THE RETURNS TO AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN MAINE: THE CASE OF A SMALL NORTHEASTERN EXPERIMENT STATION

Estimates of the marginal internal rate of return to expenditures for research by the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station are presented. Estimates are performed using ridge regression under an array of specifications, including alternative functional forms, lag structures, costs of public funds, and variable specifications. The results are consistent with many previous results that imply an underinvestment in agricultural research.Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

TB135: The Estimation of the Returns to Agricultural Research and Extension in Maine: 1951-1985

The purpose of this report is to determine a statistical estimate of the returns to agricultural research at the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station during the period 1950 through 1986. The approach taken here follows most of the recent literature regarding the estimation of returns to agricultural research, by estimating an econometric production function and deriving an internal rate of return on both research and extension expenditures within the state of Maine. This estimate is derived using ridge regression techniques. The approach taken here differs somewhat from much of the returns to research literature in that it focuses on a single state, while most other work in this area considers the country as a whole. In addition the estimates here take explicit account of benefits accruing from outside of the state.https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/aes_techbulletin/1071/thumbnail.jp

TOWARD A MARKETING STRATEGY FOR FRESH WILD BLUEBERRIES IN THE NORTHEAST

Marketing,

B827: Toward a Cooperative Marketing Strategy for Fresh Wild Blueberries

Marketing wild blueberries as a fresh product has become an increasingly viable alternative for Maine wild blueberry producers. This bulletin presents the results of research that identified marketing regions with the greatest profit potential for fresh wild blueberries and whether there are packaging or promotional strategies that are likely to be more successful than others within these regions. The authors analyze retail demand for fresh wild blueberries in Maine, Boston, and New York City, as well as describe the results of a survey of wholesale buyers of fresh blueberries in Boston. The conclusions based on the analysis of demand at these two levels of the marketing chain provide some interesting evidence with which to begin to develop a fresh wild blueberry marketing strategy.https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/aes_bulletin/1042/thumbnail.jp

B816: An Economic Analysis of a Maine Dairy Farm Anaerobic Digester

Anaerobic digestion is a method for decomposing organic matter, producing in the process, biogas, which is mostly methane. This process can be used to eliminate or reduce disagreeable and often environmentally harmful characteristics of wastes. During the autumn of 1984, the University of Maine began operation of an anaerobic digestion unit acquired from Agway, Inc., a large Northeastern agricultural cooperative. This system, installed at the Witter Animal Science Center, decomposes animal manures and ultimately produces electricity and hot water. A by-product of the system is a fertilizer with characteristics superior to fertilizers produced from biological wastes that have not undergone a process of anaerobic digestion. The research objectives were to (1) construct an economic-engineering model representing the waste to energy system, (2) quantify the benefits and costs of the system, (3) estimate the cash flows accruing over the lifespan of the system, (4) evaluate the model to determine the net present value of the system, and (5) evaluate alternative scenarios to determine the effect on economic feasibility.https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/aes_bulletin/1051/thumbnail.jp

Explorations, Vol. 4, No. 1

Articles include: Cover: Old Yarmouth Light, 1960, Cape Forchu, Nova Scotia. By and from the collection of Edgar McKay. The Borderlands Concept: a new look at U.S.-Canada relations, by Victor Konrad and Lauren McKensey Fundy Tidal Power Project, by Gregory White Canadian Poet: Ken Norris Native American Life and Art: a celebration, November, 1986, by Lee-Ann Konrad The Montreal Canadiens: a cultural institution, by James J. Herlan U.S. and Canadian Executives: uses of formal and informal plans in top executive decision-making, by Kent Carter Our Cover Artist: bits and pieces of one man\u27s Nova Scotia, by Edgar McKay The Canadian-American Center and the Canadian Collection of the Fogler Library, by Alice Stewart Capitalist Development in the New England-Atlantic Provinces Region, by Robert H. Babcock Atlantic Canadian Members of Parliament as Representatives, by Howard Cody The Rower and the Pyramid: a tribute to Joe Walsh, by Edward D. Ives The Canadian-American Center: exercise in excellence, by Rand Erb Canadian and Maine Potatoes: a bushel of questions, by George K. Griner, Alan S. Kezis, and James D. Leiby After 20: the Future of the Canadian-American Center, by Victor Konra

Risk of Secondary Malignancies After Pelvic Radiation: A Population-based Analysis

