Small Independent Producers Research Articles

Chefs Evaluate Syrup from the Wild Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum): A New Artisanal Food from Pacific Northwest Forests

This paper examines a new artisanal food product made from bigleaf maple trees (Acer macrophyllum). These trees are indigenous to, and thrive in, the moist and mild climate of the Pacific Northwestern regions of the United States and Canada. Small producers have a new artisanal product from this historically valuable tree. The sap is collected from family-owned woodland trees to produce maple syrup. To better understand the gastronomic potential of bigleaf maple syrup, we conducted sensory evaluations with culinary professionals. In this study undertaken in Oregon, the syrup from three small independent producers was subjected to sensory hedonic and attribute assessments by 62 chefs. The results of the sensory assessments and the details of the testing methods and analysis are presented. This paper examines the agreement among the chefs and the implications for the culinary acceptance of this new artisanal product. We discuss in detail (1) the complexity of flavor; (2) the most likely use of bigleaf maple syrup in various foods or as a sweetener; (3) and the four most important reasons for purchasing bigleaf maple syrup consisting of both environmental and taste attributes.

Agrarian contracts, relations between agents, and perception on energy crops in the sugarcane supply chain: The Peruvian case

Abstract Peruvian regions for sugarcane planting produce sugarcanes throughout the year with a high average productivity. The objective of this article is to analyze the role of agents in the sugarcane supply chain to Peruvian mills and their relationship with the practice of agrarian contracts to sugarcane production. The perception of landowners and farmers about bioenergy and their predisposition to plant energy crops is also investigated. Field interviews are conducted with the main agents of the sugarcane production chain in the major producing regions. Statistical analysis of data from field interviews indicates that the relationship between owners and sugarcane producers is of land leasing. Intermediate agents act as a fundamental part of the sugarcane supply chain. The sharecropping or sugarcane purchase contract is an instrument that is established between middlemen and small independent producers, whether they are owners or tenants. The middlemen participation in commercialization can reach 30–40% of the sugarcane production. Most mills prefer to produce sugarcane in own lands. A relatively high degree of inequity in favor of the middlemen appears in the intermediation process because, in general, the mills prefer this intermediation in their commercial practice. A large number of landowners and tenants are familiar with notions of energy crops, particularly in relation to sugarcane and have a positive vision about them for the environmental sustainability. However, their interest in planting bioenergy crops is less. Friendly and equitable relations between agents will provide more economic and social stability to the Peruvian sugarcane agroindustry.

Russian beef sector: economic analysis and forecast

The article presents research results on the Russian beef production sector. As in the rest of the world, beef in the Russian market is losing the competition to pork and poultry. Beef is the most resource-intensive type of meat in terms of feed consumption and land requirements. The industry has a longer herd reproduction period and return on investment. The Russian beef market is in a long-term decline. Domestic production is declining, and imports have been declining since 2015. The level of consumer prices for beef is 1.5-2 times higher than the price for pork and poultry. According to the study results, several key factors in the industry’s recovery from the crisis were identified. It is necessary to radically increase the share of beef obtained from beef cattle. This will allow obtaining better quality meat and reducing its cost. Now the share is about 20%, while in the world, beef cattle account for 40%. The construction of food chains in beef cattle is different from other agricultural sectors. The model of a combination of vertical integration (holdings) and cooperation with small independent producers is effective. The formation of such networks can be accelerated by creating and stimulating regional clusters. Russian beef has significant competitive advantages in foreign markets. In Russia, the use of steroids, growth hormones, and feed additives that stimulate the muscle mass of livestock is prohibited. Russian government programs have proven their effectiveness in other agricultural sectors. In this case, resources are needed to support clusters and cooperation in meat food chains.

Environmental and Economic Rationale for the Use of Associated Petroleum Gas Using the Example of Fields in Eastern Siberia

The use of associated petroleum gas and the problem of its disposal and processing are being actively discussed, oil and gas companies are inventing new methods. The aim of our research is to consider the use of associated petroleum gas in fields in Eastern Siberia and to compare environmental and economic damage from the use of various methods for disposing of associated petroleum gas.In this article, we reviewed some of the most promising in our opinion methods for processing and disposing of associated petroleum gas, such as deep conversion into gas, flaring, injection into the gas transmission system, reverse injection of associated petroleum gas, and the economic effect of their use. We estimated the environmental damage caused by enterprises and the economic effect of the application for several mining fields. The problem of rational utilization of APG remains acute in a number of regions and companies, especially among small independent producers.

