Constance L. Falk

Product‐country images and international food marketing: Relationships and research needs

Consumers worldwide have increasing access to a wide variety of food products from other countries. The significance of product-country images in influencing consumer behavior is likely to increase in the future. An understanding of the role of product-country images for food products would aid in the formulation of global marketing strategies. This article provides a review of country of origin literature dealing with food products and a research agenda for agribusiness researchers.

An Economic Analysis of Transplanting versus Direct Seeding of Selected Medicinal Herbs in New Mexico

ABSTRACT Transplanted and direct-seeded Nepeta cataria L., Urtica dioica L., Calendula officinalis L., Melissa officinalis L., and Sphaeralcea incana Torr. ex Gray were evaluated at two sites in New Mexico. In Las Cruces, the Nepeta cataria, Melissa officinalis, and Sphaeralcea incana earned a positive return to land and risk from transplanting and direct seeding, although in each case transplants resulted in a higher return to land and risk. Transplanted Urtica dioica and Calendula officinalis at the Las Cruces site resulted in a negative return to land and risk, but at the Alcalde site the Nepeta cataria earned a positive return from transplanting and direct seeding. Transplanted Melissa officinalis and direct seeded Calendula officinalis in Alcalde generated a positive return. Direct seeded Urtica dioica and Sphaeralcea incana did not survive in Alcalde.

Packing facility management: Stochastic dominance analysis of cost allocation and revenue distribution rules

The impact of alternative cost allocation and revenue distribution rules in a multiproduct parking facility were modelled under conditions of stochastic prices and yields. Stochastic dominance with respect to a function was used to analyze the impacts on the riskiness of returns to growers. The returns of more risk averse growers with less diverse crop mixes were more sensitive to different combinations of rules. Cost allocation on the basis of hours of equipment operation and revenue distribution without pooling was the preferred alternative for fairly highly risk averse producers in seven of 10 classes of farms analyzed.

THE PACKING SIMULATION MODEL

The Packing Simulation Model is a microcomputer application program designed for researchers, extension personnel, bankers, packing managers, or other specialists who plan the operations of a packing facility or simulate its financial performance. PACKSIM produces pro forma financial statements for packing facilities based on flexible crop mixes and packing assumptions. Variations can be made in the product harvest schedule, price, quality, quantity, input costs and requirements, packing efficiency, overhead, and loan terms.

Retail Demand for Natural Dye Plants and Dye Plant Products: A Conjoint Analysis

Herbalists, fiber artists, and herb growers are increasingly interested in growing, marketing, and using local plants as natural dyes. As the market in the United States and Canada develops, fiber art and quilting stores are the primary retail market outlets for natural dye plants and dye plant products. Conjoint analysis was used to evaluate U.S. and Canadian retailer interest in natural dye plants/dye plant products and to estimate market shares. The largest retail market share was for dyed materials, such as yarn or fabric, that are dyed in primary colors, using certified organic plants, and grown on farms in the United States or Canada.

Greenhouse cucumber production cost comparisons at selected United States sites

Costs for growing cucumbers (Cucumis sativa L.) [Cucumis sativus] in greenhouses were estimated at 11 sites in the USA representing different growing, light, and economic conditions. Soilless growing systems were assumed and utility rates were collected from the different sites. The major factors influencing production costs of greenhouse cucumbers are light and heating requirements. Southwestern cities of Tucson, AZ, and Las Cruces, NM, had the lowest per unit production costs because of high natural light duration, relatively low heating requirements, and low labor costs (...)