Agribusiness Commons^™

Shade Management In Subtropical Environment For Milk Yield And Composition In Holstein And Jersey Cows, R. J. Collier, R. M. Eley, A. K. Sharma, R. M. Pereira, D. E. Buffington

Management and Monitoring of Farm Animals Collection

Forty-eight cows were assigned randomly to shade (15 Holsteins, 8 Jerseys) or no shade (16 Holsteins, 9 Jerseys) for 102 days beginning 12 June 1977 to examine effects of solar heat load on milk yield and composition. Rectal temperatures, respiration rates, and rumen contractions/min were monitored between 1200 and 1700 h on 20 randomly selected days. Morning and evening milk weights were recorded daily. Once weekly, morning and evening milk samples were collected from each cow and analyzed for fat, protein, acidity, freezing point depression, and somatic cell number. Black Globe temperature, rectal temperature, and respiration rate were elevated in …

Projecting Regional Market Shares For Selected Florida Fresh Market Vegetables, Wayne H. Howard, Arden W. Colette

Agribusiness

Growers of tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants and green peppers in Florida have exhibited concern about their market share in the U.S. winter fresh vegetable market. Several studies have looked at the affects of changes in tariffs and Market Orders on Florida's market share from 1962-1979 using regression and time-series analysis. Florida produce dominates the market in the eastern regions during the winter and spring season. Even though the market shares fluctuate, Florida has historically had a smaller share. The market shares have stabilized after the shocks. Forecast market shares, based on the time-series models, show Florida's producers maintaining their dominance in …

Farm Animal Welfare: Some Economic Considerations, Frances Turner, John Strak

Agribusiness Collection

Farmers, just like other businessmen, attempt to produce a saleable product at the least possible cost to themselves. In this way they hope to assure themselves of some profit, and hence to earn a living. In itself this profit motive cannot be criticized, but in attempting to maintain their profits, farmers have adopted more intensive systems of animal production. In turn, the benefits from farmers using these new techniques have accrued to consumers in the form of relatively less expensive food. Clearly, by restricting the use of factory farming methods (which are associated with lower unit costs of production) there …

Farm Animal Welfare: Some Opinions, Michael W. Fox

Agribusiness Collection

The subject of farm animal welfare has evoked a wide range of responses from those involved in the livestock industry and those concerned about the humaneness of intensive husbandry farming practices. Books have been published on the subject as well as a large number of articles in professional and popular magazines. Three international symposia dealing with animal rights have been held in the last two years and a major European conference dealing with farm animal welfare and involving veterinarians, farmers, animal scientists and animal welfare groups was held in Amsterdam in 1979.

In the U.K., a governmental Farm Animal Welfare …

Euthanasia Of Day-Old Male Chicks In The Poultry Industry, Walter Jaksch

Agribusiness Collection

Humane killing of animals implies a painless death (euthanasia). This depends on the rapidity with which unconsciousness is achieved and the maintenance of this state until death occurs. Euthanasia methods for day-old chicks must also be economical and should not interfere with the use of the carcasses for animal food or fertilizer. Manual decapitation or dislocation of the neck are the best available manual methods of euthanasia. For larger numbers of birds, the literature recommends homogenization in a crusher. In the author's own experiments, the destruction of day-old chicks was most effectively carried out by poisoning with carbon dioxide (CO …

One Answer To The Confinement Pig Problem, Arthur Nehring

Human Health Collection

A new design for an intensive hog finishing operation is presented. The "maze deconfinement" system consists of a series of 4-walled concrete pens arranged in a T-maze within a confinement building that is designed to utilize solar energy. In addition to low cost and efficient use of energy, the system has the following advantages: higher feed conversion rate; less fighting among and injuries to hogs; some freedom for hogs to exercise and explore; decreased labor. The system has been in use on the author's farm since the end of 1976.

Productivity And Farm Animal Welfare, Michael W. Fox

Agribusiness Collection

In the search for and debate over objective indices of farm animal welfare, productivity is regarded by many animal scientists and others in the livestock industry as the most reliable measure of an animal's overall well-being and adaptability. On the surface, this would seem to be so, as productivity--in terms of growth rate, milk yield, feed-conversion and egg production--can be easily quantified. However, there are serious flaws in this assumption.

