Farm size and productivity growth in the United States Corn Belt

In recent decades, agricultural production in the U.S. has continued to shift to large-scale operations, raising concerns about the economic viability of small and midsized farms. To understand whether economies of size provided an incentive for the consolidation of production, the study estimates the total factor productivity (TFP) of five size classes of grain-producing farms in the U.S. Heartland (Corn Belt) region. Using quinquennial Agricultural Census data from 1982 to 2012 the study also compares TFP growth rates across farm sizes to gain insight into whether observed productivity differences are likely to persist. The finding of a strong positive relationship between farm size and TFP suggests that consolidation of production has contributed to recent aggregate productivity growth in the crop sector. The study estimates the extent to which sectoral productivity growth can be attributed to structural change versus other factors including technological change. The study also explores some tradeoffs associated with policies that raise the productivity of small versus large farms.     

Will China's WTO accession worsen farm household incomes?

Many fear China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) will impoverish its farmers via greater import competition in its agricultural markets. We explore that possibility bearing in mind that, even if producer prices of some (land-intensive) farm products fall, prices of other (labor-intensive) farm and nonfarm products could rise. New estimates, from the global, economy-wide numerical simulation model known as Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP), of the likely changes in agricultural and other product prices as a result of WTO accession, are drawn on to examine empirically the real income implications of China's WTO accession. The results suggest farm–nonfarm income inequality may well rise within China but rural–urban income inequality need not. The article concludes with some policy suggestions for alleviating any pockets of farm household poverty that may emerge as a result of WTO accession.     

Climate change, irrigation, and Israeli agriculture: Will warming be harmful?

This paper utilizes a Ricardian model to test the relationship between annual net revenues and climate across Israeli farms. The study finds that it is important to include the amount of irrigation water available to each farm in order to measure the response of farms to climate. With irrigation water omitted, the model predicts climate change is strictly beneficial. However, with water included, the model predicts that only modest climate changes are beneficial while drastic climate change in the long run will be harmful. Using the AOGCM Scenarios we show that farm net revenue is expected to increase. Although Israel has a relatively warm climate a mild increase in temperature is beneficial due to the ability to supply international markets with farm product early in the season.     

信息不对称对林产品经营影响的分析

探讨了信息不对称现象对林产品经营的影响问题,阐述了林产品市场信息不对称的内涵、基本表征、成因及其对林产品经营的具体影响,提出了林产品经营的新对策:一是加强林产品市场调研,充分掌握市场信息;二是注重林产品信息的传播与扩散;三是讲求诚信经营,努力培养商誉;四是积极实施林产品的标准化经营;五是大力推行林产品的认证经营。     

国际贸易发票货币的选择——兼论人民币国际化

一国货币作为国际贸易发票货币取决于货币汇率的波动性、该国在占据的出口市场份额以及该国出口产品的差异性程度。随着人民币汇率形成机制更加灵活和弹性化及在国际贸易中采用本币计价以回避汇率风险,人民币成为国际贸易发票货币有期可待。     

产商品质量的防伪问题及方法

对产商品质量的防伪问题及方法进行了系统的分类，对方法选用原则进行了探讨。     

论农产品进口反倾销预警机制的建立

反倾销预警机制具有一定的前瞻性和预防性，农业作为中国的一个重要产业，建立其反倾销预警机制势在必行。农产品反倾销预警机制的建立主要包括设定警素、对警素进行分析、对警素设限、灯区显示四个步骤，并提出了应由政府、行业、企业三方面主体来执行农产品反倾销预警系统。     

建立中国-东盟自由贸易区对中国农产品出口的影响及其对策

针对中国与东盟农产品贸易的现状,采用显性比较优势分析中国农产品的优势,以及CAFTA的建立对中国农产品出口的影响,就如何扩大中国农产品出口提出了对策和建议。     

新疆新兴旅游产品开发应处理好的几个关系

新兴旅游产品开发是旅游业持续发展的重要组成部分。在开发新兴旅游产品的过程中应处理好以下几方面的问题：资源与市场的关系、独特性与共性的关系、时代性与民族性的关系、人与自然的关系及观赏与参与的关系。     

中国古代耕牛保护制度及其对后世的影响

自西周以迄清朝,中国历代法律都严厉禁止任意宰杀牛,规定了相应的屠宰标准和审批手续。无论是牛主(牛的所有者)还是他人,私屠乱宰牛都是犯罪行为,要受到法律的制裁。这一制度的实施不是出于宗教的信仰或禁忌,也不是为了保护动物的福利(生存权),更不是为了保障食品安全,而是为了保证有足够的耕牛以满足农业生产的需要。这一制度对20世纪80年代前的中国近现代耕牛保护制度产生了深远的影响。