Agribusiness Commons^™

Generating More Profit From Your Farm Business, Tamara Stretch

All other publications

This report outlines the main drivers of profit – price, production, costs and management. Knowing a farm’s profit drivers assists managers to analyse the risk and resilience of their business and to make more informed expenditure decisions. With significant volatility in both prices and production, farm managers need to have strategies that smooth price volatility and allow adjustments to costs of production.

When analysing business profitability it is important to look beyond gross margins and capture all cost items particularly large fixed costs like finance and machinery allowance costs. By critically examining the full cost structure of their business managers …

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.

Organic Farming In France: À La Mode Or A Mode Of Life?, Ellen L. Mallette

Honors Theses

Organic farming, as opposed to conventional or traditional farming that employs the use of chemicals, is a method that was begun in the middle of the twentieth century, shortly after the end of World War II. In many ways it is a return to farming practices that were conducted for centuries until about the late 1800's when pesticides and fertilizers were introduced. The rise of organic farming has been occurring all over the world to varying degrees over the past few decades. The French have always had a strong connection to agriculture, food, and the preservation of tradition, so organic …

Pacific Coast Producers: Picked And Canned At The Peak Of Ripeness, Alondra Bains, Brandon Hunt, Amanda Nichols, Xavier Rodriquez

Case Studies in Agribusiness

Pacific Coast Producers is a cooperative which processes, packs and ships tomatoes, peaches, pears and grapes. It started in 1971, when the bankruptcy of U.S. Products forced ten ranchers to look for a new outlet for their produce. They have since grown into a major co-packer, supplying over 5,000 labels for retailers across the U.S. As a California based packer, they face a number of issues, including environmental concerns, labor shortages and water supply reliability. However, their long-term outlook is positive

Future Fruits Mandred Acreage Projection, Kirstin Hodges, Joey Roedl, Tom Nichols, Matt Hyre

Case Studies in Agribusiness

Future Fruits, an agribusiness that leases fruits such as Lemora, Red Star Navel, Red Nules and the Mandared, is outlined, along with the career of Peter Alvitre, a serial entrepreneur. A key issue is how to promote and license the Mandared; in particular, how to control the supply of Mandared in order to maximize returns.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company: Pioneering Craft Beer In America, Connor Deck, Josh Heinicke, Michael Hoo, Bianca Ramirez

Case Studies in Agribusiness

No abstract provided.

Opolo Vineyards Sip Certification Analysis, Brett Champlin, Ashley Edwards, Megan Jonson, Sebastian Silveira

Case Studies in Agribusiness

The case explores what led Opolo Winery to become a Sustainability in Practice winery.

Opolo Vineyards Sip Certification Analysis, Brett Champlin, Ashley Edwards, Megan Jonson, Sebastian Silveira

Case Studies in Agribusiness

Opolo Vineyard decided to pursue a "Sustainability in Practice" certification for their winery operation. The process is discussed along with how Opolo plans to communicate what the certification means.

Feasibility Analysis Of A Hop Farm In Edna Valley, Ca, Brandon James Spreafico

Agribusiness

No abstract provided.

Agribusiness Department Recruitment Study, Zoe Alyssa Sanchez

Agribusiness

The Agribusiness (AGB) Department within the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) of California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) is interested in understanding why AGB freshmen are motivated to choose AGB as their major. Consequently, this recruitment study was undertaken to assist the Department in determining why freshmen chose AGB as their major. This study also attempts to assist the Department in understanding freshmen’s overall experience applying to Cal Poly and their perceptions related to agricultural business.

Two surveys were created and used to collect data on freshmen’s overall application experience and perceptions surrounding agricultural business. The collected …

Survey Research Of The Canned Craft Beer Industry, Scott Taylor Hogland

Agribusiness

This study on the canned craft beer industry was done to see whether or not a significant correlation between one’s age and their willingness to purchase craft beers in cans exists. Furthermore, it sets out to test how creating further consumer awareness highlighting the beneficial aspects of cans versus bottles could affect one’s purchasing decisions.

In order to test the hypothesis that millennials are more open to purchasing canned craft beer, the statistical analysis software SPSS has been utilized. Frequencies have been run on every survey question to obtain an analysis of the entire population. Chi-square variance tests and independence …

Practical Handling Skills During Road Transport Of Fattening Pigs From Farm To Slaughterhouse: A Brief Review, Bert Driessen, Ester Peeters, Jos Van Thielen, Sanne Van Beirendonck

Transport of Farm Animals Collection

The transport of fattening pigs is characterized by a strong human-animal interaction. Consequent handling is important because of animal welfare, meat quality and matching economic consequences. During road transport, human impact can be divided in different steps: 1) driving pigs from the pens via an alley to the trailer, 2) loading, 3) actual transport, 4) unloading to the lairage, and 5) the final phase driving pigs to the stunning. An inadequate design and a poor condition of the facilities will negatively affect the ease of handling pigs. Because of the consequences, acute stress during transport and slaughter should be minimized …

