Completed Research:
“Economic Importance of Irrigated Agriculture 2003”
This study determined use of irrigation in Nebraska in 2003 added $4.5 billion to the state’s economy – equivalent to one-and-a-half times the state’s annual budget. Irrigation also was responsible for creation of 45,000 jobs in the state in 2003. The study measured the value of crop output (the direct effect), business-to-business purchases generated by crop production (the indirect effect), and the economic activity generated from the personal spending of earned income (consumption effect). The net total economic impact of $4.5 billion was determined by comparing the impacts with irrigation to the impacts that would have resulted without irrigation.
The research examined both actual 2003 impacts and what models would predict for 2003 if it had been a normal precipitation year. In the normal year scenario, the total impact of irrigation would have been just over $3.6 billion. However, because 2003 was a drought year, total economic impact was slightly more than $4.5 billion.
“Royal View Ranch, the TeVelde Dairy”
(November 2003) This case study examines the economic impacts and potential impacts of a small dairy established in Antelope County in 1999 by two young brothers recruited to Nebraska from California. The owners sought to increase the dairy’s size to 600 cows but were prevented by local opposition and were forced into bankruptcy.
Had the dairy been able to expand, a total of 15.5 jobs would have been created in Antelope County and total additional economic activity would have approached $2 million annually. The goal of the study was to highlight the economic benefits provided by livestock operations, and to add new perspective to public discussion of livestock facility location and expansion.
“A comparative study of value-added agriculture assistance in Midwestern states”
(January 2004) This two-part study is designed to assist Nebraska policy makers and organizations and agencies seeking to increase value-added agricultural operations in the state. Compared to many regional neighbors, Nebraska has not experienced significant growth of value-added enterprises. The first part of the study compares how public and private efforts to encourage value-added entrepreneurship are organized and funded in the more successful states.
The second part of the study analyzes survey responses from Nebraska producers who have expressed interest in value-added agriculture, to identify and quantify the kinds of assistance they need and barriers they have encountered. Need for assistance with business operations and planning, finances, grants, marketing, legal and regulatory issues, pilot production and research is examined.
“The Importance of Agriculture and Agribusiness to Nebraska’s Economy 2002”
This study used 2002 data and the IMPLAN economic impact assessment modeling system to calculate the direct economic contribution of agriculture in terms of value of output, value added, employment and earned income. It found that 31 percent of Nebraska jobs – nearly 366,000 full- and part-time jobs -- result from agriculture (jobs in grocery stores and restaurants are not included in these numbers).
It also determined that agriculture and agribusiness activity directly and indirectly contributed 37 percent to the state’s total gross output, 28 percent to value added, and 33 percent to earned income. Agriculture’s total economic contribution was $14 billion, four times Nebraska’s annual budget.
The Importance of Agriculture and Agribusiness to Nebraska’s Economy 2002