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Assessing The Feasibility Of Implementing A Dairy Industry In Mauritius, Sophia Ultes

Economics Undergraduate Honors Theses

Mauritius faces food security and economic challenges due to its lack of a domestic dairy industry. To address this, the University of Arkansas partnered with the Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security to explore the possibility of establishing a dairy sector on the island.

Through surveys and interviews with locals, including restaurant owners and grocery store customers, we investigated the demand for fresh milk. We also studied factors like consumer preferences and production costs. Our research, conducted with IRB approval, aimed to understand if people are willing to buy locally produced milk.

During the summer, our team visited Mauritius …

Don’T Talk To Me Until I’Ve Had My Coffee: An Analysis Of Colombia’S Changing Coffee And Agricultural Sector In The Face Of Climate Change, Nita Vemuri

Senior Projects Spring 2023

Senior Project submitted to The Division of Social Studies of Bard College.

Abstract

“With each year that passes, Atlantic and Pacific cyclone generating areas have experienced higher sea surface temperatures and increases in the intensity and duration of tropical storms.” (Sherbinin et al., 2007) While climate change remains a myth to some, it has become a reality for many, especially those whose livelihoods depend on climate-vulnerable fields and occupations. Latin American countries are especially subjected to climate change consequences because of their vast agricultural sectors and their reliance on ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) patterns, “There is a clear relationship …

Optimal Stocker Production Strategies For Spring And Fall Calving Cow Herds, Cora Beth Key

Masters Theses

This thesis consists of two chapters discussing the economics of raising stocker beef cattle in the southeast United States. The objective of the first chapter is to estimate supplemental feed cost for spring-calving cows, spring-born stockers, cows calving in the fall, and fall-born stockers, while considering the seasonality of forage production and nutritional needs. The chapter explores ways producers can lower their feed costs and demonstrates the importance of managing hay expenses for cattle producers to control cost. The objective of chapter two is to determine the profit-maximizing stocker period in an integrated cow-calf and stocker operation with both fall- …

Variability In Rice Returns Using A Representative Farm Approach, Adriana Dimas

LSU Master's Theses

Agriculture is a major contributor to the U.S. economy and vital to the continued availability of a safe and inexpensive food supply. Representative farms are virtual farms that represent the production practices of a specific crop and region. Annually, growers face critical management decisions on what crop enterprise selection and combinations will maximize the net returns. Risk for growers comes from the variation in different factors such as yield, market price, production input costs, among others that are required to produce each enterprise. Nine representative farms were established within Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas to evaluate net return variability among different …

Determinants Of Female Bargaining Power In Northern Mozambican Households, Sara Marilyn Gardner

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Undergraduate Honors Theses

Melinda Gates stated, “If you search for poverty, you will find women who don’t have power. If you explore prosperity, you will find women who do have power and use it.” Throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, women are expected to perform disproportional amounts of labor but are often ignored in household decision-making regarding social and economic matters. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) states that women in Mozambique are highly disadvantaged, relative to men, due to low levels of education, maternal health risks, restricted economic prospects, and cultural norms. This study aims to better understand the causes of female empowerment in Northern …

Intellectual Property Rights In The Seed Industry: Barriers To Sustainable Agriculture, Elena A. Filatova

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The dynamics of the dominant industrial agriculture system restrict the seed industry’s innovative landscape, leading to significant negative consequences including an exacerbation of environmental risks which threaten global food security. This thesis explores how exclusionary intellectual property rights (IPRs) in the context of the seed industry constrict innovation, evolutionary pathways, and opportunities for the implementation of sustainable agriculture methods. To overcome these barriers, the application of an open source framework to seed innovation, specifically through the platform of the Open Source Seed Initiative, is evaluated as a tool for enhancing innovative capacities in seed development while broadening the accessibility and …

Incorporation Of Summer Annual Mixtures Into Grazing Systems In Kentucky, Kelly Marie Mercier

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Utilizing summer annual grass-legume forage mixtures has the potential to improve forage yield and nutritive characteristics, and/or animal performance during times when cool-season pasture growth is limited by high temperatures. Legumes can utilize atmospheric nitrogen, which can increase crude protein and forage digestibility in mixtures. As nitrogen application generally improves both the yield and nutritive characteristics of summer annual forages, but can have a negative effect on legume competitiveness, nitrogen fertilizer recommendations for legume-containing summer annual mixtures are not well established.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the feasibility of utilizing summer annual mixtures in Kentucky, USA. The first experiment …

On-Farm Utilization Of Precision Dairy Monitoring: Usefulness, Accuracy, And Affordability, Elizabeth A. Eckelkamp

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

Precision dairy monitoring is used to supplement or replace human observation of dairy cattle. This study examined the value dairy producers placed on disease alerts generated from a precision dairy monitoring technology. A secondary objective was calculating the accuracy of technology-generated disease alerts compared against observed disease events. A final objective was determining the economic viability of investing in a precision dairy monitoring technology for detecting estrus and diseases.