Background and objective Radiation therapy has increasingly been used in the management of pelvic malignancies. However, the use of radiation continues to pose a risk of a secondary malignancy to its recipients. This study investigates the risk of secondary malignancy development following radiation for primary pelvic malignancies. Methods A retrospective cohort review of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database from 1975 to 2016 was performed. Primary pelvic malignancies were subdivided based on the receipt of radiation, and secondary malignancies were stratified as pelvic or nonpelvic to investigate the local effect of radiation. Key findings and limitations A total of 2 102 192 patients were analyzed (1 189 108 with prostate, 315 026 with bladder, 88 809 with cervical, 249 535 with uterine, and 259 714 with rectal/anal cancer). The incidence rate (defined as cases per 1000 person years) of any secondary malignancies (including but not limited to secondary pelvic malignancies) was higher in radiation patients than in nonradiation patients (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.04, confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.05), with significantly greater rates noted in radiation patients with prostate (IRR 1.22, CI 1.21-1.24), uterine (IRR 1.34), and cervical (IRR 1.80, CI 1.72-1.88) cancer. While the overall incidence rate of any secondary pelvic malignancy was lower in radiation patients (IRR 0.79, CI 0.78-0.81), a greater incidence was still noted in the same cohorts including radiation patients with prostate (IRR 1.42, CI 1.39-1.45), uterine (IRR 1.15, CI 1.08-1.21), and cervical (IRR 1.72, CI 1.59-1.86) cancer. Conclusions and clinical implications Except for localized cervical cancer, when put in the context of median overall survival, the impact of radiation likely does not carry enough weight to change practice patterns. Radiation for pelvic malignancies increases the risk for several secondary malignancies, and more specifically, secondary pelvic malignancies, but with a relatively low absolute risk of secondary malignancies, the benefits of radiation warrant continued use for most pelvic malignancies. Practice changes should be considered for radiation utilization in malignancies with excellent cancer-specific survival such as cervical cancer. Patient summary The use of radiation for the management of pelvic malignancies induces a risk of secondary malignancies to its recipients. However, the absolute risk being low, the benefits of radiation warrant its continued use, and a change in practice patterns is unlikely

1993 Progress Reports

The 1993 Progress Reports which contain Blueberry Tax Supported Weed Management and Pruning Project Reports, and CSRS Supported Weed Management and Pruning Project Reports, pertain to and report on research conducted in 1992. They were prepared for the Maine Wild Blueberry Commission and the University of Maine Wild Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include: Progress Reports 1. Effects of Irrigation on Low bush Blueberry Yield and Quality 2. Economics of Investing in Irrigation for Lowbush Blueberries 3. Diammonium Phosphate Study 4. Phosphorus Dose/Response Curve 5. Winter Injury Protection by Potassium 6. Multiple Cropping of Wild Stands 7. Effect of Boron on Lowbush Blueberry Fruit Set and Yield 8.Determination of Pesticide Residue Levels in Freshly Harvested and Processed Lowbush Blueberries 9. Effects of Calcium Salts and Citric Acids on the Quality of Canned Lowbush Blueberries- missing 10. Investigation of PreProcess Changes- missing 11. The Effect of Fertilization and Irrigation on Blueberry Fruit Control - missing 12. Pollination Ecology of Lowbush Blueberry in Maine 13. Control of Secondary Blueberry Pests 14. Control of Blueberry Maggot 15. Biology and Action Thresholds of Secondary Blueberry Pests 16. Cold-Hardiness of Native Lowbush Blueberries 17. Design, Fabrication, and Testing of an Experimental Sterilizer for Blueberry Fields 18. Canned Product Quality - Heat Resistant Molds 19. Sanitation for Disease Control Blueberry Tax Supported Weed Management and Pruning Project Reports 20. Evaluation of Postemergence Applications of Tribenuron Methyl for Bunchberry Control 21. Comparison of Poast and Select for Suppression of Bunchgrass 22. Effect of Time of Fall Pruning on Growth and Productivity of Blueberries. and Evaluation of Infrared Burner to Prune Blueberries 23. Evaluation of Velpar impregnated DAP for weed control 24. Thresholds of Dogbane and Bracken Fern for Mechanical and Chemical Control in Lowbush Blueberry Fields 25. Effect of Time and Rate of Application of Clopyralid for Control of Vetch in Lowbush Blueberries 26. Hexazinone Ground Water Survey 27. Composting Blueberry Processing Waste 28. Hexazinone Movement in a Blueberry Soil in Maine CSRS Supported Weed Management and Pruning Project Reports 29. Evaluation of the Suitability of Remote Sensing to Evaluate Plant Cover in Lowbush Blueberry Fields 30. Obstruction Removal in Lowbush Blueberry Fields 31. Evaluation of Pressurized Rope Wick Wick Master Wiper for Treating Weeds Growing Above Lowbush Blueberries 32. Evaluation of Infrared Burner for Weed Control 33. Blueberry Extension Education Program Base Miscellaneous 34. Comparison of N, NP, and NPK Fertilizers to Correct Nitrogen and Phosphorus Deficienc

