Consumers' willingness to pay for natural Christmas tree characteristics are estimated. Differences in willingness to pay for characteristics by specie knowledge and lack of specie knowledge are tested. Differences in willingness to pay for characteristics by specie are also tested. The results...

The recent availability of Chapter 12 bankruptcy and the more frequent use of lender liability suits by borrowers are factors that may be adversely affecting the supply of agricultural loans. An experiment using hypothetical loan applications was undertaken involving 34 banks in western...

The debate over privatizing and water markets has moved back and forth for decades between the "I" and the "We" perspectives. Rather than either/or, a balanced "I&We" view of water institutions is needed. West is meeting east in water law. Public interest needs must be satisfied in appropriate...

A five-year, 0.1, mixed integer programming model was developed to analyze the effects of 1990 Farm Bill legislation on the crop-mix decisions made on cotton farms. Results showed that, when compared to the 1985 Farm Bill, the 1990 Farm Bill can result in higher whole-farm income despite new...

This address is directed toward applied economists as they provide information to private and public decision makers. Central to this discussion is the role of markets as institutions in achieving society's desired ends. Current "economic correctness" -the view that unfettered markets are...

Agricultural economists who serve as educators in emerging democracies have the opportunity to contribute to economic development by building human capital. A channel for educators to share lessons learned in these countries could benefit individuals preparing for assignments in foreign...

Morale and faculty development are closely related. The agricultural economics profession must decide what it is about. There is room to practice the principle of comparative advantage and allow a degree of specialization in teaching, extension, and research. To continue in the role of an...

A whole-farm simulation model is used to analyze the impacts of PST adoption on representative farms in Missouri and Indiana. Farmers who do not adopt experience lower average annual net cash farm incomes than adopters. Lower feed prices and/or an average PST/feed response decrease the incentive...

Human capital theory suggests that job opportunities will create incentives for human capital investment. If job information does not flow freely, or if they prefer not to move, students will make investment decisions based upon local job markets. Communities with a high percentage of low-skill...

A two-stage approach is used to estimate sensitivity of corn, wheat, and soybean yields to changes in prices and land idled. Estimated elasticity of demand for fertilizer per acre with respect to expected output price equals 0.47, 0.10, and 0.82 for corn, wheat, and soybeans. Upper estimates of...