A market window technique was used to evaluate the market potential for sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] production in southeastern Missouri. Weekly prices were averaged over 5 years in real terms and were used to identify market windows in St. Louis and Chicago. The results indicate that sweetpotatoes may be a profitable production alternative in southeastern Missouri.

The impacts of unloaded quantity, disposable personal income, retail price index of fresh potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.), and seasonal monthly variables on sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] price in the St. Louis and Chicago terminal markets were estimated using a regression analysis technique. These markets can absorb a modest increase in sweetpotato quantity without a decrease in wholesale price, but a significant increase in quantity would decrease wholesale price. Sweetpotato price is higher during October, November, and December than in September; therefore, producers must give attention to marketing sweetpotatoes during these months. Also, increased shipments of sweetpotatoes to these markets should not be considered in anticipation of an increase in disposable income.

The goal of the paper is to develop a conceptual framework that can be used to examine market competitiveness and assess cross-market effects in a multi-product oligopoly consisting of firms producing and selling various demand-related products. The econometric model which consists of two inverse demand functions and two price-margin equations is applied to the US catfish processing industry. Focusing on fresh catfish filet and whole fresh catfish, the empirical results rule out the existence of cross-market effects, but give support to the existence of some degree of market power. In that setting, the oligopoly power indices are, respectively, 18.2 percent and 13.3 percent for fresh catfish filet and whole fresh catfish thereby indicating that the price distortion is more pronounced in the market for fresh catfish filet than it is in the market for whole fresh catfish.

Specialty crop production has the potential to diversify traditional crop agriculture and improve profits. The primary purpose of this research was to determine the number of small farmers in Missouri who grow crops other than the traditional crops (soybeans, corn, wheat, cotton), and to identify issues they face in their production. A survey questionnaire consisting of fifteen questions was sent to 401 small farmers in Missouri in Fall 2002. The response was a 27% return rate. Most (77%) of the respondents grew tomato and many (50%) used irrigations. Among those who did not grow the nontraditional crops, 46% cited lack of interest as the reason while 32% cited lack of labor. The reasons given by 80% of respondents who at one time grew nontraditional crops but stopped, were lost interest, profit, and insufficient labor. Many respondents also grew herbs and other specialty vegetables in addition to the nontraditional crops. Garlic and chives were grown by 19% of respondents. Most (80%) respondents who grew specialty crops were interested in seminars, workshops or field days on their production, marketing or financing. Among respondents who grew nontraditional crops but stopped, 39% cited drought as the reason while 25% cited insects. These results indicate that small farmers of specialty crops in Missouri need training and information, to profitably produce the nontraditional crops.