Target-MOTAD was used to determine the optimal crop insurance options for two representative cotton and peanut farms in southern Alabama. Results showed that, for one of the farms, no crop insurance option was risk reducing given the yield history. For the other farm, risk reduction involved...

To find out if consumers are willing to pay a surcharge for "green energy," the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries hosted consumer focus groups at four locations in Alabama. Results showed that consumers were willing to pay a premium in line with the costs, but that most did not...

Critical factors affecting risk and profitability for cattle owners under contract grazing include cattle weight at purchase and time spent on pasture and feedlot. Buying lighter animals and placing them in pastures before sending them to feedlot is the most profitable as well as least risky...

In the South, turfgrass-sod has been a profitable alternative to row crops for many years. With depressed housing markets and higher crop prices, the current economic competitiveness of turfgrass-sod depends critically on the ability to harvest the crop as soon as it matures, and on input and...

Notable economies of size were found both in establishment and continued operation of a turfgrass-sod facility in Alabama. Over a seven-year time horizon, bermudagrass was the most profitable grass to produce on every farm size. Both zoysia and centipede also had positive economic returns over...

This research assessed the economic effect of corn-based fuel ethanol production on agriculture and the state economy in Alabama. The results showed that in the short run a 15 million gallon per year plant will be profitable. This will have farm income and a multiplier affect in the rest of the...

Economic returns to stocker production were estimated using results of a grazing experiment. If resources to buy cattle are not limited, traditional ownership was superior to contract grazing under all but extremely unfavorable price spreads. If capital to purchase stockers is limited, contract...

This paper examines regional differences in obesity rates, Body Mass Index (BMI) and dietary quality, using data from the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), Mobile Examination Center (MEC). For women, BMI and obesity prevalence may be higher in the Deep South...

Simulation of production budgets were used to compare net discounted returns and the distribution of returns under alternative risk-mitigation scenarios. Results indicate that the combination of freeze protection and crop insurance increases expected net discounted 20-year returns while...