External economic drivers and US agricultural production systems

2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (04) ◽  
pp. 296-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.M. Halloran ◽  
D.W. Archer
Keyword(s):  
Market Structure ◽  
Strategic Alliances ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Consumer Demand ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Economic Incentives ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Net Income ◽  
Resource Base

AbstractUS agriculture operates in a market driven economy, although government policies can have influence on what farmers produce and how they produce it. As with other businesses, agricultural producers respond to economic incentives and disincentives, and make decisions to maximize their welfare; usually measured as net income. We examined how external economic drivers shape the type of agricultural systems that producers adopt. Specifically, we considered the influence of technological advancements, income supports embodied in farm legislation, and changes in market structure and consumer demand. Changes in technology have often favored large-scale and specialized operations. Many of the technological advancements have required large-scale production units to justify the investment. Often the technology has been commodity specific. However, there is some evidence that more diversified production units might be able to achieve economies of both scale and scope. The influence of commodity support programs has been ambiguous. As farm legislation has evolved to decouple production decisions from program benefits, the incentives to specialize in program crops (crops that receive price and/or income benefits under federal legislation, such as corn, other grains and oil seeds) have diminished. However, wealth and risk effects, albeit small, may have promoted or inhibited the adoption of a more integrated system. The ability of producers to adopt more integrated systems has been primarily influenced by their natural resource base and proximity to markets. Changes in market structure, channels and consumer demand in the past five decades have been dramatic with consolidation and specialization in both production and marketing sectors. However, the diversity of consumer demand has also created opportunities for more integrated farm operations. There is an increasing number of consumers who have become concerned about how and where their food has been produced. Markets for organic, locally produced, free range and the like are expected to grow. While price and income supports may have been biased towards specialization (as these programs were targeted to specific commodities), the reduction in risk associated with the programs has enabled producers to expand the number and diversity of their production enterprises. Furthermore, through the use of strategic alliances, cooperation among producers on a regional basis may eventually lead to greater integration and diversification than could be achieved for the individual farm operation.

scholarly journals Making drugs out of sunlight and ‘thin air’: an emerging synergy of synthetic biology and natural product chemistry

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 34-39
Author(s):  
Michael J. Stephenson ◽  
Anne Osbourn
Keyword(s):  
Natural Products ◽  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Natural Product ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Structural Complexity ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Natural Product Chemistry ◽  
Product Chemistry

Nature has long served as a rich source of structurally diverse small organic molecules with medicinally relevant biological activities. Despite the historical success of these so-called natural products, the enthusiasm of big pharma to explore these compounds as leads in drug design has waxed and waned. A major contributor to this is their often inherent structural complexity. Such compounds are difficult (often impossible) to access synthetically, a hurdle that can stifle lead development and hinder sustainable large-scale production of promising leads for clinical evaluation. However, in recent years, an emerging synergy between synthetic biology and natural product chemistry offers the potential for a renaissance in our ability to access natural products for drug discovery and development. Advances in genome sequencing, bioinformatics and the maturing of heterologous expression platforms are increasing, enabling the study, and ultimately, the manipulation of plant biosynthetic pathways. The triterpenes are one of the most structurally diverse families of natural products and arguably one of the most underrepresented in the clinic. The plant kingdom is the richest source of triterpene diversity, with >20,000 triterpenes reported so far. Transient expression of genes for candidate enzymes and pathways in amenable plant species is emerging as a powerful and rapid means of investigating and harnessing the plant enzymes involved in generating this diversity. Such platforms also have the potential to serve as production systems in their own right, with the possibility of upscaling these discoveries into commercially useful products using the same overall basic procedure. Ultimately, the carbon source for generation of high-value compounds in plants is photosynthesis. Therefore, we could, with the help of plants, be producing new medicines out of sunlight and ‘thin air’ in green factories in the not too distant future.

Plants as factories for production of biopharmaceutical and bioindustrial proteins: lessons from cell biologyThis review is one of a selection of papers published in the Special Issue on Plant Cell Biology.

