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A survey was conducted to determine current consumer attitudes toward irradiation. The mailed questionnaire was designed to be self-administered. Results were obtained from responses of 54% of 918 questionnaires mailed out to consumers in the metro-Atlanta area. Results indicated that 72% of consumers are aware of irradiation and, among these, 87.5% indicated that they have heard about irradiation but do not really know that much about it. Over 30% of consumers believe that irradiated food is radioactive. Consumers are less concerned about irradiation than they are about food additives, pesticide residues, animal drug residues, growth hormones, and bacteria. The risk to workers and environmental issues are among the top concerns regarding irradiation. The percentage of consumers who would buy irradiated food is 45%; 19% would not buy it, and others are undecided. Results indicate that a more favorable response will be observed when a choice of irradiated poultry, meats, and seafood is offered.

With increasing production cost, southeast U.S. peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) growers are continually seeking to lower inputs to enhance economical return and sustainability of their farming operation. Utilization of peanut cultivars with the best combination of disease resistance, drought tolerance, and greatest dollar value return would be beneficial. Fifteen peanut cultivars were evaluated for 5-years (2011–15) and seventeen cultivars were evaluated for 4-years (2012–15) with minimum inputs and without irrigation at two locations in Georgia. Each year, minimum inputs for disease control included only three fungicide sprays at recommended rates on a 28 d schedule beginning 37 d after planting. No insecticide, nematocides, miticides, or irrigation were applied during the growing seasons each year. ‘Georgia-06G', ‘Georgia-12Y', ‘Georgia-13M', ‘Georgia-14N', and Florida-EP ‘113’ had the lowest TSWV and total disease incidence (disease resistance) among the ten runner-type cultivars for both Georgia locations; whereas, ‘Bailey', ‘Georgia-08V', and ‘Georgia-11J' had the least disease incidence among the five virginia-type cultivars. Similarly, Georgia-13M, Georgia-06G, and Georgia-12Y had the greatest gross dollar value return per hectare (drought tolerance) among the runner-types; whereas, Georgia-08V and Georgia-11J had the greatest dollar values per hectare among the virginia-type cultivars at both Georgia locations in this four and five-year study, respectively.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the U.S. federal non-price export promotion programs on U.S. export demand in North America. A single-equation framework was specified for estimation of the peanut export demand model. Results indicate that the own-price of the importing country had a negative relationship with U.S. peanut exports, while the price of Chinese peanut exports and real income (GDP) of the importing country were positively related to U.S. peanuts exports. Export promotion programs had a positive effect on the export demand for U.S. peanut to Mexico while these programs seemed to have no effect in Canada.

The purpose of this paper is to show how probability prediction can be incorporated with price prediction to enhance the usefulness of' forecast information and provide greater intuitive appeal in its use. Empirical application encompasses forecasting in the watermelon industry to demonstrate the power and appeal of the approach.

The peanut is one of the five most important oilseeds produced in the world. However, its ranking has decreased from third to either fourth or fifth as a result of the increasing importance of sunflower seed and rapeseed. Peanut production occurs on six continents. The peanut-producing countries may be grouped geographically into three major regions with subregions: the Americas (Northern, Southern, and Latin); Africa (Eastern, Southern, Western); and Asia (Eastern, South Eastern, South Western). World peanut production in 2010–2013 (4-year mean) averaged 39,526,000 MT, 136% more than the 1970s average production of 16,719,000 MT. Production is a function of area harvested and yield. Although global area harvested has increased, technology-driven gains in yield (from 0.9 MT/Ha in the 1970s to 1.6 MT/Ha for 2010–2013) have been the major factor for increased oilseed peanut productivity. About two-thirds of annual peanut production comes from Eastern Asia and West Africa. Peanut-consuming countries include the same groupings plus Europe (Eastern, European Union-28, Western) and Oceania. The bulk of oilseed peanut consumption occurs in the regions of origin. Data for oilseed peanut production, crush, consumption, and trade are reported for geographic regions as well as individual countries. These statistics provide insight to interesting trends in the market situation for peanuts and peanut products over four decades (1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s) plus recent years, 2010–2013.

