Farm Structure and Use of the Conservation Reserve Program of the 1985 Farm Bill

Within the conservation and production objectives that form the current Farm Bill, there are a range of options that encourage uniquely tailored farm plans for each farm and landowner (LO) situation. In this attempt to predict use of one option, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), three broad sets of farm structure variables were employed. These were farming scale, planning horizon, and farm specialization. A two-stage systematic sample of 437 farm parcels from county ASCS lists resulted in 187 land owner interviews for discriminant analysis. Participation in CRP was most discriminated by two farm size variables--crop acres and gross farm income. Among CRP participants, prediction of forestry versus permanent pasture options was dominated by planning horizon variables. Among non-users, lack of information was most discriminated by LOs specializing in nonruminant animal production, and farms located in the most urbanized county (Montgomery). However, the poorly informed were negatively discriminated by crop and soybean acres. While the discriminating variables were different in each analysis, about 80 percent of the cases were correctly classified in each of the three dimensions of CRP participation by the discriminant function based on the seven independent variables

Use of Government Services by Low-Income, Rural Residents in Alabama

Overparticipation in government programs often receives much publicity, while the question of underparticipation by those eligible is seldom addressed. It is hypothesized that participation rates and reasons for nonparticipation among eligibles are related to household characteristics and county-level variables. A random cluster sample of 251 households in three randomly selected, rural, low-income Alabama counties was surveyed in August and September, 1981. Data analyzed deal with the utilization of food stamps, Medicaid, Medicare, and county health services. It is estimated that needy nonparticipants among eligibles in food stamps are about 22 percent; in Medicaid about 46 percent; in Medicare about 19 percent; and in county health services about 23 percent. The hypothesis regarding the relation between participation, on one hand, and race, education, and county-level variables on the other, was supported. Residence in the poorest county, and household heads who were black and had the least education tended to correspond with needy nonparticipation among eligibles

Deciphering lipid structures based on platform-independent decision rule sets

We developed decision rule sets for Lipid Data Analyzer (LDA; http://genome.tugraz.at/lda2), enabling automated and reliable annotation of lipid species and their molecular structures in high-throughput data from chromatography-coupled tandem mass spectrometry. Platform independence was proven in various mass spectrometric experiments, comprising low- and high-resolution instruments and several collision energies. We propose that this independence and the capability to identify novel lipid molecular species render current state-of-the-art lipid libraries now obsolete

An Econometric Evaluation of Producers’ Preferences for Mandatory Labeling of Genetically Modified Food Products

This study uses multivariate statistical procedures to assess producers’ preferences for mandatory labeling of genetically modified (GM) products. The analysis is based on a sample of 1,887 farm producers in ten Southern states of the U.S. who claimed to be “somewhat knowledgeable” about biotechnology. A logistic regression model was employed to isolate characteristics of producers assumed to influence their perceptions of biotechnology and preferences for mandatory labeling. The study highlights a number of important findings with significant implications. It reveals that most producers in the ten states are older (average age is 58 years) and have some college education but remain part-time farmers, dependent largely on off-farm income for their livelihood. The majority raise beef cattle or produce hay and timber. Most producers are in favor of mandatory labeling even though only half of the respondents totally agree with it. They believe biotech will benefit larger farmers, and that farmers will be dependent on large corporations that develop and market biotechnology inputs. The majority are neutral about whether consumers will accept biotech crop products. They also remain undecided about government’s ability to properly regulate agricultural biotechnology. Limitations and benefits of biotechnology, education, and enterprise characteristics significantly influence producers’ probability of being in favor of mandatory labeling. Information sources such newspaper, radio, and television; race; age; and whether a county was underserved do not significantly affect producers’ perceptions regarding mandatory labeling of GM food products

Does Race Matter in Landowners ' Participation in Conservation Incentive Programs?

