Concise overviews of key issues, research findings,
and analysis. These are available in Adobe
Acrobat PDF format. |
Natural
Resources and Environment  |
| The Future of Environmental Compliance Incentives in U.S. Agriculture
If direct payment programs, which are now subject to environmental compliance, are reduced or eliminated, what would be some impacts of applying environmental compliance provisions to crop insurance? March 2012 HTML
Trends in U.S. Farmland Values and Ownership
In the last few years, U.S. farmland values have been supported by strong farm earnings, helping the farm sector withstand the residential housing downturn. Regarding ownership, non-operating landowners play a significant role. February 2012
Major Uses of Land in the United States, 2007
ERS complies the only accounting of all major uses of public and private land in the United States. The report compares national and regional trends in land use with earlier estimates. December 2011 HTML
Trends and Developments in Hog Manure Management: 1998-2009
Structural changes in the hog sector, environmental policy, and local conflicts over air quality have altered how manure is stored and handled. ERS examines changes in these practices since 1998. September 2011 HTML
Nitrogen in Agricultural Systems: Implications for Conservation Policy
ERS explores the use of nitrogen in U.S. agriculture, assesses changes in farm nutrient practices that could improve its efficiency, and reviews several policy approaches for improving nitrogen management. September 2011 HTML
The Influence of Rising Commodity Prices on the Conservation Reserve Program
ERS explores how increased commodity prices might influence enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Recent commodity prices are generally higher than when most CRP contracts were accepted, making land retirement less attractive unless CRP rental rates rise. February 2011 HTML
Climate Change Policy and the Adoption of Methane Digesters on Livestock Operations
Methane digester systems capture methane from manure storage facilities for use as fuel to generate electricity or heat. ERS estimated the number and type of hog and dairy operations that would find it profitable to use a digester. February 2011 HTML
The Role of Contracts in the Organic Supply Chain: 2004 and 2007
Contracting is widespread in the organic sector. ERS summarizes survey data on contracting in that sector, addressing the extent of contracting, the rationale for using contracts, and contract design for select commodities. December 2010 HTML
“No-Till” Farming Is a Growing Practice
ERS summarizes U.S. trends in the use of reduced-tillage practices on cropland planted to eight major crops--barley, corn, cotton, oats, rice, sorghum, soybeans, and wheat -- from 2000 to 2007, and provides estimates of acreage under no-till in 2009.
November 2010 HTML
The Farm Act’s Regional Equity Provision: Impacts on Conservation Program Outcomes
ERS examines impacts of the 2002 Farm Act’s “Regional Equity” provision on conservation programs. The question: How did the required reallocations of funds affect the programs’ effectiveness in achieving environmental goals? June 2010 HTML
Characteristics, Costs, and Issues for Organic Dairy Farming
ERS addresses size, regional differences, and pasture use in organic milk production. Economic forces have pressured organic dairies to operate more like their conventional counterparts and take advantage of economies of size. November 2009 HTML
Emerging Issues in the U.S. Organic Industry
ERS reviews recent research on the adoption of organic farming systems, production costs and returns, and market conditions. Among emerging issues is competition from “locally grown” labels. June 2009 HTML
Changes in Manure Management in the Hog Sector
Hog operations are growing in size and seeking to manage nutrients on a limited cropland base, and practices have changed over the last several years in response to environmental regulations. March 2009 HTML
The Use of Markets To Increase Private Investment in Environmental Stewardship
ERS explores the use of market mechanisms, such as emissions trading and eco-labels, to increase private investment in environmental stewardship, and the role of government. September 2008
The U.S. Organic Handling Sector in 2004
ERS surveyed certified organic manufacturers, processors, and distributors in the United States to collect information on basic characteristics of the sector, as well as its marketing and procurement practices. May 2008
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Integrating Commodity and Conservation Programs: Design Options and Outcomes
Could a single program support farm income and encourage environmentally sound farm practices? ERS looks at some hypothetical program scenarios. October 2007
Environmental
Effects of Agricultural Land-Use Change: The
Role of Economics and Policy
ERS examines environmental outcomes of land-use
conversion prompted by two Federal agricultural
programs: crop insurance subsidies and the Conservation
Reserve Program. August 2006
Agricultural
Resources and Environmental Indicators, 2006 edition
The 2006 Agricultural Resources and Environmental
Indicators is the latest in a series that examines
farmers’ production and conservation practices,
the resources they use, and the conservation programs
that help shape their choices. July 2006 HTML
Whole-Farm
Revenue Approaches to a Safety Net
Two whole-farm programs—income-stabilization (savings) accounts and revenue insurance—could
overcome the limitations of current farm-safety-net
instruments such as commodity programs. June
2006
Major
Uses of Land in the United States
The ERS Major Land Uses series is the only accounting
of all major uses of land, both public and private,
in all 50 States. It covers national and regional
trends compared with earlier estimates. May 2006
Balancing
the Multiple Objectives of Conservation Programs
ERS examined how altering the priorities given to
various environmental and cost objectives would
affect Conservation Reserve Program outcomes, using
an index to measure objectives. May 2006
The
Value of Plant Disease Early-Warming Systems: A
Case Study of USDA's Soybean Rust Coordinated Framework
ERS examines and evaluates, as a case study, USDA's
coordinated framework for soybean rust surveillance,
reporting, prediction, and management. April
2006
Conservation
Program Design
Five ERS Economic Briefs explore specific design
options for conservation programs, involving decisions
on farmers’ eligibility, amount of program
payments that can be received, for what actions,
and how to select applicants. March 2006
Conservation-Compatible
Practices and Programs: Who Participates?
Management practices that provide environmental
benefits without large costs have been adopted by
farms of all sizes. But the levels of participation
in land retirement programs and more management-intensive
working land programs can vary with farm size, commodity
mix, and operator and household characteristics. February 2006
Managing
Manure to Improve Air and Water Quality
Air and water pollution from animal waste can affect
multiple natural resources, though environmental
laws typically focus only on a single resource.
ERS assesses the economic and environmental tradeoffs
between water quality policies and air quality policies.
September 2005
Flexible
Conservation Measures on Working Land
The 2002 Farm Act increased conservation funding
and earmarked most of the increase for working-land
payment programs (WLPPs) rather than land retirement.
Design and implementation of WLPPs will largely
determine the extent to which environmental goals
are achieved and are cost effective. ERS examines
a range of design options and discusses each in
terms of environmental benefits and equity considerations.
June 2005
The
Conservation Reserve Program: Economic Implications
for Rural America
In rural communities with high proportions of farmland
enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP),
what are the impacts on employment and business,
population, beginning farmers, land use, and recreational
opportunities? October 2004
Economics
of Sequestering Carbon in the U.S. Agricultural
Sector
Atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases can
be reduced by withdrawing carbon from the atmosphere
and sequestering it in soils and biomass. What if
farmers were paid to adopt management practices
that raise soil carbon levels? April 2004
Manure
Management for Water Quality: Costs to Animal Feeding
Operations of Applying Manure Nutrients to Land
Clean Water Act regulations compel the largest confined
animal producers to meet nutrient application standards
when applying manure to the land. The costs have
implications for feedgrain producers and for consumers.
June 2003
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Research,
Technology, and Productivity |
| Research Investments and Market Structure in the Food Processing, Agricultural Input, and Biofuel Industries Worldwide
ERS quantifies investment trends by for-profit companies in food manufacturing, biofuels, and agricultural input R&D and explores how the trends are affected by changes in industry structure. December 2011
On the Doorstep of the Information Age: Recent Adoption of Precision Agriculture
Among the trends in key precision agricultural technologies over the past 10 years for major field crops, ERS finds that adoption has been uneven among yield monitors, variable rate application technologies, and GPS maps. August 2011 HTML
Effects of Increased Biofuels on the U.S. Economy in 2022
ERS examines economic effects of increased biofuels in transportation fuels, called for in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Effects are measured by gross domestic product, household income, price of energy fuels, and agricultural output and trade. October 2010 HTML
U.S. Public Agricultural Research: Changes in Funding Sources and Shifts in Emphasis, 1980-2005
ERS examines changes in funding levels and sources for U.S. public agricultural research, a decentralized system of Federal and State research institutions and partnerships.
March 2009 HTML
The
First Decade of Genetically Engineered Crops in
the United States
ERS summarizes the impact of developments in agricultural
biotechnology on seed suppliers and other biotech
firms, farmers, and consumers, as well as environmental
impacts. April 2006
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Government
Patenting and Technology Transfer
ERS examined government patenting practices, focusing
on patenting and licensing used by USDA’s
Agricultural Research when a technology requires
additional development by the private sector. March 2006
Crop
Genetic Resources: An Economic Appraisal
Crop genetic resources are the basis of agricultural
production. But private incentives for conservation
may fall short of maintaining the genetic diversity
essential to reducing vulnerability to pests and
disease. May 2005
Size
and Distribution of Market Benefits From Adopting
Biotech Crops
The benefits from three major biotech crops to U.S.
farmers, consumers, biotechnology developers, germplasm
suppliers, and producers and consumers in the rest
of the world vary under different assumptions about
the market. November 2003
The Effects
of Information on Consumer Demand for Biotech Foods:
Evidence from Experimental Auctions
The type and content of information provided to
consumers about biotech foods affects the amount
they are willing to pay for biotech-labeled and
for plain-labeled items. April 2003
|
Rural
and Community Development |
| Rural Wealth Creation: Concepts, Strategies, and Measures
No wealth creation strategy will work in all contexts. Rural communities able to identify strategies best suited to their existing wealth endowments and local priorities are likely in the best position to create wealth. March 2012 HTML
Rural America at a Glance, 2011 Edition
The six-page report highlights the most recent indicators of social and economic conditions in rural areas. The 2011 edition focuses on employment trends, and includes data on poverty and population levels. September 2011
Impacts of Higher Energy Prices on Agriculture and Rural Economies
ERS looks at direct and indirect impacts of higher energy prices on the agricultural and rural sectors, with scenarios developed for specific energy price changes. August 2011 HTML
Impacts of Regional Approaches to Rural Development: Initial Evidence on the Delta Regional Authority
ERS demonstrates an approach to examining initial economic outcomes of regional strategies for rural economic development, focusing on a program in the Mississippi Delta region. June 2011
Federal Tax Policies and Low-Income Rural Households
ERS examines the effects of current Federal tax provisions regarding low- and moderate-income households in rural America, focusing on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC). May 2011 HTML
Nonmetropolitan Outmigration Counties: Some Are Poor, Many Are Prosperous
Over a third of U.S. nonmetropolitan counties lost at least 10 percent of their population through net outmigration during the past two decades. ERS compares characteristics of such counties with other nonmetro counties. November 2010
Broadband Internet’s Value for Rural America
Broadband access is necessary to fully utilize Internet potential, and rural areas without broadband access may be disadvantaged. ERS examines recent growth in broadband access in rural areas and the impacts of broadband on their economies. August 2009 HTML
Baby Boom Migration and Its Impact on Rural America
If baby boomers follow past migration patterns, the nonmetro population age 55-75 will increase by 30 percent between now and 2020, with some rural communities affected more than others. August 2009 HTML
Rural Health and Health Care
ERS examines available research on health status trends of farm and rural households, their health care coverage and expenditures, and access to health care resources in rural and urban areas. August 2009 HTML
Rural Broadband at a Glance, 2009 Edition
Six-page brochure presents information and data on broadband availability and use, and the relationship of broadband to rural businesses and to key services for rural residents. February 2009
Rural
Employment at a Glance
Six-page brochure highlights recent indicators of
employment and unemployment in rural areas. It documents
changes and differences in metro and nonmetro employment,
occupational mix, and earnings.
