Environmental Regulation and the Spatial Structure of the U.S. Dairy Sector

Substantial public scrutiny about adverse environmental impacts of the dairy sector has resulted in increased environmental regulations. A behavioral model of location and production is developed to examine the impacts of environmental regulations, traditional location factors, and agglomeration economies on the spatial structure and geographical location of dairy production. The results show that counties in the states with more stringent environmental regulations tend to lose dairy inventories to those with less stringent policies. There are substantially meaningful spatial patterns of dairy production. Current dairy production levels are positively correlated while changes in production levels are negatively correlated across counties.     

Adoption of Food Safety Practices in Milk Production: Implications for Dairy Farmers in India

This study investigates the status, estimates the cost, and identifies the determinants of compliance with food safety measures in milk production in India. The study is based on the cross section primary data collected at the farm level in 3 states of India, namely, Bihar, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, in the year 2007. These states capture the geographical and institutional diversity of milk production and marketing in the country. The study shows that the status of compliance with food safety measures at the dairy farm level is not encouraging and a lot of efforts are needed to bridge this gap. The adoption intensity of food safety practices shows wide inter- and intraregional variations. This intensity depicts a positive relationship with herd size. The additional cost of compliance with food milk safety measures reveals an inverse relationship with herd size. The adoption intensity of food safety practices has been found to be influenced by the dairy farmers' characteristics. Herd size, education level, expertise in dairying, and integration of dairy farmers with modern milk supply chain have positive influence on the adoption intensity of food safety practices at the farm level. The positive relationship between adoption intensity of food safety measures and farmers' realization of milk price would influence farmers for greater adoption of these measures.     

Economic impacts of climate change on the Australian dairy sector

We analyse the economic implications of climate‐driven pressures on the pasture‐based dairy sector in Australia. We use an integrated assessment model that includes a climate scenario generator, a climate‐biophysical response framework and an economywide analytical framework. For the climate scenario generator, we use data from the OzClim database of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. For the climate‐biophysical response framework, we use the DairyMod model with inputs of changes in climate variables from OzClim to quantify climate change effects on pasture growth and productivity. For the economywide analytical framework, we use the National Integrated Assessment Model to quantify the economic implications of these effects on the dairy sector. The simulated pattern of regional changes in dairy output is not a simple function of the changes in dairy productivity. Our results show that the relative size of productivity changes across regions affects the relative competitive advantage of dairy‐producing regions. Several factors affect the regional distribution of simulated dairy‐output changes, including substitution among sources of dairy output and competition for inputs like supplementary feed. An increased output in regions with moderate reductions in dairy productivity may occur because the severely climate‐affected regions absorb the greatest loss in output.     

甘肃省农业区域专业化增收效应研究基于动态面板数据的系统GMM分析

[目的]在特定地域范围内,依据比较优势原则,组织生产经济效益高的农产品,逐步形成区域专业化经营格局,是提高农业综合竞争力、促进农业增效和农民增收的有效途径之一。[方法]文章基于2010—2017年甘肃省14个市(州)的动态面板数据,采用区位熵指数对各市(州)的农业区域专业化水平进行测度,并在此基础上通过系统广义矩估计方法,对农业区域专业化增收效应进行实证分析。[结果]近年来甘肃省各市(州)农业区域专业化程度总体上稳步提升,有效促使农民收入增加,但相对于其他第一产业和第二、三产业变量而言,农业区域专业化促进农民增收的作用并不十分显著。[结论]根据上述分析,将甘肃省14个市(州)划分为比较优势区、潜力优势区、不具优势区,并提出实施农业区域专业化有利于农业生产发挥地区优势以及其他第一产业和第二、三产业的发展有利于促进农民增收。因此,应从强化农业区域专业化发展方向、扩大农业区域专业化经营规模、加快培育新型农业经营主体以及健全农业公共服务体系等方面,进一步增强甘肃省农业区域专业化发展的增收效应。     