THE ELABORATION OF THE CONCEPT OF ECONOMIC DEMOCRACY AS THE REACTION TO THE DEEPENING SOCIAL INEQUALITY IN THE U.S. IN THE LATE XIX CENTURY

Introduction.The subject of this article is the development of the concept of economic democracy in the United States at the end of the XIX century. At that time, there were strong structural shifts in the American economy – small entrepreneurs collapsed, and at the same time giant corporations and trusts arose that began to dominate the country’s economic life. For many contemporaries, this was unacceptable, since the majority of ordinary Americans believed in the principle of equal opportunities, to open their own business and not to depend on other people and on the state, and the existence of monopolies precluded the penetration of other competitors into their sphere. That is why at this time some intellectuals began to talk about the fact that democracy and equality are necessary not only in the political, but also in the economic sphere. To achieve this goal, they offered various means: from regulating the activities of large companies to nationalizing entire sectors of the economy.Methods.In this article the author used the methodology of intellectual history, which, when studying a particular ideology or concept, involves identifying its origins, analyzing its development in the space-time continuum and the final result.Results.This work is the first study in the domestic literature in which, based on a wide range of sources, the reasons for the negative perception of the social consequences of the formation of large companies in the economy are shown, the main features of the concept of economic democracy are revealed as a response to the deepening social inequality in American society.Conclusions.The author came to the conclusion that for the first time the ideologists of farmers’ protest movements began talking about a democratic reorganization of economic life in the United States. The main goal of all agrarian movements was to transform America into a society of small independent producers and landowners who have the same rights, equal property status and economic opportunities.

Firm Type, Feed‐in Tariff, and Wind Energy Investment in Germany: An Investigation of Decision Making Factors of Energy Producers Regarding Investing in Wind Energy Capacity

SummaryThe development of renewable and sustainable energy is advanced by public financial support. This is particularly so in the German Energiewende, which seeks to replace nuclear and fossil electricity generation with wind, sun, and biomass. We study the impact of the (changes in the) feed‐in tariff (FIT) policy on the investment in wind electricity generation capacity in Germany in the period 2000–2014. We estimate a generic investment model that includes this support mechanism, the cost of capital, investment risks such as wind and price volatility, and manufacturing costs. We discuss specific features for different types of wind energy investors, such as the incumbents, small private investors, diversified companies, and independent power producers. We find that a change in the FIT has a negative impact on investment capacity regarding the generation of wind energy: A one monetary unit increase in the variation of the tariff is to be associated with a decrease by 0.17 megawatts of wind capacity installed. We argue that it is policy uncertainty that makes investors shy away from making real investments. We also argue that the drivers for wind energy investment can differ along different types of firms. For the traditional power producers, especially electricity price volatility, construction costs, and carbon prices seem to matter. But for the other investor types, the FIT is crucial indeed.

Potential of Hydropower in Mauritius: Myth or Reality?

This article explores the potential of hydropower, including small-scale units, in the context of the Small Independent Power Producers project proposed by the Government of Mauritius. Its dependency on rainfall is investigated. The revamping of existing hydropower facilities to attain higher efficiency is also analyzed. Pumped hydropower is found to be a possible solution to the problem of peak electricity demand in Mauritius. This will reduce the need for investing in fossil-fuel-based power generation. However, its capital investment can be high and cases have to be considered on their specific merits. Recommendations are made to optimally exploit the limited potential of hydropower in Mauritius.