Summary Dry cowpeas, an excellent source of protein and B-vitamins, are underutilized in the US primarily because of their inconvenience. Akara, a popular West African food made from whipped cowpea paste that is seasoned and deep-fat fried, has potential for extending use of cowpeas in US markets. Acceptance tests involving 450 respondents were conducted to assess response of US consumers to akara. Akara was most acceptable to Caucasians, older consumers, and those with no, little or some high school education. Its most appropriate use was perceived as a snack food with sauce and as a fully cooked, frozen, reheatable product.

In the article, stochastic frontier analysis of peanut-production efficiency in the Southeastern region of the United States is conducted with a view of assessing the likely farm-level impacts of the 2002 Farm Act. Results indicate that, although quota ownership did not significantly impact inefficiency, it is likely that limitations on the quota's transferability to areas with better growing conditions were a significant cause of inefficiency. The acreage shifts and improved yields following the passage of the 2002 Farm Act support this conclusion. Certain farm characteristics, such as farm size and operator's education and age, were also important for efficiency.

Inconsistency between consumers' actual purchase and their intentions to purchase irradiated beef products was investigated using a simulated supermarket setting (SSS) experimental data and exit survey data. While 60 percent of the participants reported that they intended to buy irradiated beef, only 21.7 percent actually bought all irradiated beef during the simulated shopping trips. Similarly, 10.2 percent of those who reported that they would never purchase irradiated beef had purchased all irradiated packages. Actual purchases were affected by safety and handling information on package labels, and appearance of meat inside the package, while purchase intentions were affected by food safety knowledge and socio-demographic variables. Statistical significance of food safety information on package labels indicated the existence of a critical level of safety concern influencing actual meat purchase habit of consumers. Point-of-purchase information about beef irradiation at the simulated supermarke...

Using error correction method (ECM), maximum likelihood estimates of long-run and short-run effects of brand advertising expenditures on the U.S. demand for peanut butter were estimated. Results indicated that there was a positive effect of brand advertising expenditures on the total market demand for peanut butter. Aggregate demand was more responsive to advertising in the long run than in the short run due to possible brand substitution by consumers in the short run. Moreover, demand was responsive to price only in the short run.

The relationship between seven types of food safety concerns and the corresponding change in food consumption habits of 236 households in Georgia, USA was evaluated. Results showed a gap between food safety concerns and food consumption habits. Gaps were particularly evident in the cases of pesticide residues, animal drug residues, growth hormones and bacteria. For example, more than 54% of sample households were extremely concerned about pesticide residues, but only 35% actually took extreme precaution in buying items considering this perceived threat. The study indicated that educating consumers about preventive methods to reduce food safety threats will lead to reduced concerns and changes in food consumption habits.

The importance of nutrition consideration to households in food selection is instrumental in the development of information programs to promote public health and to market healthy food. Using a national telephone survey of 2880 U.S. households, this study examines the role and influence of socio-economic characteristics and lifestyle on a household meal planner’s consideration of four dietary components in food selection. Household income, children in households, geographic location, and gender, age, education, and lifestyle of meal planners affected the consideration of dietary components in food selection. The results provide a basis for developing education programs that focus on the particular dietary consideration of identified demographic subgroups.

Cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) are a nutritious legume, but their consumption in the U.S. is limited by the lack of convenience and innovative forms of use. Akara is a popular West African food made from deep-fat fried cowpea paste and has potential for extending the use of dry cowpeas in U.S. markets. Acceptance tests involving 122 Georgia teenagers were conducted to assess their response to akara. Akara made from decorticated seeds was more acceptable than akara made from nondecorticated seeds. Akara was most acceptable to males, blacks, and to those who had completed nine or more grades in school. The product was more likely to be consumed at a restaurant or cafeteria than at home or at a fast food establishment. These findings indicate that akara has potential for success in the fried food market and could be targeted toward certain segments of the teenage population.

