MARKETING AND CROP INSURANCE COMBINED TO MANAGE RISK ON A CASS COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE FARM

This study analyzed the effects that the use of crop insurance products and marketing alternatives had on the gross revenue per acre for an individual farm in Cass County. Crop insurance products and marketing strategies were analyzed individually to determine if they were effective in minimizing down side risk, and combined to determine if integration created synergies. A whole farm scenario analysis was run that included integrated strategies that implemented the same insurance coverage and marketing alternatives for each crop. Several general conclusions can be drawn for situations similar to the representative farm. When analyzed at the individual crop level, the use of crop insurance at the 65 percent level minimizes down side risk in wheat and corn, but not significantly in soybeans. Marketing alternatives generally increase the up side potential of gross revenue per acre, while doing little to minimize the down side risk. The integration of crop insurance products and marketing alternatives create a synergy at the lower levels of value at risk, where the down side risk is located. However, the use of integrated strategies does not increase the chances of achieving a cash flow breakeven gross revenue per acre over the base strategy, which did not include insurance or marketing alternatives. The breakeven level is not reached until the 70 percent level, which means that 7 out of 10 years, the farm will not cash flow. Output from the Bullock and AgRisk models are similar. This study may be used as a guide for producers and analysts in studying risk management strategies. To assist in the individual decision making process, further study will need to be done with yield data and budgets for the individual farm.risk, management, strategy, yield, price, insurance, market, Risk and Uncertainty,

ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF FUSARIUM HEAD BLIGHT IN WHEAT

Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), commonly known as scab, has been a severe problem for wheat producers in recent years. This study estimates the economic value of crop losses suffered by wheat producers in the 1990s. Nine states and three wheat classes are included in the analysis, which considers the effects of scab on both production and average prices received. The cumulative value of losses (1991-97) in scab-affected regions is estimated at $1.3 billion. Two states, North Dakota and Minnesota, account for over two-thirds of these dollar losses.Fusarium Head Blight, scab, crop losses, wheat, Production Economics,

SHORTFALLS IN 1997 NET FARM INCOME IN NORTH DAKOTA (Prepared for Senators Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad)

North Dakota net farm income declined in 1997 due to adverse weather conditions and low prices. The total income loss in 1997 was estimated to be $394 million, which was divided into$290 million due to weather and diseases, and $104 million due to lower-than-average prices. Net farm income losses were largest in Region 3 (Northeast), followed by Regions 1 (Northwest) and 6 (East Central). HRS wheat accounted for the largest income loss, followed by durum and barley.Net farm income, crop losses, weather conditions, North Dakota input output model, Agricultural Finance,

Balancing Autonomy Rights and Protection:Children’s Involvement in a Child Safety Online Project

Researchers who involve children in their research are faced with the challenge of choosing between differing theoretical approaches which can prioritise children’s autonomy rights or their ‘vulnerability’ and their need to be protected. Somewhat confusingly, ethical guidelines seem to reflect a combination of these approaches. Even when researchers have settled on their preferred approach, they may find that this then has to be modified in accordance with gatekeeper requirements. In the context of children’s involvement in a child safety online project, this paper highlights the difficulties encountered because of a tension between children’s autonomy rights, educational norms in a school setting and child protection concerns, and considers whether an appropriate balance was achieved

From opioid pain management to opioid crisis in the USA : how can public-private partnerships help? – a perspective

The current opioid crisis in the USA arose from (at first) successful opioid pain management in three waves, starting in the'90s. Today, USA patients consume opioid drugs on a massive scale. Considering their potential for tolerance, as well as their potential for lethality in relatively small overdose, the overuse of opioids form an urgent threat to public health in the USA. Since the opioid crisis is a complex phenomenon, several stakeholders are needed to tackle the problem. Both public and private stakeholders should collaborate, e.g., in Public-Private Partnerships. Those collaborations should focus on different aspects related to the opioid crisis such as medical and societal (e.g., pain management process, including addressing opioid use disorders), as well as economical and regulatory issues (e.g., incentivizing the search for alternative non-addictive pain medication and banning aggressive marketing tactics used by the pharmaceutical industry). Additionally, collaborations should cover interdisciplinary education and training of various healthcare actors involved. In conclusion, interdisciplinary collaboration on the various opioid abuse-related aspects is urgently needed to tackle the opioid crisis in the USA

