Craig L. Dobbins

Spatial Analysis of Yield Monitor Data: Case Studies of On-farm Trials and Farm Management Decision-making

A 3-year case study was undertaken of how North American farmers use yield monitors for on-farm trials in farm management decision making. Case study methods were used because relatively few farmers quantitatively analyze yield monitor data. At this early research stage, insufficient farm management information about the data was available to ask the right questions in a large-scale survey. In addition to the formal case study of farmers experienced at using yield monitors to collect on-farm trial data, the study evaluated the effect of yield monitor data quality on farm decisions. Two levels of yield data quality included standard output where the default settings of farm-level mapping software were accepted and where filtering of the data was undertaken. Results indicated that yield data quality affects farm management decisions. In addition, farmers receiving a spatial analysis of their on-farm trial data tended to use split-field designs instead of replicated split-planter designs. They were also more confident in their decisions than before participation in the spatial analysis project, and made decisions more quickly.

An economic analysis of non-Bt corn refuges

Abstract Planting Bt transgenic corn in large areas of the environment may lead to European corn borer (ECB) [ Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner)] resistance to Bt toxins. Scientists recommend planting a non-Bt corn refuge of at least 20% of total corn area in close proximity to Bt corn as part of an Insect Resistance Management (IRM) strategy. A partial budget analysis was used to estimate the costs of implementing alternative refuge configurations in the US Corn Belt. A strip configuration is the least cost method of planting a 20% non-Bt corn refuge. A block-U refuge combination is only slightly more costly.The costs are small regardless of configuration choice and it is likely that other considerations, such as potential GMO segregation requirements, will dictate choice of configuration.

The Impacts of the Tax-Deferred Exchange Provision on Farm Real Estate Values

This study examines the effects of the Section 1031 tax-deferred exchange provision on agricultural land values. The provision allows taxpayers to defer taxation for relinquished productive assets if a like-kind asset is acquired within the allotted time of 180 days. The analysis examines a set of 3,580 farm real estate transaction from 55 agricultural counties in Indiana over the period 2003–2006. Hedonic price analysis suggests that properties acquired under a like-kind exchange are associated with a 1.32% price premium. (JEL H23, Q15)