AgBioForum, vol. 13, no.3 (2010)
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Item An Analysis of Bt Cotton Cultivation in Punjab, Pakistan Using the Agriculture Decision Support System (ADSS)(AgBioForum, 2010) Abdullah, AhsanAlthough commercial cultivation of Bt cotton was not officially allowed in Pakistan until very recently, the area under Bt cultivation has increased every year, and during the 2009/2010 cotton season it stood at around 70% of all cropland. This trend has raised many interesting questions, and this article attempts to answer some of these questions using the pest-scouting data of 3,000+ cotton farmers collected during the 2005/2006 season. We used the Agriculture Decision Support System to process and analyze the primary raw data. This article shows the relationship between Bt and non-Bt cotton cultivation with reference to (1) farm size, (2) pest and pesticide groups, (3) predators and pesticide sprays, (4) sucking pests, and (5) chewing pests.Item Examining the Prospects for Commercialization of Soybean Peroxidase(AgBioForum, 2010) Hailu, Getu; Weersink, Alfons; CahlÃk, FilipThe purpose of the article is to examine the prospects for the commercialization of soybeans peroxidase (SBP) from soybean hulls and to model uncertainty and strategic flexibility in biotechnology management and investment. The article provides an empirical application of the discounted cash flow and contingent claim approaches to a biotechnology investment.Item Adoption of Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin and Farm Profitability : Does Farm Size Matter?(AgBioForum, 2010) Gillespie, Jeffrey; Nehring, Richard F.; Hallahan, Charlie; Sandretto, Carmen; Tauer, Loren W., 1951-This article analyzes the adoption and profitability of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) in the United States. Probit model results show that location of the farm, farm size, operator age and education, and other technologies adopted influence rBST adoption. Regression model results find that adoption of rBST influences milk yield per cow but not profitability, unless profitability is analyzed by farm-size segment.Item Do Canadian Consumers Have Concerns about Genetically Modified Animal Feeds?(AgBioForum, 2010) Komirenko, Zoia; Veeman, Michele M.; Unterschultz, James R.This article analyzes responses from a 2008 survey of Canadian meat consumers about concerns regarding genetically modified (GM) feed used in livestock meat production. Approximately 50% of the sampled consumers express relatively high levels of concern about GM feeds. Based on the results from an ordered probit model that relates respondents' ratings of concern to their demographic characteristics, residents of Quebec and British Columbia tend to be more concerned than those in other locations. Respondents who express more trust in food industry institutions and show more confidence in buying beef and chicken tend to express less concern about GM animal feed. Other demographic characteristics and the household's levels of expenditures on different types of meat are not found to have an effect on expressed concerns with respect to GM-fed animals.Item Implications of Import Regulations and Information Requirements under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety for GM Commodities in Kenya(AgBioForum, 2010) Kimani, Virginia; Gruere, Guillaume P.This study investigates the implications of implementing information requirements under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety's Article 18.2.a in Kenya. It also assesses the challenges associated with the upcoming introduction of import regulations for genetically modified (GM) food in a country that largely imports and transports grain in East Africa. The analysis shows that Kenya has been importing GM grains for the past few years and that border control under pending regulation will be difficult and costly. While the Protocol's information requirement's "may contain" option does not require too much effort, implementing the strict "does contain" option will significantly increase the cost of trade and potentially the price of grains in Kenya. These results suggest that a regional approach to import control is necessary, and that Kenya should reconsider its support to the "does contain" option of the Protocol.