This new book covers both theoretical and applied agricultural economics research. Its scope also includes a wide range of topics related to agricultural economics. Topic areas include, for example: production economics and farm management, agricultural policy, agricultural environmental issues, regional planning and rural development, factor markets, supply and demand analysis, marketing of agricultural and food products, international trade and development, and methodology. It also examines the linkages between and among financial institutions, the macroeconomy, world markets, government programs, farms, agribusinesses, food marketing, and the environment.

This book provides a Management Science approach to quality management in food production. Aspects of food quality, product conformance and reliability/food safety are examined, starting with wheat and ending with its value chain transformation into bread. Protein qualities that influence glycemic index levels in bread are used to compare the value chains of France and the US. With Kaizen models the book shows how changes in these characteristics are the result of management decisions made by the wheat growers in response to government policy and industry strategy. Lately, it provides step-by-step instructions on how to apply kaizen methodology and Deming's work on quality improvement to make the HACCPs (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) in food safety systems more robust.