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THE PORTER HYPOTHESIS, PROPERTY RIGHTS, AND INNOVATION OFFSETS: THE CASE OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN PORK PRODUCERS

Conference Papers & Reports
December, 1999

The Porter Hypothesis relates the effects of environmental regulation on (a) technological innovation and (b) economic performance. Specifically, it asserts that innovation offsets can occur. These are a type of technological change that will "partially or more than fully offset the costs of complying with environmental regulation" (Porter and van der Linde, 1995, p. 98). The hypothesis has been highly debated, in part, because nomenclature has been careless. Also, the role of property rights in defining innovation offsets has been neglected.

A SIMPLE FRAMEWORK FOR DETERMINING THE FUNDAMENTAL AGRICULTURAL-USE VALUE OF MICHIGAN FARMLAND

Policy Papers & Briefs
December, 1999

There is considerable interest in the determination of farmland values. Although alternative models exist, present value models have played a central role in recent studies of agricultural land markets. Alston (1986) uses a present value model to examine the effects of inflation and real growth in net rental income on farmland prices (see also Melichar, 1979).

THE IMPACT OF SHARE TENANCY ON RESOURCE ALLOCATION: EVIDENCE FROM NEPAL

Conference Papers & Reports
December, 1999
Nepal

A fully interactive two group model is used to examine the issue of resource allocation under alternative tenancy systems in Nepal. The results support the Marshallian hypothesis that both mixed and pure share tenants apply variable inputs less intensively in their rented-in plots than in owner operated plots.
Keywords: Share tenancy, efficiency, input output intensities

SPATIAL BREAK-EVEN VARIABILITY FOR CUSTOM HIRE VARIABLE RATE TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION

Conference Papers & Reports
December, 1999

A theoretical model identified ranges of spatial variability required within multiple-land-class fields for economically viable variable rate technology (VRT) and the spatial variability required for maximum return to VRT. An example illustrated that return to VRT and the viable range of spatial variability increased for higher corn and nitrogen prices.

Construction Minerals in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area: A Land Management Analysis

Policy Papers & Briefs
December, 1999

The patchwork of government influences that shape the protection and management of construction mineral resources--sand, gravel, and crushed stone--includes statutes, regulations, guidance documents, and court decisions at the federal, state, and local level. Across the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area, both these influences and the experiences that the counties have had in managing construction mineral resources range widely.

Lessons for the Forest Service from State Trust Land Management Experience

Policy Papers & Briefs
December, 1999

This paper argues that state trust land management experience is potentially a source of valuable insights and examples for the U.S. Forest Service. The paper sketches historic and current trends in public resource administration to define what constitutes useful new ideas which might aid the agency in its present crisis.

VALUING AGROFORESTRY IN THE PRESENCE OF LAND DEGRADATION

Policy Papers & Briefs
December, 1999

Agroforestry can help prevent land degradation while allowing continuing use of land to produce crops and livestock. A problem with the evaluation of agroforestry using long-run static models and traditional discounting techniques is that the present value of the forestry enterprise is generally much lower than that of other production activities. This problem is common with Australian native species which tend to have a high environmental value but a low market value.

EL NINO/SOUTHERN OSCILLATION EFFECTS ON FARMLAND VALUES IN THE UNITED STATES

Conference Papers & Reports
December, 1999

This paper evaluates the impact of the El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on U.S. farmland values. Fourier series analysis decomposes climatological variation into ENSO and non-ENSO components. Farmland values, regressed against ENSO variation and other variables, are negatively affected by ENSO related weather variability in about 90% of U.S. climatological regions.

LAND TENURE INSECURITY AND LABOR ALLOCATION IN RURAL CHINA

Conference Papers & Reports
December, 1999
China

Farmers' ability to leave agriculture is an important and debated topic in China and other countries. Many scholars believe China's unique land tenure policies prevent farmers from leaving agriculture. This paper examines the hypothesis that China's land tenure system deters exit from agriculture using household level data from Northeast China.