An alternative theory of the plant size distribution with an application to trade

There is wide variation in the sizes of manufacturing plants, even within the most narrowly defined industry classifications used by statistical agencies. Standard theories attribute all such size differences to productivity differences. This paper develops an alternative theory in which industries are made up of large plants producing standardized goods and small plants making custom or specialty goods. It uses confidential Census data to estimate the parameters of the model, including estimates of plant counts in the standardized and specialty segments by industry. The estimated model fits the data relatively well compared with estimates based on standard approaches. In particular, the predictions of the model for the impacts of a surge in imports from China are consistent with what happened to U.S. manufacturing industries that experienced such a surge over the period 1997--2007. Large-scale standardized plants were decimated, while small-scale specialty plants were relatively less impacted.Productivity ; Imports

The home market and the pattern of trade: round three

Does national market size matter for industrial structure? Round One (Krugman) answered in the affirmative: Home market effects matter. Round Two (Davis) refuted this, arguing that an assumption of convenience-transport costs only for the differentiated goods-conveniently obtained the result. In Round Three we relax another persistent assumption of convenience- two industry types differentiated only by the degree of scale economies-and find that market size reemerges as a relevant force in determining industrial structure.International trade ; Econometric models

Contingent Valuation, Hypothetical Bias, and Experimental Economics

Although the contingent valuation method has been widely used to value a diverse array of nonmarket environmental and natural resource commodities, recent empirical evidence suggests it may not accurately estimate real economic values. The hypothetical nature of environmental valuation surveys typically results in responses that are significantly greater than actual payments. Economists have had mixed success in developing techniques designed to control for this "hypothetical bias." This paper highlights the role of experimental economics in addressing hypothetical bias, and identifies a gap in the existing literature by focusing on the underlying causes of this bias. Most of the calibration techniques used today lack a theoretical justification, and therefore these procedures need to be used with caution. We argue that future experimental research should investigate the reasons hypothetical bias persists. A better understanding of the causes should enhance the effectiveness of calibration techniques.Environmental Economics and Policy,

MARKET INFORMATION SYSTEMS: AN ONLINE AGRICULTURAL MARKET NEWS RETRIEVAL SYSTEM

A minicomputer online information retrieval program is described that is designed to facilitate timely distribution of agricultural market news to state and county research and extension faculty. These faculty have designed programs that extend this information to clientele in their areas. An evaluation indicates that users find great value in this network. Usage has grown rapidly over the period the network has been available. This program is available and can be used by other states and clientele.Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

SUPPLY CHAINS MAY DELIVER SAFER TOMATOES AND STRAWBERRIES

Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Evaluation of methods for suppressing estrus and ovulation in mares: sustained release injections of altrenogest versus deslorelin acetate

Two experiments assessed the potential of altrenogest, an artificial progestogen, and deslorelin acetate, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, for suppressing estrus and ovulation in cyclic mares. In the first experiment, mares were administered a luteolytic dose of prostaglandin-F2á on d 6 of diestrus, and were then treated with 1 of 3 formulations of altrenogest in slow-release vehicle (6 mares/group): 1) Biorelease altrenogest LA150 (225 mg total as a 1.5 mL injection); 2) Biorelease altrenogest LA225 (225 mg total as a 1.0 mL injection); or 3) Biorelease altrenogest LA225 (450 mg total as a 2.0 mL injection). Six control mares received vehicle. Compared to control mares (10.0 days), time to ovulation was greater (P \u3c 0.01) for all mares receiving altrenogest (17.5 days overall); there was no difference (P \u3e 0.5) among groups receiving altrenogest. Control mares (6 out of 6) first displayed estrus an average of 4.5 days after prostaglandin-F2á injection; of the 18 mares receiving altrenogest, 11 displayed first estrus at an average of 13.5 days (P \u3c 0.02 relative to controls) and there was no difference (P \u3e 0.19) among groups. It was concluded that the 3 formulations of altrenogest were equally effective in delaying estrus and ovulation in cyclic mares. It is suggested that a 10-day injection interval could be used to keep mares out of heat for extended periods of time. The second experiment was similar to the first, except that there were 2 groups: 1) control mares that received a vehicle injection and 2) mares that received an i.m. injection of 1.5 g of deslorelin acetate in biodegradable microparticles. Administration of deslorelin did not affect (P \u3e 0.1) the day of first onset of estrus or the day of ovulation. There was a tendency (P = 0.08) for deslorelin treated mares (3 out of 7 vs. 0 out of 6 controls) to not show estrus at the expected time, even though they experienced luteolysis and ovulation. It was concluded that injection of 1.5 g of deslorelin acetate was not an effective method for suppressing estrus and ovulation in cyclic mares

A Comparison of Induced Value and Home-Grown Value Experiments to Test for Hypothetical Bias in Contingent Valuation

This study tests the hypothesis that hypothetical bias may not be related to value elicitation; rather it may be a value formation problem. When participants are asked to indicate their willingness to pay for an induced value good, we find no evidence of hypothetical bias for three different commodity types (public good, private good, and publicly provided private good). However, when these same subjects are asked to value homegrown goods with no pre-assigned induced value using the same elicitation mechanism, hypothetical values are roughly double actual payments in all three cases. These results support the hypothesis that the process of forming values in a homegrown setting may be a key contributor to hypothetical bias.contingent valuation, hypothetical bias, experiments, induced values, home-grown values

FLORIDA DAIRY MARKETING COOPERATIVES' TRANSFER COST ASSOCIATED WITH NON-UNIFORM DELIVERY SCHEDULES

The economic basis for alternative delivery schedules between Florida Dairy Marketing Cooperatives (FDMCs) and fluid milk processors are analyzed, and the costs and benefits of improved coordination between these two market stages are highlighted. The additional costs incurred by FDMCs were they to switch from a uniform delivery schedule to various non-uniform delivery schedules are discussed. The seven-day uniform delivery schedule with the $0.25 discount scheme on total volume decreases FDMCs'Â’ net revenues by$0.1433 per hundredweight (cwt), compared to a five-day delivery schedule with no price discounts.Agribusiness,

An Alternative Theory of the Plant Size Distribution with an Application to Trade

There is wide variation in the sizes of manufacturing plants, even within the most narrowly defined industry classifications used by statistical agencies. Standard theories attribute all such size differences to productivity differences. This paper develops an alternative theory in which industries are made up of large plants producing standardized goods and small plants making custom or specialty goods. It uses confidential Census data to estimate the parameters of the model, including estimates of plant counts in the standardized and specialty segments by industry. The estimated model fits the data relatively well compared with estimates based on standard approaches. In particular, the predictions of the model for the impacts of a surge in imports from China are consistent with what happened to U.S. manufacturing industries that experienced such a surge over the period 1997--2007. Large-scale standardized plants were decimated, while small-scale specialty plants were relatively less impacted.