Business Commons^™

Feasibility Of Operating A Training Facility On The Central Coast, Katrina Young

Agribusiness

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of American And Australian Preferred Wine Label Attributes, Taylor Lee Hansard

Agribusiness

No abstract provided.

Feasibility Study Of An Enomatic Wine Bar In San Luis Obispo, Eric Daniel Maida

Agribusiness

The purpose of this project was to determine whether it would be feasible to open an Enomatic Wine Bar in downtown San Luis Obispo.

There were two major costs involved in this project, the development of the facility and the operation of the business. Once all of the costs were determined, they were entered into an Excel spreadsheet providing the Enomatic Wine Bar Budget and the Income Statement. From the Enomatic Wine Bar Budget and the Income Statement a Return on Investment of 27% was realized.

Using the figures from the Enomatic Wine Bar Budget and the Income Statement, it …

Financial Feasibility Analysis Of A Custom Harvesting Business Of Wine Grapes In Fresno County, Jacob Constance

Agribusiness

This study was undertaken to determine if it was financially feasible to start a custom harvesting business of wine grapes in Fresno County. A fully amortizing loan for $120,000 was taken out at a four percent interest rate and loan term of five years. The custom harvesting business in Fresno County was analyzed using capital budgeting techniques and forecasted financial documents. It is concluded to be profitable over an eight year span to establish and maintain a machine harvesting business based on the investment analysis that provides a net present value of $69,450.37 at a discount rate of 12 percent, …

A Cost Benefit Analysis Of Utilizing Solar Panels On Bates Nut Farm, Brandon Walter Ness

Agribusiness

No abstract provided.

Optimal Palm Oil Processing Plant Size In South Sumatera, Shelly V. Gozali

Agribusiness

This study was conducted to determine if the palm oil processing plant with a capacity of thirty tons per hour is the optimal size for the Sutopo Lestari Jaya Company. This report represents two important techniques when performing the analysis. A net present value has been calculated in determining the feasibility of the palm oil processing plant in the next ten years after it is built. A break-even analysis has been performed to determine the number of units produced to cover the fixed cost after the processing plant operates.

It is concluded that the processing plant with a capacity of …

Observational Study Of Retail Wine Venues In San Luis Obispo In Relation To Shelf Space And The Amount Of Wine Sold, J. (James) Calvin Mead

Agribusiness

This study was conducted in order to gain valuable information related to the retail wine industry and find similarities and differences in wine shelf space from store to store. All the stores were unique to some degree, but they also shared several aspects of the wine display. For example, some stores were similar in relation to the number of wine brands they offered, structure of the wine displays, prices of wines, types of promotions, types of packaging, number of sections based on varietals or countries, and overall ratings. Averages, frequencies, one-way analyses, multiple comparisons, and descriptive statistics were all calculated …

Price Comparisons Of Selected Produce Between Farmers’ Markets And Grocery Stores In San Luis Obispo County., Jacqueline De Figueiredo

Agribusiness

This study was undertaken to determine the price comparisons of selected produce between farmers' markets and grocery stores in San Luis Obispo County.

All data was collected through out an eight week period and recorded to determine if prices, on average, are lower at famers' markets compared to their neighboring grocery. This data was used to compare prices of commodities at farmers' markets and neighboring grocery stores in San Luis Obispo County for five selected produce items. The data collected includes prices of each commodity, location, and date. After collecting the data, the final step in determining if prices are …

Forestalling Foreclosure: The Strategic Use Of @Risk To A Health Center In Financial Distress, Steven Slezak

Agribusiness

No abstract provided.

Behavioral Economics: A New Heavyweight In Washington?, Sean B. Cash, Christiane Schroeter

Agribusiness

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of Wine Label Design Aesthetics And The Connection To Price, Molly Webster

Agribusiness

Can certain artistic and design characteristics on wine labels be analyzed to have a correlation to a wine’s price?

Organic Restaurant Business Plan, Jesse Adam Godsey

Agribusiness

This study was undertaken to determine if it is feasible to open an organic restaurant in San Luis Obispo, CA.

All collected data went into the development of a bare bones business plan for the organic restaurant. The report utilizes two techniques for analysis of this data. A strategic analysis was used to determine if the restaurant could be a legitimate competitor among the many local restaurants of San Luis Obispo. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats were outlined, given weights according to their impact, and used to develop a SWOT matrix. Strategic goals were set after reviewing the matrix and …

A Feasibility Study On Replacing A Hay Operation With An Equestrian Boarding Facility, Virginia Vouri

Agribusiness

The purpose of this project was to determine whether it would be feasible for Brians Dairy to convert their dairy farm into an equestrian boarding facility.