Behavior And Weight Loss Of Feeder Calves In A Railcar Modified For Feeding And Watering In Transit, T. H. Friend, M. R. Irwin, A. J. Sharp, B. H. Ashby, G. B. Thompson, W. A. Bailey

Agribusiness Collection

The behavior of 164kg Angus and Hereford calves was studied in a double deck 26m x 2.6m "jumbo" railcar equipped with feed and water. A 4,180 liter water tank positioned in the center of each deck divided the car into four compartments. Fifty head were loaded into the lower and upper forward compartment (252kg/m²floor space], each containing 675kg of hay in racks. The two rear compartments served as quarters for equipment and researchers. Two video cameras were mounted in the upper forward compartment containing calves. Behavior of the calves was monitored, with portions video taped during rail transport …

Ord River Irrigation Area - Potential For A Sugar Cane Industry In Western Australia, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Farm Systems and Economics published reports

The Ord River Irrigation Area is in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia, 3,200 kms from Perth, the State’s Capital City.

The area is located in the arid tropics with a climate suitable for high plant growth rates provided water supply is adequate.

With only 12,000 ha of land developed out of a potential 72,000 ha of clay soils the area has the potential for further development of a major irrigated agricultural enterprise.

The Ord River Irrigation Project has been developed for commercial agriculture following the construction of a diversion dam in 1963, and a major dam in 1974, The …

Problems With Kosher Slaughter, Temple Grandin

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

Ritual slaughter to produce kosher meat is rooted in the teachings and writings of the Talmud. However, the preslaughter handling features of modern systems, particularly the shackling and hoisting of large steers, contravene the basic message of humaneness included in the teachings. The throat-cutting of a live, conscious animal is relatively pain-free, provided that certain precautions are followed, but U.S. kosher plants need to install newly developed conveyor-restrainer systems to eliminate the abuses of shackling and hoisting. Conveyor-restrainer systems for large and small animals are discussed.

Growth And Survival Of Nebraska Panhandle Wheat Farms Under Selected Financial Conditions, Larry J. Held, Glenn A. Helmers

Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station: Historical Research Bulletins

Simulation was used to analyze impact of land expansion alternatives, self-imposed borrowing limits, starting equity conditions, and land appreciation upon a firm concurrently seeking growth and survival over a projected 15-year period (1976-1990). An average-sized 960-acre (389 ha) Nebraska Panhandle wheat-fallow farm served as the representative firm. Standard production practices and technologies were used for computing costs. Machinery and operating costs were assumed to inflate five percent annually. Dryland wheat acreage was valued at $375 per acre ($926.63 per ha) in 1976 and was allowed to appreciate at an annual rate of four percent. A hypothetical series of three cyclical …

The Effect Of Stress On Livestock And Meat Quality Prior To And During Slaughter, Temple Grandin

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

The effects of stress on cattle, pigs and sheep prior to slaughter are reviewed. Long-term preslaughter stress, such as fighting, cold weather, fasting and transit, which occurs 12 to 48 hours prior to slaughter depletes muscle glycogen, resulting in meat which has a higher pH, darker color, and is drier. Short-term acute stress, such as excitement or fighting immediately prior to slaughter, produced lactic acid from the breakdown of glycogen. This results in meat which has a lower pH, lighter color, reduced water binding capacity, and is possibly tougher. Psychological stressors, such as excitement and fighting, will often have a …

The Beef Delivery System: Optimal Plant Sizes, Locations And Product Flows, J. C. Hafer, J. G. Kendrick

Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station: Historical Research Bulletins

The United States beef delivery system is composed of three stages: procurement, processing, and distribution. Minimization of costs associated with these stages can be accomplished best by identification of optimal plant sizes and locations. Research was directed toward an analytical approach that could be used to minimize total costs of the U.S. beef delivery system. This report will discuss the grid system used to divide the · United States into study units, describe features of the model used, discuss research results, and offer conclusions.

Ranching In Western North Dakota, 1887-1920, Scott R. Neevel

Theses and Dissertations

Several historians have dealt with the topic of ranching in the American West, but generally they have presented a broad overview of what took place over the entire western United States. Those who have dealt with ranching in western North Dakota generally have covered the early 1880s, but they have used the calamitous winter of 1886-1887 as a stopping point.

