The focus of this study is the habitual speculator in commodity futures markets. The speculator's activity broadens a market, creates essential liquidity, and performs an irreplaceable pricing function. Working knowledge of the profiles and motivations of habitual speculators is essential to...

The focus of this study is the habitual speculator in commodity futures markets. The speculator's activity broadens a market, creates essential liquidity, and performs an irreplaceable pricing function. Working knowledge of the profiles and motivations of habitual speculators is essential to...

The focus of this study is the habitual speculator in commodity futures markets. The speculator's activity broadens a market, creates essential liquidity, and performs an irreplaceable pricing function. Working knowledge of the profiles and motivations of habitual speculators is essential to...

Margin deposits, which serve as collateral to protect the clearinghouse, are typically the most important tool for risk management. The authors develop a model that explains how creating a futures clearinghouse may allow traders simultaneously to reduce both the risk of default and the total...

Most Illinois produce growers do not participate in the wholesale marketing system. Instead, most concentrate their efforts in direct marketing of their produce via pick-your-own operations, roadside stands, farmers' markets, and contracting with food processing firms. Currently only 2-3 percent...

E-commerce's value creation in agricultural and food markets will only occur to the extent that e-commerce firms exist throughout the supply chain. The problem is that e-commerce firms throughout the agricultural and food supply chain have faced a serious challenge in staying in business. Many...

The objectives of this study were to: (a) quantify differences in liquidity costs between Kansas City and Chicago wheat futures contracts, and (b) identify the factors which influence liquidity in these two markets. Regression results suggest that there are significant differences in liquidity...

In less than a decade, the number of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) projects has grown to more than 400. Our research suggests that CSA shareholders' social objectives dominate their decision to join. Standard economic objectives and "club-related" objectives contribute to the decision,...

Organized Symposium: Market Structure, Organization, and Performance of the Food System: Greatest Contributions by Agricultural and Applied Economists