Conrad Lyford

• PhD
• Professor (Full) at Texas Tech University

Close to 750 million or nearly one in ten people in the world are exposed to severe levels of food insecurity, and 2 billion people do not have regular access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food. A critical but overlooked question is how to properly locate the most food insecure and malnourished households within geographical areas that have b...

Despite the potential for agricultural diversification to improve nutrition, little scientific evidence exists in low- and middle-income countries on how the linkages between agriculture and nutrition work. In order to develop effective policies to address the nutrition-agricultural linkages in Ghana, it is important to understand and analyze the r...

Background: Recent literature identified social media message features predictive of user engagement. Desired information from a patient perspective and use of social media information from a provider perspective in diabetes care is less clear. Purpose: Our study analyzed diabetes patients’ desired information from social media and how such informa...

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of weight control attempts along with their strategies and motivations. This study used a retrospective observational qualitative method, and adults who had body mass index (BMI) of at least 25 kg/m2 were included. The qualitative data were analyzed using a descriptive phenomenological approach. The sum...

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to poor cognition and neuromuscular impairment. We evaluated the relationships of vitamin D levels with cognitive function and gait speed in older adults. The study sample included 1076 individuals (age = > 60 years) from the 2001–2002 National Health Examination Survey (NHANES). The relationships between vitami...

Using a time series cross‐state panel data of 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia (DC) over the period of 1959 through 2015, this article intends to assess the direct and indirect effects of contractionary monetary policy shocks on income inequality through interest rate and consumer price index (CPI) inflation channels. To address this, th...

The current study was designed to broaden the understanding of the attributes impacting the sensory properties of beef when consumed. Using a survey of consumers from three different geographical regions in the United States (US), we determined the impacts of three attributes on overall satisfaction in several different ways. The two main statistic...

We developed an expensiveness index and used the Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey data set to examine empirically whether Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants pay higher prices compared with nonqualifying and qualifying, but nonparticipating, households. Purchasers’ ability to minimize food expenditures has significant...

Purpose: Most residents in rural regions of the United States consume fewer amounts of fruits and vegetables (FVs) compared with their urban counterparts. Difficulties in access to FVs often contribute to different consumption patterns in rural regions, aside from a lack of education or motivation for eating healthy foods. This article uses simulat...

Food insecurity, poverty, and risk affect people's well-being around the world on a daily basis. This research looks specifically at agricultural producing households in rural Northwestern Ethiopia and how yield insurance and minimum income insurance would impact household welfare. The impacts of yield insurance and minimum income insurance is exam...

Commodity price volatility has created concerns for central bank policy‐makers. Recent commodity prices peaked in the consequences of the financial crisis of 2007, and they have remained relatively volatile since. As they are often seen as being connected in a cause and effect relationship with inflation and real output, the driving forces behind c...

One way to analyze the impact of commodity price shocks on monetary policy is to think about short-term interest rates set by Fed according to the Taylor rule. Taylor (1993) suggested a policy reaction function for moderating short-term interest rates to achieve the two-fold goals of stabilizing economic growth in the short-term and inflation in th...

We investigate the causes of increases in economic freedom by examining a cross section of countries from 1990 to 2010 and examining factors that have previously been associated with increases in freedom alongside other factors which have been found to be important for growth. We find that higher initial GNI per capita is associated with larger sub...

Obesity is a risk for certain types of cancer; however, awareness of obesity as a risk factor for cancer is low. This study evaluated increases in cancer risk awareness, including obesity as a risk factor for cancer, from a quasi-experimental intervention that provided educational materials and community reinforcement for healthy living. The study...

We investigate the causes of increases in economic freedom by examining a cross-section of countries from 1990-2010. We find that higher initial GNI per capita is associated with larger subsequent increases in economic freedom. We also found countries are less likely to improve their freedom the higher that their initial levels of freedom and energ...

Purpose of the Study: The goal of this paper is to compare the impact of a multi-tiered community-based cancer prevention model on cancer knowledge, health attitude and behavior, by demographics and assimilation with an emphasis of impacts on disadvantaged rural minority population. Background: There is less choice for healthy food, less access to...

A systematic review was conducted to provide a comprehensive overview on the emerging success of applying behavioral economics tools to promote healthy food choice decisions in school lunchrooms. This paper summarizes the current knowledge on the topic and facilitates meeting the recommendations of the White House Task Force on Obesity, and the Ins...

Cancer risk is high, and prevention efforts are often minimal in rural communities. Feasible means of encouraging lifestyles that will reduce cancer risk for residents of rural communities are needed. This project developed and tested a model that could be feasibly adopted by rural communities to reduce cancer risk. This model focuses on incorporat...

Cancer risks in the United States are linked to undesirable dietary and physical activity habits that may be more common in rural communities. This study assessed the cancer risk in two rural West Texas communities through anthropometrics, diet, and physical activity measures (n = 374). No significant relationships were found between body mass inde...