The period from 1887 on through the first two decades of the twentieth century was an era marked by recovery of the stock industry, the change from open to closed range, and the change from the old open range methods …

Optimal Regional Conjunctive Water Management, Jay E. Noel, Delworth B. Gardner, Charles V. Moore

Agribusiness

An optimal control model is used to determine the socially optimal spatial and temporal allocation of groundwater and surface water among agricultural and urban uses. The control model is described briefly and its advantages over other dynamic models are enumerated. Optimal rates of groundwater pumpage over the planning horizon were highly sensitive to increasing energy costs. Groundwater basins are shown to react differently to alternative economic and hydrological parameters. In a dynamic setting, a policy of pump taxes was shown empirically to be superior to pro-rata quotas and uncontrolled pumpage.

Sheep Mulesing And Animal Lib, Nancy Heneson

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

The practice of mulesing sheep to prevent blowfly strike has recently come under fire from the Animal Liberation movement in Australia. Although it is only one of the many issues which Animal Lib has raised in its campaign to reform various sectors of the livestock industry, it is particularly illustrative of the kinds of conflicts in world view which arise when animal rights activists turn the spotlight on the farming establishment. Spokesmen for the livestock industries are quick to stress the emotional and sometimes sensational portrayal by Animal Libbers of time-honored animal management practices, as well as the sinister role …

Definition Of The Concept Of ''Humane Treatment" In Relation To Food And Laboratory Animals, Bernard E. Rollin

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

The very title of this talk makes a suggestion which must be forestalled, namely the idea that laboratory and food animals enjoy some exceptional moral status by virtue of the fact that we use them. In fact, it is extremely difficult to find any morally relevant grounds for distinguishing between food and laboratory animals and other animals and, far more dramatically, between animals and humans. The same conditions which require that we apply moral categories to humans rationally require that we apply them to animals as well. While it is obviously pragmatically impossible in our current sociocultural setting to expect …

Mechanical, Electrical And Anesthetic Stunning Methods For Livestock, Temple Grandin

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

A good stunning method must render an animal unable to experience pain and sensation prior to hoisting and slaughter. The three basic types of stunning methods which are classified as being humane (i.e., pain less) in the United States, Europe and other foreign countries are captive bolt (penetrating and nonpenetrating), electrical, and CO₂ (carbon dioxide) gas anesthesia.

The physiological mechanisms of stress are the same before and after the onset of unconsciousness. The release of epinephrine as a result of stress inducers has an effect on the quality of the meat and it is therefore desirable to use a …

Farm, Ranch And Home Quarterly Institute Of Agriculture And Natural Resources, University Of Nebraska- Lincoln

Farm, Ranch and Home Quarterly

In this issue:

Facilities, Staff Benefit State......................... 2

Questions and Answers On Divorce....................... 3

Hassle-Free Guide to a Better Diet-Five Groups Aid in Wise Food Choices....................... 7

Enders Reservoir-Inflow Decline Poses Problem................ 8

Research Digest............................. 10

WEEDS-Identification Aids in Control ................... 12

1920-1980-60 Years of Tractor Testing ................... 14

Waste Recycling-A' Mountain' of Resources for Soil Improvement...................................... 18

Curriculum-Decision Making in Education........................ 22

New Directions in Research .............................. 24

Designs And Specifications For Livestock Handling Equipment In Slaughter Plants, Temple Grandin

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

Properly designed, maintained and operated livestock handling facilities are more humane and more efficient in ensuring a steady uninterrupted flow of livestock to the slaughter line, and will usually pay for themselves by reducing bruises, injuries and lost work time. Down time or lost work time in a large slaughter plant is expensive since a five minute delay can cost over $500 in lost meat production. Another benefit of good systems is increased safety for the employees; many serious accidents have occurred when agitated cattle turn and trample a handler.

Although specific recommendations vary for different species, certain general principles …

Farm, Ranch And Home Quarterly Institute Of Agriculture And Natural Resources, University Of Nebraska- Lincoln

Farm, Ranch and Home Quarterly

In this issue:

IANR Energy Concerns..................... 2

Rust, Leaf Spot- Winter Wheat's Costly Foe..................... 3

The Swift Fox- An Endangered Species.................... 6

The Role of Women in Public Affairs..................... 8

Soybean Applicators- New Weapons Against Weeds................ 10

Close-up- Roller Herbicide Applicator................... 12

Research Digest.................. 14

Human Development and the Family- A Career to Touch All Ages, Areas of Family Life................... 16

Land Use- Nebraska's Changing Profile..................... 18

Energy Management- Best Weapons Against Rising Fuel Costs...................... 22

Emergency Feed Grain Storage For New England, William J. Hanekamp, Stanley K. Seaver

Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station

No abstract provided.