Small Firms Crafting Growth Niches in the French Wine Industry: The Role of Entrepreneurial Marketing

The Case Study section of the International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation serves two purposes. First, the case studies presented are concerned with problematical issues that are pertinent to students of entrepreneurship. Thus they constitute appropriate teaching and learning vehicles on a variety of postgraduate and undergraduate programmes. Each case study is accompanied by a set of guidelines for the use of tutors. Second, it is envisaged that those engaged in entrepreneurial activities will find the cases both interesting and useful. This case study focuses on Domaine de Mourchon, a niche producer of Côtes du Rhône Villages, Séguret Wines in France, owned by the Scottish McKinlay family. The case explores the role of entrepreneurial marketing in helping small independent wine producers to craft strong niche positions in a mature industry. Over the last two decades, French wine producers have been faced with changing consumption and production patterns and fiercer competition, particularly from the New World wine producers. McKinlay entered wine production in 1998 at the height of the industry decline in France. The case allows for the exploration of how a small independent domaine has been proactive in integrating customer preferences, competitor intelligence and product knowledge into the process of creating and delivering superior value to customers in an attempt to achieve a strong market positioning. The activities of McKinlay highlight some of the important considerations for successful entrepreneurial marketing in an industry facing severe marketing problems. Learning objectives: a) to explore the role of entrepreneurial marketing in promoting small firm growth, particularly in mature and/or declining industries; (b) to assess branding and the establishment of or involvement in cooperative interorganizational networks as key factors in successful entrepreneurial marketing; and (c) to stimulate debate about the role of entrepreneurial marketing for small and large firms in different industries.

The demise of independent wine production in France: a marketing challenge?

PurposeIndependent French wine producers are faced with excessive costs and a declining image of quality compared with their New World competitors. A confusing offer and weak brand identities also make their often poorly marketed products less attractive at the point of sale. As production continues to surge, plummeting prices have left many of these producers economically unviable. Is it possible for these small independent producers to survive in an ever more competitive global market? This paper attempts to answer this question, by studying the challenges confronting this group, as well as their advantages, both in their home and on a global market.Design/methodology/approachLiterature in French and English was reviewed in highlighting key issues impinging the industry. A small survey was conducted to ascertain the drinking habits of young adults market in France. Also SWOT, PESTLE, and Porter’s Five Forces were used in presenting a more strructured approach in discussing the nature of and challenges facing this industry.FindingsIt is evident that a lot of work needs to be done for French wines to regain their global competitiveness, and even more so for small producers who do not benefit from the massive promotional budgets of their larger competitors. However, by ensuring a superior level of quality, higher production costs can be justified, while still being carefully managed to ensure that all additional costs incurred add value to the end product. This quality needs to be guaranteed by a stronger and clearer AOC system that is regularly evaluated to maintain its credibility, and reinforced by a strong individual brand image, in order to gain consumer confidence. A cultural change is also necessary, away from defence and towards a more proactive approach. The innovation for which French winemakers were once famous must be reclaimed.Research limitations/implicationsIt would be interesting to further study the cultural metamorphosis that has taken place amongst French winemakers over the course of the last century. The comparative bargaining power of small producers against large supermarket chains is also a topic that could be further explored. Given that it will not be possible for all producers to become a key reference and guarantee shelf space amongst their highly marketed competitors, greater research into more innovative ways of getting products to market would be extremely useful.Practical implicationsForeign markets should be highly studied and understood before entry. Integrating products into local culture is often more successful than imposing the product as part of the culture of the producing country. Most importantly, however, producers should be prepared to adapt to a changing market and to invest in order to secure future capital inflows. The rise of new global players, such as China, will only intensify competition, and today’s less sophisticated consumers are more likely to be swayed by low prices and strong brands than by an overpriced and poorly positioned product from “Old Europe”.Originality/valueA fairly thorough account of the current state of affairs of the wine industry in France has been presented and both the French literature and relevant web sites in French have been reviewed in highlighting and evaluating issues impinging the wine industry.

Market power monitoring and mitigation in the US wholesale power markets

Under current statutory requirements, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) must ensure that prices in US wholesale power markets are ‘just and reasonable’. This has been interpreted by the agency and the courts as requiring the monitoring and mitigation of undue market power. This paper focuses on generation market power. Prior to electricity sector restructuring, wholesale bilateral power trading took place among vertically integrated monopoly utilities trading at the margin or between small independent producers and the utilities. Under those conditions, the authorization of trading at market prices, called ‘market-based rates’, required only that the generation supplier pass a simple market share screen for market power. As restructuring unfolded, and market conditions changed, there has been a steady evolution in FERC's market power mitigation rules, encompassing (a) changes in the market power assessment required for granting market-based rates and related methods for merger approval, and (b) development and refinement of new techniques for screening and mitigating offers into the organized day-ahead and real-time markets operated by Independent System Operators (ISOs) and Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs). This paper reviews these changes to date, as FERC continues to clarify its approved rules and procedures. It also examines recent methods for quantitative market power analysis that could augment current procedures or supplant them, as found appropriate.