The Welfare Of Animals In The Chicken Industry

Agribusiness Reports

More than 8.5 billion chickens are slaughtered for meat production in the United States every year. Raised in industrial production systems, these animals experience crowded indoor confinement, unnatural lighting regimes, poor air quality, stressful handling and transportation, and inadequate stunning and slaughter procedures. Because they are selectively bred for rapid growth, broiler chickens are prone to a variety of severe skeletal and metabolic disorders that can cause suffering, pain, and even death. Broiler breeders, the parent birds of chickens raised for meat, are subjected to severe feed restriction, and males may undergo painful toe and beak amputations, performed without pain …

State Bred Event Days Effect On Attendance And On-Track Wagering In Comparison To Open Race Day Counterparts, Cynthia C. Gumber

Master's Theses

Since 1978 casino and gaming facilities in the United States have grown substantially. Drawing outside customers has helped to improve the local communities surrounding the gaming facilities. In a similar fashion, United States horse racing aims at increasing traffic and wagering at race tracks throughout the United States (but unlike casinos little expansion). Along with the fiscal impact to the United States, the horse racing industry has created thousands of jobs, and the industry is experiencing continual growth in nominal gross wagering. Many state’s have breeder programs that enhance purses and horses bred and raced in- state. The goal of …

Rugged Regulatory Landscapes, Singapore Management University

Perspectives@SMU

Indonesia’s miners are adept at scaling the country’s rugged regulatory landscape. But their legendary resilience may be put to the test in 2014. Written by Dharma Djojonegoro, President Director of Indonesian mining services provider PT Multi Nitrotama Kimia (MNK).

General Principles For The Welfare Of Animals In Production Systems: The Underlying Science And Its Application, David Fraser, Ian J.H. Duncan, Sandra A. Edwards, Temple Grandin, Neville G. Gregory, Vincent Guyonnet, Paul H. Hemsworth, Stella M. Huertas, Juliana M. Huzzey, David J. Mellor, Joy A. Mench, Marek Špinka, H. Rebecca Whay

Farm Animal Welfare Collection

In 2012, the World Organisation for Animal Health adopted 10 ‘General Principles for the Welfare of Animals in Livestock Production Systems’ to guide the development of animal welfare standards. The General Principles draw on half a century of scientific research relevant to animal welfare: (1) how genetic selection affects animal health, behaviour and temperament; (2) how the environment influences injuries and the transmission of diseases and parasites; (3) how the environment affects resting, movement and the performance of natural behaviour; (4) the management of groups to minimize conflict and allow positive social contact; (5) the effects of air quality, temperature …

Nonhuman Animal Rights, Alternative Food Systems, And The Non-Profit Industrial Complex, Corey Lee Wrenn

Farm Animal Welfare Collection

No abstract provided.

La Realidad De Comercio Justo: Una Investigación De Las Fallas Y Los Éxitos Del Sistema En El Valle De La Convención, Perú, Desde La Perspectiva De Los Productores, Katy Keisling

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Este informe es el producto de mi proyecto de investigación sobre el funcionamiento del Comercio Justo en el cultivo del café en el Valle de la Convención, Perú. El Comercio Justo fue creado hace 25 años con el objetivo de mejorar la vida del pequeño productor a través de un sistema de comercio que valora la democracia y pago justo. Ahora, muchos investigadores han estudiado el tema para analizar sus impactos – pero la mayoría de literatura existente sobre el tema falta la voz del productor. Por esta razón, ubico mi estudio en la perspectiva del pequeño productor. Utilizando la …

The Principles Of The Dry Bulk Ffa Market, Ron Wilson

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

No abstract provided.

The History Of Trial Gardens, Hallie Schmidt

Horticulture and Crop Science

Essay explores the history of home gardening and seed industry in America and the conditions that led to the development of the All-America Selections.

An Hsus Report: Industrial Farm Animal Production And Livestock Associated Mrsa (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus), The Humane Society Of The United States

Impact of Animal Agriculture

Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of bacterial infection and is increasingly found to be resistant to antibiotic therapy. A newly described type of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus carried by farm animals, Livestock Associated MRSA (LA-MRSA), is now causing infections in humans with and without direct livestock contact. A reduction in the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics in feed would likely reduce the capacity of industrial animal agriculture to continue to create, disseminate, and perpetuate a large reservoir of LA-MRSA on a global scale, but more fundamental changes in the way animals are raised for food may be necessary forestall a …

An Hsi Report: The Public Health Implications Of Intensive Farm Animal Production In South Asia, Humane Society International

HSI REPORTS

Intensive farm animal production (IFAP) is being increasingly implemented to meet the rising demand for animal source foods in South Asia. The siting of IFAP facilities in urban or peri-urban areas leads to large proximate animal populations, increasing human exposure to pollutants and pathogens. Improperly managed wastes from IFAP facilities and abattoirs can contaminate water with excess nutrients, pathogens, veterinary pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, heavy metals, and hormones, and can release ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, volatile organic compounds, bioaerosols, and particulate matter into the air compartment. The unregulated nature of IFAP in South Asia creates a risk for zoonotic transmission, including anthrax, brucellosis, …

