Columbia, Missouri, USA
January 13, 2013
AgBioForum Volume 15, Number 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.Conservation Tillage, Herbicide Use, and Genetically Engineered Crops in the United States: The Case of Soybeans
Jorge Fernandez-Cornejo, Charlie Hallahan, Richard Nehring, & Seth Wechsler (US Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service)
Arthur Grube (US Environmental Protection Agency)
This study examines the extent to which adopting herbicide-tolerant (HT) soybeans affects conservation tillage practices and herbicide use. The model is estimated using a state-level panel dataset extending across 12 major soybean-producing states from 1996 to 2006. The results of our analysis suggest that HT adoption induces farmers to adopt conservation tillage practices. Our results also show that HT adoption leads to a decrease in quality-adjusted herbicide use.
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2. Do European Union Farmers Reject Genetically Modified Maize? Farmer Preferences for Genetically Modified Maize in Greece
Theodoros Skevas (Wageningen University)
Enoch M. Kikulwe (Georg-August-University of Goettingen)
Helen Papadopoulou (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki)
Ioannis Skevas (Wageningen University)
Justus Wesseler (Technische Universitat Munchen)
The new EU proposal (IP/10/921) states that bans on genetically modified (GM) crops should not be based on environmental and health grounds, and it proposes a set of alternative reasons--including public order and morals--that can be cited by member states. This reveals the increasing importance of stakeholders' attitudes in GM crops' release decisions. This article analyzes farmers' attitudes and perceptions toward GM maize based on a survey of large-area Greek farmers in Northeastern Greece. A considerable number of respondents (61%) would adopt GM maize if Greece lifts the ban on GM maize cultivation. This result opposes recent findings from countries strongly opposing GM crops (such as France and Hungary), where bans are in line with the majority view of farmers. The ban is against what the majority of large-area farmers in Greece would choose if allowed.
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3. The Consequences of Biotechnology: A Broad View of the Changes in the Canadian Canola Sector, 1969 to 2012
Derek G. Brewin (University of Manitoba, Winnipeg)
Stavroula Malla (University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada)
This article is a broad assessment of the effect of biotechnology on canola in Canada. We examine the effects of biotechnology on the canola industry in terms of area, varieties, and yields, as well as the returns to research and firm-level benefits. Evidence of the privatization of the canola industry is seen in the dominance of the private sector in the registration of new canola varieties. The latest development in the sector is the dominance of a few private firms, which raises new concerns. However, the literature and our calculations indicate considerable benefits from canola research and recent technological advances. The area seeded to canola varieties, the number of varieties available, and canola crop yields have been on an upward trend for 50 years. Current producer benefits were estimated to be more than $1 billion and breeding firm returns were more than
$700 million.
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4. Genetically Modified Salmon for Dinner? Transgenic Salmon Marketing Scenarios
Davide Menozzi, Cristina Mora, & Alberto Merigo (University of Parma,
Italy)
Increasing demand for fish must be satisfied sustainably, and genetically modified (GM) fish will probably be part of the solution.
This article aims to describe the future trends in the salmon-farming sector and the potential effects of GM salmon introduction on the salmon industry. We have developed a qualitative scenario analysis based on a literature review and expert consultation (n=14). The majority of experts consulted do not believe that GM salmon introduction will be an important technical innovation. Nevertheless, three experts did agree that GM salmon would enter the market in the near future. This would cause new regulations to be introduced, reduce market price, make farmers more dependent on input suppliers, and pose risks to the environment. We used a cross-impact method to create three scenarios: 1) no market for GM fish, 2) GM salmon for dinner, and 3) GM salmon doesn't take off. The article describes the effects on the salmon industry under each scenario.
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5. Bt Cotton Adoption: A Double-hurdle Approach for North Indian Farmers
Puran Mal (Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany)
Asif Reza Anik (Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University)
Siegfried Bauer & P. Michael Schmitz (Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany)
This article adds to the existing literature by identifying determinants of the Bt cotton adoption decision, as well as what influences the extent (or level) of adoption. Econometric results show that information is a vital factor behind adoption and level of adoption. Experience is a barrier to Bt cotton diffusion, while available credit encourages farmers to adopt. As farmers consider Bt cotton a remedy for the negative implications of pesticide application in non-Bt production, those with higher health costs are more likely to adopt. Higher profit potential is an incentive for farmers with relatively little farm area to adopt Bt cotton. Farmers with poor-quality soil are more likely to adopt, and their level of adoption is also greater. This is due Bt cotton being more suitable for areas with such soils, as compared to crops like rice. Thus, Bt cotton diffusion is more likely to be successful among relatively small farms and those in less fertile areas.
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6. Examination of Regional-level Efficient Refuge Requirements for Bt Cotton in India
Rohit Singla (McGill University, Montreal)
Phillip Johnson & Sukant Misra (Texas Tech University)
Refuge requirements for Bt cotton varieties were examined for three cotton-growing regions in India, considering resistance evolution in cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) to Bt toxin and pyrethroid pesticides. Biological, yield, and regulatory models were used.
Results indicated that the optimal refuge requirements varied significantly across cotton-growing regions. The North and Central regions require higher refuge compared to the South region. Results suggest that sprayed refuge is more profitable than unsprayed refuge.
Refuge requirements were found to be sensitive to relative proportion of pests in natural refuge and initial Bt resistance levels in all three regions.
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7.Supply Variation of Agricultural Residues and Its Effects on Regional Bioenergy Development
Xiaolan Liu (Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs)
Michael Farmer (Texas Tech University)
Serge Capareda (Texas A&M University)
Agricultural residue/wastes are promising for producing bioenergy, despite the existing considerations, such as spatial distribution, production costs, and an unstable supply. This study quantifies the supply variance of waste biomass and explores the viability of bioenergy conversion through advanced technologies. The regional concentration of feedstock and local market needs serve as the business strategy of proposed bioenergy facilities, and a constraint profit maximization model specified for optimal production. The results of this study provide a better understanding of the distribution variation of feedstock supply corresponding to the effects of multiple factors. Resource concentration and feedstock supplements drive the production scale, and high-value bio-products under policy support handle the production uncertainty and enhance the competitiveness of bioenergy products. The method and results of this study attempt to provide a platform for other types of residual/waste biomass to adopt advanced technology and bring the value added streams on line more rapidly.
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8. Impact of Genetically Modified Maize on Smallholder Risk in South Africa
Gregory K. Regier, Timothy J. Dalton, & Jeffery R. Williams (Kansas State University)
This research adds to previous literature by examining the impact of genetically modified (GM) maize on net return risk for smallholders in South Africa. Producers of GM maize pay 35% more for seed but 42% less per hectare for labor than non-GM maize producers. Stochastic dominance reveals that net returns of Roundup Ready (RR) maize are second-degree stochastically dominant to all other varieties in one region, while no variety is stochastically dominant in the other region. Stochastic efficiency with respect to a function (SERF) indicates that RR maize is the preferred variety for producers over the entire range of risk preferences in both regions. While average gross returns for all maize plots are $713 per hectare, risk premiums between $18 and $221 per hectare must be paid to RR maize producers--depending on region and farmer risk preference--to persuade them to switch to the second-most preferred variety.
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