Remediation of a spill of crude oil and brine without gypsum

The empowerment of small independent oil and gas producers to solve their own remediation problems will result in greater environmental compliance and more effective protection of the environment, as well as making small producers more self-reliant. Here, we report on the effectiveness of a low-cost method of remediation of a combined spill of crude oil and brine in the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Osage County, Oklahoma. Specifically, we have used hay and fertilizer as amendments for remediation of both the oil and the brine. No gypsum was used. Three spills of crude oil plus produced water brine were treated with combinations of ripping, fertilizers and hay, and a downslope interception trench in an effort to demonstrate an inexpensive, easily implemented, and effective remediation plan. No statistically significant effect of treatment on the biodegradation of crude oil was, however observed. Total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) reduction clearly proceeded in the presence of brine contamination. The average TPH half-life considering all impacted sites was 267 days. The combination of hay addition, ripping, and a downslope interception trench was superior to hay addition with ripping or ripping plus an interception trench in terms of rates of sodium and chloride leaching from the impacted sites. Reductions in salt inventories (36 months) were 73% in the site with hay addition, ripping, and an interception trench, 40% in the site with hay addition and ripping only, and less than 3% in the site with ripping and an interception trench.

Pluralism or Fragmentation?: The Twentieth-Century Employment Law Regime in Canada

In 1947, Bora Laskin, doyen of Canadian collective bargaining law, remarked that Labour relations as a matter for legal study... has outgrown any confinement to a section of law of torts or to a corner of criminal law. Similarly, and from another standpoint, it has burst narrow bounds of master and servant. That standpoint was liberal pluralism, which comprises collective bargaining legislation administered by independent labour boards and a system of grievance arbitration to enforce collective agreements. After World War II, it came to dominate our understanding of labour relations law such that, according to Laskin, reference to pre-collective bargaining standards is an attempt to re-enter a world that has ceased to exist. But this picture is only partially true. Instead of replacing earlier regimes of industrial legality, industrial pluralism was grafted on to them. Moreover, it only encompassed a narrow, albeit crucial, segment of workers; in mid-1950s the typical union member was a relatively settled, semi-skilled male worker within a large industrial corporation. More than 65 per cent of Canadian workers at that time, a large proportion of whom were women and recent immigrants, fell outside regime. This paper broadens focus from collective bargaining law to include other forms of legal regulation of employment relations, such as common law, minimum standards, and equity legislation. In doing so, it examines extent to which liberal pluralism regime was implicated in constructing and reinforcing a deeply segmented labour market in Canada. It also probes whether recent assaulton trade union rights may be trajectory for reconstruction of a new regime of employment relations. Resume En 1947, Bora Laskin, le doyen de la Loi canadienne sur la negociation collective, a remarque que « les relations de travail en tant qu'etude juridique ... ont depasse toute contrainte d'une section de la loi ou du droit criminel. D'une maniere similaire, mais d'un autre point de vue, elles ont aussi depasse les roles traditionnels que jouent le maitre et le serviteur. » Ce point de vue fait partie du pluralisme liberal, qui comprend la legislation de la negociation collective administree par des conseils du travail independants et un systeme de reglement des griefs par voie d'arbitrage pour faire valoir les conventions collectives. Apres la Deuxieme Guerre Mondiale, notre comprehension de la loi sur les relations de travail a ete dominee, selon Laskin, par la reference aux « normes de negociation collective prealable comme un essai de rentrer dans un monde qui a cesse d'exister. » Mais cette representation ne montre que partiellement la verite. Au lieu de remplacer les anciens regimes de la loi industrielle, le pluralisme industriel s'y est impose. De plus, il ne comprend qu'un segment etroit et crucial de travailleurs; dans les annees 1950 « le membre du syndicat typique etait un travailleur de sexe masculin ayant des competences relativement mediocres dans une corporation industrielle relativement grande. »Plus de 65 p. 100 des travailleurs canadiens a ce moment-la, dont une grande proportion des femmes et des immigrants recents, tombent en dehors du regime. Cet article met davantage l'accent sur la loi de la negociation collective pour inclure d'autres reglements relatifs aux relations de travail, tels que le droit commun, les normes minimales et la legislation relative a l'equite en matiere d'emploi. De ce fait, il examine jusqu'a quel point le regime du pluralisme liberal etait implique dans la construction et le renforcement d'un marche du travail profondement segmente au Canada. Il met aussi en question le faitque l'assaut recent aux droits des syndicats peut etre la trajectoire pour la reconstruction d'un nouveau regime de relations en matiere d'emploi.