四川省农业地理集聚格局及演化机制研究

为分析四川省农作物的地理集聚特征,专业化格局,从农业地域系统视角构建分析框架探讨其演化机制。文章以12种农作物为研究对象,基于2000~2014年的四川省21个市州农作物播种面积数据,综合运用重心模型、基尼系数、区位熵进行研究。结果表明:(1)四川省12种农作物生产重心较为稳定,未出现较大范围的地理迁移。(2)四川省大部分农作物地理集聚水平整体较低,且在研究期内集聚过程缓慢。经济作物的区域专业化水平相对于粮食作物较好。烟叶、苹果地理集聚程度较大,已经形成相对明显的区域专业化生产。(3)农业地理集聚格局演变从最初受内部压力驱动形成自然集聚格局,逐步转向为受内外压力驱动的自然社会集聚格局。四川省主要农作物地理集聚处于试错和纠错过程中,尚未形成新一轮的农业生产区域化布局和分工。     

Technology choice and efficiency on Australian dairy farms*

Deregulation of the Australian dairy industry, specifically the removal of price subsidies to ‘market milk’, as well as ongoing drought in many dairy regions, has placed considerable pressure on farm cash income and a search for ways in which dairy farms can be made to operate more efficiently. Using traditional farm survey data and a unique biannual data set on farm technology use, this paper estimates a stochastic production frontier and technical efficiency model for dairy farms in New South Wales and Victoria, determining the relative importance of each input in dairy production, the effects of key technology variables on farm efficiency, and overall farm profiles based on the efficiency rankings of dairy producers. Results show that production exhibits constant returns to scale and although feed concentration and the number of cows milked at peak season matter, the key determinants of differences in dairy farm efficiency are the type of dairy shed used and the proportion of irrigated farm area. Overall farm profiles indicate that those in the ‘high efficiency group’ largely employ either rotary or swing‐over dairy shed technology and have almost three times the proportional amount of land under irrigation.     

Smallholder dairy cattle feeding technologies and practices in Tanzania: failures,successes, challenges and prospects for sustainability

In Tanzania, milk production under smallholder farming systems is season sensitive, fluctuations of feeds in both quantity and quality being the major driver. A dry season decline in milk production of over 40% due to feed scarcity is a common phenomenon. Adoption of improved feed production, conservation and utilization technologies and practices in dairy farming communities is poor. This review work was based on a key question which states “Why is adoption of improved dairy nutrition technologies and practices in Tanzania still poor despite being promoted for decades?”. We have shown that major opportunities for curbing dry season animal feed shortage include on-farm optimization of production and use of high yielding pasture varieties including napier grass (Pennisetum purperium Schumach.) and leguminous fodder species. Crop residues in particular maize stover needs to be optimized for effective dry season feeding. The major reasons for low adoption of proven technologies include limited technical knowhow among smallholder dairy farmers augmented by limited extension services and technological costs. For enhancing sustainable uptake; we suggest promotion of on-farm research, public-private partnerships and dairy farmers’ cooperative associations. These are vital for facilitating smooth access to information, investment capital, reliable inputs and markets among the smallholder dairy farmers.     

Farmer Participation,Processing, and the Rise of Dairy Production in Greater Beijing,P. R. China