A year-long observational study was conducted on four Kentucky dairy farms. All lactating dairy cows were equipped with a neck and leg tri-axial accelerometer. Technologies measured eating time, lying time, standing …

Time Series Forecast Analysis In Wholesale Broiler Markets, Christopher R. Sims

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In 2016 the chicken industry provided nearly 1.2 million jobs, 68 billion dollars in wages, 313 billion dollars in economic activity and 24 billion dollars in government revenue (John Dunham & Associates, Inc., 2016). Broiler production has changed dramatically from the early 90’s to the turn of the 21st century. Technological advancements, continuous improvements, production efficiencies and industry changes have made the industry the global market it is today. The poultry industry is an extremely volatile market with prices constantly fluctuating in response to input price volatility and demand and supply changes. These changes are often driven by world economic …

Economic Assessment Of A Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreak In Washington And Benton Counties In Arkansas, Antonio Beitia

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) presents a substantial economic risk to the poultry industry. Domesticated fowl contract HPAI initially through exposure, direct or indirect with migratory waterfowl and outbreaks can result in significant economic losses to growers and the poultry industry at large. A HPAI outbreak occurred in Minnesota and Iowa and spread across over 13 other states in 2014 and 2015. This caused an estimated $1.6 billion in losses (CDC, 2016) and led to shortages of eggs and turkeys together with elevated prices (Anni et al. 2005). Even small outbreaks of HPAI inflict substantial damages as USDA-APHIS guidelines necessitate …

Cost Benefit Analysis Of Genetic Markers In Cattle, Josh Crystal

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Undergraduate Honors Theses

Genetic sequencing in beef cattle (L. Bos Taurus) is expected to aid producers select cattle with traits that enhance profitability. Using data from experimental trials conducted with Angus, Brahman, and their reciprocal cross, this project analyzes the profitability of grazing endophyte infected tall Fescue (L. Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) vs. Bermuda grass (L. Cynodon dactylon) pasture. The study is unique in the sense that actual cow-calf breeding failure rates (open cows were not culled) were tracked from 1991 to 1997 on herds that were bred to calf in spring and either exposed to fungal endophyte (L.Acremonium coenophialum Morgan-Jones …

Impact Of The Zambian Agricultural Policy On Grain Trade, Onesphore Karuho

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The agricultural sector in Zambia is supported through the government use of public expenditure programs to spur the production and subsidize the consumption of key grains to stabilize prices. Previous research has documented the effects of public spending on agriculture in terms of food prices and food security. The effects of government spending on the trade of key grains, however, is not well understood. As such, there is a gap in knowledge regarding the impact of agricultural policy on the agricultural trade. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of Zambian agricultural policy on grain trade. A …

Honey Bees’ Impact On The U.S. Economy, James T. Chisel

Economics Theses

Since Colony Collapse Disorder became front-page news in 2006, popular literature ranging from news articles to White House documents has cited the value that honey bees provide. These numbers in articles often are inconsistent and rarely cite the origin of the stated value. This paper examines the major studies on the economic impact that honey bees have in the United States. Then it discusses the existing errors in these studies’ methodologies and offers a preliminary model that incorporates the full economic effects of honey bees. It then offers some policy suggestions in order to better address the needs of honey …

Structural Change Of The Western United States Alfalfa Hay Market And Its Effect On The Western United States Dairy Industry, Joseph Patrick Cann

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Alfalfa is the fourth largest commodity grown in the Western U.S., representing 20% of the crop acreage over the past twenty years. In the last five years alfalfa hay price has doubled from what it was previously, indicating a possible structural change in the market. This research project was completed to test for this structural change using econometric analysis of the important demand components of alfalfa price. In addition to this, simulations of an average Utah dairy were completed to examine which ratio of forage crops provided the highest economic return to the operation.