Tl1i.s study ir~vestigcitcd cmd conlpclred the participatiori hclimvior of'ivhite uncl nrinoritj~ sriicrll Iandowner: ~ iri Aleibcrrnu ir ~ eight corzservutiorz iricentive progrirrils. Usirig norprurnetric tests irnd logit niodeling, rt~cfounrll?ot11 sin~ilrrities anrl clflercrzces irz purticipulion heliuvior betiveen these rrvo lcrricloivner groups. Both ivhite emd liiiriority Irnclorcners tc.rirk.d rio t lo purl icipcrte in con.sert~alion iricer? t ive progrrmr.~, crricl were eyucrl/y likely to participate it2 tlre overall progrur7u, Conservcrtiorz Reserve Progrmrn (CRP), Stewurdship l~icerzrivrs Progranz (SIP), crnd Forestr ~ It?c'entives Progruriz (FIP). White lczrido~i.ners, hoivcver, ir'ere erirollecl iri the CRP lotlgcr cine / signed up niore crcres iti the CRP cmcl FIP tliciri r~ziriorities. Morc.ovc.r, mir~orilies,+,ere rizorc likck to be clissutisfied ivith progreznl pcrrtir.ipatiori riricl to bc IAIIU~/CJ to c!lfi)rd th

An Econometric Evaluation of Producers’ Preferences for Mandatory Labeling of Genetically Modified Food Products

This study uses multivariate statistical procedures to assess producers’ preferences for mandatory labeling of genetically modified (GM) products. The analysis is based on a sample of 1,887 farm producers in ten Southern states of the U.S. who claimed to be “somewhat knowledgeable†about biotechnology. A logistic regression model was employed to isolate characteristics of producers assumed to influence their perceptions of biotechnology and preferences for mandatory labeling. The study highlights a number of important findings with significant implications. It reveals that most producers in the ten states are older (average age is 58 years) and have some college education but remain part-time farmers, dependent largely on off-farm income for their livelihood. The majority raise beef cattle or produce hay and timber. Most producers are in favor of mandatory labeling even though only half of the respondents totally agree with it. They believe biotech will benefit larger farmers, and that farmers will be dependent on large corporations that develop and market biotechnology inputs. The majority are neutral about whether consumers will accept biotech crop products. They also remain undecided about government’s ability to properly regulate agricultural biotechnology. Limitations and benefits of biotechnology, education, and enterprise characteristics significantly influence producers’ probability of being in favor of mandatory labeling. Information sources such newspaper, radio, and television; race; age; and whether a county was underserved do not significantly affect producers’ perceptions regarding mandatory labeling of GM food products.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Making the link: households and small business activity in a multi-ethnic context

The ‘family’ is frequently mentioned in assessments of the apparent distinctiveness of ethnic minority enterprise. Family involvement can account for the ‘success’ of some ethnic groups, and low rates of small business activity in others. Implicitly, such debates are recognition of the importance of the nature of the household and small business. However, few studies in Britain make explicit the link between household dynamics and ethnic minority business activity. This paper examines how households from a variety of ethnic communities impinge upon ‘family’ enterprise operating in the independent restaurant sector. In-depth interviews with family members from 37 micro-business households are drawn upon to illuminate three particular issues: the role of family members in the business; the impact of household dynamics on business activity; and the nature of ‘second-generation’ involvement in the family business. The ? ndings highlight the gendered nature of roles within the micro-business household, and the importance of extended family ties to small business activity. However, the involvement of predominantly second-generation family members could not be regarded as an example of uncomplicated family collectivities at work. Rather, their presence was more a product of limited labour market choices, socialisation, and power relations within the household

Deciphering lipid structures based on platform-independent decision rules

10.1038/NMETH.4470NATURE METHODS14121171-117

Deciphering lipid structures based on platform-independent decision rules.

We achieve automated and reliable annotation of lipid species and their molecular structures in high-throughput data from chromatography-coupled tandem mass spectrometry using decision rule sets embedded in Lipid Data Analyzer (LDA; http://genome.tugraz.at/lda2). Using various low- and high-resolution mass spectrometry instruments with several collision energies, we proved the method's platform independence. We propose that the software's reliability, flexibility, and ability to identify novel lipid molecular species may now render current state-of-the-art lipid libraries obsolete