Industrial Farm Animal Production And Livestock Associated Mrsa (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus)

Agribusiness Reports

Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of bacterial infection and is increasingly found to be resistant to antibiotic therapy. A newly described type of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus carried by farm animals, Livestock Associated MRSA (LA-MRSA), is now causing infections in humans with and without direct livestock contact. A reduction in the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics in feed would likely reduce the capacity of industrial animal agriculture to continue to create, disseminate, and perpetuate a large reservoir of LA-MRSA on a global scale, but more fundamental changes in the way animals are raised for food may be necessary forestall a …

The Public Health Implications Of Intensive Farm Animal Production In South Asia

Agribusiness Reports

Intensive farm animal production (IFAP) is being increasingly implemented to meet the rising demand for animal source foods in South Asia. The siting of IFAP facilities in urban or peri-urban areas leads to large proximate animal populations, increasing human exposure to pollutants and pathogens. Improperly managed wastes from IFAP facilities and abattoirs can contaminate water with excess nutrients, pathogens, veterinary pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, heavy metals, and hormones, and can release ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, volatile organic compounds, bioaerosols, and particulate matter into the air compartment. The unregulated nature of IFAP in South Asia creates a risk for zoonotic transmission, including anthrax, brucellosis, …

Exploring Income Supplementation For Farm Sustainability, Elizabeth P. Persson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sustainable farms are critical to United States’ food independence and they positively contribute to the global economy. Farms in the United States are not sustainable without profitable supplemental income. The purpose of this case study was to explore the historic profitability of farm income supplementation methods. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory served as the conceptual framework. A purposive sample of 25 farmers from 5 regions of the continental United States completed semistructured interviews and described their personal experiences. Archival supplemental income data came from the United States Department of Agriculture census. All the data were analyzed using coded keywords, phrases, …

The Dilemma Of Members Of Farmers’ Cooperatives After Liberalisation Of Domestic Coffee Marketing: The Case Of Moshi And Rombo Districts, Tanzania, David Gongwe Mhando Dgm, Shigela K. Ganja, Eliza Monyo

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The current economic and marketing reforms in Tanzania have not led to expected improvement in the productivity, incomes and overall livelihoods of coffee growers. Consequently, farmer’s cooperatives have been unable to satisfactorily provide the essential services to their members. This paper analyses the impact of market liberalisation to members of cooperatives. Data was collected by household surveys, FGD and interviews, whereby structured questionnaires and checklists were employed. The study found out that following market liberalisation, Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Societies (AMCOS) are disorganised and lack strong management. There is no substantial welfare improvement to AMCOS members due to the unpredictable pricing …

Feasibility Study For A Brewpub, John Galante, Daniel Price

Agribusiness

No abstract provided.

A Study To Determine The Agricultural Perceptions Of High School Students For The "I Love Farmers…They Feed My Soul!" Organization, Mindy N. Burris

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study is to identify a target market of the “I Love Farmers…They Feed My Soul!” (ILF) organization and establish marketing techniques for the organization. ILF is a non-profit organization committed to connecting the younger generations with information about agriculture and how food is produced.

This study thoroughly investigated the markets in three geographic areas throughout California. Surveys were administered to three high school’s English classes to gather data for analysis. The analysis identified the target market of the ILF organization and the associations between each target market and responses to questions regarding their agricultural knowledge, social …

A Cost Analysis Of The Addition Of An Onion Processing Line To Taylor Farms: Salinas, California, Garett Sabaska

Agribusiness

Taylor Farms has been one of the leading foodservice companies for the past 17 years. It is looking to expand its operations to include a line that would process red and yellow onions. To determine if this expansion would prove to be profitable, a projected budget for three scenarios was created. The scenarios were formulated to account for the “normal” base period, a “worst” case scenario, and a “best” case scenario. These three scenarios would account for periods where revenues and expenses were either higher or lower than the expected averages. The initial start-up costs as well as expenses of …

Grass-Fed Dairy Steer Enterprise Analysis For Alexandre Family Ecodairy Farms, Joseph Jackson Alexandre

Agribusiness

Alexandre Family EcoDairy Farms (AFEF) is a family dairy farm, producing organic milk in northern California. In the last decade, AFEF has been expanding in value added natural food enterprises, including pastured free-range eggs, pastured pork and grass-fed beef.

This study focuses on the analysis of an organic grass-fed ground beef from dairy-beef cross steers coming from AFEF. The grass fed beef enterprise was analyzed by adopting a UC Davis cost and returns study, modifying it to AFEF production limitations and conditions. Through partial budgeting analysis, opportunity costs were discovered leading to breakeven prices for the final grass fed ground …