Background: Clinical and cohort studies have shown that low-dose aspirin and calcium are effective low-risk strategies for primary prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC). We compared the cost-effectiveness of aspirin and calcium chemoprevention used with colonoscopy for primary prevention of CRCs. Methods: Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations for a...

Background: Evidence from large-scale studies has shown that low dose aspirin and calcium are effective low risk strategies for primary prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC). We analyzed the cost-effectiveness of combination aspirin and calcium chemoprevention used with colonoscopy for primary prevention of CRC, using population-based compliance ra...

Introduction Previous studies have shown that delayed detection of several cancers is related to socioeconomic deprivation as measured by the Wellbeing Index (WI) in Texas, the United States of America (USA). The current study investigates whether delayed cancer detection is related to lack of health insurance, physician shortage and higher percent...

Table S5. Variables used to build WI and the percentage of variance explained by each variable in its correlation with the first principal component (%).

Chemoprevention of colorectal cancer (CRC) by aspirin use or calcium supplementation has been studied for almost two decades. Recently, the use of aspirin has been reported to be efficacious for the chemoprevention of CRC at the lowest dose ever, one that corresponds to that recommended for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. There is...

Surveys completed by 1370 consumers determined the motivational factors affecting consumer purchasing decisions for fresh beef steaks and roasts in three regions in the United States. Females placed greater importance on tenderness, ease of preparation, and nutritional value of steaks and roasts when compared to males. Age influenced tenderness, pr...

Previous studies have demonstrated that cancer registrations and hospital discharge rate are closely correlated with census data-based socioeconomic deprivation indices. We hypothesized that communities with higher degrees of socioeconomic deprivation tend to have a higher ratio of metastatic to non-metastatic cancer cases (lung, breast, prostate,...

In this paper, we review the tourism impact from state supported events associated with Texas Rural Economic Development program and in the process of funding measure aspects of events that are found to be related to economic value. The economic values are the result of visitor spending and extrapolated to total event attendance creates economic va...

One common approach many agricultural industries have pursued is supply control to balance supply and demand. For this purpose, U.S. dairy farmers have developed the Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) program. To achieve a supply control objective, CWT reduces cow numbers and funds dairy product exports. This case focuses student understanding on...

Selected Paper prepared for presentation at the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association's 2009 AAEA & ACCI Joint Annual Meeting, Milwaukee, WI, July 26-28, 2009. Copyright 2009 by Funtanilla, Lyford and Wang. All rights reserved. Readers may make verbatim copies of this document for non-commercial purposes by any means, provided this copyright...

This paper determines the main forces that contribute to the creation of positive economic returns to the individual communities from TDA's supported rural tourism program and analyzes these economic returns.

The Value of Plains Cotton Cooperative Association is a teaching case that allows students to consider the cooperative business model and the impact of this unique form of organization in agriculture. The Plains Cotton Cooperative Association (PCCA), a highly successful, innovative, and dominant cotton cooperative, is considered in this case. The...

This study provides guidance for cotton marketing efforts by determining major market segments with quality thresholds for West Texas. Given its present quality performance, great potential segments are from higher-end international segments with significant value-added. Moreover, the potential to serve these market segments is growing with improve...

Increasing competition from foreign manufacturers threatens the viability of textile producers in the United States. This paper evaluates the U.S. competitive position in the cotton yarn segment using established quantifiable measures and provides an overall competitive assessment. The measures employed show the United States to be at a relative co...

Flour extraction rate is a key determinant in milling efficiency and profitability and can be useful in projecting flour output from a mill. Wheat is generally purchased based upon a small group of traditionally measured physical characteristics. This article explores the use of the Single Kernel Characterization System (SKCS) to predict flour extr...

U.S. textile manufacturing is coming under increasing pressure from foreign competition. This paper evaluates the U.S. competitive position in the yarn segment using established quantifiable measures and provides an overall competitive assessment. The study found the industry in a relatively weak competitive position but that U.S. competitive posit...

Replaced with revised version of paper 02/11/04.

The Oklahoma Wheat Commission is the generic promotion organization for Oklahoma wheat. As agricultural marketing systems change, the value provided may need to adjust. This case illustrates the strategic challenges faced by producer organizations and many agricultural industries. Overall an opportunity to use strategic management tools is provided...

Kernel uniformity is an important quality attribute that can now be measured at low cost. This study analyzes the profitability of sorting to increase wheat kernel uniformity. Nonlinear programming is used to sort grain loads to maximize flour yield by increasing uniformity of kernel size and kernel hardness. Results of this analysis suggest increa...

The Hennessy and Wahl model of optimal grain blending and segregation (GBS) is extended to the case where it is not possible to separate components within a load. Analytical solutions are not available when segregation is the optimal strategy, and so solutions are obtained with nonlinear optimization. The model is then used to determine the optimal...

