Wilfred Candler

The Potential Role of Multilevel Programming in Agricultural Economics

This paper discusses a new class of problem related to mathematical programming but with two separate decision makers in hierarchical relationship, each with his own objective function and control over distinct but interacting variables. The relationship of this problem to agricultural (energy and environmental) policy problems is developed, together with the relationship of this new problem structure to mathematical programming, game theory, control theory, and principal agent theory. Suggested computational approaches are reviewed, along with the solution to two illustrative examples of the use of the technique.

Use of Linear Programming in Capital Budgeting with Multiple Goals

APITAL budgeting is concerned with choices among alternative investment opportunities. These investment opportunities include not only business decisions, such as which plant to build and hence which new technology to adopt, but also the amounts to be spent by government on roads, education, research, military facilities, and the like. Given this wide definition of investment alternatives, capital budgeting can be seen to be one of the most important economic activities in both the private and public sectors. Capital budgeting decisions almost invariably involve multiple goals, whether they are made in the public or private sector. The existence of multiple goals plus the difficulty that one man or even the several members of a man-

Computer Software for Farm Management Extension

The authors describe their recent experience in designing computer programs for use in farm management extension. They argue that the software (that is, computer programs) needs of extension are more demanding than the corresponding needs for research and that this explains the slow adoption of computer technology in the extension field. Although the development of appropriate computer programs can involve a major initial investment, this is nevertheless the only way to get the variable (and average) cost of computer advice to farmers down to an economic level.

Estimation of Performance Functions for Budgeting and Simulation Studies

This paper discusses the use of ideas from experimental design, and regression analysis, to increase the generality of result obtained from budgeting and simulation studies.

Concave Programming Applied to Rice Mill Location

This paper provides an intuitive discussion of a concave programming algorithm capable of eventually reaching a global optimum. Two local optima are reported for a concave programming problem with 427 restraints, 4089 linear transportation activities, and 16 non-linear falling average cost milling activities.

Hog Pork Subsector Study in Review: Research and Administrative Experience

BEN FRENCH has discussed subsector research on a broad scale. We are discussing one particular effort which carried this label. In order for the reader to put this particular effort into context, we need to go back and sketch the outline of how it came into being. As a result of Shaffers paper and the Lincoln seminar in 1968, which French has reviewed, considerable interest in the discussion of the idea of subsector research was generated, both in ERS and the colleges. The ERS Administrators office employed George Brandow of Pennsylvania State University under a cooperative agreement to outline a proposal for subsector research in one industry. In large part because of Brandows interest, the hog-pork industry was selected. Brandows proposal was for a fairly narrowlydefined and tightly-structured study of the costs involved in the hog-pork subsector from farrowing to slaughter [2]. It involved a comparison of these costs under the free market and various

Use of Linear Programming in Capital Budgeting With Multiple Goals: Reply

APITAL budgeting is concerned with choices among alternative investment opportunities. These investment opportunities include not only business decisions, such as which plant to build and hence which new technology to adopt, but also the amounts to be spent by government on roads, education, research, military facilities, and the like. Given this wide definition of investment alternatives, capital budgeting can be seen to be one of the most important economic activities in both the private and public sectors. Capital budgeting decisions almost invariably involve multiple goals, whether they are made in the public or private sector. The existence of multiple goals plus the difficulty that one man or even the several members of a man-

The Substitution of Analytic for Simulation Algorithms: A Comment

An example problem that was initially analyzed by simulation and subsequently solved analytically is presented. It is argued that simulation algorithms are not necessarily preferable to analytic procedures even when problems contain apparently intractable features. Analytic solutions to simplified problems might prove useful even when a simulation algorithm is employed.

Impacts of the Changing Economic and Social Environment on Managers of Agricultural Firms

IN inviting me to prepare this seminar paper, Neill Schaller specified that the program organizers were thinking in particular of changes in the organization and control of the food and fiber system, changes in the sources of public pressure and policies, and the impact of management information systems. The organizers hoped that the seminar could zero in on the meaning of these forces for managers-their adjustment problems, requirements, and future prospects. In preparing this paper I have chosen a wide definition of manager to include government and college staffs as well as corporate managers,1 farmers, and other sole proprietors. Specific changes affecting these managers include: