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Utah County Level Drought Effect On Cattle Inventories 1981-2016, Fred Openshaw

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Utah cattle industry generates 20.6% of sales value for the agricultural sector. As well, this industry encompasses about 34.4% of Utah farms. Besides these figures, Utah cattle ranchers depend heavily upon both public and private lands for grazing as a primary source of feed for their herds. The soil moisture levels of pasturelands impacts the forage yield for a particular year. As a result, the primary purpose of this research is to determine if drought impacts Utah county cattle inventory numbers and what the magnitude of the impact is by analyzing data from 1981 to 2016. A secondary purpose …

Institutional Adaptation To Water Scarcity In Utah Irrigation Companies, Grant Patty

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A review of how water institutions in the American West have changed in response to arid conditions as a means of examining the possibility of further change as an adaptation to climate change induced water scarcity. Two institutions are examined, prior appropriation and shares.

While much of the American West operates under prior appropriation formally, irrigators have found Coasian methods of lowering transaction costs by forming irrigation companies. Irrigation companies own appropriative rights and redefine them, typically as shares. Lower transaction costs allow irrigators to trade more freely within companies, though trades between companies still face high transaction costs.

Using …

The Benefits Of Animal Traceability Systems On A Foot-And-Mouth Disease Outbreak In Utah, Christian Michael Ukkestad

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In recent decades, a number of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks have occurred in countries that had been FMD-free for many years. The last FMD outbreak in the United States occurred in 1929 and the country contains a naïve livestock population, meaning it is susceptible to an outbreak. In the event of an FMD outbreak in the United States, the speed at which the source and contacts between livestock can be identified impacts both the implementation and effectiveness of mitigation strategies. The purpose of this thesis was to analyze the impact of higher levels of animal traceability on the immediate welfare …

Feasibility And Co-Benefits Of Biomass Co-Firing: Case In Utah, Bibek Paudel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This research examines the physical and economic feasibility of 5% biomass co-firing in the coal-fired power plants of Utah. Transportation models is used to find out the physical feasibility of 5% biomass co-firing, as well as locate the supply zone for each power plant that would minimize the transportation cost. Additional cost required for 5% biomass co-firing and the economic benefits associated with biomass co-firing are calculated. The additional cost required for 5% biomass co-firing is estimated to be $34.84 million. Previous studies on CO₂ emission reduction are used to compute the economic benefit attain from CO₂ reduction …

The Economic Impact Of Federal Land On County Governments In Utah, Daniel C. Hope

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

County governments cannot assess property taxes on federal land, yet local governments are required to provide similar services as they do on all other areas of the county. Federal government payment programs have been implemented to compensate county governments for the expenditures incurred due to federal land.

In the mid-1960s, the Public Land Law Review Commission implemented and completed a study which analyzed whether selected individual states and counties were being compensated for the expenditures incurred on federal land. It also estimated tax revenues local governments would receive if federally owned acreage was privately owned. The study then compared these …

Measuring Nonuse Values For Wilderness Designation In Utah-By Contingent Valuation Method, Van R. Johnson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Since 1964, when Congress wrote the Wilderness Act, there has been an increasing amount of controversy between opponents and advocates of wilderness. Wilderness areas in Utah are not immune to this controversy. Public policy makers and land managers are in the middle of this debate. They have the responsibility to assess the resource and estimate the benefits and costs associated with creating policy.

This thesis focusses on helping policy makers and land managers recognize a benefit currently not being assessed. Nonuse values are values other than in situ use, where individuals have a value for existence of wilderness or a …

Agribusiness Management In Utah Dairies, Rick L. Hirschi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis outlines the theoretical factors impacting dairy profitability. The theoretical portion includes: a general review of production and profit maximization theory, a review of related studies, and an outline of the variables impacting dairy profitability.

An empirical study follows using data gathered from three applied technology centers in Utah in conjunction with dairy herd improvement production records for the farms where these data were available. The empirical section includes a synopsis of the methods and procedures used to collect and analyze the data. Regression analysis was used to determine the significant production and financial factors influencing returns per cow; …

A Comparison Of Models To Forecast Annual Average Potato Prices In Utah, Glade R. Erikson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Potatoes are a capital-intensive crop. A farmer who is considering expanding his potato acreage must carefully consider revenue requirements to offset the high costs of raising the crop. A method to forecast annual farm potato prices would be useful not only to the farmer, who is considering potato acreage expansion (or contraction), but also to the potato buyers.

