Cropland expansion and agriculture intensification have been the primary methods to increase food production since the 19th century. The resulting landscape simplification, however, can impede long-term agricultural crop productivity. This paper examines the role of landscape diversification on resilience of corn, soy, and winter wheat production, in terms of crop yield and yield variability, in the state of Kansas. The study uses panel data analysis with county fixed effects and time trends to estimate the relationship between landscape diversity and crop production resilience. Results show that diversity has a significant positive effect on yields after controlling for weather, irrigation, and chemical inputs. We find that the yields of winter wheat increase, on average, by 28% at high levels of landscape diversity, while corn and soy yields increase 7% and 5%, respectively. In addition, we find that increases in landscape diversity are significantly associated with reduced yield variability for winter wheat and corn, and that landscape diversity mitigates the effect of extreme weather conditions on yield. Study findings suggest that within a single, relatively low diversity state, increasing landscape diversity is positively associated with crop production resilience. Future extreme climate conditions may reduce crop yields and yield stability, requiring appropriate policies to ensure food security. Our findings suggest that landscape diversification may be an important tool within a portfolio of approaches to increase crop resilience under highly variable weather conditions.
Extreme weather events can significantly affect beef cow production. For example, unfavorable weather conditions deteriorate pasture quality and reduce pasture growth, forcing livestock producers to use high‐cost alternative feedstuffs, which consequently increases production costs. Extreme weather may also reduce overall animal performance, including decreased feed gain efficiency, and breeding performance. By exploiting seasonal weather changes and using 67 years of state‐level beef cow inventories, we estimate the impact of weather on cow‐calf production throughout 25 states in the United States. Results suggest that the U.S. cow‐calf industry is sensitive to changes in seasonal temperature. Results of an out‐of‐sample prediction using rolling window assessments prove that adding seasonal weather information to the forecasting model improves the prediction accuracy of state‐level beef cow inventories. Investigating the effects of seasonal temperature and precipitation on cow‐calf production will enhance the management and future production planning. [EconLit Citations: Q11].
We assess emerging relationships between production decisions and market channel selection among a small sample of hemp growers (22) in Colorado and Kentucky using qualitative interviews. We found producers differences by market channel, product and state. For instance, producers who relied on intermediated marketing strategies cultivated more acres on average and used fewer distinct market channels and strategies than those relying on direct markets. Product differences were found regarding processing, storage and perishability. Respondents identified four factors critical to their choice of market channels for their hemp products: research, profitability, trust and knowledge. The findings can help inform public and private decision-making regarding best hemp marketing practices and future needs of the hemp industry.
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