Maine Blueberry Advisory Committee Research Report

The 1990 edition of the Maine Blueberry Advisory Committee Research Reports was prepared for the Maine Wild Blueberry Commission and the University of Maine Wild Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers with the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station and Maine Cooperative Extension Service at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include: 1. Biology and action thresholds of secondary blueberry pests 2. Control of blueberry maggot 3. Control of secondary blueberry pests 4. Application of steam as a method of controlling secondary pest insects on lowbush blueberry: a feasibility study 5. Pollination of the lowbush blueberry by native bees 6. Nitrogen-phosphorus study 7. Potassium study 8. Multiple cropping of wild stands 9. Phosphorus dose/response curve 10. Improvement in the color and texture of the canned blueberry 11. The effect of fertilization and irrigation on blueberry fruit quality 12. Investigation of preprocess changes (chemical, microbiological, and/or physical) that could lead to the development of a simple and inexpensive method to measure preprocess berry spoilage 13. The effect of postharvest handling on the dietary fiber and ellagic acid content of lowbush blueberries 14. Determination of pesticide residue levels in freshly harvested and processed lowbush blueberries 15. Evaluation of Defoliating Diseases 16. Vacuum Sanitation for Disease Control 17. Evaluation and modification of commercial herbicide applications 18. Evaluation of the suitability of remote sensing to evaluate plant cover in lowbush blueberry fields 19. Evaluation of Sethoxydin (POAST) in lowbush blueberry fields 20. Seedling pruning study 21. Evaluation of norflurazon (SOLICAM) with or without hexazinone (VELPAR) for bunchberry control 22. Selective wiper and mechanical control of dogbane and bracken fern 23. Evaluation of norflurazon (SOLICAM) in fall vs spring for oatgrass control 24. Evaluation of sulfonyl urea herbicides for bunchberry control 25. Evaluation of postemergence applications of DPX-L5300 for bunchberry control 26. Effect of time of application and formulation of hexazinone (VELPAR) on blueberry and bunchberry 27. Investigations of lowbush blueberry fruit-bud cold hardiness 28. The economics of investing in irrigation for lowbush blueberries 29. Effects of irrigation on lowbush blueberry yield and quality 30. Groundwater and surface water development for blueberry irrigation 31. Design, fabrication and testing of an experimental sterilizer for blueberry field

1993-94 Progress Report

The 1993 edition of the Progress Reports was prepared for the Maine Wild Blueberry Commission and the University of Maine Wild Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include: 1. Effects of irrigation on lowbush blueberry yield and quality 2. The Economics of investigating irrigation for lowbush blueberries 3. Phosphorus dose/response curve 4. Winter injury protection by potassium 5. Multiple cropping of wild stands 6. Effect of Boron and Calcium on lowbush blueberry fruit set and yield 7. Comparison of N, NP, and NPK fertilizers to correct nitrogen and phosphorus deficiency 8. Determination of pesticide residue levels in freshly harvested and processed lowbush blueberries 9. Effects of calcium salts and citric acid on the quality of canned lowbush blueberries 10. Investigation of preprocess changes (chemical, microbiological, and/or physical) that can lead to the development of a simple and inexpensive method to measure preprocess berry spoilage 11. The effect of fertilization and irrigation in blueberry fruit quality 12. Pollination Ecology of lowbush blueberry in Maine 13. Current importance of insects in lowbush blueberry fields 14. Application of heat as a method of controlling secondary pest insects on lowbush blueberry: a feasibility study 15. Control of blueberry maggot 16. Control of secondary blueberry pest insects 17. Biology and action thresholds of secondary blueberry pest insects 18. Cold-hardiness of native lowbush blueberry 19. Design, fabrication, and testing of an experimental sterilizer for blueberry fields 20. Canned Product Quality--Heat-resistant molds 21. Sanitation for disease control 22. Evaluation of Velpar® impregnated DAP and Pronone® for weed control 23. Evaluation of postemergence applications of tribenuron methyl for bunchberry control 24. Evaluation of postemergence applications of a tank mix of tribenuron methyl and hexazinone for bunchberry control 25. Thresholds of dogbane and bracken fem by mechanical and chemical control in lowbush blueberry fields 26. Effect of time of application of clopyralid for control of vetch and effect on flowering in lowbush blueberries 27. Effect of time of fall pruning on growth and productivity of blueberries and evaluation of infrared burner to prune blueberries 28. Evaluation of infrared burner for selective seedling weed control 29. Evaluation of pressurized rope wick Wick Master wiper for treating weeds growing above lowbush blueberries 30. Blueberry Extension Education Program Base 31. Blueberry ICM program for Hancock County 32. Composting blueberry processing waste 33. Hexazinone ground water survey 34. Investigations of Lowbush Blueberry Fruit bud Cold-hardiness 35. Design, Fabrication, and Testing of an Experimental Sterilizer for Blueberry Field