Progress 06/01/00 to 09/30/04
Outputs
The LMIC is a center of excellence including 24 Land Grant Universities, six USDA agencies and associate members. Data set expansion was completed, specifically: 1) expanded and developed new cattle, hog and lamb datasets; 2) developed a baseline dairy sector database; 3) expanded international trade data sets; 4) enhanced meat (beef, pork and lamb) cut data sets; and 5) developed a limited set of grain industry data to compliment existing data sets. Substantial effort in beef, cattle, hog, and lamb focused on incorporating, evaluating and implementing databases, software systems and outputs (tabular, summary spreadsheet from relational database, and over 475 graphics) regarding Mandatory Price Reporting implementation by USDA's Agricultural marketing Service which began in 2001 and changed/evolved over several years. That effort has resulted in several hundred new parameters being data based and monitored (mostly daily and weekly data). Many updates and enhancements
were made to cattle, hog and lamb datasets (focusing on prices, supply, utilization). The initial baseline dairy data set was relatively small, but included the major dairy product prices (weekly) and supply and demand data (monthly and annual). Major focus on trade data was on live animal flows in North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico) and expanded product data (meat and poultry). Several expanded data sets and outputs were developed for international trade regarding meat and poultry. A baseline grain database system (prices, supply and utilization focusing on feed grains) was developed. Besides added data sets, over 350 existing data sets and associated outputs were improved by this project. New graphical summaries were developed in conjunction with these data sets and distributed to members. In conjunction, the LMIC database linkage system and WWW site were expanded and improved. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software was installed and tested for two unique data sets
(state level data). Database development continues to facilitate direct linkages to GIS and similar applications. All LMIC graphics are updated continuously, in addition several new materials were developed in 2003 and have been incorporated into the LMIC WWW site. Those materials include new graphic materials (PowerPoint, etc., formats), Managing for Today's Cattle Market and Beyond materials, links to new member materials. Usage of LMIC materials in electronic formats continues to grow. During the period of this effort, the LMIC WWW site usage more than doubles (in 2002 about 140,000 accesses per month). In addition, more-and-more use was made by: 1) researchers at member institutions and 2) cooperating universities for use in traditional classroom education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Most of the classroom usage is in Agricultural Economics and Animal Science classes. In fact, usage of LMIC material has expanded quickly in recent months in Animal Science
education. Several textbooks and many university coursework materials use LMIC generated graphics and articles.
Impacts
The LMIC staff provided ongoing outputs: 1) weekly letters; 2) the biweekly Livestock Monitor newsletter; 3) several timely Analysis and Comments newsletters; 4) circulation of electronic comments from members; 5) a continuous flow of electronic comments and market information updates from staff to members and cooperators; 6) and special articles (several in conjunction with members). Many of these outputs were expanded based on this project. Outputs have often included items and results related to the specific objectives of this project.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
The areas of data set expansion, research support, etc., described in the CSREES proposal have all moved forward quickly and efficiently. Thee major components of data set expansion have been completed: 1) improved poultry product supply and demand data; 2) expanding international trade data sets; 3) developing a limited set of grain industry data to compliment existing data sets; and 4) enhance data sets for producer decision-making (including risk management). In conjunction with these specific achievements, the LMIC database system and WWW site were: 1) updated and moved to a commercial service provider to improve speed of access and limit down-time; and 2) materials on the site were expanded and improved. The existing LMIC database and charts were expanded with poultry data and information (chicken and turkey). This was especially important in 2002 as poultry production and international trade, especially with Russia, were major market and policy issues. In early
2003, further additions will be made in this category. International trade data sets were expanded in 2002 including the new weekly beef trade data (required under Mandatory Price Reporting legislation). Other weekly trade data (preliminary data from USDA APHIS and AMS) files were re-formatted, improving usability. Several new and expanded data sets were completed and are now part of the on-going maintained database on Mexican and Canadian data and transactions (meat and livestock) between those two countries and the U.S. The LMIC's rather limited baseline grain data set was expanded by adding more cash feed grain price markets, upgrading weekly trade data, adding baseline supply and demand data on soybeans and soybean meal. This data aspect assists with livestock market analysis, but maintenance remains a relatively small component of LMIC staff effort. LMIC feeder cattle, fed cattle, hog, and corn basis calculation procedures were reviewed and re-formatted. Additional baseline
markets were incorporated in the LMIC summary tables. Further adjustments will be made in early 2003 to reflect data source changes as USDA AMS continues to implement Mandatory Price Reporting legislation (slaughter steers and heifers). Summary tables formats were expanded and updated. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were further evaluated and some summary test graphics were evaluated. Database development continues to facilitate direct linkages to GIS and other applications.
Impacts
Usage of LMIC materials in electronic formats continues to grow. In the last two years usage of the LMIC WWW site has more than doubled (in 2002 about 140,000 accesses per month). In addition, more-and-more use has been made by: 1) researchers at member institutions and 2) cooperating universities for use in traditional classroom education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Most of the classroom usage is in Agricultural Economics and Animal Science classes. In fact, usage of LMIC material expanded in 2002 in Animal Science education. Several textbooks and many university coursework materials use LMIC generated graphics and articles.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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