To analyze the structural change of …

Compost Bedded Pack Barns For Dairy Cattle: Bedding Performance And Mastitis As Compared To Sand Freestalls, Elizabeth A. Eckelkamp

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

Lameness and mastitis are the two most costly diseases in the dairy industry. Reduction of these diseases through housing and management is beneficial. Compost bedded pack (CBP) and sand freestall barns were compared in a long-term, on-farm study to assess the effect of housing on each disease. Another research objective was to evaluate the effects of ambient weather conditions on moisture and 20 cm internal temperature of CBP. Compost bedded pack moisture, C:N ratio, and internal temperature effects on cleanliness, mastitis, and bedding bacterial counts were also considered. The last research objective was to evaluate the economics of bedding material …

Implementing Green Roofs On Movie Theaters And Shopping Centers: Business Cases In Profitable Sustainability, Ryan J. Miller

Pomona Senior Theses

This thesis presents the business case for installing green roofs on movie theaters and shopping centers. These businesses can then derive increased profits from the environmental benefits of reduced energy use and increased stormwater retention. After presenting the basic design and benefits of a green roof, the thesis develops stand-alone business plans for a movie theater and shopping center. The author finds that green roofs are a profitable sustainability solution for the commercial enterprise.

Evaluating The Impacts Of Production Process And Product Origin On Willingness To Pay For Shrimp, Addison Ellis

All Theses

The 2002 Farm Bill included a provision requiring various agricultural commodities to comply with country of origin labeling (COOL). Proponents of COOL argued that the policy would support U.S. producers and benefit U.S. consumers. This argument was based on the assumption that U.S. consumers prefer domestic products to imported products and hence the demand for U.S. products would increase following the implementation of COOL. However, analyzing the impact of COOL on shrimp, one of the first commodities covered the program, is complicated by recent trade disputes, concerns over the safety of farm raised products and potential stigma effects associated with …

Value Of Clearfield Rice: An Agronomic And Economic Approach, Tyler Paul Carlson

LSU Master's Theses

Field studies were conducted in Crowley, Louisiana and Stoneville, Mississippi in drill seeded rice to evaluate weed control, yield, and economical returns with imazethapyr programs. Red rice (Oryza sativa) and barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) was evaluated with imazethapyr applied alone at various rates and application timings. Imazethapyr, averaged across rate, controlled red rice 89% and barnyardgrass 90% when the initial application of imazethapyr was applied at emergence followed by (fb) a second application of imazethapyr two weeks after the initial application. While imazethapyr, averaged across timing, showed no differences for red rice and barnyardgrass control. Yield and economical returns were maximized …

An Economic Analysis Of The Costs Of Alternative Sugarcane Fallow Weed Control Programs, José Rodolfo Mite Cáceres

LSU Master's Theses

Economic research was conducted to present estimates of costs per acre associated with fallow sugarcane weed control programs for Louisiana in 2010. The 2010 projected costs are associated with the various phases of sugarcane fallow using different machinery, implements, and weed control practices followed by most growers in the main sugarcane production area of Louisiana. For bermudagrass and johnsongrass weed control treatments, the herbicides applied were Roundup Original Max at 46 oz/A, generic glyphosate at 64 oz/A, DuPont K4 60DG, Trifluralin 4EC at 4 qt/A, and EPTC at 3.5 pt/A. Purple nutsedge weed control treatments included Roundup Original Max at …

An Economic Evaluation Of Sugarcane Combine Harvester Costs And Optimal Harvest Schedules For Louisiana, Francis Gil Barker

LSU Master's Theses

Rising production costs, primarily associated with increasing fuel and fertilizer prices, combined with a relatively flat to slightly declining market price trend, have significantly reduced profit margins from sugarcane production in Louisiana over the past few years. Harvest operations are one area in which growers can have considerable influence on costs per unit. Estimation of current sugarcane harvest costs as well as economic evaluation of the impact of various factors on the performance and cost of this production phase are important to growers in conducting these harvest operations as efficiently and cost effectively as possible. The general objective of this …

Economic Evaluation Of Alternative Rough Rice Marketing And Storage Strategies, April Street

LSU Master's Theses

The alternative rough rice marketing and storage strategies were evaluated using three methods of analysis. The methods used in this study were MOTAD, simulation, and stochastic dominance. Historical rough rice prices from 1980/81 - 2000/01 was used and tested for trends and seasonality in order for the methods to be formed properly. SAS was used to verify that the data used in this study did not follow any time trend or reflect seasonality. MOTAD, simulation, and stochastic dominance were used to determine the most efficient marketing and storage strategy that will enable rice farmers to make the best decisions and …

Economics Of Land Use Planning: A Case Study Of Annexation In Heber Valley, Utah, Lyle C. Summers

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Some theories and methodologies applicable to land use planning problems were reviewed along with the history of land use and land use legislation in the United States and Utah. This review served to point out that federal land use policy is moving away from the incentive approach to controlling land use and toward a more mandatory approach aimed at giving increased emphasis to environmental quality and less to economic efficiency.

