WHY ECONOMISTS SHOULD TALK TO SCIENTISTS AND WHAT THEY SHOULD ASK: DISCUSSION

Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

DISCUSSION: POLICY SCIENCE IN THE LAND-GRANT COMPLEX: A PERSPECTIVE ON NATURAL RESOURCE ECONOMICS

Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

DISCUSSION: NON-POINT SOURCE POLLUTION ABATEMENT - POTENTIAL IMPACT AND RESEARCH NEEDS

Environmental Economics and Policy,

A RELATIVE EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS OF FARMLAND PRESERVATION PROGRAMS

While agricultural land preservation programs seek to maximize number of acres, to preserve productive farms, to preserve contiguous farms, and to preserve threatened farms, they are often evaluated solely on the number of acres preserved. Using a Farrell efficiency analysis, preserved parcels in four Maryland counties were evaluated for all four goals. Comparisons are made between program Econometric analysis used these efficiency measures as dependent variables. Parcel size and productive farms were the most frequently used criteria to determine efficiency. In addition, purchase of development right programs were most successful in trading off objectives.Land Economics/Use,

A RELATIVE EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS OF FARMLAND PRESERVATION PROGRAMS

Using an inverted Farrell methodology, we analyze the relative efficiency of five agricultural land preservation programs in three counties of Maryland in achieving the stated goals of maximum acreage, threatened parcels, and productive farms. Regression analysis is then used to compare the programs both within and between counties.farmland preservation, efficiency analysis, Productivity Analysis, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

EVIDENCE OF FARMER FORWARD PRICING BEHAVIOR

The current agricultural marketing literature has considerable controversy about the optimal use of hedging for farmers. Much of this literature has very limited data on farmer behavior and an evaluation of the outcome of this behavior. This paper uses data from a hedging game from Maryland marketing clubs for 1994-1998. Hypotheses concerning the consistency of farmer behavior with the research literature on hedging are considered. Results indicate that farmers do not achieve price enhancement from hedging. However, their decisions do not conform to implications of optimal hedging models in a number of dimensions. This analysis provides further information to help bridge the gap between academic research and practical hedging.Grain Marketing, Hedging, Risk Management, Demand and Price Analysis, Marketing,

AN EXPERIMENT IN CONTINGENT VALUATION AND SOCIAL DESIRABILITY

Social desirability (SD) represents the problem of subjects responding with social norms rather than individual values. This paper briefly surveys the SD literature and considers its relevance for contingent valuation (CV) studies. In an empirical study, undergraduate students were administered the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale, as well as CV questions. High SD scores were hypothesized to imply a greater likelihood of offering a protest reason for a zero bid and to increase bids for socially desirable commodities. While all hypotheses were not supported, the empirical results suggest that SD can influence CV responses and should not be dismissed prematurely.Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

FINANCING STATE AND LOCAL SERVICES IN A CYCLICAL ECONOMY

Public Economics,

USE OF BIOPHYSICAL SIMULATION IN PRODUCTION ECONOMICS

Production Economics,

THE IMPACT OF ENERGY PRICES ON OPTIMUM MACHINERY SIZE AND THE STRUCTURE OF AGRICULTURE: A GEORGIA EXAMPLE

Demand and Price Analysis, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,