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

Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

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

Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

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,

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

Environmental Economics and Policy,

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,

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,

POPULATION-SPECIFIC RECREATION DEMAND MODELS AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF POOLING SAMPLE DATA

This paper considers the implications of different geographical population definitions in analysis of demand for wildlife recreation. Demand functions for fishing, small game hunting, big game hunting, and wildlife enjoyment are estimated for individual Southeastern states and also for a pooled sample of all the states. Statistically significant differences between the state and regional estimates of the variable cost coefficient exist in 18 of the 40 cases. Consumer surplus values derived from state cost coefficients can differ greatly from values derived from pooled coefficients.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

THE IMPACT OF MANAGEMENT ON FARM EXPANSION AND SURVIVAL

Farm Management,

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,