Amber Waves cover, April 2008
Amber Waves: The Economics of Food, Farming, Natural Resources, and Rural America

April 2008

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Data Feature Heading
Photo:  Hispanic farmworkers

by William Kandel

With more than half of hired farmworkers lacking legal authorization to work in the U.S., legislative reforms of immigration policies could affect some parts of the agricultural sector.


Photo: Pigs
Technology, Larger Farm Size Increased
Productivity on U.S. Hog Farms

by Nigel Key and William D. McBride

Technological innovation and shifts to larger, more specialized
hog operations have led to increases in productivity, reduced
production costs, and lower hog prices.


Photo: Rancher with cattle

Global Market Opportunities Drive Beef Production Decisions in Argentina and Uruguay

by Michael McConnell and Ken Mathews, Jr.

Improvements to certification programs and traceability programs have helped expand beef exports from Argentina and Uruguay.


Photo: Grocery stores

Twenty Years of Competition Reshape the U.S. Food Marketing System

by Steve Martinez and Phil Kaufman

Companies have devised a number of strategies to lower costs and stand out from the competition.