Investigation of the Costs of an Increased Shipping Standard for Cotton Warehouses

The speed of shipping cotton from warehouses has become an important issue for the cotton industry. This paper examines issues relating to costs and benefits of an increased cotton shipping standard. The value chain model is used to identify improvements in incentives, information flow and warehouse filling and management strategies.Industrial Organization,

The Impact of Drought on Grain Handling Firms

Drought impact both producers and agribusinesses. This study investigates the impacts of the 2004-2007 droughts on Oklahoma grain handling and fertilizer supply firms. The results indicated an average decline in firm revenues of 30%. Individual firms had single year revenue declines of 85% and drought period declines of 75%.Agribusiness, Environmental Economics and Policy,

Feasibility Assessment of Biomass Harvesting Cooperative

The paper summarizes the harvesting and transportation costs of biomass in an individual producer’s framework versus a cooperative framework using a feasibility template developed in MS Excel. The cost is compared between individual producer having 1000 acres of land and a cooperative with five members each having 1000 acres of land. The estimated total cost per ton for harvesting biomass and transporting it to a warehouse 20 mile far is $25.53 for individual producer and$18.00 for cooperative. The mowing, raking and baling cost per ton is estimated to be $5.71,$3.94 and $11.16 respectively for individual producer and$4.97, $2.00 and$5.85 respectively for cooperative.Biomass, Switchgrass, Harvesting, Transportation, Cooperative, Agricultural and Food Policy, Financial Economics, Production Economics, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Optimal Cash Purchase Strategies to Reduce Fertilizer Price Risk

Fertilizer price volatility has increased dramatically. This research examines cash purchase and warehouse strategies. Seventeen years of Oklahoma fertilizer prices are examined. The results indicate that mechanical cash purchase strategies can be used to reduce the average cost or variance for fertilizer. Optimal purchase dates are also identified.fertilizer, price risk, seasonal price pattern, Agribusiness, Crop Production/Industries, Farm Management,

Producers Cooperative Oil Mill: A Case Study in Strategic Planning for a Cooperative

This study examines the strategic issues and decisions of Producers Cooperative Oil Mill, a regional oilseed processing cooperative located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The process of strategic planning and strategy implementation in agribusiness has been the topic of numerous research studies and case studies. While cooperative firms have been the subject of case studies focusing on strategic issues, the unique aspects of strategic decisions in a cooperative firm have not been highlighted. The formulation and implementation of strategy in cooperative organizations is impacted by their business structure. This case study provides unique examples of how strategy formulation and implementation is impacted by the unique structure and values of a cooperative firm. The article is formatted such that it can be used in educational programs as three inter-related mini-case studies. Questions for students are included.cooperative, strategic planning, oilseed processing, Agribusiness, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

American Native Beef Cooperative

The American Native Beef project involved a failed attempt to establish cow and bull slaughter operation in Southeast Oklahoma. The effort was initially organized as a new generation cooperative and raised over US$2.5M from area producers who retained their funds in escrow for over 5 years despite numerous opportunities to withdraw their investment. The business model was restructured several times to attract equity capital from outside investors. The case provides insights into the linkages between business strategy and business structure. It also raises the question as to whether the project could have been successful under the original business model.Agribusiness, Livestock Production/Industries,

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS' WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR REAL-TIME MESOSCALE WEATHER INFORMATION: A RESPONSE

Farm Management,

Before the Bricks and Mortar: A Case Study of a New Generation Cooperative’s Planning Process

To generate additional income for their members, many cooperatives consider forward integrating into processing activities. However, many market, industry, and economic issues must be considered before choosing a value-added processing activity to pursue. Gathering the necessary information to evaluate various processing opportunities is a considerable undertaking and may require the expertise of university personnel, economic development specialists, and possibly professional consultants. Using an Oklahoma new generation cooperative case study, this paper outlines a market assessment process for value-added ventures.market entry strategies, “matrix†assessment, new generation cooperative, strategic planning, Financial Economics, Marketing, Productivity Analysis,

Energizing a Cooperative Class with Cooperative Feasibility Software

Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession, Agribusiness,

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS' WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR REAL-TIME MESOSCALE WEATHER INFORMATION

Mesoscale weather networks can provide improved weather information to agricultural producers. This technology can potentially improve production decisions, reduce irrigation and pesticide inputs, and reduce weather-related losses. Developing a mesoscale network to disseminate real-time mesoscale weather information requires a substantial investment. In addition, there are costs associated with maintenance of the system and distribution of the information available. While public funds may be available to support initial development of the system, there may be less public support initial development of the system, there may be less public support for maintaining the system and subsidizing usersÂ’' access to the information. This study uses the contingent valuation technique to determine the willingness of Oklahoma farmers and ranchers, as one set of potential users, to pay for real-time mesoscale weather information. The results indicate that agricultural producers are willing to pay only a modest fee for improved weather information. Gross sales, irrigation, and past weather losses are among the factors shown to significantly impact willingness to pay.Agribusiness,