The origins and development of a new worldvignoble:Marlborough, New Zealand, 1970–90

Abstract The spectacular growth of the Marlborough (New Zealand) vignoble since Us establishment in 1973 is examined in terms not only of environmental conditions but of the particular and often personal circumstances involved in decisions to establish vineyards and wineries. The structural diversity of the industry is considered, from small independent producers to nationwide companies with international connections, together with the course of events and the region's limited involvement in and rapid re‐expansion since the ‘vine pull’ schemes of the 1980s.

Peasant participation and mobilization during economic crisis: The case of Costa Rica

During the three decades prior to the 1980s, the state-led development policies pursued by Costa Rica created a standard of living that was unique in Central America and among the most satisfactory in all of Latin America. However, the economic crisis of the early 1980s and the problems created by Costa Rica's foreign debt caused the nation's political and economic leaders to abandon the previous style of development and to the introduce neoliberal economic policies. The economic changes undertaken by Costa Rica in the 1980s were strongly supported by the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Among the social sectors most adversely affected by the opening to the international market were the small independent producers of basic grains and other agricultural crops primarily destined for the internal market. These peasant sectors were largely unorganized prior to the 1980s and they intensified their organizational efforts in direct response to what was viewed as the negative impact of the new economic policies. This article examines the economic crisis that engulfed Costa Rica in the early 1980s as well as the economic stabilization and structural adjustment programs that succeeded in easing the crisis and that will define the direction of development efforts in the 1990s. The bulk of the article investigates the attempts of the peasanty to organize and mobilize in order to influence the political system and to protect their economic interests. Costa Rica's principle peasant organizations are discussed and reasons are offered to explain the failure of peasant efforts to influence the formation of development policy.

Oil reservoir simulation package

The Department of Energy has announced another computer software package available free to oil field operators. The program enables a user to predict possible oil production based on length and location of the wellbore and can simulate expected performance of multiple horizontal or slanted wells in any geometric combination.The new package is for small independent producers with little computer programming capability. The intent is to help them evaluate potential for boosting production by drilling horizontal or slanted wells instead of the more conventional vertical well.

Electrical-Energy-Transmission Technology: The Key to Bulk-Power-Supply Policies

Transmission plays a pivotal role in the current electricity supply system int he United States. After reviewing the external forces generating recent pressures for change in the electricity supply industry, this analysis focuses on the essential technical and economic nature of the current transmission system, discussing its likely future technological advances and analyzing how these technological features might interact with public policy developments to alter the electricity supply institutions and their regulation. In particular, the existing and potential future impacts of small independent power producers and of calls for more widespread deregulation of bulk power supplies are examined in light of their effects on the design and operation of transmission systems.

Cooperation or cooptation: A southwest French wine cooperative

Cooperatives, with respect to the history of wine production in the southwest of France, require that they be graced as the outcome of the transformation from the era of captitalist markets to the era where the capitalist mode of production became dominant—a transformation marked by the creation of a market in labor as predominant among winegrowers. As Marx showed through his many works on the development of capitalism, the translation of market exchanges into a quantifiable economic entity only serves to mask the social relations on which it is based. It was therefore my intent in the first part of this essay to highlight, if only suggestively, the process that led to expanded commercialization of wine in the Aquitaine and the deployment of a specific system of labor. Although wine proprietors and growers were divided by social class early on, the market in labor matured slowly, especially in the sector of the production of table wines. The market in labor among winegrowers followed from the appearance of the grand crus in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and from the social consequences that ensued from the phylloxera in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The grand crus ushered in new specialized labor while the phylloxera intensified this process by turning wealthy merchants and large proprietors towards the volume production of table wines, thus usurping the last vestige of the small independent producer.