December 2006 |
Rural Hispanics
at a Glance
Hispanics are the fastest growing population group
in rural America and are helping to slow population
loss in nonmetro counties. This six-page brochure
provides data on nonmetro Hispanics’ demographic
characteristics, geographic dispersion, employment,
income, poverty, and use of social services. December
2005
Low-Skill
Employment and the Changing Economy of Rural America
ERS examined the relationship between employment
trends and industrial and occupational shifts in
rural America. Among the findings: The share of
low-skill jobs in the rural employment mix fell
by 2.2 percentage points between 1990 and 2000,
to 42.2 percent, slower than the 5-percentage-point
drop in the 1980s. October 2005
Recreation,
Tourism, and Rural Well-Being
Recreation and tourism development generally increases
local employment, wage levels, and income in rural
areas. Drawbacks include higher housing costs. Local
effects vary significantly, depending on the type
of recreation area. August 2005
Rural Children
at a Glance
Recent data on the demographic, social, and economic
characteristics of rural children include comparison
of metro and nonmetro poverty rates and participation
in food assistance programs, as well as the geographic
distribution of child poverty. April 2005
Rural
Transportation at a Glance
A six-page brochure looks at the quality of roads,
availability of public transportation, rates of
car ownership in rural areas, and includes impacts
of deregulation and the shift of responsibilities
to States and localities.
February 2005
Rural
Poverty at a Glance
Poverty rates are used in shaping Federal policies
and targeting program benefits. A six-page ERS brochure
is packed with information on poverty trends and
demographic characteristics of the rural poor. Analysis
by race, ethnicity, age, family structure, and region
highlights distinctions between metro and nonmetro
areas. July 2004
New
Patterns of Hispanic Settlement in Rural America
Since 1980, the nonmetro Hispanic population in
the United States has doubled and is now the most
rapidly growing demographic group in rural and small-town
America. June 2004
Rural
Education at a Glance
Six-page report is packed with key facts on rural
education levels, including demographic and occupational
information. It documents the steady rise in rural
adult educational attainment in the 1990s. January
2004
Reforming
Welfare: What Does It Mean for Rural Areas?
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act dramatically altered the social
safety net for poor Americans, including the 7 million
people living in poverty in nonmetro areas. Results
have varied in rural and urban areas. June 2002 |
Trade
and International Markets |
| International Food Security Assessment, 2011-21
ERS assesses the food security situation in 77 developing countries, including estimates for 2011 and projections for the next decade. The report is the latest in an annual series.
July 2011 HTML
The Expansion of Modern Grocery Retailing and Trade in Developing Countries
Modern grocery retailing has been expanding rapidly in developing countries, with implications for food demand, farmers’ income, and trade. July 2011
Wheat Flour Price Shocks and Household Food Security in Afghanistan
Using a nationally representative household survey from Afghanistan, ERS analyzes the impact of increases in wheat flour prices before and during the 2007/08 global food price crisis. July 2011
Selected Trade Agreements and Implications for U.S. Agriculture
ERS examines possible impacts of recently implemented free trade agreements (FTAs) where the United States is not a partner, and potential effects of pending U.S. agreements with Korea, Colombia, and Panama. April 2011
Reciprocal Trade Agreements: Impacts on Bilateral Trade Expansion and Contraction in the World Agricultural Marketplace
ERS looks at the how reciprocal trade agreements affect trade between member and nonmember countries, as well as among member countries, in the world agricultural marketplace. April 2011
Classifying and Measuring Agricultural Support: Identifying Differences Between the WTO and OECD Systems
Measures of countries’ support to their farm sectors can be highly contested in trade negotiations. ERS presents a framework for analyzing differences between the two key systems (WTO and OECD) used to measure support levels. March 2011 HTML
Food Security Assessment, 2010-20
Food security in 70 developing countries is estimated to have improved between 2009 and 2010, due in part to economic recovery in many of these countries. Over the next decade, the overall number of food-insecure people is projected to decline slightly.
