STRUCTURAL CHANGE IMPLICATIONS FOR SMALL FARMS: DISCUSSION

Farm Management,

IMPACT OF NOMINAL AND REAL PRICE CHANGES ON THE SWEET POTATO PACK IN LOUISIANA

Changes in consumer demand have led to a prolonged decline in per capita consumption of sweet potatoes, both fresh and processed form. With a product line of various container sizes and styles, processors may respond to changes by altering product line composition to enhance sales. Changes in quantity of individual products were contrasted to changes in nominal and real prices. Quantities were not consistently related to real prices in an inverse manner, though recent increases in total production of canned sweet potatoes have occurred while real price has decreased.Demand and Price Analysis,

Summary of the Orbiter mechanical systems

Major mechanical systems of the Orbiter space vehicle are summarized with respect to general design details, manner of operation, expected performance, and, where applicable, unique features. A synopsis of data obtained during the five atmospheric flight tests of spacecraft OV-101 and status of the systems for the first orbital spacecraft STS-1 are presented

ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT AND IMPORTANCE OF RE-WHOLESALERS IN THE ORNAMENTALS MARKET

Ornamental growers face a challenge regarding best market channel for their products. Using data from a 2003 survey, this study analyzes the impact of nursery characteristics on channel choice for large and small nurseries. We conclude choice by both sizes was influenced by region, kind of plant, and advertising expenditure.Crop Production/Industries, Marketing,

Consumer Preferences for Locally Produced Strawberries

Consumers were surveyed to understand preference in an effort to stabilize acreage and market share in a minor strawberry production area. Preferred attributes were identified using conjoint analysis. Local product was highest in overall relative importance, followed by price, pesticide strategy, and container. Cluster analysis identified groups with similar demographics. For two groups, local product was 77 percent and 67 percent of relative importance; for another group, price was about 75 percent of importance; while the final group was balanced across three attributes. Alignment with consumer preferences and with strategies of local retailers and wholesalers lead to suggested tactics to support local product.Crop Production/Industries, Demand and Price Analysis, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

An Assessment of Consumer Preferences for Strawberry Products

California has exploited its production advantages and marketing efficiency to increase strawberry production at the expense of traditional production areas like Louisiana. Conjoint analysis is used to examine consumer's preferences for selected product attributes of fresh strawberries in Louisiana. Consumers put highest relative importance on brand/origin and, to a lesser degree, price.Consumer/Household Economics,

The depth of the convective boundary layer and implications for a Walker-like circulation on Mars

Radio science observations indicate that the depth of the martian convective boundary layer varies strongly with surface height, although the surface temperature does not. We show that this effect is reproduced in martian limited area models and in global climate models. The implications for the global circulation when convective boundary layer depth varies with location are considered

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT IN PERISHABLES: A PRODUCE APPLICATION

The objective of supply chain management (SCM) is to remove time and cost from supply chains, improving profitability and/or competitiveness. It is possible through conceptual advances, utilization of computer hardware and software, and other advances in electronic technology. Business literature is used to define the concept. Most applications and benefits have resulted from alliances between large retailers and large packaged goods vendors. Specific applications of SCM in the produce industry, with emphasis on factors such as perishability and production variability, are discussed. Firm-size implications are important. While small and mid-sized growers may find the cost to be high, the innovation of logistics provided by outside suppliers is an alternative. A third-party provider was interviewed; its approach and services are documented; and industry implications are discussed.Agribusiness,

PROJECTED COSTS FOR SELECTED LOUISIANA VEGETABLE CROPS - 1997 SEASON

Information on cultural practices, machinery complements, etc. was obtained from a total of 48 commercial growers. Interviews were confined to growers with at least one acre of a particular vegetable crop. Individual acreage of growers interviewed ranged from one for some vegetable crops to several hundred in the case of sweet potatoes. Cost budgets are reported for 21 vegetable crops, with a total of 39 combinations of crop, machinery size, and market channel.Farm Management,