Scott Irwin's Blog, page 4

Changing Geographic Acreage Patterns and Corn Trend Yield Estimation

One of the most basic tasks in the supply/demand analysis for grains at this time of year is the estimation of trend yields. You would think that something as simple … Read More Test

The Future of Agricultural and Applied Economics Departments

The agricultural economics profession has been engaged in a vigorous debate about its future for some time. All agricultural economics departments have had to adjust as the number of farms … Read More Test

U.S. Agriculture Turns Inward

My farmdoc colleagues Joana Colussi, Gary Schnitkey, Joe Janzen, and Nick Paulson just published an excellent new article on the U.S., Brazil, and China soybean trade “triangle.” … Read More Test

The Anti-Speculation Cycle

After studying various controversies about speculation in commodity futures markets, I realized that there was a cyclical element to the eruptions over speculation. I then came up with the idea … Read More Test

How High is High for the U.S. Average Corn Yield?

It won’t be long until we start thinking seriously about corn yields for the U.S. in 2024. I know there are already some concerns out there because of dry conditions … Read More Test

Reviews. Reviews. Reviews. (And a Way to Get Free Books)

Reviews are the lifeblood of the book business (of course, after the books themselves). I am going to share in a moment a cool way that you can get free books … Read More Test

Editorial Reviews of Back to the Futures

I can now say with all sincerity that I fully understand the nervousness that authors feel when they open up a book review. I’m not talking about the reviews on … Read More Test

A Tribute to Luther Tweeten

I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Luther Tweeten this week. He was truly a giant in the field of agricultural economics. Luther was a global authority … Read More Test

Make a Difference

I am reflecting on a great man who made a pivotal decision in my life. That person is Dr. Louis M. Thompson, Dean of Students in the College of Agriculture … Read More Test

Foreign Ownership of US Farmland

For some reason, foreign ownership of farmland in the US has become a hot topic. I am not sure what is behind the current attention, but I know it is … Read More Test