RIBEYE STEAK ATTRIBUTES

A choice experiment (conjoint analysis) was used to investigate consumer demand for several beef ribeye steak attributes. Respondents indicated that they would prefer a "hormone free" ribeye steak priced up to $6.68/lb. more than a "non-hormone" free ribeye steak. Tenderness was also identified as an important attribute in the consumer purchasing decision as a one-unit increase in the tenderness of a steak (on a scale of one to 10) was associated with a$1.13/lb. premium. Steak marbling and whether the animal was fed genetically modified corn were of less importance to consumers.Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

wild|life: A Forest for the People

The photographer discusses the work in wild | life: a forest for the people, his Master of Fine Art exhibition held at the Slocumb Galleries, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee from March 12 through March 23, 2012. The exhibition consists of 24 large-scale color archival Inkjet prints representing a large body of work that examines the human experience through viewing public and private land and land use within or tangential to the Cherokee National Forest. A complete catalogue of the wild ife exhibit is included at the end of the thesis. Historical and contemporary influences are discussed in regard to how they pertain formally and conceptually to Hathaway’s work. Included are photographs from Carleton Watkins, the Archives of Appalachia, Joel Sternfeld, and Jeff Whetstone as well as literary and critical influences from poets Albert Camus and John Szarkowski

DEMAND FOR BEEF FROM CATTLE ADMINISTERED GROWTH HORMONES OR FED GENETICALLY MODIFIED CORN: A COMPARISON OF CONSUMERS IN FRANCE, GERMANY, THE UNITED KINGDOM, AND THE UNITED STATES

This study compares consumer valuations of beef steaks from cattle produced without growth hormones or genetically modified corn in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In general, European consumers place a higher value on beef from cattle that have not been administered growth hormones and/or fed genetically modified corn than United States consumers. There is a larger divergence between the two cultures with regard to the issue of biotechnology and genetic engineering than with the issue of growth hormones. Results suggest that liberalizing trade policy for hormone-treated beef may be welfare reducing for the European Union.Consumer/Household Economics, Demand and Price Analysis, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

CONSUMER DEMAND FOR AND ATTITUDES TOWARD ALTERNATIVE BEEF LABELING STRATEGIES IN FRANCE, GERMANY, AND THE UK

A wide array of food safety scares and breakdowns have led to loss of consumer confidence in the quality and safety of beef products. To counteract such concerns, firms and regulators have the ability to utilize brands or labels to signal quality. Utilizing a mail survey in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, we analyzed consumer preferences for alternative beef labeling strategies. Using an ordered probit model and a double bounded logit model, we estimate consumer preferences for alternative beef labeling programs. In general, results suggest that consumers have more confidence in government mandated labels as opposed to private brands. French and German consumers place a higher level of importance on brands and labels than do UK consumers. Results also suggest that more than 90% of surveyed consumers desire a mandatory labeling program for beef produced from cattle fed genetically modified crops.Consumer/Household Economics, Demand and Price Analysis,

The Ask

Higher education is a bloated, pampered industry of privilege. Higher education is the single-most important investment a society can make. Which of these is true? Behind one of the most pivotal, and misunderstood, conversations universities have

WHOLESALE DEMAND FOR USDA QUALITY GRADED BOXED BEEF AND EFFECTS OF SEASONALITY

This study estimates wholesale demand for pork, chicken, and quality differentiated beef. We estimate meat retailer own- and cross-price demand elasticities for USDA Choice and Select boxed beef. Results indicate that meat retailers have more elastic demand for lower quality graded beef. Retail beef price has a strong positive relationship with Choice and Select boxed beef demand, and a strong negative relationship with wholesale pork and chicken demand. Seasonal analysis reveals demand for both beef quality grades becomes highly price inelastic during the summer months. The two beef quality grades are substitutes during the winter; however, Select beef is not a substitute for Choice beef in the spring and summer.Demand and Price Analysis,