Economic Analysis and Impact of Sod Production in Texas

This paper presents analysis of the cost structure for a medium-sized sod producing operation in Texas and results of a mail survey providing information on the production economics and marketing of sod in Texas. Results are compared with findings from previous studies conducted in Florida and Alabama.Crop Production/Industries,

Economic Analysis of High Fertilizer Input, Over-seeded Clover and Native Pasture Production Systems in the Texas Coastal Bend

This paper examined the cost and risk of three grazing systems to provide information on economically sustainable systems for cattle producers in the Texas Coastal Bend. Results indicate the medium input (over-seeded clover) grazing system displays first degree stochastic dominance relative to the high input and no input grazing systems.grazing system economics, forage production economics, Crop Production/Industries, Livestock Production/Industries, Production Economics,

A DECISION SUPPORT AID FOR BEEF CATTLE INVESTMENT USING EXPERT SYSTEMS

The beef cattle investment decision provides an excellent opportunity to increase the economic efficiency of beef cattle production. The investment questions that face beef cattle producers are of interest to beef cattle producers, educators, and financial institutions involved in lending to beef cattle producing firms. This study develops a decision support aid utilizing expert system technology to assist beef cattle producers in making well-founded investment decisions with respect to the firm's beef cattle herd.Beef cattle investment, Decision support, Export systems, Livestock Production/Industries,

EVALUATING APPROPRIATE RENTAL RATES FOR RICE ACREAGE

The levels and risk-free nature of rice market transition payments associated with the FAIR Act of 1996 have encouraged many rice landowners to reconsider their tenure contracts. A methodology for comparing landowners' decision to "self-operate" versus "rent to a tenant" is presented.Crop Production/Industries, Land Economics/Use,

COTTON LAND TENURE EVALUATION SOFTWARE USERS' GUIDE

The Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (FAIR Act) introduces several significant changes to farm commodity legislation. While these changes impact all program commodities, they have prompted considerable concern for the future of the Texas cotton industry. Changes in the farm program have prompted many landowners and tenants to evaluate their current rental arrangements and determine if changes are required. In response to considerable ensuing questions regarding the land rental market, a Lotus 1-2-3 template was developed to aid parties in determining an equitable lease. This Lotus template allows users to specify enterprise budget information for rice farm operations and then evaluates the expected returns to producers and landowners under various lease scenarios. The landowners' results are compared with the returns from 100% of the market transition payments and user-specified net returns for an alternative enterprise to calculate the net advantage to landowners for producing rice under the budgeted scenario over the life of the FAIR Act. The Cotton Land Tenure Evaluation Users' Guide is a detailed explanation of how to use the Lotus Cotton Land Tenure Evaluation program. This guide instructs users on how to use the various components of the program. Sections of the Users' Guide include a preface, installation instructions, an overview of the changes in the farm program, a section describing how to input data, a description of the custom menu system, and a report section that illustrates examples of the reports that are available for printing.Agricultural and Food Policy,

RICE LAND TENURE EVALUATION SOFTWARE USERS' GUIDE

The Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (FAIR Act) introduces several significant changes to farm commodity legislation. While these changes impact all program commodities, they have prompted considerable concern for the future of the Texas rice industry. Changes in the farm program have prompted many landowners and tenants to evaluate their current rental arrangements and determine if changes are required. In response to considerable ensuing questions regarding the land rental market, a Lotus 1-2-3 template was developed to aid parties in determining an equitable lease. This Lotus template allows users to specify enterprise budget information for rice farm operations and then evaluates the expected returns to producers and landowners under various lease scenarios. The landowners' results are compared with the returns from 100% of the market transition payments and user-specified net returns for an alternative enterprise to calculate the net advantage to landowners for producing rice under the budgeted scenario over the life of the FAIR Act. The Rice Land Tenure Evaluation Users' Guide is a detailed explanation of how to use the Lotus Rice Land Tenure Evaluation program. This guide instructs users on how to use the various components of the program. Sections of the Users' Guide include a preface, installation instructions, an overview of the changes in the farm program, a section describing how to input data, a description of the custom menu system, and a report section that illustrates examples of the reports that are available for printing.Agricultural and Food Policy,

GRAIN LAND TENURE EVALUATION SOFTWARE USERS' GUIDE

The Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (FAIR Act) introduces several significant changes to farm commodity legislation. While these changes impact all program commodities, they have prompted considerable concern for the future of the Texas grain industry. Changes in the farm program have prompted many landowners and tenants to evaluate their current rental arrangements and determine if changes are required. In response to considerable ensuing questions regarding the land rental market, a Lotus 1-2-3 template was developed to aid parties in determining an equitable lease. This Lotus template allows users to specify enterprise budget information for grain farm operations and then evaluates the expected returns to producers and landowners under various lease scenarios. The landowners' results are compared with the returns from 100% of the market transition payments and user-specified net returns for an alternative enterprise to calculate the net advantage to landowners for producing grain under the budgeted scenario over the life of the FAIR Act. The Grain Land Tenure Evaluation Users' Guide is a detailed explanation of how to use the Lotus Grain Land Tenure Evaluation program. This guide instructs users on how to use the various components of the program. Sections of the Users' Guide include a preface, installation instructions, an overview of the changes in the farm program, a section describing how to input data, a description of the custom menu system, and a report section that illustrates examples of the reports that are available for printing. The Grain Land Tenure Evaluation also has the capability of evaluating all seven program crops. A section in the Users' Guide explains how to switch from one crop to another.Agricultural and Food Policy,

KEY FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO COW/CALF COSTS, PROFITS AND PRODUCTION

In this study, cow/calf Standardized Performance Analysis (SPA) data for Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico are used to analyze how total cost, production, and profitability are affected by management choices. Total cost is the financial cost associated with raising a calf through the weaning stage; profits are measured using the rate of return on assets; production is determined by pounds weaned per exposed female. Variables such as herd size, pounds of feed fed, calving percentage, death loss, length of breeding season and investment in asset groups are used in regressions. Key factors contributing to a cow/calf operation's costs, production, and profitability are identified.Livestock Production/Industries,

SAEA ENTERPRISE BUDGET SURVEY AND SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS

Agricultural Finance,

Economic Analysis of Cellulosic Feedstock for Bioenergy in the Texas Rio Grande Valley

Farm Management,