Aslihan D. Spaulding

Farm financial structure

The structure of U.S. agriculture is a topic of relevance to farmers, policy makers, farm organizations, and academics. Over the last century, farm financial structure issues have become extremely important as the United States moved from an agrarian economy to a more industrialized one. Traditionally analyzed topics such as optimal capital structure, equity capital markets, entry into production agriculture by beginning farmers, and tax issues remain important. Societal effects caused by changing farm financial structure and the effect on the rural landscape are issues needing further research. Finally, research is needed on farm financial structure changes in other regions of the world that may affect the competitiveness of U.S. agriculture.

Dynamics of Price Transmission in the Presence of a Major Food Safety Shock: Impact of H5N1 Avian Influenza on the Turkish Poultry Sector

This article addresses the dynamic impact of the 2005 H5N1 avian influenza outbreak on the Turkish poultry sector. Contemporary time-series analyses with historical decomposition graphs are used to address differences in monthly price adjustments between market levels along the Turkish poultry supply channel. The empirical results show that price adjustments are asymmetric with respect to both speed and magnitude along the marketing channel. Results also reveal a differential impact of the exogenous shock on producers and retailers. The findings have critical efficiency and equity implications for the supply-chain participants.

An engineering and economic evaluation of quick germ–quick fiber process for dry-grind ethanol facilities: Analysis

An engineering economic model, which is mass balanced and compositionally driven, was developed to compare the conventional corn dry-grind process and the pre-fractionation process called quick germ-quick fiber (QQ). In this model, documented in a companion article, the distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) price was linked with its protein and fiber content as well as with the long-term average relationship with the corn price. The detailed economic analysis showed that the QQ plant retrofitted from conventional dry-grind ethanol plant reduces the manufacturing cost of ethanol by 13.5 cent/gallon and has net present value of nearly

Alternative Approaches for Educating Future Global Marketing Professionals: A Comparison of Foreign Study and Research-Intensive Marketing Programs.

4 million greater than the conventional dry-grind plant at an interest rate of 4% in 15years. Ethanol and feedstock price sensitivity analysis showed that the QQ plant gains more profits when ethanol price increases than conventional dry-grind ethanol plant. An optimistic analysis of the QQ process suggests that the greater value of the modified DDGS would provide greater resistance to fluctuations in corn price for QQ facilities. This model can be used to provide decision support for ethanol producers.

An analysis of risk management tools utilized by Illinois farmers

Using an experiential learning model as a conceptual background, this article discusses characteristics and learning objectives for well-known foreign study programs such as study tours, study abroad, and internships and compares them with a less common overseas program called the Global Marketing Program (GMP). GMP involves interdisciplinary student–faculty team travel abroad to conduct marketing research on behalf of U.S. companies. International business foreign study program professionals were surveyed and rated the importance of key student learning objectives for these programs. The study abroad program and study tour are well suited for cultural immersion; the international internship provides development of international business skills as well as cultural immersion at levels higher than the other three programs. The GMP outperforms the study tour and study abroad in the development of international business skills and surpasses the study tour in providing cultural immersion for students. The GMP and international internships are identified as the more appropriate foreign study experiences for development of future global marketing professionals.

Cyber security on the farm: an assessment of cyber security practices in the United States agriculture industry

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships among choice of risk management tools, perceived effectiveness of risk management tools, self-reported risk attitude, and farm and farmer characteristics. Design/methodology/approach - – A mail survey was used to collect information about utilization of risk management tools, perceived effectiveness of risk management tools, and factors that could influence choice of risk management tools by Illinois farmers. Cluster analysis, one-way ANOVA, Findings - – Multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that age and gross farm income (GFI) were the strongest predictors of the risk management tool utilization group to which an individual would be assigned. The number of risk management tools utilized decreased with age but increased with GFI. Neither self-reported risk attitude nor education was a significant independent variable in the multinomial logistic regression model, but both were strongly impacted by age. Younger farmers with higher GFI were the most likely users of hedging. Research limitations/implications - – The results of this study provide support for the idea that farmers who are better able to generate revenue are better able to manage risk, but the direction of causality was not investigated. Practical implications - – Risk management service providers could benefit from this study as a benchmark for understanding their current and potential farmer clients’ risk management strategies. Originality/value - – This study used cluster analysis and multinomial logistic regression to address the complexity of decisions regarding multiple risk management tools. The number of tools utilized by individuals was investigated.