This study analyzed the competitiveness of peanuts for the U.S. and China over the 1988-93 period. Economic cost, cost components, yield, and net returns were examined using the Mann-Whitney test. Results indicate that net returns to farm management and risk in peanut production were substantially lower in both the domestic and world markets for American peanut producers than for Chinese peanut producers due to higher economic cost in American peanut production. American peanuts were less competitive than Chinese peanuts in terms of costs and net returns. Findings suggest that reducing costs and improving economic efficiency of production should be the most important priority for the U.S. peanut industry as the world moves toward freer trade. The future competitiveness of U.S. peanuts not only depends on its high quality, but also depends on its relative price in the domestic and international markets.

Cowpeas are a nutritious legume, but their consumption in the U.S. is limited. Akara is a popular West African food made form cowpea and has potential for extending the use of dry cowpeas in the U.S. markets. The study used survey data of 267 teenagers to assess Akara's acceptability by American teenagers as a fast food alternative. An ordered probit model was estimated to identify the impacts of various exogenous variables on the probability of consumers' willingness to consume. The results indicate that the potential for Akara as a fast food is reasonably good, especially for a niche market.

The factors which influence consumer usage of food labels are investigated by a qualitative response model using the 1987–1988 Nationwide Food Consumption Survey data. Econometric results show that economic, sociodemographic, and consumer health awareness variables are determinants of food label usage. The implications of these findings include formulating government food labeling regulations and consumer educational programs and evaluating consumer health benefits of using food labels.

Price transmission asymmetry for peanuts used in peanut butter was examined using monthly data from 1984 to 1992. Results show an incomplete price passthrough from the wholesale to the retail level. Furthermore, the results indicate that the initial price response of peanut butter price to a reduction in peanut prices occurs later than the response to an increase in peanut prices. The price transmission is asymmetric in the short-run but symmetric in the long-run. © 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Japan's import demand for both raw peanuts and processed peanut products was estimated using the Rotterdam model in order to determine the impact of an increase in the Japanese raw peanut quota on peanut imports from the USA and its competitors. The results indicate that if a larger import budget were allocated to raw peanut imports by Japan, most of the increase would be allocated to imports of Chinese raw peanuts. Furthermore, U.S. exports of peanut products could be affected if Japanese expenditures on peanut product imports change as a result of an increase in the quota for raw peanut imports. Thus, this study concludes that an increase in the Japanese import quota for raw peanuts provides only limited market opportunity for U.S. peanut exports, and China appears to benefit more than the USA from an increase in the Japanese raw peanut import quota. In contrast, the value added trade of peanut products could provide a better market opportunity for the U.S. peanut industry.

Cotton and synthetic fiber competition in textile mills between 1961-1990 was examined using a time-varying parameter regression model. Results indicate that the structure of demand for cotton is not stable and cotton's share responses to changes in the prices of cotton and synthetic fiber vary over time. Cotton and synthetic fiber competition in textile mill use is essentially between cotton and noncellulosic fiber. Cellulosic fiber is not a cotton competitor.

Survey data of 2,538 dairy farmers located in 12 southern states were used to analyze the factors influencing farmers' degree of satisfaction with the overall performance of milk marketing cooperatives. Results from an ordered probit model indicate that southern dairy farmers perceive cooperatives' ability to hold down operating and marketing costs, to provide higher prices and competent field services, and assure a market for their milk as important attributes of efficient viable cooperatives. Furthermore, the study found that there are significant differences in the degree of satisfaction with the cooperatives among the dairy farmers located in the 12 southern states. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

