POLICY ISSUES ARISING FROM IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 1985 FARM BILL CONSERVATION PROVISIONS

Agricultural and Food Policy,

Economic Aspects of Biopesticides

Factors influencing biopesticides us

Agricultural economics in an evolving land grant system

Projections regarding public, political, and fiscal support for agriculture, and centralization of agricultural economics research decision-making suggest downsizing and consolidation of traditional agricultural economics research institutions. The profession can survive and thrive under these circumstances only by demonstrating its uniqueness and utilizing existing comparative advantage to broaden its constituent base

Do USDA Farm Program Participants Contribute to Soil Erosion?

Only about one-third of U.S. cropland with excessive soil erosion rates is operated by farmers who might be influenced to reduce erosion if changes were made in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's commodity and soil conservation programs. The present commodity programs may conflict with conservation programs by encouraging the cultivation of erosive crops. Efforts to increase the consistency of USDA commodity and conservation programs would contribute little to overcoming the Nation's total erosion problems. Such efforts, however, should balance conservation objectives with objectives for farm income, commodity prices, production, and export

FACTORS AFFECTING THE RANK AND SALARY OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMISTS: COMMENT AND ANALYSIS

An analysis by Lee of factors affecting academic agricultural economists is reviewed for missing and/or misspecified variables. A subsequent analysis based on a sample of federally employed agricultural economists Is presented. The regression model indicates variables measuring education, experience and job tenure are the strongest determinants of rank and salary. Individuals' gender proves insignificant in explaining rank and salary of federally employed agricultural economists

Production and Cost Implications of a Multi-Pest Management Program for Pecans

This study examines the impacts on pecan production that could result from adoption of a newly developed multi-pest management program for Southeastern pecans. The cost of the program is greater than the cost of conventional control of pecan pests. Analysis of yield data suggests, however, that employment of the multi-pest management program may increase pecan yield over that obtained using the conventional system of pesticide applications. The value of yield increases on experimental acreage was sufficiently high to offset the increased cost of pest control. Further research is required to examine the impacts of widespread adoption of the program