Value of Pregnancy Testing Range Cows

Livestock Production/Industries,

U.S. Cotton Acreage Response Due to Subsidized Crop Insurance

subsidy per pound, rate of return simultaneous, panel, fixed effects, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, Risk and Uncertainty,

MANAGING HERD COMPOSITION OF RANGE CATTLE: SALE WEIGHT AND SEASONAL FACTORS

We estimate the weight gain for range calves as a polynomial function of calf age accounting for weather, sex, lagged calf weights relative to the growth function, and compensatory gains. Birth weights plus single day weighings that occurred around 3, 8, 12, and 20 months of age are the data used to estimate our growth function. This function is then used to determine the economic trade-off between herd size and calf sale weights, for both spring and fall sale dates. In addition, we evaluate the profitability of feeding supplement by increasing the rate of gain associated with our growth function when forage and nutrients are limiting for the two grazing environments of Southeast and Central Arizona. Using prices from 1980 to 1998, results indicate that the most profitable herd mix, sale date, and feeding protocol is 450 lb. calf sales with no supplemental feeding and sales occurring in May for both regions. Although, feeding supplement was not associated with the most profitable outcome, supplement increased the average return by $45 to$70 per AUY for sale weights of 550, 650, and 750 lbs.Livestock Production/Industries,

IMPACTS OF THE 2002 DROUGHT ON WESTERN RANCHES AND PUBLIC LAND POLICIES

Land Economics/Use,

Modeling Florida Fresh Tomato Supply Response: Composite Switching Regressions with Variable Weather-Determined Lags

A supply-response model for Florida fresh tomatoes is specified to analyze the impacts of the U.S. Department of Commerce's suspension agreement which governs imports of fresh tomatoes from Mexico. The particular focus is on the impact of the "reference" price which causes Mexican imports in a given week to cease if import prices in the prior week fall to the reference price. Using weekly weather data, a growing degree day (GDD) variable is constructed which predicts week of first harvest and duration of harvest. The GDD variable is used to construct the appropriate, variable lag length for weekly acres planted in four Florida production regions. A composite switching-regime model is estimated in which the regime prior to the suspension agreement occurs at a known time. The other two regimes occur when Nogales f.o.b. price are "near" or not near the reference price. Preliminary results suggest weekly Florida shipments of fresh tomatoes are more own-price elastic when Nogales f.o.b. prices near the reference price.International Relations/Trade,

Aquatic Invertebrate Monitoring at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

Aquatic invertebrates are excellent animals to use for monitoring ecosystem quality; however, how to sample aquatic invertebrates for such monitoring efforts is a central question. All samplers have advantages and disadvantages, and finding the sampler that minimizes bias and fulfills the objectives is crucial. The ecosystem quality of the Niobrara River at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument has been measured for 15 years using aquatic invertebrates colonizing Hester-Dendy samplers. These artificial substrate samplers are useful in rivers that are difficult to sample, but previous studies demonstrated that they bias results toward certain insect orders. Additionally, large debris dams formed upstream of these samplers in the Niobrara River potentially altering samples. Therefore, we compared aquatic invertebrates collected using Hester-Dendy samplers and a Hess sampler in the Niobrara River. Hester-Dendy and Hess samplers collected a similar invertebrate assemblage; however, Hess samples collected fewer mayflies, and fewer true flies, but more dragonflies and damselflies compared to Hester-Dendy samplers. Bioassessment metrics calculated using the two samplers were not statistically different. Three bioassessment metrics changed over time. Hilsenhoff’s Biotic Index (HBI) increased over the last 15 years, indicating that invertebrates living in the Niobrara River are more tolerant of pollution. Mayfly, stonefly, and caddisfly (EPT) taxa richness and the proportion of EPT taxa have declined over time, showing a decline in the number of sensitive invertebrates. I recommend collecting aquatic invertebrates using a Hess sampler in the Niobrara River at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, because the Hess sampler will reduce the number of visits to each site reducing overall costs. Furthermore, Hess samples collect the natural density and diversity of invertebrates, and results are compared to other ecosystems

Aquatic Invertebrate Monitoring at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