Seven forecasting models were considered: (1) a simultaneous equation model (with five equations); (2) a Box-Jenkins type ARIMA model; (3) an exponential smoothing model; (4) a moving-average model; (5) a trend model; (6) an "opposite" model; and (7) a current, or naive, …

Economic Analysis Of Dryland Wheat Tillage Practices In Box Elder County, Utah, Michael Dale Bond

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine the economic viability of various dryland wheat tillage systems, many of which were developed from years of cooperative research efforts.

In the study three conventional tillage methods were analyzed along with ten conservation tillage practices. The study farm consisted of 2000 acres, of which 1000 acres are classified as land 1 and its wheat yield is assumed to be 35 bushels per acre for non-continuous tillage methods and 23 bushels per acre for continuous tillage methods. The remaining 1000 acres are classed as land 2 and its assumed wheat yield is 30 …

A Simulation Of The Economic Effects Of Alternative Soil Types And Nitrogen Sources On Nitrate Leaching On Irrigated Agriculture In Utah, Gilbert D. Miller

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The economic impact of reducing the amount of nitrate leached out of the root zone under irrigation in the arid West was examined. A general introduction into the nature of the problem and a review of the literature was provided in chapter I. In chapter ll the economic incentives of irrigation management were evaluated under the assumptions of both profit-maximizing and utility-maximizing (in reducing cost and effort expended in irrigation) decision-making criteria. The results indicate that there is a coincidence of interests of the farmer and the environment. Both behaviors result in less nitrate leaching than less profitable or less …

Tourism Dependency And Its Correlation To Selected Socioeconomic Indicators In Utah, Diane S. Gooch

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This paper investigates the relationship between tourism and well being, or quality-of-life, within eighteen counties in Utah. To evaluate the relationship, comparisons of the counties' differing levels of tourism versus their levels of welfare are necessary. To make these comparisons, three basic steps were followed. First, a social ordering model was derived. The proposed social ordering model was based upon Maslow's theory of the hierarchy of human needs. By utilizing his theory, both economic and noneconomic indicators were identified, and a basis was provided upon which to judge the differing positions of well-being. Factor analysis was applied to this model …

An Historical Overview Of The Evolutions Of Institutions Dealing With Water Resource Use And Water Resource Development In Utah 1847 Through 1947, John Swenson Harvey

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis studies the development of social and legal institutions that have controlled the pattern of water development in Utah from 1847 to 1947. The thesis is divided into three parts to facilitate the study of the diverse influences on water development. The first part deals with the mormon church and pioneer influences and private development during the late 1800s. The second begins with statehood and records the changes in the state's institutions up to 1947. The third part is a summary of the entire process. It relates pioneer, private, and state influences to each other and the current (1989) …

The Effects Of Stochastic Water Availability On Water Allocations In Utah, Gustavo A. Martinez Gerstl

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A methodology to estimate stochastic surface water flows was developed and applied to a case study area using chance constrained programming model. The results were analyzed as to the effects on different areas of production in Utah.

Optimal Exploitation Of Petroleum Resources Using The Average Reservoir Data For The Walton Canyon Reservoir In Summit County, Utah, Behrouz Helmi-Oskoui

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The main concern of this study is to obtain an optimal time path of crude oil and natural gas production by controlling the pressure at the bottom of any producing well in Walton Canyon Reservoir. To achieve this goal, the following objectives were obtained: (a) an estimation of the reservoir properties at different levels of the reservoir pressure; (b) an estimation of an optimal time path of joint production using the estimated reservoir properties and the expected prices and costs in the absence and presence of severance, state, and federal income taxes, and depletion of allowances; and (c) an analysis …

Utah Employer Attitudes Towards Sponsoring Day Care For Employees, Diane Hart

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purposes of this study were to: 1) examine and contrast hospital administrator attitudes and manufacturing company president (or manager) attitudes in relation to the possibility of having more Utah employers establish organized day care facilities on sites of employment, and 2) determine which factors of employee composition and available facilities and services affect employer attitudes towards day care involvement.