Unwanted Horse Population in Illinois: Perceptions of Horse Owners, Non-Horse Owners, and Equine Industry Stakeholders

The goal of this study was to survey farmers and agribusiness owners about their perceptions of cyber security, and how age, gender, and education might affect those perceptions. Using the Health Belief Model as a framework, the survey measured the constructs of perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, self-efficacy and cues to action. In addition to the framework, levels of previous cyber-crime victimization and technology implementation were measured. The results of this survey demonstrated that perceived susceptibility to cyber-attacks and the perceived benefits of protective technology are related to an individual’s choice to implement cyber security technology. Over half of the respondents had been victims of a computer security incident, demonstrating that even individuals working in agriculture can be impacted by computer crime incidents. This project deepens the understanding of how individuals react to known threats, and what motivates them to adopt protection technologies.

Determining Barriers to Use of Edible School Gardens in Illinois

ABSTRACT This paper presents the results of an investigation to determine perceptions, awareness, and knowledge of the unwanted horse population in Illinois from the viewpoint of horse owners, non-horse owners, and equine industry stakeholders. A questionnaire included items that pertained to knowledge of current legislation, equine background, current methods of controlling the unwanted horse population, and methods that respondents believe would reduce the unwanted horse population in Illinois. Results indicated that 58% of horse owners viewed horses as companion animals. Respondents perceived financial hardship to be the major reason why horses become unwanted. Current methods of managing unwanted horse populations were found to be ineffective. Reducing the costs of euthanasia and carcass disposal, allowing processing facilities to reopen in Illinois, and increasing the availability of gelding programs emerged as the most effective ways to manage the unwanted horse population. Results of this survey may lead to greater awareness of the unwanted horse population in Illinois. Furthermore, these results may lead to discussions about future legislation in the State designed to support and manage unwanted horses.

THE NORTH CENTRAL AQUACULTURE REGION AS A POTENTIAL MARKET FOR FARM-RAISED HYBRID STRIPED BASS

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to gather data regarding the awareness, perceived benefits, interest in, and barriers to establishment of edible school gardens in Illinois public schools. Method: Setting/Design: This study used an online survey design. Participants: Participants included Illinois public elementary school principals and superintendents. Variables measured: Region and community population, current edible garden use, perception (Likert scale) of garden benefits, interest in establishment of a school edible garden, and barriers to establishment of a school edible garden were the variables of interest. Analyses: Logit regression and Kruskal-Wallis with follow-up where p < 0.05 were performed. Results: Elementary school principals and superintendents are aware of gardens and their potential benefits to students, but many barriers exist that make their use challenging. Funding, staff and volunteer support, and class time were identified as the major barriers. Region affected likelihood of garden use, and community population size also affected the odds of having an edible school garden. Conclusion and implications: Data suggest that edible garden use would increase with provision of resources and organization of dedicated supporters.

An Analysis of Mclean County, Illinois Farmers' Perceptions of Genetically Modified Crops

Seafood restaurant chefs/managers, single-unit supermarket buyers, and supermarket chain buyers in the North Central Aquaculture Region were surveyed. Based upon familiarity with farm-raised hybrid striped bass and offer prices quoted, it appeared that seafood restaurants were the most promising retail outlet for the fish. However, only 41.7% of restaurant respondents knew that farmers raised hybrid striped bass as a food fish, and only 25.8% of the dollars spent on finfish and finfish products by restaurants went toward purchases of farm-raised fish. Results of the study suggested that successful large-scale marketing of farm-raised hybrid striped bass in the North Central Region would depend upon extensive product promotion and education of consumers and retailers, especially restaurateurs.