Abstracts of Selected Papers

Abstract

s of Selected Papers NAREA Annual Meetings, Rehoboth, Delaware, June 10-13,2007 SESSION: Assessing Consumer Food Product Demand. Moderator: John C. Bernard (University of Delaware) "Kenyan Consumer Awareness, Attitudes, and the Willingness to Pay for Genetically Modified Food: The Case of Rural Maize Consumers." Fredrick Keter and Okeleke Nzeogwu (University of Maryland Eastern Shore) and Hugo De Groote (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre, Nairobi, Kenya). The study examines Kenyan rural consumer awareness, attitudes towards genetically modified (GM) food, and the willingness to pay (WTP) for GM maize meal. Using the contingent valuation (CV) method, the results revealed that consumers were willing to buy GM maize meal at a premium. Subjective variables were the main determinant ofWTP. "Improvements in Product Share Computation: Full-Factorial Attraction Model." Ewa J. Kleczyk (Virginia Tech) and Patrick J. Howie (TargetRx). In this study, an innovative method for market share calculation is proposed. This model improves parameter estimates and solves the challenges associated with pooling data across markets. It is based on a reconceptualization of any market as a series of 2-product markets and by rebalancing market share to 100 percent. "Demand for Live Aquatic Products in the Mid-Atlantic States." Venkata S. Puduri and Ramu Govindasamy (Rutgers University). This study was designed to gather market information on customer attributes and the collective size and scope of live seafood markets in the Northeast. The paper presents the results of socioeconomic characteristics of aquatic product consumers and their preferences. "Advertising and U.S. Non-Alcoholic Beverage Demand." Yuqing Zheng and Harry Kaiser (Cornell University). This research investigates the impact of advertising on U.S. non-alcoholic beverage demand in an integrated framework. Results reveal that advertising increases demand for fluid milk, soft drinks, and coffee and tea, but not for juices or bottled water. A number of cross-commodity advertising effects exist, and they could be substantial. SESSION: Regional Growth and Agriculture. Moderator: Douglas E. Morris (University of New Hampshire) "Explaining Regional Comparative Advantage by Measuring Total Factor Productivities: Case of the U.S. Soybean Industry." C.S. Kim, Glenn Schaible, and Linwood Hoffman (Economic Research Service, USDA). In this paper, we present an alternative theoretical model for evaluating economic comparative advantage(s) based on assessments of input-biased technical changes, which can explain both nonhomothetic production technology and total factor productivities. The model is then tested by assessing the comparative advantage of soybean production across the United States. "The Impact of Cattle Farming on the New Hampshire Economy." Michal Lunak and Douglas E. Morris (University of New Hampshire). The impact of cattle farming on the New Hampshire economy was investigated using IMPLAN PlusTM. Results indicate that cattle farming impacts the state and local economies with more than $141 million in total output, 3,717 jobs, and more than $19 million in labor income. The industry also provides over $7 million in state and local government tax receipts. "The Opportunity for Agritourism Development in New Jersey." Brian J. Schilling and Lucas J. Marxen (Rutgers University). This paper reports the findings from a study commissioned by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to gain better understanding of the current status and nature of agritourism in New Jersey and its impact on farm viability. Specific focus is placed on elucidating farm operators' Agricultural and Resource Economics Review 36/2 (October 2007) 349-357 Copyright 2007 Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association