There are two major costs involved in this project, the development of the facility and the operation of the business. Once all of the costs were determined, they were entered into an Excel spreadsheet using the format of an Enterprise Budget. From the Enterprise Budget, revenues and expenses were used to develop an Investment Analysis, where a positive Net Present Value and a 30% Internal Rate of Return were discovered.

Using figures from the …

A Case Study On Contracted Seasonal Workers And Farm Labor Contractors In The Stockton Area, Cristal Verduzco

Agribusiness

This study was conducted to define the current situation between contracted seasonal workers and farm labor contractors in the Stockton area. Specifically, this study focuses on the perception workers have of farm labor contracted employment. It also addresses the perception farm labor contractors have on the contracting business.

To gather the information needed to compare perceptions, interviews with twelve contracted seasonal workers and two farm labor contractors were conducted in Stockton. The analysis process consists of a detailed account of the problems workers and farm labor contractors encounter in the farm labor contracting business.

The results of these interviews concluded …

A Comparison Of Costs And Returns For Organic And Conventional Cabernet Sauvignon Grape Production In San Luis Obispo County, Amanda N. Johansen

Agribusiness

This study examined the differences in costs and profitability for established conventional and organic Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards in the Edna Valley region of San Luis Obispo County, California. The study used a partial budgeting approach to compare cost and profitability for established vineyards for 2009, and thus ignored transition costs. Data were obtained from UC Davis cost studies for organic and conventional grape production in other regions of California in previous years. Adjustments made to these costs to account for changes in input use, input costs and grape prices in San Luis Obispo County during the 2009 growing season.

The …

Trial And Budget Analysis Of Two Synchronized Artificial Insemination Breeding Programs For Beef First Calf Heifers, John Nino

Agribusiness

This study was designed to compare the benefits and costs of two different synchronized artificial insemination programs on two groups of beef first calf heifers. A financial budget was developed that would include cost of synchronized insemination per animal and the added value of a bred heifer compared to an open one.

The two synchronized programs were called controlled internal drug release (CIDR) and Ovsynch. They used a specific timeline and drugs to complete the synchronization process. A single low birth weight high calving ease bull was used for both groups to enforce conformity between the groups. Costs of all …

United States Raisin Export Market Trends In The United Kingdom, Paul Mcchesney

Agribusiness

One of the agricultural products that the United States exports to England in large quantities is raisins. Raisin exports from the United States to England increased dramatically by 84% from 2007-2008 (USDA 2009). This study was sought to discover the cause of this large increase of raisin exports from 2007-2008, as well as to assess the current international raisin market.

To determine the cause of the increase in raisin exports to England, the top four raisin exporting countries in the world were analyzed to determine if their export quantities had a factor in the United States raisin exports to England. …

Firm Impact Of Cal Pacific Specialty Foods Establishing A Diverse Customer Base, Anthony Luis De Alcuaz

Agribusiness

When Cal Pacific was established it was imperative to establish a diverse customer base. This study proved through empirical evidence that Cal Pacific's establishment of a new and diverse customer base, after being founded, paved the way for the vast success of the company in past years. The sales reports, balance sheets, income statements, and depth interview responses exemplify the correlation of Cal Pacific's success to its customer base. As a result of the Company having many customers, sales increases were recorded and exemplified in the sales reports. Sales increases occurred over multiple one year periods. Overall firm value has …

Second Time Is A Charm: The Impact Of Correcting Missed Exam Questions On Student Learning, Christiane Schroeter, Steven V. Green, Erin Bess

Agribusiness

This study determined the learning benefit of correcting missed exam questions. The results show that in addition to exams being an assessment tool, they can also be used as a tool for student learning. The availability of this information will provide help considering design, development, and improvement of traditional assessment methods for student learning.

Red-Light Cameras At Intersections: Estimating Preferences Using A Stated Choice Model, Aklesso Egbendewe-Mondzozo, Lindsey M. Higgins, W. Douglass Shaw

Agribusiness

Red-light cameras placed at intersections have the potential to increase safety, but they are often viewed as an invasion of privacy. Preferences for these cameras were explored using a stated choice model that presents key attributes of camera placements. Stated choice models involve careful experimental design, akin to experimental control in laboratory settings. A variety of design approaches were used, settling on a composition of the choice sets people face in the survey. To illustrate the approach, an internet survey was used with a convenience sample containing a high percentage of college students. The results show that while not the …

Determining Consumer Interest In Georgian Wines, Julie Ann Inderbitzen

Agribusiness

This study was done in order to determine if there is a demand in California for wines originating in the Eastern European Country of Georgia. A survey was used in order to collect primary data from 100 respondents in two locations. The surveys were conducted in Pleasanton, CA and in San Luis Obispo, CA and were later analyzed using surveymonkey.com Microsoft Excel 2008. The data was analyzed using chi square tests, independent t-tests as well as observed frequencies and charts. The tests were used to determine demographic data about California wine consumers and to measure their interest in wines from …

