Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

bers of the technical committee are progressing toward completing the research protocols agreed upon at the 1996 NE-177 meeting in Vermont. The actively participating states have completed surveys. Survey data has been compiled in each state. The major accomplishment in meeting the research objectives this year is the creation of a merged dataset that contains core variables common across participating states. The merged dataset now allows for comparisons and analysis across states. The data and supporting documentation was distributed to the active participants of NE-177. Funding from the USDA Regional Rural Development Centers was used to support the merging of state data sets. Using the merged data set, preliminary research results were presented at the American Agricultural Economics Association meetings and the Rural Sociological Society meetings. It is anticipated more research results will be forthcoming in 2003. Specific progress toward both the project objectives outlined in the revised NE-177 proposal (October 1996-September 2002) is outlined below.


NE-177 Objective 1, Determine the interrelationships among and relative importance of social, economic, technological and political environments, regional conditions, and entrepreneurial strategies affecting restructuring of the dairy industry in different dairy localities.

Actively participating states made significant strides in meeting objective one. Data from state surveys were merged into a joint dataset. Active states received copies of the merged data set and supporting documentation. Preliminary work was done with the merged dataset with preliminary results were presented in an organized symposium, Technology and Productivity in the U.S. Dairy Sector, at the American Agricultural Economics Association meetings in Long Beach CA in July 2002. The work presented represented an effort to exploit the merged dataset to investigate key technology productivity issues in the dairy industry across different states. The existence of the merged dataset makes analyses across states a reality.

Census of Agriculture data will be used to provide background information to larger changes in dairy production in the study area states. State Census of Agriculture data for dairy farms in participating states has been compiled. Specific population census information has been identified. The information will be used to develop study area descriptions for each participating state.

NE-177 Objective 2: Identify, examine, and assess the effects of structural change in the dairy sector on local communities and related enterprises.

Progress is being made in meeting this objective. Common linkage variables are compiled in the merged dataset. There now exists a dataset of farm expenditure data and community attachment and participation data that will again, allow cross-state analyses to be conducted. Preliminary research results on community attachment and involvement were presented at the 2002 Rural Sociological Society meetings in Chicago IL.


Usefulness of the Findings:

Much of the past year was spent on developing the merged dataset. The existence of the merged dataset now clears the way for cross-state analyses.

Work Planned for Next Year:

At the August 2002 meeting of the technical committee, the merged dataset was the topic of discussion. Areas of analyses were identified and specific uses of the merged dataset were discussed. Specific plans are outlined in the 2002 NE-177 technical committee meeting minutes.

The major accomplishment in meeting the research objectives this year is the creation of a merged dataset that contains core variables common across participating states. The merged dataset now allows for comparisons and analysis across states. The data and supporting documentation was distributed to the active participants of NE-177. Funding from the USDA Regional Rural Development Centers was used to support the merging of state data sets. Using the merged data set, preliminary research results were presented at the American Agricultural Economics Association meetings and the Rural Sociological Society meetings.

Barham, B. The adoption and disadoption of rbST on U.S. Dairy Farms, AAEA Annual Meetings, Long Beach CA, July 2002

Jackson-Smith, D., C. Grossclose, R. Krannich, J. McAdam and H. Davis. Comparative Analysis of Dairy Herd Expansion and Exit Patterns. Rural Sociological Society Annual Meetings, Chicago IL, August 2002.


McIntosh, W.A. Texas Dairy Farm Community Involvement and Perception of Problems in the Local Dairy Community. Rural Sociological Society Annual Meetings, Chicago IL, August 2002.

Rudstrom, M.V Total Mixed Ration (TMR) adoption on U.S. Dairy Farms: Are There Differences in Adoption Patterns Across States?, AAEA Annual Meetings, Long Beach CA, July 2002

Wolf, C. Technical Efficiency and Technology Adoption on U.S. Dairy Farms, AAEA Annual Meetings, Long Beach CA, July 2002