With rapid income growth, dairy production and consumption in China have increased significantly. The emergence of the dairy sector provides opportunities for farmers to participate in a high-value, potentially more lucrative enterprise. The overall goal of this paper is to analyze the major determinants of farmer participation in dairy production. Our main questions include whether or not the pace of the emergence of the dairy processing industry has affected the ability of farmers (especially small and relatively poor ones) to participate in dairy production; and whether or not it has limited the expansion of their herd size. Based on household, village, and processor surveys conducted in the Greater Beijing region, our analysis indicates that the location of dairy processing firms is one key factor that determines the participation of farmers in dairy production. Although other factors affect participation and herd size, including road access and the ability to find employment off the farm (which affects the opportunity cost of household members), the proximity to a dairy processor is shown to be one of the major factors that has encouraged the growth of dairy production for a given farmer in a specific region during the past decade. The results also show that poor, less educated farmers with relatively less access to land are not excluded from the expansion of the Greater Beijing dairy market. La production laitière et la consommation ont augmenté considérablement en Chine, en raison de la croissance rapide du revenu. Pour les producteurs, la croissance du secteur laitier offre des occasions de se lancer dans des activités à forte valeur, potentiellement plus lucratives. L’objectif global du présent article consiste à analyser les principaux déterminants de la participation des producteurs à la production laitière. Nous nous sommes alors posé deux questions. Le rythme d’émergence de l’industrie de la transformation de produits laitiers influence-t-il ou non la capacité des producteurs (en particulier les petits producteurs de condition modeste) à se lancer dans la production laitière? Le rythme d’émergence de cette industrie limite-t-il ou non l’expansion de la taille de leurs troupeaux? Une analyse des enquêtes menées auprès des ménages, des villages et des transformateurs dans l’agglomération pékinoise a révélé que le lieu où se trouvent les entreprises de transformation de produits laitiers est l’un des principaux facteurs qui déterminent la participation des producteurs à la production laitière. Bien que d’autres facteurs influencent la participation des producteurs et la taille des troupeaux, notamment l’accès routier et la capacitéà trouver un emploi à l’extérieur de la ferme (qui influence le coût d’opportunité/d’option des membres du ménage), la proximité d’une usine de transformation serait l’un des principaux facteurs qui ont encouragé la croissance de la production laitière, pour un producteur donné dans une région en particulier, au cours des dix dernières années. Les résultats ont également indiqué que les producteurs de condition modeste, moins instruits et ayant un accès restreint à des terres ne sont pas exclus de l’expansion du marché laitier dans l’agglomération pékinoise.     

Diversification, Vertical Integration, and the Regional Pattern of Dairy Farm Size

Dairy farm size differs considerably across the United States. We analyze patterns of dairy farm size to determine how differences in vertical integration and diversification relate to farm size. We find that diversification accounts for little size variation. For vertical integration, the partial correlation with dairy herd size is strongly negative. Dairy value-added size measures vary less across regions than herd size, indicating that an important part of herd size variation relates to vertical integration. Nonetheless, dairy farms in the Pacific and South regions remain much larger than farms in the traditional dairy regions, even when accounting for vertical integration.     

Technical efficiency,herd size,and exit intentions in U.S. dairy farms

The U.S. dairy industry has seen major restructuring in recent decades. A sharp decline in the number of U.S. dairy farms and an increase in average herd sizes have accompanied exits, which have been concentrated among smaller herds. Given that more productive farms are better positioned to increase operation size and to continue operation, we hypothesize that the more technically efficient farms are better able to expand and also have stronger incentives to continue production. Using data from the USDA's 2010 ARMS Phase III, Dairy Production Practices and Costs and Returns Report, we estimate technical efficiency using stochastic production frontier analysis with endogenous inputs. The efficiency estimate is then incorporated into the analysis of exit intention and herd size. The results confirm our hypotheses that smaller and less efficient farms are more likely to exit and that more efficient dairy farms tend to expand herd size. Moreover, farms without successors but with older and more educated operators are more likely to exit.     

Markups,organic agriculture and downstream concentration at the example of European dairy farmers

A competitive environment, highly concentrated processing and retailing sectors as well as increasing decoupling of direct payments from production volumes and the area under cultivation incentivizes farmers to find alternative ways to improve their bargaining position towards downstream companies. This article explores the possibilities of organic agriculture to enhance the bargaining power of farmers along with the role of concentration in downstream industries. Using a dataset with more than 200,000 observations from approximately 40,000 dairy farms, I estimate markups of price over marginal cost in dairy farming as a measure of market power in the EU. The results show that organic farmers achieve a significant markup premium over conventional farmers. With increasing market shares of organic milk in total milk production markups of conventional farmers diminish whereas those of organic farmers are unaffected. Farm-level markups decrease with increasing market shares of medium-sized dairy processors and increase with increasing market shares of large processors. The presence of large multinational retail chains shows an adverse impact on farmers’ markups.     