The initiative to begin negotiations toward a North provide the foundation for increased cooperation American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in June and cohesion among neighbors who share a historic of 1990 provided the potential for a major step relationship not free from conflicts. This is espeforward in the journey toward sustained economic cially true for Mexico where significant anxiety and growth and development for Mexico and increased distrust of its large neighbors to the North exist. This market opportunities for the U.S. and Canada. A is not surprising since most Mexicans remember that successful NAFTA would result in the world's largalmost one half of what was once Mexico was conest trading zone, 25 percent larger in GDP than the sumed by the U.S. from 1836 to 1853. EC and an area which would consist of 362 million A second benefit suggested was increased integrapeople with a combined output of almost $6 trillion. tion to address a host of North American problems. A major component of the proposed NAFTA, and Among those areas pointed out were migration, narone that will present both opportunities and chalcotics, and environment, which are not hindered by lenges, is agriculture. While many agricultural international borders. ests are excited about the opportunities provided by A third point was the possibility for greater coopa successful NAFTA, others view a possible agreeeration and agreement on foreign policy issues. ment with skepticism and/or concern. In addition to Many examples can readily be brought to mind, agriculture, a great many other interests see benefits especially related to U.S.-Mexican disagreements in and/or the potential for expanded market opportunithe past, such as the difference of views over conties from a NAFTA. However, just as in agricultural flicts in Central America (e.g., El Salvador and Nicacircles, not everyone views the prospective agreeragua) as well as Mexico's relations with Cuba. To ment in a positive light. Very briefly we would like highlight the potential for cooperation, the example to: (1) comment on some foreign policy related of Mexico's increase in oil extraction following the benefits of a successful NAFTA, (2) review some Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, despite capacity concriticisms of a NAFTA raised during the debate over straints, was used. extension of the Fast Track Authority, and (3) review The fourth foreign policy consideration outlined the Burfisher et al. paper on the impacts of NAFTA involved the signal a successful NAFTA would send on southern agriculture. to the rest of Latin America. It is no secret that the Bush administration has a vision of an Initiative for FOREIGN POLICY ELEMENTS OF A the Americas which would bring greater coordinaSUCCESSFUL NAFTA tion to all the nations of Central and South America. In most international policy debates in the U.S., While there is no lack of appreciation of the enoragricultural interests are just one set of the many mous problems that would have to be addressed, a voices that receive a hearing during the decisionsuccessful NAFTA would provide an example that making process. In testimony before the Senate Forthe possibility for such an effort exists. eign Relations committee back in April, 1991, Another foreign policy concern not outlined in Mr. Robert Zoellick of the State Department was asked Zoellick's testimony but evident in discussions with if the decision to enter into the NAFTA talks was senior Mexican officials and others in the U.S. is that motivated by economic policy or foreign policy ina successful NAFTA is essential in insuring that the terests. He replied yes and yes. Such is the nature of reforms and progress begun in the De La Madrid era the international policy process. and expanded by President Salinas continue. The In his testimony he outlined several reasons why a benefits for the Mexican people that can come from NAFTA is in the best interests of the U.S., defined recent reform initiatives will take time to materialize. from a foreign policy perspective. First, it will proThe successful completion of the NAFTA negotiavide for an integration of North America that will tions will demonstrate continuing international po

Consumers' willingness to pay for cowpea products was analysed by a multi-ordered response model. The analysis indicated that sociodemographic factors are weakly linked to consumers' willingness to pay while product characteristics are strongly linked. Marketing promotion is possible. Thus, akara products, made from cowpea paste, have potential for extending the utilization of cowpeas.

Even though the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) came to a close after more than eight years of negotiations in 1994, international trade negotiations continue to occur with bilateral and regional agreements. Thus, this subject continues to be a topic of great importance, especially in light of the recent low commodity prices. In fact, the next round of global trade talks is scheduled to begin in November 1999 in Seattle. Many people believe that agriculture is one area where the next World Trade

This paper analyzes the European Union (EU) import demand for in-shell peanuts from three sources: the United States, China, and the rest of the world. We find that peanuts from different sources are differentiated by EU consumers. The expenditure elasticity is elastic for U.S. in-shell peanuts, which is associated with their higher quality. The conditional own price elasticities are more elastic for U.S. and Chinese in-shell peanuts. These findings have at least two implications. First, U.S. producers and exporters should direct efforts to ensure that in-shell peanuts exported to the EU are of the best possible quality, and, second, promotion efforts should stress the quality of U.S peanuts as an advertising tool.

The U.S. export share in the world peanut market has decreased due to heavy competition. In this paper, the Latin American peanut industry is modeled using seemingly unrelated regression (SUR). Based on these estimations, a scenario analysis was conducted. The results show that the Latin American demand is not affected dramatically by either domestic or world price shocks. The effects of price changes on net trade are noticeable. However, the world price does not significantly affect the Latin American peanut supply. The results imply that Latin American peanut farmers are more sensitive to changes in domestic prices than world price changes.