Sunflower Marketing Strategies

Price history suggests that any remaining old crop sunseed should be sold now. The sunflower (oil type) price in early April was a high as any price since 1986 (Fig 1). The average price of sunseed at Enderlin, N.D., from harvest in 1985 to March 1994 was 9.53 ¢/lb. Old crop price bids of 14 to 15 ¢/lb offered during early April not only exceed the long-term average price but also exceeded the 5-year average of 10.37 ¢/lb. A premium also was paid for high oil content. The new crop price level suggest that a set-up marketing plan for new crop should be considered. The new crop Enderlin sunseed bid exceeded the 5-year average most of the winter and was near 11 ¢/lb in early April. Farm level or local prices should have been around 10.5 ¢/lb. Forward pricing 30 to 40% of expected 1994 production by June 1, and more later if a weather rally occurs, may be a suitable plan for many producers. The national loan rate provides a floor price of 8.72 ¢/lb in case of lower prices later in the year. Remember, sunflowers produced in 0/92 acres as well as other acres on the same ASCS farm unit do not qualify for loan if the deficiency payment on the base crop is accepted

Associations between perceived discrimination and health status among frequent Emergency Department users

Objective: Frequent Emergency Department (ED) users are vulnerable individuals and discrimination is usually associated with increased vulnerability. The aim of this study was to investigate frequent ED users' perceptions of discrimination and to test whether they were associated with increased vulnerability. Methods: In total, 250 adult frequent ED users were interviewed in Lausanne University Hospital. From a previously published questionnaire, we assessed 15 dichotomous sources of perceived discrimination. Vulnerability was assessed using health status: objective health status (evaluation by a healthcare practitioner including somatic, mental health, behavioral, and social issues - dichotomous variables) and subjective health status [self-evaluation including health-related quality of life (WHOQOL) and quality of life (EUROQOL) - mean-scores]. We computed the prevalence rates of perceived discrimination and tested associations between perceived discrimination and health status (Fischer's exact tests, Mann-Whitney U-tests

Wheat Marketing Strategies

Wheat prices were very strong during the end of November. Producers may have chosen to wrap up sales of old crop wheat on that strength. For those with wheat in the bin, modest price strength should be regarded as an opportunity to complete sales, especially if prices are as high as during late November. Scale-up selling of anticipated 1994 production on the Minneapolis Grain Exchange (MGE) at $.350 September futures or better should allow many producers to realize at least$3.00 on the farm, the anticipated 1994-95 seasonal average farm price. Such an opportunity should be captured whether in December, February, or May. For much higher prices to materialize, traders may have to see the development of unfavorable growing conditions

Late Planting Implications for Marketing Spring Wheat

A window of opportunity for selling the balance of old crop spring wheat as well as a portion of anticipated production may be availing itself to producers. Prices for old crop and new crop spring wheat have increased sharply in response to planting delays

Focus on vulnerable populations and promoting equity in health service utilization ––an analysis of visitor characteristics and service utilization of the Chinese community health service

Background Community health service in China is designed to provide a convenient and affordable primary health service for the city residents, and to promote health equity. Based on data from a large national study of 35 cities across China, we examined the characteristics of the patients and the utilization of community health institutions (CHIs), and assessed the role of community health service in promoting equity in health service utilization for community residents. Methods Multistage sampling method was applied to select 35 cities in China. Four CHIs were randomly chosen in every district of the 35 cities. A total of 88,482 visitors to the selected CHIs were investigated by using intercept survey method at the exit of the CHIs in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. Descriptive analyses were used to analyze the main characteristics (gender, age, and income) of the CHI visitors, and the results were compared with that from the National Health Services Survey (NHSS, including CHIs and higher levels of hospitals). We also analyzed the service utilization and the satisfactions of the CHI visitors. Results The proportions of the children (2.4%) and the elderly (about 22.7%) were lower in our survey than those in NHSS (9.8% and 38.8% respectively). The proportion of the low-income group (26.4%) was apparently higher than that in NHSS (12.5%). The children group had the lowest satisfaction with the CHIs than other age groups. The satisfaction of the low-income visitors was slightly higher than that of the higher-income visitors. The utilization rate of public health services was low in CHIs. Conclusions The CHIs in China appears to fulfill the public health target of uptake by vulnerable populations, and may play an important role in promoting equity in health service utilization. However, services for children and the elderly should be strengthened