Internal and contextual drivers of dairy restructuring: evidence from French mountainous areas and post‐quota prospects

The end of the milk quota system in Europe has resulted in substantial structural changes to the dairy industry, calling its future into question, especially in mountainous areas. This study analyzes the internal and contextual factors that influence dairy restructuring in French mountainous areas. Three complementary logit models are used to specify farmer decisions (e.g., dairy production exit, stability, and growth). Original and exhaustive geo‐located administrative datasets are combined to create a farm longitudinal dataset and characterize farm‐restructuring patterns on a fine geographical scale. Farm size, corporate legal status, and specialization are positively associated with farm growth. Viable diversification strategies through either farm processing or agro‐environmental scheme contracting are also highlighted. Farm sustainability is supported by the economic success of the local industry and the propensity to adopt extensive practices. With respect to public policy, dairy policy appears to have the strongest impact. Thus, the liberalization of dairy policy threatens the future of dairy farming, particularly in areas with low milk density and no production under labels. This work calls for a policy that promotes the collective dimension of dairy farm performance. The current rural development policy alone may be insufficient to support farms’ long‐term sustainability.     

基于ArcGIS和GD的辽宁省国家地理标志农产品空间分异探究

[目的]地理标志农产品发展可以促进传统农业向现代农业转型,由于其本身包含重要的地理信息,因此有必要分析地理标志农产品的空间分布及其影响因素。[方法]文章运用地理集中指数、最邻近指数与核密度估计空间统计分析、地理探测器模型,针对辽宁省不同地级市及不同类型地理标志农产品的空间分布及其影响因素进行深入分析,基于此,提出具有区域特色的辽宁省现代农业发展建议。[结果]辽宁省地理标志农产品的空间格局差异显著。粮食类地理标志农产品呈分散分布,果品类、水产动物类、蔬菜类呈集聚分布,具有单热点或双热点特征。自然因素决定了地理标志农产品的空间分布格局,而人口与经济因素起到了辅助的作用。[结论]辽宁省各地应加大资金和政府扶持力度,因地制宜制定培育相关地理标志的计划,以期利用具有地域特色的农产品为当地农民增收创收,为乡村振兴发展助力。     

中国乳制品产业集聚溢出效应研究

[目的]乳业振兴战略实施以来,国内乳业从饲草布局、奶牛养殖、原料乳加工、市场格局等迎来大发展的利好时机。产业集聚是当前乳业发展的重要特征,研究乳制品产业集聚的溢出效应对分析区域经济增长与产业竞争力等具有重要的参考价值。[方法]文章利用1992-2017年中国省域乳制品产业相关面板数据,运用空间杜宾模型,研究中国乳制品产业集聚带来的经济增长、产业发展及乳制品安全等溢出效应及其作用机理。[结果]乳制品企业、奶站、奶农等利益相关主体的集聚增加了乳制品产业内各环节的关联性,显著增加区域经济的增长,提高乳制品产业竞争力,为乳制品产业发展提供内源性动力,最后在微观层面,各利益相关主体的集聚程度在一定程度上有助于改善乳制品质量安全水平。[结论]在此基础上,从打造乳制品产业集聚区、乳业振兴及质量安全管控等方面提出政策建议,进一步发挥产业集聚的辐射能力、提高产业核心竞争力。     

Evaluating the uncertainty in estimates of the economic impacts of Bovine-Leukosis virus in U.S. dairy cows

An examination of the economic impacts of Bovine‐Leukosis virus indicated that reduced milk production, attributed to the presence of Bovine‐Leukosis virus in dairy cows, reduced consumer surplus by 2.7 ± 2.3 billion US$ (bUS$), and resulted in a total partial equilibrium loss of 720 ± 560 million US$ (mUS$) to the U.S. economy in 1996. Most of the economic surplus lost by consumers was transferred to producers, whose economic surplus increased by 2.0 ± 1.8 bUS$ as a result of reduced milk production attributed to the presence of Bovine‐Leukosis virus in dairy cattle. Uncertainty analysis showed that an estimate of the milk‐production decline per percent increase in the prevalence of Bovine‐Leukosis virus in dairy cows accounted for most of the uncertainty in the economic‐impact estimates. If Bovine‐Leukosis virus had not been present in U.S. dairy cows, then milk production would have increased by 2.0 billion ± 1.5 billion kg, the price would have fallen by 3.8 ± 3.2 cents/kg, and the value of the milk produced would have decreased by 2.1 ± 1.9 bUS$. Guidelines delineated by the International Organization for Standardization, for evaluating and expressing uncertainty in measurement, are discussed and proposed for use in the context of broad national estimates, for which the economic impacts of Bovine‐Leukosis virus serve as an example. The principal advantages of the methodology are the clarity and transparency of results, and the ability clearly to identify major uncertainty contributors.     