Survey data of 2,538 dairy farmers located in 12 southern states were used to analyze the factors influencing farmers' choice of milk handlers. Results from a qualitative response model indicate that a combination of price and non-price factors contribute to dairy farmers' attitudes toward their milk handlers. Specifically, the decision to change milk handlers was significantly influenced by prices paid and deductions charged. However, non-price factors including field services, friendly personnel, and loyalty to a handler contributed to the longer term affiliation of dairy farmers with their milk handlers.

Objectives were to examine the effect of using selected dairy farm management practices and other factors on average milk yield per cow and to evaluate characteristics explaining differences among dairy farmers in adopting practices. Data were obtained from 2712 operators of southern dairy farms. They were classified by management practices used including Dairy Herd Improvement records, artificial insemination, forage testing, balanced rations, and concentrate feeding methods. Feeding part of the concentrates at milking and part at other times showed increases of 190 to 259kg yield per cow over feeding all the concentrate at milking. Compared with herds in which no identified practice was used, herds in which records or artificial insemination were used had 467 and 358kg more yield per cow, respectively, and in herds in which all the practices were used the milk yield (per cow) was 1066kg more. Factors affecting dairy farmer use of management practices were herd size, yield per cow, type of ownership, and education. A typical dairy farmer using all the management practices had a larger herd producing above the average, was younger than average, was in a farm partnership, and had a college education.

The analysis identified factors affecting market participants' attitudes toward selected market alternatives for US shelled peanuts using a mirrorimage survey design and multivariate probit. Agreement or disagreement among shellers, among processors, and between shellers and processors is ascertained via matching patterns of mirror-image profiles. Results indicate that the computerized cash market might hold promise as a starting point in the implementation of a centralized market for shelled peanuts with or without the government program in effect.

The application of electronics to the marketing of agricultural commodities increased dramatically in the 1970s. A major justification for it was to increase efficiency. Henderson, Shrader, and Turner attributed this increase in efficiency to being able to separate negotiation of trades from the physical transfer of commodities. While many marketsgrain elevators, livestock auctions, terminal markets-traditionally perform these functions simultaneously, electronic marketing can divide them through centralizing negotiation of trades and decentralizing movement of products (Henderson, Shrader, Turner). Research suggests that electronic marketing can increase both pricing efficiency (Helmreich, Epperson, Huang; Henderson, Shrader, Turner; Holder) and operational efficiency (Engleman, Holder, Paul; Glazner and Sporleder). Sufficient trader interest is one of several conditions crucial to the success of electronic marketing (Henderson, Shrader, Turner). As Russell has pointed out, investigation of trader attitudes is also important when an electronic marketing system is designed. The objective of this note is to analyze factors hypothesized to affect producer attitudes toward an electronic market of multiple commodities.

Membership of the Southern Agricultural Economics Association (SAEA) was polled to ascertain the strength of support for changing the name of the Southern Journal of Agricultural Economics (SJAE) to eliminate the regional connotation. The general view was that a name change is unwarranted. The overall impression of our profession is that the SJAE is a high quality journal and that the name is not the crucial factor in promulgating this image but rather the continued striving for excellence. A number of profiles were developed to show that the ordered-response model may be used in predicting probabilities for those who would or would not likely favor a name change.

Attitudes of producers and buyers of farmers' stock peanuts toward different market alternatives were analyzed assuming the absence of the government support program. A multivariate probit model was used to ascertain profiles of producers favoring the private treaty market and the proposed organized markets. Results indicate that computerization of the private treaty market might serve as a basis for implementation of an organized market for farmers' stock peanuts.