A model for conceptualizing and analyzing annexation problems was developed and applied to a problem in Heber City, Wasatch County, Utah. The analysis demonstrated that annexation is feasible by showing …

Economics Of Land Use Planning--Utah Recreational Subdivisions, 1962-72, Donald William (Sandy) Mac Pherson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Economic and environmental inventory and evaluation were made of Utah recreational subdivisions filed with the state from 1962 through 1972. Major data were collected from standard subdivision questionnaires, filed by developers with Utah Real Estate Division, Department of Business Regulation. Study included 62,716 lots, 238,004 acres, and a value, in terms of developers' projected gross sales, of $211,836,550 in 1972 dollars.

Description of Utah recreational urbanization included: community services such as water supply and sanitation, drainage and flooding, fire protection, roads, and schools; developer sales inducements, improvement costs, and selling costs; subdivision layout characteristics, locations, magnitude, value, and buildout rates; …

The Importance Of Farm Management In The Under-Developed Economics, Hardev Singh Dhaliwal

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Throughout the history of mankind there always have been famines, disease, and poverty in some parts of the world, and this has been because of economic under - development to a great extent. For nearly a century after the publication of Adam Smith's "Wealth of Nations" in 1776, economic development was the main interest of economists . In the late nineteenth century, Europe, America, and Australia were developing rapidly and few people were interested in raising the incomes of Africans, Arabs, and Asians . Most of the countries in Africa and Asia were under European colonial rule, and being so, …

Economics Of Managing State-Owned Grazing Lands, Lowell Ray Anderson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Range land is an important resource in Utah's economy. Of 52.7 million acres of land in Utah about 78 percent is used for production of range livestock (14).¹ In 1958, cash receipts of range livestock amounted to 62.7 million dollars, or 38.8 percent of Utah's total agricultural cash receipts (19).

Of total land within its boundary, the state owns 2,723,157 acres, or 5.17 percent (32). The state legislature has designated the Utah State Land Board as the responsible agency for administering this land to provide income for various state institutions.

The people of the state of Utah are required …

Economics Of Farm Flock Sheep Production In Northern Utah, Bruce E. Nielson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Throughout the history of mankind, sheep have played a very important and unique part in the economies of the world. They have been a source of meat, milk, skins and fiber. They have become adapted to nearly every kind of husbandry, from nomadic types to intensively managed flocks on small farms and have thrived under nearly all climatic conditions, ranging from sub-artic regions of Greenland to hot areas of the Mediterranean countries; from desert areas of Africa to wet lowland of England.

Economics Of Wool Marketing In Utah, E. Jay Berry

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Since the beginning of history the wool of sheep has been used by the human race. Its chief use has been and still is for clothing. Also, it is widely used for blankets, upholstery, carpets, and numerous other products.

The wool industry is important to the state of Utah, which was the sixth largest producing state in the United States in 1958. Wool growers in Utah received approximately $7,897,000 in sales proceeds and government payments for wool sold during the 1958 marketing year (12).¹

Economics Of Controlling Tall Larkspur, Lavar M. Richman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The production of livestock in Utah is important to the economy of the state. The economic life of many communities throughout the state depends on income from livestock. Cash receipts from range livestock were $62.7 million or 38.8 percent of the total from agriculture in Utah in 1958 (18).

The Economics Of Rural Residential Zoning In Utah County, Max K. Buchmiller

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Change in the use to which land is put may affect the economic and social return from it. Land-use changes tend to be rather permanent in nature. They should be guided so that social welfare will be served best. Rural Zoning has developed from this need to direct change in land use in rural areas.

Crop Damage By Wildlife In California ; With Special Emphasis On Deer And Waterfowl, Earl Roy Biehn

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The problem of crop damage by wildlife is not a new one in California, but it has assumed a role of major economic importance only during the last few decades. Since this problem was first encountered in California, it has steadily increased in size and scope, until today in many areas of the state it is an important economic problem of the farmer; a pressing management problem for the biologists and wildlife technicians of the California Division of Fish and Game; a constant challenge to the game management agents of the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service; a great concern of …