Economic Appraisal Of Water Transportation Of Feed Grain To New England, An, John Barton, Stanley K. Seaver, William J. Hanekamp

Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station

No abstract provided.

Bruises And Carcass Damage, Temple Grandin

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

Bruising and carcass damage is a major source of financial loss to slaughterhouses in the United States, approximately $46 million per annum. The absence of easily administered tests to determine where and/or when bruising occurs results in the slaughter plant absorbing carcass damage costs. Rough, abusive handling of livestock accounts for over half of all bruising. Injuries occur through overuse of persuaders, careless transport methods, and faulty equipment. Other elements relevant to carcass loss include branding cattle, abscesses, spreader and crippling injuries, sickness and death during extreme weather conditions, and carcass shrink. The 1979 regulations under the Humane Methods of …

Farm Prospects 80 Conference Proceedings, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

All other publications

Contents

Rural industry prospects in 1980 - Brian Martin Economist Western Australian Department of Agriculture

1980 Wool outlook -I. Longson Economist Department of Agriculture

Sheep and sheep meat prices in 1980 - T. Eastwood Manager Wesfarmers Meat Operations

Piglook '80' D. Stewart J.C. Hutton Pty Ltd

Prospects for improving pig production - Norm Godfrey Senior Research Officer Pig Husbandry Branch Western Australian Department of Agriculture

Prospects for wheat - C.T. Mann President Australian Wheat Growers Federation

Grains - long term prospects - G.L. Miller Director Bureau of Agricultural Economics

The Involvement Of The Farm Animal Veterinarian In Animal Welfare, David G. Llewellyn

Veterinary Science and Medicine Collection

The farm animal practitioner has always played a dual role. The primary role is humanitarian, concerned with the well-being of the livestock, and the secondary role relates to the economics of the enterprise.

Livestock Behavior As Related To Handling Facilities Design, Temple Grandin

Agribusiness Collection

A knowledge of the behavior of different species of livestock as well as different breeds within a particular species is essential to the proper planning of a handling facility. An optimal facility should incorporate features which minimize stress on the animal and maximize the efficiency of movement from holding pen to slaughter area. Handler awareness of the animals' perception of critical distance flight zone and personal space requirements also reduces problems with balking and alarm behavior. Many improvements can be made with relative ease, thus enabling already existing facilities to upgrade their operations.

Bruises And Carcass Damage, Temple Grandin

Agribusiness Collection

Bruising and carcass damage is a major source of financial loss to slaughterhouses in the United States, approximately $46 million per annum. The absence of easily administered tests to determine where and/or when bruising occurs results in the slaughter plant absorbing carcass damage costs. Rough, abusive handling of livestock accounts for over half of all bruising. Injuries occur through overuse of persuaders, careless transport methods, and faulty equipment. Other elements relevant to carcass loss include branding cattle, abscesses, spreader and crippling injuries, sickness and death during extreme weather conditions, and carcass shrink. The 1979 regulations under the Humane Methods of …

Designs And Specifications For Livestock Handling Equipment In Slaughter Plants, Temple Grandin

Agribusiness Collection

Properly designed, maintained and operated livestock handling facilities are more humane and more efficient in ensuring a steady uninterrupted flow of livestock to the slaughter line, and will usually pay for themselves by reducing bruises, injuries and lost work time. Down time or lost work time in a large slaughter plant is expensive since a five minute delay can cost over $500 in lost meat production. Another benefit of good systems is increased safety for the employees; many serious accidents have occurred when agitated cattle turn and trample a handler.

Although specific recommendations vary for different species, certain general principles …

Mechanical, Electrical And Anesthetic Stunning Methods For Livestock, Temple Grandin

Agribusiness Collection

A good stunning method must render an animal unable to experience pain and sensation prior to hoisting and slaughter. The three basic types of stunning methods which are classified as being humane (i.e., painless) in the United States, Europe and other foreign countries are captive bolt (penetrating and nonpenetrating), electrical, and C02 (carbon dioxide) gas anesthesia.

The physiological mechanisms of stress are the same before and after the onset of unconsciousness. The release of epinephrine as a result of stress inducers has an effect on the quality of the meat and it is therefore desirable to use a stunning method …