Economic Comparison of Independent and Contract Turkey Family Farm Operations in Georgia

The Georgia turkey industry is made up of a mixture of integrated producers, small independent producers and contract producers. The primary objective of this report was to present costs information relative to typical independent and contract turkey operations. An additional objective was to examine variations in costs due to variations in production levels and feed prices.Most of the data used in this analysis were obtained by personal interview from a random sample of turkey producers. Data were obtained on 1972 production of 89 flocks with a total volume of over one million turkeys. Budgetary procedures were used to budget costs and returns for average independent and contract operations and variability in costs was analyzed by production levels. Production costs were also estimated by allowing feed prices to change by $10 intervals from $90 to $200 per ton.Average production costs, excluding land and operator labor, for turkeys marketed by independent producers during 1972 were estimated at $0.2278 for 25.09-pound toms and $0.2178 for 14.77-pound hens.Average returns to land and labor were estimated for 25-pound tom turkeys marketed during 1972: (1) independent operations, $0.1807; (2) profit share contract, $0.2704 and (3) base pay and bonuses contract, $0.1656.These analyses show that differences in production cost were large enough to account for the success or failure of the turkey enterprise at 1972 turkey market prices.

Evaluation Problems as Related to Appalachian Area Bank Financing

In the Appalachian area many of the more common engineering techniques are not applicable in evaluating oil and gas reserves for bank financing, principally because of a simple lack of necessary reservoir data. The principally because of a simple lack of necessary reservoir data. The empirical methods discussed here have shown themselves to be reliable when used with judgment and discretion. Introduction In recent years, the Appalachian area has experienced a remarkable resurgence of oil and gas drilling and development activity. The impetus has come primarily from small independent operators who typically must rely on borrowed capital to sustain their activity. For the most part, however, these funds have not been provided by commercial banks with oil and gas loan provided by commercial banks with oil and gas loan departments as generally would be the case in other producing areas of the country. Banks have been producing areas of the country. Banks have been reluctant to make loans for Appalachian development for several reasons, the foremost of which is a lack of satisfactory reserves appraisals. It also appears that, for the same reason, companies such as gas purchasers and oil refiners have also had reservations about capital investments. Bank Considerations in Financing Oil and Gas Development When considering the making of a so-called petroleum loan, any commercial bank must be guided by basic principles that apply to bank lending in general. The principles that apply to bank lending in general. The credit worthiness of the borrower is particularly important. This does not mean that to borrow $100,000 one must put up $200,000 in cash collateral. It does mean, however, that the borrower should have established a record of being responsible for his debts and be financially solvent. It also means that the borrower should have proved himself capable of making a profit in his particular field of endeavor and that the bank can look forward to a lasting and mutually beneficial relationship. Particularly in the Appalachian area, the typical borrower interested in obtaining bank credit for oil and gas development is the small independent producer whose financial statement or balance sheet producer whose financial statement or balance sheet does not warrant unsecured credit. The bank, therefore, must look to assets or collateral not appearing on the financial statement. Ideally, this collateral exists in the form of developed oil or gas reserves that will provide the source of funds for loan repayment provide the source of funds for loan repayment When considering a petroleum loan, most oil banks require an engineering report containing reserve and producing-rate forecasts, as well as both an producing-rate forecasts, as well as both an undiscounted and a discounted cash flow. Dodson has stated that a primary requisite for acceptable reports is that they be prepared by experienced engineers of proven ability who are known to the parties proven ability who are known to the parties responsible for decisions on financing. In theory this is excellent; in practice something less than the ideal usually exists, particularly in the Appalachian area. Reports are found to have been prepared by both qualified and unqualified engineers, by exploration geologists who are far outside their field of specialization, and by sundry other ill-qualified individuals. It is our practice to accept all reports on the assumption that they were prepared in good faith and might contain some prepared in good faith and might contain some information useful to the bank in its own independent appraisal. JPT P. 1291