Abstract Using 2014–2022 NielsenIQ Homescan data, we estimate an Almost Ideal Demand System for powder, ready-to-use, and concentrate infant formula, correcting for censoring and unit-value price endogeneity. Powder and ready-to-use demand are approximately unit elastic, with asymmetric substitution between the two. Comparing elasticities across income groups and between participants and non-participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), we find price responsiveness broadly stable across groups, an informative result given prior expectations of heterogeneity, providing descriptive, category-level evidence that household demand for infant formula is homogeneous, consistent with the essential nature of infant nutrition.
Abstract Oklahoma State University’s wheat breeding program develops wheat varieties in response to disease and pest pressures and industry demands for quality. The economic impact on Oklahoma wheat producers has not been studied. We estimate the impact of OSU wheat varieties on Oklahoma wheat yields, yield variability, and returns to producers, 2007–2023. The breeding program increased the state’s wheat output by 0.75 bu ac −1 per year on OSU variety acres, and increased producer revenue by an annual average of $5.81 million (in 2023$). It generated a total benefit of $99M. Every dollar invested in the program returned $10.02 to wheat producers.
Abstract Policymakers and industry participants are increasingly incorporating sustainability factors into decision-making and business models, affecting the U.S. beef sector. However, designing effective beef sustainability strategies requires research evidence on consumer preferences and trade-offs across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Using a nationally representative survey of 3,001 U.S. consumers and generalized ordered logit models, this study presents findings on consumer rankings and preferences for sustainability attributes. Consumers prefer cattle/beef producer-led sustainability efforts without policy interventions, placing strong support for animal welfare and reduced hormone/antibiotic use. Most respondents favor funding support for productivity-enhancing research that will reduce beef prices to sustain the industry’s profitability. Consumers show limited support for producer taxation or subsidization-based policies to attaining beef sustainability goals.
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.
