AmberWaves September 2007 > Features

U.S. Ethanol Expansion Driving Changes Throughout the Agricultural Sector by Paul Westcott Explosive growth of ethanol production brings adjustments to U.S. agriculture that reach far beyond the corn sector. U.S. Trade Growth: A New Beginning or a Repeat of the Past? by Erik Dohlman and Mark Gehlhar After years of declining export growth, new forces shaping U.S. agricultural trade point to a resurgence in exports and slowing import growth. U.S. Consumers Had Short-Term Response to First BSE Announcements by Fred Kuchler and Abebayehu Tegene Food safety news following the discovery of infected cattle increased consumers’ awareness of BSE but did not affect beef purchases beyond a brief period. Low Costs Drive Production to Large Dairy Farms by James M. MacDonald, William D. McBride, and Erik J. O’Donoghue Profits and losses lead to fewer small dairy farms and more large operations.