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 679-694 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison R. Kermode
Keyword(s):  
Recombinant Proteins ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Plant Cells ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Functional Protein ◽  
Large Scale Production ◽  
Engineer Plant

Transgenic plants, seeds, and cultured plant cells are potentially one of the most economical systems for large-scale production of recombinant proteins for industrial and pharmaceutical uses. Biochemical, technical, and economic concerns with current production systems have generated enormous interest in developing plants as alternative production systems. However, various challenges must be met before plant systems can fully emerge as suitable, viable alternatives to current animal-based systems for large-scale production of biopharmaceuticals and other products. Aside from regulatory issues and developing efficient methods for downstream processing of recombinant proteins, there are at least two areas of challenge: (1) Can we engineer plant cells to accumulate recombinant proteins to sufficient levels? (2) Can we engineer plant cells to post-translationally modify recombinant proteins so that they are structurally and functionally similar to the native proteins? Attempts to improve the accumulation of a recombinant protein in plant cells require an appreciation of the processes of gene transcription, mRNA stability, processing, and export, and translation initiation and efficiency. Likewise, many post-translational factors must be considered, including protein stability, protein function and activity, and protein targeting. Moreover, we need to understand how the various processes leading from the gene to the functional protein are interdependent and functionally linked. Manipulation of the post-translational processing machinery of plant cells, especially that for N-linked glycosylation and glycan processing, is a challenging and exciting area. The functions of N-glycan heterogeneity and microheterogeneity, especially with respect to protein function, stability, and transport, are poorly understood and this represents an important area of cell biology.

scholarly journals New trajectories or accelerating change? Zooarchaeological evidence for Roman transformation of animal husbandry in Northern Italy

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Trentacoste ◽  
Ariadna Nieto-Espinet ◽  
Silvia Guimarães ◽  
Barbara Wilkens ◽  
Gabriella Petrucci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Roman Empire ◽  
Bronze Age ◽  
Iron Age ◽  
Late Antiquity ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Scale Production

AbstractThroughout the Western provinces of the Roman Empire, greater economic and political connectivity had a major impact on agricultural production, which grew in scale and specialisation after integration with the Roman state. However, uniquely in Western Europe, farming strategies in Italy began to evolve centuries before the Roman conquest, and many ‘Roman’ patterns associated with livestock size and the relative proportions of different taxa first emerged during the early and middle centuries of the first millennium BC. These changes imply a significant reorganisation of production strategies well before Roman hegemony, even in relatively marginal areas of Italy. Zooarchaeological studies have documented further significant changes to livestock production in Roman times, but the relationship between these developments and earlier trends remains unclear. Through analysis of zooarchaeological data for species representation and livestock biometry from lowland northern Italy (Po–Friulian Plain), this study investigates animal exploitation between the Bronze Age and Late Antiquity in order to characterise the influence of Roman political and economic organisation on animal husbandry. Results demonstrated subregional variation in species representation, and different trajectories in the biometric evolution of cattle, sheep and goats, compared to pigs. Initial steps established in the Iron Age towards a more complex and dynamic livestock economy were accelerated and further reconfigured in Roman times, facilitated by Roman economic organisation and the specialised and large-scale production systems within it. Zooarchaeological trends continued to progress over the Roman period, until further changes at the very end of the chronology considered here—around the sixth century AD—suggest another wave of change.

On Promising Niches and Constraining Sociotechnical Regimes: The Case of Dutch Wheat and Bread

10.1068/a3512 ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 429-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes S C Wiskerke
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Dominant Mode ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Food Supply Chains

Growing concerns about the consequences of large scale production systems and, subsequently, the growing public demand for changing the dominant mode of agricultural production have become important issues on the European political agenda. In recent years the number of new or alternative food supply chains and networks that incorporate claims of sustainability and quality has grown impressively. However, compared to conventional food supply chains and networks these alternative chains and networks remain rather small. By using the example of Dutch wheat and bread, in this paper I demonstrate that the prevailing sociotechnical regime constrains the growth of new promising sustainable food supply chains and networks. Constraints are both of a technical and an institutional nature. Strategic niche management is proposed as a promising design tool to overcome some of the encountered constraints, with the aim of contributing to a transition towards a more sustainable sociotechnical regime.

scholarly journals Determinants of Landowners’ Willingness to Participate in Bioenergy Crop Production: A Case Study from Northern Kentucky

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1052
Author(s):  
Sandhya Nepal ◽  
Liem T. Tran ◽  
Donald G. Hodges
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Economic Incentives ◽  
Bioenergy Crops ◽  
Bioenergy Crop ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Southern Us ◽  
Land Use Decisions

