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This study analyzes the effect of voluntary food labeling, with focus on genetically modified organisms (GMO), pesticide usage, and region of origin. We focus on Medjool dates because though U.S. production of this crop has rapidly grown in recent years, no research exists related to consumers' preferences and WTP for this crop. We conducted online choice experiments with a sample of over 1,400 consumers from the U.S. to determine WTP for production and region of origin labeling accounting for simultaneous versus individual labeling. Results indicate consumers prefer dates grown in Arizona over dates not labeled for region of origin. Also, pesticide‐free and GMO‐free dates are preferred, with pesticide‐free having a larger impact on choices. Furthermore, accounting for interactions between these two labels reveals that they can be considered subadditive in that labeling the product with both designations reduces WTP relative to "pesticide‐free" labeling only. [EconLit citations: M31, Q13] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Energycane (Saccharum hyb.) is a perennial bioenergy crop derived from sugarcane, but with higher fiber, greater biomass yields, and better cold tolerance than typical sugarcane. Two commercial sugarcanes, two high-sugar (Type I) energycanes, and five high-fiber (Type II) energycanes were planted at Tifton, GA, USA in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Beginning in October, 2008 (plant-cane crop year) five monthly samples were taken to assess the effects of delaying harvest on biomass composition and quality for ethanol production. The monthly harvests were repeated in the winter of 2010–2011 (second-ratoon crop year). Delaying harvest into the winter months resulted in minimal reductions in biomass moisture and N mass fractions, while K mass fraction decreased significantly. Free sugar mass fraction also decreased, thus causing the biomass to have an apparent increase in relative mass fractions of ash and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). The reduction in free sugars was more pronounced in the colder harvest season (2010–2011). The composition of biomass fiber (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) was generally stable over time. A bench-top partial saccharification and co-fermentation (PSCF) protocol employing xylose-fermenting Escherichia coli was used to assess ethanol yields from the sequentially harvested biomass. Ethanol yield from sugarcanes and Type I energycanes was more variable over time, due to degradation of free sugars. Thus, early harvest is recommended to avoid loss of fermentable sugars. Type II energycanes can be harvested later during the winter months with little change in conversion properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is a potential cash crop for the southeastern United States for production of cooking oil or biodiesel. Two years (2006 and 2007) of experiments were conducted at each of five locations in Mississippi to evaluate the effect of planting date (April 20, May 20, and June 20), and hybrid (DKF3875, DKF2990, DKF3510, DKF3901, PR63M80, PR62A91, PR63A21, PR63M91, and PR64H41) on seed yield, oil content, and oil composition of sunflower. Seed oil concentration varied from 25 to 47%. The oleic acid concentration in the oil was greater than 85% for DKF3510 and PR64H41, above 65% for PR63M80 and PR63M91, and intermediate for the other hybrids. Total saturated fatty acids (TSFA) concentration in the oil (the sum of palmitic, stearic, arachidic, behenic, and lignoceric acids) ranged from 6.3 to 13.0%, with DKF3510, PR63M91, and PR64H41 having lower concentration of TSFA than the other hybrids. Mean seed yields ranged from 997 to 2096kgha−1 depending on location. Mean oil yields at the five locations ranged from 380 to 687kgha−1, and calculated biodiesel production ranged from 304 to 550kgha−1. Seed and oil yields in this study suggest sunflower in Mississippi should be planted by the last week of May. Later planting (20 June) may significantly decrease both seed and oil yields in the non-irrigated system in Mississippi and in other areas of the southeastern United States with similar environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the abstract of a study entitled `Date production in Coachella Valley, Southwest California,' by Sam Aslan, S. Cobb et al, presented at the 1998 Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Conference.