Repellents: projections of direct benefit-cost surfaces
[Article]
Sterner, Ray T.; Tope, Kenneth L.
Iterative (1 variable-changed-at-a-time) Lotus 1-2-3® spreadsheet calculations were used to derive hypothetical benefit:cost ratios (BCRs) based on the recommended-use patterns for a commercial turf repellent (Rejex-It®) to deter Canada geese from grazing/loafing on golf fairways and for a commercial shrub/plant repellent (Deer I Repellent®) to deter deer from browsing on landscape shrubbery. Scenarios were based on "real-world" costs of products and valuations of resources. Plots of the BCR-response surfaces for Rejex-It® on fairways showed that BCRs for these turf applications ranged between 63.9 and 0.73. These BCRs showed transitivity, with highest to lowest BCRs linked with revenues from 90+ foursomes per day, 28-day spray intervals, 3.34 ha of fairways, and a