Information from the questionnaire developed for the study was statistically analyzed by the Pearson r correlation coefficient and one-way analysis of variance. Many factors proved to be statistically significant.

Overall, it was found that hospitals were more interested in day …

The Economics Of Fertility In Utah, Carl E. Enomoto

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purposes of this thesis are to determine the economic forces influencing birth rates in Utah and to compare their influences with those found in similar studies for the United States. To do this, an economic model describing fertility behavior was used. Data for the model was collected primarily from Census Bureau reports for the year 1970.

An Assessment Of The Apparel Industry In The State Of Utah And Needed Training In Vocational Clothing In Utah High Schools, Ann Sessions

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to make an assessment of the industry and needed qualifications of sewing machine operators in the apparel industry in the State of Utah. Feedback received may serve as guidelines in curriculum development for vocational clothing classes. Information was gathered by means of a questionnaire administered to plant or personnel managers. The questionnaire was hand carried or mailed to fifty-six plants across the state. Ninety-eight percent of the plants responded and were used in the statistics.

The questionnaire ellicited information on the following items:

1. The following points about Utah's apparel industry:

a. Availability of …

Snowmobiling In Utah: An Analysis Of Consumer Characteristics, Site Quality, And Carrying Capacity, Richard A. Haws

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A consumer characteristic profile of the snowmobile owners in Utah was compiled and compared to the general population in Utah and the United States. Other statistics were compiled which included user preferences of snowmobiling sites and machine characteristics.

Data were collected by a mail survey of snowmobilers during the 1974-75 snowmobiling season. Approximately 315 questionnaires were analyzed. Additional data were collected from the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation.

Total economic rent values were estimated for 58 sites in Utah. These values were then separated into location and quality values. This was done by reallocating trips to sites by means …

Economic Analysis Of Dairying In Gunnison Valley, Utah, Craig L. Mangus

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper was to measure factors that affected the profitability of dairy operations in Gunnison Valley, Utah. Special attention was paid to economies of size, return on dairy capital and benefits accruing to the owners of dairies in the valley . Also, within the scope of this study was the subject of economic development and its accompanying impacts on an economy.

A census of the dairy operations in Gunnison Valley was conducted to acquire data on dairy capital owned, cow numbers and quantities of milk produced and returns to the owners of dairies of both a monetary …

Defining Efficient Water Resource Management In The Weber Drainage Basin, Utah, Keith D. Wilde

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Weber Basin Water Conservancy District is a state institution, but its primary function is collecting money for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, to pay for the Weber Basin Project. Different classes of water users pay markedly different fees for identical Project services. More than half of the water developed by the Project is not used consumptively, yet supply facilities continue to be built in the Basin because they are less expensive to their owners than prices charged for the underused capacity of the Project. Paradoxically, some Basin residents are bitterly resentful of both the District and the Bureau, claiming …

The Projected Impact Of Oil Shale Development On Housing In Uintah County, Utah, Roland K. Roberts

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper is to project the demand for housing due to oil shale development in Uintah County, Utah. An overview of the present housing conditions is presented to give a better understanding of the housing situation as it exists at the present time. The demand for housing due to oil shale development is based upon a set of assumptions which was derived from data collected by the author and from a review of the literature.

The demand for all housing units due to oil shale is estimated by subtracting the working wives of the employees from local …

An Analysis Of Junior Livestock Shows In Utah, Mark Jay Bingham

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper is to discover any trend developing in youth participation in junior livestock shows in Utah and to identify the factors which affect youth participation. Junior livestock show records and 4-H enrollment figures from Cache and Box Elder Counties and the State of Utah, were studied to obtain necessary statistical information. A survey was constructed and issued to former and present 4-H members. Economic theory was employed in order to compare the survey data and participation statistics. The paper is divided into three major parts: similarities and differences between the Cache and Box Elder County Fair …

A Statistical Analysis Of Apprentice Program Dropouts And Completers In Utah: 1969-1974, Mark Douglas Randle

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study is to examine a sample of former Utah apprentices who either completed or dropped out of a registered apprenticeship program during the five-year period from 1969 to 1974. Comparisons were made between the dropouts and completers in order to determine how the two groups differed and what factors influenced their decisions to complete or cancel their indentures.