The Adoption and Impact of Bovine Somatotropin on U.S. Dairy Farms

Data from a national survey representative of U.S. dairy operations were used to assess adoption and the production and financial impacts of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST). Adoption rates of rbST varied significantly across the nation, but were higher among larger diary operations in all regions. However, the scale bias of rbST adoption was substantially diminished when the influence of location and the use of related technologies were measured. An increase in milk production per cow was associated with rbST adoption, but estimated financial impacts were not statistically significant due to substantial variation in the net returns of rbST adopters.     

Strategies of disadvantaged mountain dairy farmers as indicators of agricultural structural change: A case study of Murau,Austria

The decline in the number of farms, seen as one of the main dimensions of agricultural structural change, is presumed to predominantly take place in areas with farming difficulties, such as the disadvantaged European Alpine mountain regions. Especially regarding dairy farms, facing profound changes due to pending EU policy reforms, many questions remain unanswered concerning structural change patterns. This paper presents a follow-up qualitative study that for the first time visualizes a pattern of farm household strategies among Austrian dairy farmers in a specific particularly disadvantaged mountain region. The pattern contains disengaging farms, professionalizing farms, and three differing types of stable reproduction farms. The examination shows that this revealed typology provides a suitable framework for the ex ante indication of agricultural structural change.     

SOURCES OF INCREASED VARIABILITY IN WORLD CEREAL PRODUCTION SINCE THE 1960s

Recent growth in world cereal production has been accompanied by a more than proportional increase in the standard deviation of production. This study applies variance decomposition procedures to data on crop production by major geographical regions of the world to analyse the sources of this increased instability. It is found that the increase in aggregate production variability is predominantly due to increased yield variability and to a simultaneous loss in offsetting patterns of variation in yields between crops and regions. These changes are probably associated with the sharp increase in the variability of world cereal and oil prices since the early 1970s and with the more widespread adoption of improved seed/fertiliser intensive technologies.     

The Effect of Energy Price Increases on the U.S. Livestock Sector

This study is unique and crucial to the current time period because of the recent high energy price escalation. The uniqueness of this study pertains to the void in energy impact research of the agricultural sector, more specifically to livestock. The U.S. Department of Energy has models estimating economy-wide impacts, but not the specific impacts on agriculture. The Iowa State study concentrated on the grain sector.
The results presented here indicate that energy price increases will have substantial effects on livestock prices and production. Energy price increases will also result in differential impacts on livestock commodities (with poultry and eggs having the largest price and production effects). Furthermore, the multi-period framework enables the livestock model to capture lagged production responses. Noticeable is the higher impacts occurring in the third and fourth years.
In the future, higher energy costs may induce changes in U.S. production, processing and distribution patterns of livestock commodities. The highly vertically integrated poultry and egg industries may begin shifting production locations away from the colder northern regions to areas with more temperate climates. For industries like beef, pork and dairy, there may be increased range production to reduce impacts from higher feed costs. For all industries, closer proximity of processing plants to major livestock producing areas may occur.     

液体乳制品设备卫生设计、安装与应用实践

卫生设计是乳制品设备设计的重要原则,是食品安全的最基础保障。本文以常用液体乳品设备为例,站在乳品设备的使用者视角,从乳品设备的材料选择、设备安装过程中安装位置要求、焊接质量、设备的排水设计等影响设备清洁的几个关键要素,介绍乳品企业的最佳实践,旨在为国内乳品企业在新产线、新设备的选择和安装阶段清洁卫生管理提供参考和借鉴。