Cotton harvest-aid chemical and application expenses are justified by increased quantity and value of harvested fiber and decreased harvest costs. Chemical use may be restricted in certain production situations. Harvest preparation costs and producer returns were compared for thermal defoliation...

Concern over rising and volatile energy prices, the desire for personal energy independence, and the promotion of cleaner energy sources has led many farmers to consider oilseed crops as a source of biodiesel. Analysis of the economics of on-farm biodiesel from dryland camelina (Camelina sativa)...

This paper discusses the recent increases in the returns to crop production as well as trends in land rental rates and the types of rental agreements used in the Midwest. The concept of a flex cash lease and an approach to defining the terms of such a lease, relative to the current fixed cash or...

Production records for swine producers specializing in niche markets (e.g., natural) are analyzed to determine the factors impacting profitability. The data span a cross section of 42 niche pork producers and record their 2006 production costs. Profitability was measured by the net margin...

Table of Contents; Letter from the Editorial Committee Chair; 2011-12 Editorial Committee members

This article discusses asset bubbles, the Kansas and Illinois land markets, estimates land values, and develops a land price/earnings ratio. Current land sales data are also examined. Finally, we examine relationships between land values and interest rates, inflation rates, and cash rents....

Using the 2001 ARMS, we investigate farm operator expectations regarding the continuation of government payments. Given the farmer expects payments to continue, we further investigate the expected direction of changes in payments. The 2001 Farm Bill was being debated at the time of the survey...

This study estimates the profitability of double-cropping systems as a source of livestock feed and the cost per ton of dry matter as source of lingocellulosic feedstocks for ethanol production. Crop yields were measured from full season and winter wheat double-crop plot trials at the Purdue...

Diesel fuel is a major expense for most farmers. Diesel fuel prices do exhibit some seasonality so farmers can try to lower their fuel expenses by buying their fuel in months when prices are lower. However, purchasing fuel before it is needed results in a carrying charge to the farmer. This...

With the growing advancements in technology increasingly available to farmers, there is a need to recognize this influence when making farm management decisions. This study investigated the influence of auto-steer navigation on machinery selection and land investment decisions by developing a...