Bioenergy crops are considered as potential biomass feedstocks to support the bioenergy industry in the southern US. Even though there are suitable areas to grow bioenergy crops, commercial scale production of bioenergy crops has not been established to meet the increasing energy demand. Establishing bioenergy crops in the region requires landowners’ participation and it is crucial to understand whether they intend to promote bioenergy crop production. This study evaluated landowners’ perception of bioenergy and their willingness to supply lands for bioenergy crops in northern Kentucky. A questionnaire survey of randomly selected landowners was administered in four selected counties. Results indicated that landowners’ land use decisions for bioenergy crop production were based on their current land management practices, socio-economic and environmental factors. Overall, there was a low willingness of landowners to participate in bioenergy crop production. Those who were interested indicated that a higher biomass price would be required to promote bioenergy crops on their land. This information could be useful to plan for policies that provide economic incentives to landowners for large-scale production of bioenergy crops in the study area and beyond. Further, results showed how landowners’ opinion on bioenergy affected their preferences for land use decisions. Younger landowners with positive attitude towards bioenergy were more willing to promote bioenergy crops. This information could be useful to develop outreach programs for landowners to encourage them to promote bioenergy crops in the study area.

How to Develop Quality Courseware: Results of a Survey

1988 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-335
Author(s):  
Urs Karrer
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
The United States ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Federal Republic Of Germany ◽  
Quality Factors ◽  
Large Scale Production ◽  
Production Strategy

A research project was started in 1985 to explore large-scale production systems which have a strong impact on the development of quality courseware. The exploration and evaluation of these production systems contribute to the explanation of the overall unsatisfactory quality of courseware. This article focuses on results of a survey which was conducted in January 1987 addressing more than sixty profit and nonprofit institutions in England, the federal Republic of Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United States. The survey revealed interesting results in various fields. The five working hypotheses (production strategy, production approach, and quality factors for courseware development) were confirmed to a great extent. These results may be instructional for institutions which recently joined this area and/or are planning to do so.

IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS ON THE STATE OF FOOD SECURITY AND TREATMENT OF MEDICAL WASTE

2020 ◽  
pp. 6-13
Author(s):  
Hanna Obykhod ◽  
Yuliia Khvesyk ◽  
Mikhail Malkov
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Economic Activity ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Nobel Laureate ◽  
Economic Incentives ◽  
Medical Waste ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Short Period ◽  
The Impact

The article focuses on the results of a new analysis conducted by the World Bank, according to which the COVID-19 pandemic threatens not only economic development, but also the achievements of the last decade in the fields of health and education, environmental protection. Examples of slowing down economic activity through the introduction of quarantine and reducing the anthropogenic impact on the environment are given. Crises such as epidemics and economic downturns usually divert attention from global environmental issues. The authors of the article argue that in the future, advocates of sustainable environmental development, renewable energy and conscious consumption will need to make even greater efforts to prevent society from rolling back to dirty technologies, and for funding and public support they will need to demonstrate how the same Climate change corresponds to today's problems. It has been proven that the slowdown in economic activity due to the epidemic is a serious challenge to the environment, on the one hand, and opportunities – on the other. After a recession and reduced emissions, there is usually a rapid increase. States are investing heavily in large-scale production and infrastructure projects to quickly create jobs and emerge from the crisis. It is now extremely important that these investments take place on the principles of sustainable development. It is impossible to allow the construction of new coal-fired CHPs, disposable plastic plants, and the development of new oil fields. Also in this article, the authors analyze two key aspects of the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, environment and society: geospatial aspects of food security and the accumulation of problems in the field of medical waste. The importance of the former is recognized at the highest level, and the ideologue of its solution – the UN World Food Program – became the 2020 Nobel Laureate. At the same time, the main environmental commandment "reuse, recycle, reduce" in a pandemic does not work. Everyone buys medical masks, although their effectiveness has been proven to protect healthy people from the virus for a short period of time (masks should be changed every two hours and worn if you are near an infected person or have symptoms of the virus yourself). It is already known that South Korea, followed by the EU, is developing a plan of green economic incentives to overcome the crisis. The UN is urging other countries to make sure their post-crisis investments are climate-friendly. Ukraine should follow suit, creating environmental and economic recovery plans now. In particular, it is important to support green business and reorient dirty production, as well as look for optimal ways to handle medical waste.

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