Estimating the Value of an Early-Warning System

Review of Agricultural Economics, Vol. 31, No. 2, pp. 303-329

27 Pages Posted: 28 Jan 2012 Last revised: 17 Nov 2015

See all articles by Michael J. Roberts

Michael J. Roberts

North Carolina State University - Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics

David Schimmelpfennig

Economic Research Service (ERS); Science & Technology PPQ; USDA Economic Research Service

Mike Livingston

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Economic Research Service (ERS)

Elizabeth Ashley

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: January 26, 2012

Abstract

An early-warning system generates economic value to the extent that it improves decision making. The value of the information hinges on the degree to which a timely response, aided by warnings, facilitates successful damage mitigation. USDA’s Coordinated Framework for Soybean Rust includes a network of sentinel soybean plots and wild kudzu stands monitored by extension agents for the presence of soybean rust, a potentially recurring threat to the U.S. soybean crop since 2005. The linchpin in this early-warning system is a website that provides near real-time, county-level information on the location of the disease.We consider factors that may influence information value.

Suggested Citation

Roberts, Michael J. and Schimmelpfennig, David and Schimmelpfennig, David and Livingston, Michael J. and Ashley, Elizabeth, Estimating the Value of an Early-Warning System (January 26, 2012). Review of Agricultural Economics, Vol. 31, No. 2, pp. 303-329, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1992514

Michael J. Roberts (Contact Author)

North Carolina State University - Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics ( email )

Box 8109
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HOME PAGE: http://www4.ncsu.edu/~mjrober2/main/Home.html

David Schimmelpfennig

Science & Technology PPQ ( email )

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Economic Research Service (ERS) ( email )

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USDA Economic Research Service ( email )

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Michael J. Livingston

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Economic Research Service (ERS) ( email )

1400 Independence Ave SW
Mail Stop 1800
Washington, DC 20250-1800
United States
202-694-5543 (Phone)
202-245-4847 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.ers.usda.gov/AboutERS/Bios/view.asp?ID=mlivingston

Elizabeth Ashley

affiliation not provided to SSRN

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