July 2010 HTML
Growth and Equity Effects of Agricultural Marketing Efficiency Gains in India
ERS examines the performance of India’s agricultural marketing system and analyzes economywide implications of improved marketing efficiency that might stem from future reforms. (December 2009) HTML
The Economics of Agricultural and Wildlife Smuggling
ERS examines the characteristics and scope of agricultural and wildlife smuggling, its responsiveness to economic incentives, and regulations and other efforts to reduce its risks. September 2009 HTML
The Transmission of Exchange Rate Changes to Agricultural Prices
ERS addresses the two main reasons for incomplete transmission of exchange rate changes to a country’s domestic agricultural prices: namely, restrictive trade policies and poor market conditions. July 2009 HTML
Imports From China and Food Safety Issues
Food imports from China more than tripled in value from 2001 to 2008. ERS indicates the types of foods imported, analyzes FDA refusals of shipments, and describes China’s food safety regulation. July 2009 HTML
China’s Ongoing Agricultural Modernization: Challenges Remain After 30 Years of Reform
ERS provides an overview of issues in China’s agricultural development and the policy responses, and assesses the effects of policies on China’s growing role in international markets. April 2009 HTML
Declining Orange Consumption in Japan
The aging of Japan’s population only partially explains the downward trend in orange consumption, and the negative trend could continue. February 2009 HTML
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The EU Sugar Policy Regime and Implications of Reform
ERS examines the implications and potential impacts of the first major reform of the 2005 reform of the European Union’s sugar policy, the first major reform of the policy since 1968. July 2008
The Environment for Agricultural and Agribusiness Investment in India
Investment in India’s agriculture sector has been sluggish since the early 1990s, but the policy environment has grown more investor friendly and private investment appears to be responding. July 2008
Convergence in Global Food Demand and Delivery
Globalization and income growth are resulting in increasing similarities worldwide in food purchasing patterns and food delivery mechanisms. March 2008
Global Growth, Macroeconomic Change, and U.S. Agricultural Trade
Rising incomes in emerging markets are propelling U.S. export growth, while
consumer demand for diversified products is a primary driver of import growth. September 2007
Indian
Wheat and Rice Sector Policies and the Implications
for Policy Reform
The pronounced market cycles and declines in per
capita consumption of India’s major food staples,
as well as budgetary concerns, are creating pressure
for Indian policymakers to adjust longstanding policies. May 2007
Demand
for Food Quantity and Quality in China
As incomes rise in China, consumers are demanding
greater quality, convenience, and safety in food.
Recent changes in China’s food market landscape
warrant a new assessment of its food demand. January
2007
U.S.
Dairy at a Global Crossroads
Current dynamics in world dairy markets and the
potential for trade policy reform are bringing the
U.S. dairy sector to a crossroads as it faces global
competitive forces. November 2006
The
Role of Policy and Industry Structure in India's
Oilseed Markets
Research report reviews recent developments in the
oilseed sector of India, one of the world’s
largest vegetable oil importers, and assesses implications
of current and potential policy reforms. April
2006
Commercialization
of Food Consumption in Rural China
Over 60 percent of China's consumers live on farms.
While rural households rely on self-produced commodities
for a large share of their food, this pattern has
been changing since the mid-1990s, with purchases
of food in rural China growing by 7.4 percent annually.
July 2005
Agricultural
Trade Preferences and the Developing Countries
Nonreciprocal trade preference programs originated
in the 1970s, with high-income developed countries
providing tariff concessions to low-income countries.
ERS analyzed trade and tariff data for the United
States and the European Union to determine the extent
of the programs’ benefits. May 2005
Food Safety
and International Trade
Expanding food trade has highlighted the divergence
among countries' food safety regulations and standards.
A set of research briefs addresses general and specific
issues. February 2004
International
Evidence on Food Consumption Patterns
Quantifying the relationship between countries’
income levels and consumption demands are useful
in forecasting future food needs and in anticipating
the impacts of government policies. October 2003 |
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