Marketing Analysis For Ruiz Foods Products In Convenience Stores, Kristin Gabrielle Noga

Agribusiness

This study was undertaken to determine whether or not the location of convenience stores that are in close proximity to a freeway have an impact on the sales of Ruiz Foods products. Store audits were conducted in the months of January and February, 2010 using twenty convenience stores from two major convenience store chains that carried Ruiz Foods products: Johnny Quick and Circle K. As a sample for this study, six cities in California were used: Clovis, Fresno, Selma, Fowler, Dinuba, and Bakersfield. Store locations were selected by the company’s marketing department preferences. The store audits posed questions assessing: the …

Perceptions Of American Wines In The United Kingdom And Uk Trend Analysis, Jordan Sauvain

Agribusiness

No abstract provided.

Complying With Proposition 2 Chore-Time Modular Belt Cage System Modifications And The Effects, Angela Coelho, Andrew Demler

Agribusiness

The California poultry industry is at a turning point due to the approaching deadline of Proposition 2 taking effect in 2015. The method of choice to be implemented to stay in business is called an enriched colony cage system. This system is very popular in E.U production, however has yet to be implemented in the United States. Thus, for the purpose of this project the modification of Chore Time® equipment at the Cal Poly poultry unit to resemble colony cages was the taken approach.

The fiscal impact the new law will have on California egg farmers can only be estimated. …

Marketing Plan Focusing On The 4 P’S Of The Marketing Mix For A Wine Bar In The City Of San Luis Obispo, Kurtis Robert Wurster

Agribusiness

Wine is a large industry expanding into new markets and open to new ideas. A popular idea was to open wine bars, where individuals could come experience the world of wine without any prior knowledge. Wine bars have been growing and not all have managed to stay successful and meet the demands of consumers. To discover consumers’ preferences, primary research was conducted in the city of San Luis Obispo. The tool used was a survey of 168 respondents. The research was done to determine the feasibility of a wine bar in San Luis Obispo and if so, how to market …

Analysis Of Function Drink Brand Recognition, Natasja Kashani

Agribusiness

The beverage industry has been rapidly expanding over the last century, and currently includes a variety of smaller beverage markets. Functional Beverages have been the newest addition to the beverage industry and Function Drinks is only one of the major companies operating in this market segment. The objective of this study is to assess the current level of brand recognition for Function Drinks among college consumers. The main focus behind this research is to assist the company increase the level of consumer’s brand identification for their company and products through various forms of marketing, advertising, and promotional strategies. It is …

A Study On The Feasibility Of Implementing A Replacement Heifer Enterprise, Spencer Bradley Winton

Agribusiness

No abstract provided.

A Marketing Plan For An Artisan Bread Bakery, Audrey Campana

Agribusiness

This study was undertaken to determine whether there is market potential for Word-of-Mouth Bakery to expand its current operation in food retailing in Modesto and the surrounding areas. A Case Study was conducted on Panera Bread Company to use as a competitive analysis to compare Word-of-Mouth Bakery with an established nationally known artisan bread company. An expert opinion poll was also conducted to assess the market potential in supermarkets from the observations of in-store bakery managers in Modesto and the surrounding areas. A SWOT analysis was used to determine the internal strengths and weaknesses, and external opportunities and threats that …

The Political And Economic Justifications Of Rice Trade Distortions In The United States And Japan, Ryan Thomas Wilson

Agribusiness

Rice is one of the most distorted commodities in the world. The United States and Japan both hold rice sector policies that significantly protect their industries and distort trade. This study identifies major rice sector policies in the U.S. and Japan, and demonstrates their probable economic consequences in terms of social welfare. U.S. producers are major beneficiaries and Japanese consumers are at a major welfare loss. This study demonstrates the use of economic analysis as a tool in policy formulation. Change to these policies is not likely, unless drastic social/economic changes were to happen.

Budget Analysis For A Napa County Vineyard, Christopher Jan Hyde

Agribusiness

This study was undertaken to determine whether farming premium wine grapes can generate profit on a 10 acre site in Napa County, and if farming wine grapes can be a profitable long term investment.

The report utilizes two techniques for analysis of the data. The break-even analysis will be used to determine whether the operation is potentially profitable. Vineyard establishment costs were outlined in and production costs (from year 3 forward) defined. Production costs and grape revenues are weighed to determine net revenues above total costs. Monthly per acre break down of costs demonstrates how vineyard production costs fluctuate during …