An Illustrated Guide to Research Findings from USDA's Economic Research Service

This book contains a sampling of recent ERS research illustrating the breadth of the Agency’s research on current policy issues: from biofuels to food consumption to land conservation to patterns of trade for agricultural products. What you won’t find in this collection is any mention of economists’ favorite analytic tools (regression analyses, for example, and coefficients of variation). We wanted this guide to highlight results, not process. Even so, the findings on display here are all based on rigorous and robust application of such tools as well as use of the latest econometric techniques.Farm Policy, Risk Management, Food Consumption, Food Nutrition Assistance, Conservation Policy, Food Assistance and Nutrition Programs, Food Security, Agricultural Productivity in the U.S., Farm Structure, Rural Population, Environmental Interactions, Invasive Species Management, Bioenergy, Global Food Markets, NAFTA, Organic Agriculture, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, Farm Management, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty,

Agricultural Resources of the Pearl River Basin (Mississippi Portion): Main Report

Excerpts: The Pearl River Basin is located mainly in the state of Mississippi with part of the lower basin being within Louisiana. The study area for the report is the Mississippi part of the basin. This study area contains about 7,792 square miles of various land and water resources. Land use varies, with forest being the major use. About 63 percent of the study area is forest with 30 percent being used for agriculture and the remainder being urban and built-up areas and other uses (7 percent). The objective of the study was to assimilate data and information concerning the agricultural resources of the Pearl River Basin. These data and information were needed to facilitate the orderly conservation, development, utilization, and management of the land and water resources of the basin. Conservation and development needs concerning agricultural resources for the study components were estimated and quantified for each component

Economic Indicators of the Farm Sector: State Income and Balance Sheet Statistics, 1982

The five leading States for farm cash receipts in 1982 were California, at $14.3 billion; Iowa, at$10.3 billion; Texas, at $9.7 billion; Illinois, at$7.4 billion; and Nebraska, at $7.1 billion. Texas was the leading State in farm cash receipts for cattle and calves at$4.1 billion, Wisconsin for dairy products at $3 billion, Illinois for corn and soybeans at$2.7 and $1.9 billion, respectively, Kansas for wheat at$1.3 billion, Iowa for hogs at $2.9 billion, and California for eggs at$363 million. Accounts are presented for farm income and the farm balance sheet by State, including and excluding household assets, debts, income, and expenses

Economic Indicators of the Farm Sector: State Financial Summary, 1985

A financial profile showed that the top five States in net farm income were California, at $3.5 billion; Texas,$2.5 billion; Nebraska, $1.8 billion; Florida,$1.8 billion; and Iowa, $1.7 billion. Cattle and calves and dairy products were the top commodities in cash receipts. Texas led cattle-and-calf production with$4.1 billion, and Wisconsin led in dairy sales with $3 billion. Illinois led in receipts of the next two highest earning commodities, corn,$3.4 billion, and soybeans, $1.9 billion. Iowa led in sales of hogs, at$2.4 billion

Farm Business Economics Report, 1996

For farmers, particularly crops farmers, 1996 was a very good year, as reflected in farm sector income accounts. Farm sector income accounts for 1996 show that net value added by the agricultural production sector increased 25 percent ($19 billion) from net value added in 1995. Final agricultural sector output, the value of the sector’s output of commodities and services before expenses, rose$22.5 billion in 1996, powered by a $16.9-billion jump in the value of crop production. Higher output, generally favorable prices, and a modest 3-percent rise in intermediate consumption outlays boosted net value added. The value of final crop output rose because yields were high under favorable production conditions and prices were exceptionally favorable in the first half of the year and remained strong right through harvest. Final livestock output also contributed, with a gain in production value of over$4 billion between 1995 and 1996. These are some of the highlights of this report, which provides data and commentary on the income and finances of the farm sector at the national and State level, and estimates of production costs for major field crops, livestock, and dairy

Economic Indicators of the Farm Sector: State Income and Balance Sheet Statistics, 1983

Crop production in 1983, especially from spring-planted crops, dropped as the summer drought reduced yields and Government programs curbed planted acreage. Farmers in such key feed grain States as Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa received record-high net cash income because the 49-percent lower corn production enabled them to sell off previously burdensome stocks. The leading States in farm cash receipts for major commodities and livestock were: Texas, cattle and calves, $4.2 billion; Wisconsin, dairy products,$3.1 billion; Illinois, corn, $3.5 billion; Iowa, hogs,$2.6 billion; Illinois and Iowa, soybeans, $1.9 billion each; Kansas, wheat,$1.4 billion; and Arkansas, broilers, $729 million

Economic Indicators of the Farm Sector: State Financial Summary, 1984

Crop production in 1984, particularly for spring-planted crops, returned to near normal levels from the much reduced output of 1983 when Government programs curbed planted acreage and drought depressed yields. The top five States in net farm income were California, at $3.5 billion; Iowa,$2.2 billion; Texas, $2.2 billion; Florida,$1.8 billion; and Illinois, $1.7 billion. Top earners among commodities were cattle and calves and dairy products. Texas led cattle-and-calf production with$4.5 billion, and Wisconsin led dairy earnings with $3 billion. Iowa led in receipts of the next three highest earning commodities, soybeans,$2 billion; corn, $2.1 billion; and hogs,$2.6 billion

Economic Indicators of the Farm Sector: Costs of Production, 1984

Average cash costs of producing major U.S. crops increased about 5.7 percent per acre in 1984, mainly because of higher prices for seed, fertilizer, and machinery. Yields recovered from 1983's drought, but prices fell 8 percent, resulting in lower receipts for most crops. Livestock production costs fell an average 1 percent, while dairy costs were up 3.2 percent. Overall, livestock and milk returns increased by 151 percent, mainly because of net cost flow for fed cattle going from minus $6.67 to minus 93 cents

The Changing Landscape of Farm Labor Conditions in the United States: What the Future Holds and How to Prepare for It (Session Presentation Slides)

The symposium aimed to convene and develop a network of researchers and stakeholders to engage in a productive discussion focused on farm labor issues. A primary goal of the symposium was to strengthen and enhance ongoing farm labor research, focusing on four key themes: 1. Trends in the farm labor force—including presentations on worker migration and the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Program ---- 2. Labor costs—including presentations on the effects of H-2A AEWR and overtime laws on farmworkers ---- 3. Farm worker conditions—including presentations on a) workplace safety; b) effects of climate change on worker health; c) workplace harassment ---- 4. Workforce development—trends in training current farmworkers and a new generation to develop, operate, and repair new technologies in the field and lead packing operations

Economic Indicators of the Farm Sector: Costs of Production, 1983

Average costs per acre of producing the major crops dropped about 1 percent from 1982 to 1983, mainly because of lower prices for petroleum-based products and fertilizers. Production costs for cattle, hogs, and sheep rose an average 4.4 percent, mainly because of higher feed costs. Milk production costs per hundredweight increased 6.9 percent. Reduced acreage from the payment-in-kind program and lower yields from drought depressed 1983 farm income. On a per-acre basis, however, crop enterprises improved overall earnings in 1983 compared with 1982, but livestock farms and dairies saw returns sag again