Price Transmission and Asymmetry in the Colorado Potato Supply Chain

We conduct a time-series analysis of Colorado, Idaho, and national potato markets to examine price transmission and asymmetry (relative likelihood and magnitude of upward versus downward price shocks). Prices are typically driven by supply-side shocks. Colorado potato producers' prices are influenced by Idaho and experience unfavorable asymmetry relative to downstream parties. We apply findings to the COVID-19 lockdown period as a case study to explore market behavior during that time. Identifying and noting potentially harmful price dynamics in commodity markets could help producers effectively respond to similar shocks in the future. © 2022, Food Distribution Research Society. All rights reserved.

Colorado producers during COVID-19: a closer look at the potato supply chain

Media headlines during the COVID-19 pandemic have told two different stories about sales of agricultural products. On the one hand, many large establishments whose customer base consists of restaurants and food service lost sales (Yaffe-Bellany and Corkery, 2020). On the other hand, establishments whose primary customers are in retail or direct-to-consumer markets (e.g., farmers markets, roadside stands) have seen increased demand for their products (Robey, 2020). In short, the reality of COVID-19 is affecting farm establishments differently, depending on many factors including their market channel. In turn, farmers are responding to the pandemic with a variety of strategies, which affect actors farther down the supply chain (Blevins, 2020;Ehrlich, Sullins, and Jablonski 2020;Love, Thilmany, and Jablonski 2020). We interviewed potato farmers from the San Luis Valley, Colorado, and compiled their strategies for adjusting farm operations and product marketing during the pandemic. Their strategies range from short-term solutions, such as repackaging their products, to longer-term solutions, such as building new customer relationships or diversifying their crop rotations. For farmers, hearing how others are creatively handling an unusual situation may spark innovation, and, for policy makers,.

Activating the Hospital Incident Command System Response in a Community Specialty Practice: The Mayo Clinic Experience

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic presented health care organizations with a unique challenge in determining effective management of a large-scale incident across an extended time period. CASE PRESENTATION: This report describes the response of a multisite integrated system to the COVID-19 pandemic through activation of the Hospital Incident Command System. DISCUSSION: A robust emergency response plan with multidisciplinary involvement can help to ensure clear lines of accountability and expedite decision-making. Consistent physician input across affected specialties allows for a robust understanding of impacted areas, peer-to-peer communication, and a sense of ownership across the medical staff. The necessity of effective communication with staff and patients during times of crisis cannot be understated. The potential for information overload in a pandemic is significant but can be overcome through consistent and transparent communication from leadership. CONCLUSION: Health systems should have a well-organized emergency response system prepared to launch in small-scale or large-scale situations. The threshold to implement the response system and accountability to make that decision must be a clearly defined organizational policy.