Dairy farming has a strong position in Finnish food system. However, the sector phases managerial challenges due to structural change. We conducted a survey among dairy farmers resulting 135 responses, of which 25 had experience of using Lean, to explore which factors supports Lean adopting and potentially overcoming managerial challenges. Our results show that the adoption of Lean was related to farm size, growth orientation, and the need to improve labor efficiency. More support for Lean adoption is needed if Lean is seen as a potential solution to improve milk production practices, cost reduction, and continuous improvement of farm management practices.
Plastic pollution from takeout and delivery food packaging is a growing concern, especially in low- and middle-income countries with weak waste management infrastructure and single-use plastics policy. Using a novel metric developed for this research project, this study evaluated the impact of an information intervention on the sustainability of takeout and delivery packaging in Honduran restaurants. In an exploratory randomized controlled trial, managers were offered a 12-hour online course, with packaging sustainability measured before and after. Sustainability decreased in both the control and treatment groups, with no significant treatment effects.
Abstract No-till farming can improve soil health and reduce production costs, yet national adoption remains low, in part because producers face uncertainty about its long-term economic returns. Using more than 30 years of plot-level data from field experiments in Ohio and Michigan, we estimate site-specific effects of no-till on yields and input costs and calculate net profitability using partial budgeting. Results show that no-till consistently reduces operational costs across all sites. In Michigan, no-till also increases yields by 15.6 bu/ac for corn and 5.9 bu/ac for soybean. Estimated net return gains range from approximately $34 to $93 per acre for corn and $30 to $86 per acre for soybean. These results indicate that continuous no-till can generate positive long-run economic returns under the experimental conditions studied, although the magnitude varies across sites and crops.
We apply machine learning methods to predict Thoroughbred yearling auction prices at the Keeneland September Sale (2020-2024). Our sample includes 5,788 yearling prices with pedigree data. We use both linear and tree-based models to predict log prices. We use cross-validation to tune model hyperparameters and select Ridge regression (alpha = 1.451) as the primary model for interpretation given its stability and interpretability. The Ridge regression explains approximately 54% of out-of-sample variation (R2 approximate to 0.5403). Sire and Dam Reputation emerge as the dominant predictors. Results provide pricing benchmarks and show how reputation and session structure shape Thoroughbred yearling auction prices.
Wheat protein is essential to end-use products including bread and noodles. Protein levels vary based on weather, growing conditions, and production practices. This research identifies and quantifies the relationship between wheat prices and protein levels for seven Kansas crop reporting districts during 2001-2023. Results of a quadratic panel regression model demonstrate that local wheat prices are influenced by both (1) the absolute level of wheat protein in the local Crop Reporting District and (2) the local level of wheat protein relative to the overall wheat protein level in the rest of the State.
Using NielsenIQ Homescan data (2012-2022) and a censored QUAIDS system, we estimate U.S. household demand for vitamin supplements across national brands (NBs), premium private labels (PPLs), and standard private labels (SPLs). During COVID-19, consumers' spending shifted from NBs toward private labels, and brand-tier budget shares differ across socioeconomic groups. Price sensitivity also varies by tier: NBs and SPLs are price elastic, while PPLs are relatively price inelastic. Substitution is strongest between SPLs and NBs. These findings quantify brand-tier competition and inform pricing and positioning strategies in the health retail industry.
We analyzed the determinants and potential of U.S. agricultural exports to South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Southern African countries by employing a stochastic frontier gravity model. Our estimated results suggest that importers' GDP, institutional quality, globalization level, and participation in Trade and Investment Framework Agreement significantly promote U.S. exports, while geographic distance and landlocked status act as major constraints. The derived technical efficiency scores reveal considerable underperformance of U.S. exports. We recommend that the United States can expand and strengthen its Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, institutional cooperation, interconnectedness, and direct policy focus toward countries with the largest export gaps.
This paper examines the performance of smallholder crop farmers across different land ownership categories in Ghana. Using a metafrontier model, the study estimates technical efficiencies and productivity levels among farmers with formal land deeds, those without deeds, and non-landowners. The results show that land, labor, and capital significantly impact crop production across ownership categories, while social capital, income, and demographics influence managerial performance. Farmers with formal land deeds and those cultivating family-owned land exhibited superior production technologies. Enhancing access to extension services, credit, and farmer-based organizations, alongside collaboration with traditional chiefs and family heads, can improve land tenure security and productivity.
This study examines the determinants of veterinary clinic closures across urban and rural communities in the United States, analyzing a unique longitudinal dataset of over 11,000 veterinary practices. Findings indicate that large-animal clinics are more likely to close than small or mixed-animal practices, especially in rural areas. Larger clinics and those in metropolitan counties have improved survival rates. The presence of local amenities - particularly shopping outlets and higher-quality schools - is associated with lower closure rates. The results highlight the importance of community amenities in supporting veterinary practice sustainability and access to veterinary care.
We investigated the profitability of dairy-beef crossbred steers compared to their native beef counterparts. Using trial data, returns on calf-fed and yearling-fed systems of native beef and beef & times; dairy steers were evaluated. Beef & times; dairy steers in calf-fed and yearling-fed systems had greater returns than native beef calf-fed steers even with few carcass quality differences and higher total costs. Native beef yearling-fed steers had the greatest return because of low total costs while revenue remained similar among breed and treatment combinations. Results indicate that beef & times; dairy steers can be competitive with native beef calf-fed steers, but current economics favor native beef yearling-fed cattle.
