Economics of sheep production

The aims of this paper are to give a brief overview of world sheep production at present and to describe in detail sheep production and profitability using New Zealand as a case example. Sheep numbers have been declining throughout the world over the last five years, resulting in decreased sheep meat production and a resultant shortage of supply. There is evidence that demand in the short-term will not be met by the major exporters (New Zealand and Australia). Although sheep numbers have declined in New Zealand, production has increased dramatically, with lambing percentages increasing from 98% in 1987 to 125% in 2008 and carcass weights from 14 to 17 kg, respectively. Despite this production increase, return on capital in the farming business has been around 1% per annum. However, property values have increased by around 10% offsetting the low return on capital from farming sheep. There are a number of challenges facing New Zealand's sheep farmers, namely changing land-use patterns, climate change and greenhouse gas mitigation, all of which will potentially impact on future profitability.     

Economics of oilseed production

United States production of oilseeds has increased 71% over the last 10 yr(1971–1981), from 42 to 72 mill tons. Soybeans have provided the big boost in output, accounting for 86% of the 30 mill ton gain, followed by sunflowers with 7%, cottonseed 7%, and peanuts 2%. Flaxseed and safflower output declined during the decade. Many factors contributed to the sharp boost in soybean output during this period. Because soybeans were competitively priced, market demand showed a steady growth and stocks remained relatively low. Soybeans provided favorable returns to growers and were widely used in rotations with other crops. Sunflower production skyrocketed since 1974 due to development of higher-yielding hybrid sunflower varieties and strong European demand for the seed. Costs of crop production in the United States have been continuing their relentless climb, spurred largely by rising fuel costs and more recently by high interest rates. Fertilizer and agricultural chemicals have also contributed to the increased costs. In the next decade, world demand for high protein meal and vegetable oils will continue to increase as population increases and use will expand in less developed countries. Much of these expanded oilseed requirements, particularly for soybeans and sunflower, will be provided by the United States.     

走进自然认识自然

我第一次感受生态旅游,是1996年在美国威斯康星州巴布的“国际鹤类基金会”。那是一片开阔的荒地。全世界15种鹤聚集一起,除了保护其中的濒危种外,让人们认识这些鹤,及鹤的栖息地,是工作人员的良苦用心。 那天,一个中年妇女,举着录音机,磁带里放着的是模仿鹤的声音,讲着鹤的家     

Economics of the lemon industry

Contrary to most articles in this periodical, this one is not a study in economic botany but in agricultural economics. As such, it is concerned primarily with business factors and only incidentally with lemon products.     

The Economics of Epidemic Diseases

Epidemic, infectious, diseases affect a large number of individuals across developing as well as developed countries. With reference to some very simple diffusion models, in this paper we consider how available economic resources could be optimally allocated by health authorities to mitigate, possibly eradicate, the disease. Optimality was defined as the minimization of the long run number of infected people. The main goal of the work has been to introduce a methodology for deciding if it would be best to concentrate resources to prevent contact between individuals and with an external source, or to develop a new treatment for curing the disease, or both. The analysis suggests that this depends on the cost functions, that is the available technology, for controlling the relevant parameters underlying the epidemics as well as on the available financial resources. In the case of the recent Ebola outbreak, the suggestions of the model have been consistent with the policies adopted.