Adams, Richard M.

July, 2002

MICRO VERSUS MACRO ACREAGE RESPONSE MODELS: DOES SITE-SPECIFIC INFORMATION MATTER?

By: Wu, JunJie; Adams, Richard M.
Because requisite micro data frequently are unavailable, it is common practice to use aggregate data to estimate economic relationships representing the behavior of individual agents. A substantial body of literature has examined conditions under which inferences between micro and aggregate specifications can be made. Less attention has been focused on the relative accuracy of predictions for each scale of model. In an empirical application, we compare the goodness-of-fit measures of eight sets of acreage response models, varying in aggregation from field- (micro-) level to regional- (macro-) level models. Results suggest aggregate models are superior to the micro model in predicting acreage response, even thought the micro models contain substantially more data on site-specific characteristics.
Download Full Article

July, 1998

THE ROLE OF SOIL TEST INFORMATION IN REDUCING GROUNDWATER POLLUTION

By: Fleming, Ronald A.; Adams, Richard M.; Ervin, David E.
Testing soils for nutrients is expected to improve groundwater quality. However, it is unknown whether soil testing will improve groundwater quality sufficiently to decrease the demand for direct regulation of agricultural practices. Focusing on an irrigated agricultural region in eastern Oregon, the economic and environmental aspects of soil testing are assessed using a spatially distributed, dynamic simulation model which links economic behavior with the physical processes that determine groundwater quality. Results indicate that soil testing of all fields increases farm profits and reduced groundwater nitrate concentration. However, the benefits are small in terms of potential improvements in groundwater quality
Download Full Article

December, 1996

WELFARE EFFECTS OF FISHERY POLICIES: NATIVE AMERICAN TREATY RIGHTS AND RECREATIONAL SALMON FISHING

By: Lin, Pei-Chien; Adams, Richard M.; Berrens, Robert P.
Severe declines in Pacific Northwest salmon stocks, coupled with increasing recreational demands, and judicial decisions supporting Native American fishing rights create challenges for fishery agencies. This article explores the welfare effects on recreational anglers of alternative salmon allocation policies to meet Native American treaty rights. A discrete choice random utility model, coupled with a Poisson trip frequency model, is used to analyze these welfare effects. The model is fit to survey data from the Willamette River spring chinook fishery, an important recreational fishery in Oregon. Management options have dramatically different welfare effects.
Download Full Article

July, 1992

FARM-LEVEL RESPONSE TO AGRICULTURAL EFFLUENT CONTROL STRATEGIES: THE CASE OF THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY

By: Taylor, Michael L.; Adams, Richard M.; Miller, Stanley F.
This article examines economic incentives and other mechanisms to offset non-point source pollution from agriculture. A biophysical simulator to estimate technical relationships is linked to linear programming models for representative farms in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. The models are then optimized for profit maximization under alternative non-point pollution control policies. The results indicate that site-specific resource conditions and production possibilities greatly influence policy effectiveness and the cost of achieving pollution abatement. Nevertheless, some abatement is possible on all farms for relatively little cost.
Download Full Article