We consider the relationship between soil characteristics and crop insurance losses. Note that crop insurance losses are typically considered to be a reliable measure of overall yield risk. Our results indicate that several soil characteristics linked to erosion are related to overall loss ratios in the federal crop insurance program. If premium rates adequately account for the risks associated with soil characteristics, there should be no relationship between loss ratios and soil characteristics. Thus, our results indicate that gains in the accuracy of insurance premium rates may be achievable from a greater focus on soil characteristics. We also consider the relationship of specific hazards with soil characteristics and find that different soil factors have varied relationships with specific causes of loss in the federal crop insurance program.
We conducted an intercept survey with beef cattle farmers using paper and electronic modes to examine administration mode effects. Three outcomes were measured: (1) preferences for H-2A reforms using a discrete choice experiment, (2) responses to closed-ended questions regarding labor, and (3) survey process measures such as completion time and respondent experiences. Results show that closed-ended responses and utility scales were comparable across modes, while mean preference estimates differed. Respondents in the paper mode spent more time, paid closer attention, and reported higher satisfaction. We recommend the paper mode for complex instruments that require greater participant engagement.
This paper analyzes the economic impact of plant-parasitic nematodes in the U.S. potato industry, focusing on how both unanticipated and anticipated yield losses affect producer decisions, market outcomes, and welfare. We use a modified Cournot model and estimate a system of supply and demand equations using Three-Stage Least Squares (3SLS). We simulate scenarios to measure how varying levels of nematode infestation influence producer profits and consumer surplus in the short-run and the long-run. Simulations suggest that reducing nematode damage could yield substantial gains in output and consumer welfare particularly in concentrated markets where strategic producer behavior amplifies these effects. Our findings underscore the need to account for both biological uncertainty and market structure when evaluating pest impacts and designing policy responses.
This paper uses China's 2016 Pollutant Discharge Permits System (PDPS) to evaluate its impact on innovation in the food processing industry. We begin by exploring the entry and exit decisions of food processing firms. The findings suggest that stricter environmental enforcement following the PDPS leads to decreased local firm entry but increased neighboring firm entry, indicating that new firms tend to locate in neighboring regions with less stringent regulations. Building upon this pattern, we argue that the PDPS's positive impact on firm innovation is primarily driven by increased industry agglomeration - a dynamic directly stimulated by heterogeneous regulatory pressures.
This analysis estimates the tax incidence for leased cropland and pastureland in Oklahoma. Periodic adjustments to agricultural land taxes may lead to an incidence, a share of the property tax burden, passed on to renters as higher rental rates. This pass-through can discourage rental activity, limit renters' access to land, and jeopardize broader agricultural development goals. There was a statistically significant increase in the incidence for cropland and pastureland renters. The combined pastureland and cropland incidence over the study period was $7.83 million, representing 22% of the total current agricultural use value assessment for the same period.
This study examines how income, location and regional disparities are associated with food expenditure and dietary diversity in Mexico. Using household expenditure data and an entropy-based approach, we confirm Engel's Law: food budget shares decline with income but do so unevenly across urban-rural areas and regions. Consistent with the Engel curve for variety, wealthier households diversify their diets, spending more on high-value foods, while poorer rural households remain reliant on staples. Quantile regression shows that income has the strongest positive effect on diversity at lower quantiles, with diminishing returns at higher levels. Household characteristics, education, region, and food prices further influence diet. The results thereby underscore the need for income-sensitive, regionally targeted nutrition policies.
Using an administrative nationwide dataset of 1,673 tea producers, this study examines the key factors that drive tea pricing. Empirical results indicate that price levels vary across production regions, tea varieties, altitude, and certification status. On average, black tea commands higher prices, while other teas (green, Oolong, and Baozhong) are typically lower. However, as a special local tea, Oriental Beauty (and other teas) has the highest price. The cultivation altitude and organic certification are significantly associated with price premiums. In summary, this study provides strong evidence to show that regional origin, growing conditions, and certification may greatly influence tea's market price, offering practical insights for producers and policymakers.
The loss function is a mathematical representation of the costs experienced by a forecaster when observed outcomes differ from what was predicted. Prior studies suggest that USDA forecasts are not optimal based on an assumed mean-zero quadratic loss function. This study proposes an alternative view of forecast evaluation, which assumes all USDA forecasts are produced to minimize the forecasters' costs, and searches for the dimensions of the loss function under which optimality holds. We illustrate the degree to which USDA loss functions vary across a series of WASDE price forecasts. A better understanding of USDA forecasters' costs will benefit forecasters and forecast users.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently published a final rule regarding preharvest irrigation requirements for leafy greens production. We use an equilibrium displacement model (EDM) to quantify the effects of this policy. The model is modified to allow for nonlinear equilibrium trajectories. The results show that the FDA rule will cause North American leafy greens production to decline by 0.99% and farmgate prices to increase by 0.59%. A proposal to increase land buffer areas around confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and large composting sites would further increase leafy greens prices and reduce consumption.
