On the Demand for a State-Contingent, Cost-Saving Seed Trait

Thumbnail Image
Date
2002-12-01
Authors
Saak, Alexander
Major Professor
Advisor
Committee Member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract

Biotechnology has enriched the strategy set available to crop managers. Suppose a manager faces a decision between applying a pre-emergence pesticide or applying nothing at all. The advent of pesticide tolerance traits in plants admits the possibility of a state-contingent post-emergence application of pesticide. The innovation adds value in large part because it provides the manager with the option to wait for more information. For heterogeneous acre types, the determinants of trait royalties and of crop management strategies in equilibrium are studied. Pest resistance traits have different implications for crop management. Whereas a tolerance trait likely complements information technologies, the addition of a resistance trait may substitute for them.

Series Number
Journal Issue
Is Version Of
Article
State-Contingent Demand for Herbicide-Tolerance Seed Trait
(Western Agricultural Economics Association, 2003-04) Hennessy, David ; Saak, Alexander E. ; Department of Economics (LAS) ; Center for Agricultural and Rural Development
Suppose a farmer had to apply a herbicide pre-emergence or not at all. The advent of a herbicide-tolerance trait innovation then provides the option to wait for more information before making a state-contingent post-emergence application. This option to wait can increase or decrease average herbicide use. For heterogeneous acre types, trait royalties increase with the level of uncertainty about the extent of weed damage. Royalties are largest when acre infestation susceptibility types are bunched around the type indifferent to applying the herbicide in the absence of the trait. The trait complements (substitutes for) information technologies that facilitate informed post-emergence (pre-emergence) decisions.
Versions
Series
Academic or Administrative Unit
Type
article
Comments
Rights Statement
Copyright
Funding
DOI
Supplemental Resources
Source
Collections