Attitudes of peanut producers toward different market alternatives were analyzed assuming the absence of the government support program. A multivariate probit (joint estimation) model for ungrouped data was utilized to ascertain profiles of producers favoring private treaty markets and proposed organized markets. The joint estimation model allows for and measures correlation among market alternatives for greater accuracy in profile analysis. The analysis suggests considerable support for all three of the proposed organized markets. However, choice of alternatives should be considered by a group of potential traders selected on the basis of the profile analysis.

tions are evaluated to ascertain the importance of risk in terms of explanatory and Factors which explain supply response be- recasi er forecasting power. havior of South Carolina tomato growers were Farmers' decisions to plant a certain numdetermined. Two well known supply reodetermined. To werdll known supply re- ber of acres are based on the information sponse models were used for comparison: available before planting. Traditional apthe Nerlovian structural model and the Just ches to e iionain aproaches to analyze decisionmaking by farmrisk model. The Just risk model reflected the ae been co d i e ec significance of the risk effect in both stable r e xpectaons or ed t eff of and unstable periods. An evaluation of fore- price eectatns rlate r ast casting power between the two models was pices. Inorpo rated uncertainty in suly re have incorporated uncertainty in supply reindeterminate. Growers are apparently will- s e mod un ernt ulins sponse models using different formulations ing to invest in more information with in- osk variables. Various formulations of risk of risk variables. Various formulations of risk creased market instability because growers have been used to explain the variability of were influenced by the Florida winter price decision variables. of tomatoes in planting decisions during the The concept of risk as it affects behavioral period of instability. decisionmaking originated from the princi

The Food Stamp Act of 1964 (with subsequent amendments) charges the U.S. Department of Agriculture with extending the benefits of the program to all households willing and eligible to participate. This duty was reinforced by a federal court ruling in 1975 (Beckel and MacDonald; Bennett et al. vs. Butz et al.).Because of the importance of the Food Stamp Program (FSP), numerous studies have been conducted to gauge its intended effectiveness. Areas of study have included nutritional benefits of the program, impact on food expenditures, identification of ways to improve the rate of program participation, and identification of socioeconomic characteristics that may be important indicators of participation or nonparticipation in the program (for example, see Davis and Neenan; Lane; Neenan and Davis 1977, 1978; Salathe; Scearce et al.; Smith and Rowe; West; USDA, 1976, 1978).

Variation in annual soybean plantings contributes to uncertainty in supplies of and demand for soybean seed in the southeastern U.S. This study used an expenditure valuation approach in an hedonic analysis framework to estimate returns to soybean seed quality differentiation. Analysis of pooled cross-sectional and time series observations narrowed important quality characteristics to yield and disease resistance attributes. In general, unexpected environmental factors affect seed crops over time, and the demand for other performance attributes is less predictable than for expected yield attributes. The results also suggest that geographical location is not significantly related to sales of varietal soybean seed in the study area.

and FORTRAN IV which is designed to accommodate most researchers' everyday econometric needs. However, this program is particularly useful when spectral methods are combined (in an ex post sense) with regression and simultaneous equations estimation., Residuals from regression or simultaneous equations estimation are easily saved by EAS and used in later spectral computations by using only two program statements.1 All spectral computations are highly efficient since the fast Fourier transform techniques developed by Cooley and Tukey [2] are used throughout. The program also allows algebraic expressions to be used directly in regression statements to define dependent or independent variables. Hence, special regression equations like the harmonic analysis model can be easily estimated with a single program statement. A partial enumeration of the program's capabilities is as follows: ordinary and weighted least squares regression; multivariate regression and estimation of Zellner's seemingly unrelated regression system; structural estimation of simultaneous equations by two-stage least squares, three-stage least squares, limited information maximum likelihood, k-class, double k-class, h-class, and Nagar's minimum bias k-class methods; power spectrum analysis, cross spectrum analysis, and simple frequency domain regression; random number generation and Monte Carlo methods; principal components analysis; estimation of partially nonlinear models by likelihood search techniques; and estimation of certain distributed lag models by Dhrymes' [3] methods. The program accommodates problems in which the sample size and number of yariables do not exceed 32,767 and 1,823, respectively, but the dynamic core allocation features of PL/1 are used to economize on all smaller problems. The design of the program is especially useful when a large data bank (subject to the abQve limitations) is to be maintained, updated, and periodically accessed for various types of econometric analyses. Most small- to medium-sized