As agricultural commodity industries strategically plan for their future, they need to consider the systemic and synergistic effects of such factors as changing government regulations, demand expansion or contraction, globalized markets, increased competitive pressures, and greater customer quality requirements. This article discusses a framework d...

Agricultural industries are increasingly challenged to develop strategies that enable them, as a group of firms and industry organizations, to respond to an increasingly global marketplace. One approach used by several industries is the application of strategic planning and management tools, commonly used in a single business setting, to coordinate...

Plains Cotton Cooperative Association (PCCA) is a highly successful cotton cooperative that has consistently earned strong returns through value-added approaches. The case focuses on the strengths and linkages in PCCAs main businesses that have made it such a success. This provides an opportunity for students to apply value chain concepts and explo...

Few current debates in agriculture are as contentious as those that surround pork production and the environment. Large amounts of pork production now take place on huge pork production megafarms, often located in nontraditional pork producing states. Initially environmental regulations of these facilities are usually not stringent, but these facil...

The increased amount of contracting in many agricultural markets continues to be a source of considerable controversy. Some research indicates that increased levels of contracting lead to better prices for processors/users while other research is inconclusive. This article uses an experimental economics approach to study the effects on prices of sy...

Kernel size uniformity is an important physical quality attribute in terms of processing efficiency, quality control, and milling yield. This study developed optimal grain sorting strategies for elevators to use to increase kernel size uniformity and determined the size of potential benefits from sorting. Cluster analysis and global optimization we...

The produce industry in Texas is currently faced with several issues that can potentially negatively effect fruit and vegetable participants. To combat these issues producers and other industry participants recently developed a task force to lead the produce industry through a detailed strategic planning process. This task force used a Framework fo...

The growing importance of quality in agricultural markets makes effective segregation and grading essential to efficient marketing strategy. In this paper, we develop an economic model, potentially applicable to many products, to determine optimal segregation strategies based on multiple stochastic quality measures. The model is applied to Oklahoma...

Case studies represent an important form of scholarly output for educators of agribusiness management. This article defines scholarship with respect to case writing. First, it explains how case studies are scholarship in the educational process. The pedagogical foundation of the case method is this method's effectiveness in developing the critical...

The Oklahoma City stockyards are the largest stocker-feeder public market in the world. Trends in how cattle are marketed indicate long-term declining prospects. This case presents a history and strategic prospects for the Stockyards. It also illustrates the changing nature of cattle marketing, competition, and vertical coordination. An opportunity...

This paper examines quality-price relationship in U.S. soybean exports. Implicit prices for quality characteristics of U.S. soybean exports were estimated using a hedonic price function from a rich transaction-specific data set to major destination markets to test the efficiency of the market in transmitting preferences for quality. The results of...

This paper illustrates how an industry strategic planning framework and approach can be useful to aid horticultural industries in gearing up for future competitiveness. We also discuss how business-oriented agricultural economists can provide key informational roles through research and industry linkages as part of this overall strategic planning f...

The form of a crop yield-weed density response function influences control thresholds and risk management strategies. A choice of model test is introduced for evaluating whether yield response to weed density is sigmoidal or hyperbolic. A null hypothesis of hyperbolic yield response is evaluated in a Monte Carlo simulation of sigmoidal yield functi...

The issue addressed in this paper is whether the grain quality factors used by the Federal Grain Inspection Service in determining the quality grades of wheat exported by the United States including test weight, dockage, moisture content, percentage of foreign material, percentage of shrunken and broken kernels, and protein content are characterist...

This article examines export price formation for U.S. corn exports, adopting the hedonic approach of treating a commodity as a bundle of identifiable quality attributes for which separate implicit prices can be estimated. The study makes use of a rich data set which includes transaction-level price and quality data for U.S. corn exports for a perio...

The price and quality characteristics of 213 shiploads of US soybeans exported between January 1990 and October 1991 are examined using hedonic analysis. The results of the analysis confirm that the price of soybeans exported is determined in part by the protein and oil content of the soybeans. The analysis further reveals the effects of country‐sp...

Copyright 2010 by Lyford, Belasco, Chidmi, and Funtanilla. All rights reserved. Readers may make verbatim copies of this document for non-commercial purposes by any means, provided that this copyright notice appears on all such copies.

In order to develop information about the price of cotton quality, the price-quality relationships of U.S. cotton are investi- gated by examining the cotton basis attributable to the quality characteristics such as color and leaf grade, staple length and strength, and micronaire for several major production regions. By using data from daily cotton...

The competitive landscape facing agricultural producers today requires flexible, pro-active marketing in a global context. As barriers to trade continue to fall and free trade initiatives and agreements become more prevalent, market forces become increasingly important as drivers of economic activity. One means by which producers may align their ma...

Because cattle have been identified as a reservoir for foodborne pathogens, interest has grown in developing interventions to reduce levels of pathogens at the producer level (pre-harvest). Several pre-harvest interventions have been identified as potentially effective for reducing pathogen levels in animals, yet no comparative research has been do...