Stochastic simulation of daily slaughter level was used in conjunction with an estimated packing plant cost curve to assess potential reductions in processing costs due to improved vertical coordination between feedlots and packing plants. Results indicate that processing cost reductions of $1...

Binomial and multinomial logit analysis is applied to data collected from questionnaires to measure strategic intent in the food marketing industry. Questions were framed based on data from the U.S. Department of Commerce's "County Business Patterns" reports and from best-practice studies....

U.S. agriculture is undergoing a tidal wave of change in its structure. A shift to supply chains and away from commodities and commodity markets is the hallmark of this new wave. The new agriculture of the 21st century will bring with it a new geography that may be nothing short of a revolution...

In recent years, the U.S. beef industry has lost a significant portion of its historically dominant market share, due both to changes in consumer preferences and to an increase in the price of beef relative to pork and poultry. Changes within the beef industry to improve its competitive position...

Food safety problems such as the BSE and dioxin crises focused attention on traceability systems and the certification of such systems. This study analyzes the status and perspectives of traceability systems and certification schemes, and reviews their potential costs and benefits. Results...

Dramatic increases in concentration in the seed business, coupled with aggressive efforts to vertically integrate the agricultural sector and to institute contract-based production of commodities, have raised questions about the economic position of producers. Disparate positions of market power...

Analysis of data collected from a questionnaire survey of randomly selected Tennessee nursery businesses revealed that wholesalers and retailers differed significantly in their stated reasons for attending and participating in industry trade shows. When controlled for business size (gross...

The structural changes that will impact agriculture over the next decade will be profound. The economic benefits of the dual dimensions of industrialization of agriculture-implementation of a manufacturing approach to the food and industrial product production and distribution chain, and...

The green industry comprises the production and marketing of woody ornamentals, greenhouse, and turfgrass-related products, and landscape and horticultural services. The industry is market oriented with prospects for future growth. Many state trade organizations have become interested in better...

The Hennessy and Wahl model of optimal grain blending and segregation (GBS) is extended to the case where it is not possible to separate components within a load. Analytical solutions are not available when segregation is the optimal strategy, and so solutions are obtained with nonlinear...