Significant differences were found between the two groups with respect to their opinions of the training they received as apprentices. Especially significant differences were seen between the dropouts; and completers' responses to the questions related to their on-the-job …

An Evaluation Of Land Use Controls In Logan, Utah, William Earl Kuttler

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the role of economic, political, and religious power as it relates to a person's ability to get zoning decisions passed in his favor by the Logan City Commission and the Logan Planning and Zoning Commission. Data for the study was collected from the minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Commission. The theory behind the incentives to seek zoning alterations is discussed prior to the actual work.

An Economic Analysis Of Demand And Supply For Irrigation Water In Utah: A Linear Programming Approach, Mark Holland Anderson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Water provides the lifeblood of Utah's agricultural economy. It Is the subject of much controversy and litigation and yet most opinions on the subject are based on opinions and prejudice rather than upon the basis of sound scientific examination. This paper attempts to provide some of the economic information necessary for sound decisions in the development and use of Utah's water resources with respect to agriculture.

Utah has been divided into ten drainage regions (hydrologic subregions) and the presently irrigated and potentially irrigable land according to land class was estimated for each county or portion of a county within each …

Economic Analysis Of Cache County, Utah: An Input-Output Approach, Jose Isaac Torrico Soria

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the theory of input-output analysis, its applications, and its empirical implementations to the Cache County economy. The historical development, the static open input-output model, and the dynamic input-output analysis are presented in the theoretical discussion, and emphasis is made on the empirical applications of the model to structural analysis, forecasting, developmental planning, and regional analysis.

In the empirical implementation of the model to the Cache County economy, the 1971 total output is estimated, the Cache County total output is projected to 1981, the output and income multipliers are computed, and the total …

Some Economic Aspects Of Beef Crossbreeding In Utah, William L. Beaty

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine empirically if crossbreeding offers a more profitable alternative to Utah cattlemen than straightbreeding. Ranchers practicing breed crossing were interviewed to determine the relative merits of crossbreeding and straightbreeding in the categories of calf crop, weaning weight, sale price, and minor economic factors under ranch conditions. Crossbred and straightbred sale prices were analyzed utilizing the records of the Smithfield Livestock Auction.

Analysis of rancher interview data indicated that crossbred animals exceeded straightbreds in weaning weight and sale price. Crossbreds were further credited with lowering herd disease levels. No generalizations from comparative calf crop …

Evaluation Of The Impact Of Federal Participation On The Distribution Of Economic Activity And Population In The State Of Utah, Nureddin A. Taqieddin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Since World War I, the federal government of the U.S. has played an increasingly important role in social and economic functions of the American society. Whether by direct employment or through indirect payments to private and public parties, federal programs have an unquestionable impact on the distribution of economic activity among various regions of the U.S. This impact varies directly with the relative magnitude of federal participation in total economic activity of any region.

In certain areas, federal employment reflects the greatest portion of total federal activity. Where this is true, the impact of federal employment on the distribution of …

State Expenditures In Utah: An Analysis Of Time-Series Models, William Darrell Lewis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper was to determine the economic, sociopolitical, and other related factors which account for the variation in state expenditures across time. Utah was selected as the test state and data were collected from school records, political rosters, employment statistics, and a variety of federal government documents. Particular emphasis was placed on three areas: the cause-effect relationships between variables, relating the model to a body of economic theory, and demonstrating how the model may be applied in forecasting state expenditure needs.

Supply-and-demand analysis was the underlying economic theory. A simultaneous-equation model consisting of four equations--demand for state …

The Impact Of Selected Changes In Management Of Public Lands On Functional Demand Areas In Utah, Eldon W. Dixon

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Income and employment impacts associated with changing federal grazing policy were evaluated within functional demand areas.

Changes in federal land policy do have employment and income effects on the functional demand areas. But whether they are significant or not is open to debate. The percentage of total employment lost for each functional demand area ranged from. 0159 percent for Region 2 to 4. 031 percent for Region 7. This was the maximum employment loss or gain to the demand areas. All other gains and losses in employment within functional demand areas were between this maximum and minimum. Income changes followed …