With the increasing research interests in biofuels, global implications of biofuels production have been generally examined either in a partial equilibrium (PE) or general equilibrium (GE) frameworks. Though both of these approaches have unique strengths, they also suffer from many limitations...

With the rising global interest in energy security and climate change mitigation, biofuelshave gained the prominent attention of researchers and policy makers. The U.S. has emerged asthe leading producer of biofuels and is aiming for achieving a target of 36 billion gallons ofrenewable fuels by...

As the biofuels are emerging as promising alternative transportation fuels across the world, they also offer huge potential for international trade in biofuels. A number of trade barriers such as import tariffs and domestic support have limited the scope for trade in biofuels. The purpose of...

A recent outbreak of bird flu or avian influenza (AI), an especially highly pathogenicstrain (HPAI) of H5N1, started in Hong Kong in January 2003 and caused 159 humandeaths in Asia, Africa and Europe through early 2007. In addition, this outbreak resultedin millions of slaughtered birds and...

In this dissertation, several essays in the field of bio-security are presented.The estimation of the probability of an FMD outbreak by type and location ofpremises is important for decision making. In Essay I, we estimate and predict theprobability/risk of an FMD outbreak spreading to the...

In this dissertation three essays were presented. In the first two essays we measure theconsumer welfare changes caused by U.S. meat price changes. In the third essay thedynamic structure of international gasoline prices using the time series methodology isinvestigated.In chapter II, we...

The increasing awareness of, and concern over, possible terrorist attacks using biologicalthreats has increased attention and efforts for safeguarding U.S. agriculture. Whetherintentional or unintentional, a biological event likely would cause substantialconsequences well beyond the U.S....

Recent World Animal Health Organization (OIE) reports on Avian Influenza (AI) outbreaks in Asia, Europe and Canada suggest that there is a nonzero probability that anoutbreak may occur anywhere in the world, including the US. To help evaluate possible policy in the face of such an event, this...

Foreign animal disease can cause serious damage to the United States (US) agriculturalsector and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), in particular, poses a serious threat. FMDcauses death and reduced fecundity in infected animals, as well as significant economicconsequences. FMD damages can likely be...

Climate change and its mitigation is rapidly becoming an item of social concern.Climate change mitigation involves reduction of atmospheric greenhouse gasconcentrations through emissions reduction and or sequestration enhancement(collectively called offsets). Many have asked how agriculture and...