Aquatic invertebrates are excellent indicators of ecosystem quality, and these animals have been used to monitor ecosystems since the 1870s (Cairns and Pratt 1993). Growth, survival, and reproduction of aquatic invertebrates are sensitive to declines in environmental quality allowing analysis of assemblage structure to monitor lakes, streams, and wetlands (Johnson et al. 1993). Aquatic invertebrates are ideal indicator species, because they are ubiquitous, abundant, relatively long-lived, diverse, and typically sedentary (Rosenberg and Resh 1993b). In contrast, water samples can be directly analyzed for suspected pollutants, but such samples are snapshots of water quality only and can easily miss discrete discharges of pollutants or other undesirable conditions. In addition, analyzing water samples can be costly, making aquatic invertebrates a cost-effective alternative. Aquatic invertebrates integrate ecosystem quality throughout their lives, and much research has focused on how pollution alters assemblages (e.g., Rosenberg and Resh 1993a)

“Ready to fly with a lust for life” : Utopian Performatives in The Cultural Schoolbag

The Cultural Schoolbag (TCS) is a national programme designed to provide all school pupils in Norway access to professional art and culture. On average three times a year, in their school time, children and youth get to experience art and culture in various forms, spanning literature, film, music, visual arts, cultural heritage, theatre, and dance. To build and maintain Norway as a democracy is an explicit aim of the programme. Securing all children and youth equal access to professional art and culture regardless of geography, economy, religious or cultural background is but one aspect of its democratic scope. Also important is the belief that being exposed to art and culture is instrumental in educating future citizens who are able, ready, and willing to take active part in a democratic society. Reflecting this rather utopian vision of TCS, the county municipality of Vestfold used to launch their TSC programme under the motto: “Livslysten og flyvedyktig”, in English; “Ready to fly with a lust for life”.In what sense, however, do these utopian rationales influence the programme that is offered in the schools? How, exactly, may performance events and theatre experienced in TCS contribute to bringing up citizens that are “ready to fly with a lust for life”?Presenting an outline of current ideological, cultural political, and educational discourses surrounding TCS, this study addresses how, and to what extent, political and educational guidelines have an impact on its artistic programme. Offering two recent TCS productions as examples, I discuss how the utopian spaces provided by these theatre and performance events prepare the grounds for enactment and reflection that may take performative effect in influencing the lives and futures of the participating children and youth

Market-Based Instruments for the Optimal Control of Invasive Insect Species: B. Tabaci in Arizona

Invasive insect species represent perhaps one of the most significant potential sources of economic risk to U.S. agricultural production. Private control of invasive insect species is likely to be insufficient due to negative externality and weaker-link public good problems. In this study, we compare a system of Pigouvian taxes with tradable permits for invasive species control. While the emissions control literature shows that taxes are preferred to permits under cost uncertainty, invasive-species control involves correlated cost and benefit uncertainty. Hence, we expect a quantity-based system to be preferred. Monte Carlo simulations of optimal steady-state outcomes confirm our expectations.externalities, invasive species, optimal control, permits, spatial-temporal model, taxes, Crop Production/Industries, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Defining the communicative work, roles, and inclusion in patient-majority boards

This study conducted a qualitative examination of how patient and non-patient board members and executive level employees influenced governance communication at four Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in the southwest region of the United States. The analysis of 62.5 hours of observation of 41 board events, 42 interviews, and 1,411 pages of board meeting packets identified a significant influence of the patient difference on the communicative work of governance, board member roles, and the process of “getting better” at communicative approaches to inclusion. The first research question examined the communicative work of governance as significant in establishing the board culture and defining the boundary between governance and micromanagement of paid employees. The communicative work of governance in establishing boardroom culture established the values and assumptions in how board members interacted with each other. The communicative work of governance in defining the scope of governing operational activities established the board’s relationship with the organization and the senior leadership team (SLT). The second research question examined the dynamics between board members in more depth by evaluating the communicative acts that shaped three distinct, yet permeable, roles within the boardroom as the Patient, the Contributor, and the Perennial. These roles carried perceived and enacted expectations due to differences in perceived socioeconomic status, differences in who needed to learn what, and differences in their participation in governing activities. The third research question examined how each site of patient-majority engaged in the communicative strategies of inclusion in response to crises of exclusion that divided the board between patients and non-patient board members and to episodes of exclusion of particular board members. The events of exclusion developed further architectures of inclusion in the boardroom by implementing policies and communicative patterns that valued inclusion within the boardroom. These findings hold significant implications in exploring inclusion as a communicative dimension of diversity to understand how diversity, particularly socioeconomic diversity, in the boardroom impacts communication among board members and between the board and executive employees.Communication Studie