Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Farm management'
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1
Dunaway, Tarrah M. "Farm Financial Performance of Kentucky Farms." UKnowledge, 2013. http://uknowledge.uky.edu/agecon_etds/13.
Abstract:
This study examines farm financial performance of Kentucky farms using Kentucky Farm Business Management data from 1998-2010. Logit models are used to estimate the likelihood of farm characteristics affecting whether financial ratios fall into critical zones or not. The results show that large farms in terms of total gross returns and total assets are less likely to experience repayment capacity problems. Total gross returns significantly affect all five financial measures. These findings will help farmers and lenders understand what factors influence farm financial performance. Profitability migration is tested to see if the migration probabilities differ across business cycles. Migration drift is also tested to determine if the Markov property of independence is violated. Results show substantial retention in return on equity (ROE) performance over time, and a tendency for trend-reversal if ROE changes occur. Results are compared to previous literature using ARMS data and Illinois FBFM.
2
Vaddella, Venkata Kumar. "Ammonia emissions management and modeling from storages of dairy manure." Pullman, Wash. : Washington State University, 2010. http://www.dissertations.wsu.edu/Dissertations/Spring2010/V_Vaddella_1030810.pdf.
3
Elshami, Omar Mohd Eltom. "A management information system for farm machinery management." Thesis, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, 1994. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.240836.
4
Holland, Cody. "Labor standards and efficiency estimation of farms in the Kansas Farm Management Association." Thesis, Kansas State University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/13607.
Abstract:
Master of ScienceDepartment of Agricultural Economics
Michael Langemeier
The objectives of this thesis are to examine the labor requirements of Kansas crop and livestock enterprises and farms and the connection between labor efficiency and productivity, and other important farm characteristics including farm size and type. The derived labor requirements are compared to current KFMA labor requirements. Enterprise summary reports and a five year whole-farm panel data set from 1,016 Kansas Farm Management Association (KFMA) farms are used in the analysis. Whole-farm labor requirements are computed with and without an adjustment for managerial and overhead cost. Individual regressions will be estimated to determine the effects that farm size, type, region and profit margin have on labor requirements. The estimation results suggest that many of the current labor requirements still in use are accurate. However, there are enterprises with labor requirements that need updating. When the newly estimated requirements are compared to the previous KFMA requirements, 14 enterprises have lower labor requirements. Irrigated alfalfa showed the greatest decrease in labor required when compared to the previous standard, decreasing from 3.85 hrs/acre to 1.70 hrs/acre. Regression estimation results indicated that whole farm labor standards that were corrected for un-allocated overhead and managerial costs appear to be a more accurate representation of farm labor requirements.
5
Osborne, William A. "IMPROVING FARM MANAGEMENT DECISIONS BY ANALYZING PRODUCTION EXPENDITURE ALLOCATIONS AND FARM PERFORMANCE STANDING." UKnowledge, 2013. http://uknowledge.uky.edu/agecon_etds/20.
Abstract:
This study examines the potential effects of categorical increases in production expenditures on farm income performance according to farm standing. The objective of this study is to expose differences in anticipated net farm income return from production expenditure investments and the optimal expense allocation strategy for each performance level. Studying farm performance through segregation by utilizing a two-tier analysis and quantile regression acknowledges the possibility that managerial strategy can differ based on managerial ability. Study outcomes are useful to farm managers because they offer more prescription style results and interpretations than found in other farm performance studies. Study findings show that as managerial proficiency increases so does a manager’s ability to extract higher returns from additional expenditures in certain input categories. Additionally, better managers are able to produce higher returns from more investment sources than their lower performing peers. Overall, study results and interpretations point to the importance of farm management ability as the key input for improving farm performance.
6
Jette-Nantel, Simon. "Implications of Off-Farm Income for Farm Income Stabilization Policies." UKnowledge, 2013. http://uknowledge.uky.edu/agecon_etds/15.
Abstract:
This dissertation examines to what extent off-farm diversification may be an appropriate and accessible tool to mitigate the adverse effects from market failures and incompleteness in the crop and farm income insurance market. While the influence of the nonfarm sector has long been recognized as a primary force in shaping farm structure, off-farm income is rarely acknowledge as a risk management tool for operators and households of commercial farms. The dissertation develops a dynamic model that includes capital market imperfections, economies of scale in farm production, and the presence of adjustment costs in labor allocation decisions. The model provides a realistic characterization of the environment defining income and financial risks faced by farm operators, as well as the risk management alternatives available to them.
It is found that introducing off-farm labor can substantially mitigate the adverse effects of farm income risk on farm operators' and households' welfare, even for larger commercial farms. However, the diversification of labor by the main operator seems to impose labor and managerial constraints that can reduce the intensity and technical efficiency of the farm production. Alternatively, diversification at the household level through the allocation of spousal labor off the farm provides benefits in mitigating the adverse effects of farm income risk on farm production and efficiency, and on operators and households welfare. It thus provides an efficient risk management alternative that is consistent with most rationales that are invoked to justify farm policies.
Results suggest that the increasing incidence and importance of off-farm income within the farm population of most OECD countries is highly relevant in the design of effective farm policies This form of diversification can reduce the need and effectiveness of farm income stabilization polices. While it has been argued elsewhere that broader economic policies had a large influence in closing the income gap between farm and urban households, such policies may also have a role to play in addressing farm income risk issues and, in some cases, may represent more sustainable and efficient policy alternatives.
7
Gedikoglu, Haluk McCann Laura. "Adoption of nutrient management practices." Diss., Columbia, Mo. : University of Missouri--Columbia, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10355/6614.
Abstract:
Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on March 17, 2010). The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file. Thesis advisor: Dr. Laura McCann. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.
8
Shaban, Mohammed Z. "On-Farm Water Management Game With Heuristic Capabilities." DigitalCommons@USU, 2012. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/1255.
Abstract:
A modern computer-based simulation tool (WaterMan) in the form of a game for on-farm water management was developed for application in training events for farmers, students, and irrigators. The WaterMan game utilizes an interactive framework, thereby allowing the user to develop scenarios and test alternatives in a convenient, risk-free environment. It includes a comprehensive soil water and salt balance calculation algorithm. It also employs heuristic capabilities for modeling all of the important aspects of on-farm water management, and to provide reasonable scores and advice to the trainees.
Random events (both favorable and unfavorable) and different strategic decisions are included in the game for more realism and to provide an appropriate level of challenge according to player performance. Thus, the ability to anticipate the player skill level, and to reply with random events appropriate to the anticipated level, is provided by the heuristic capabilities used in the software. These heuristic features were developed based on a combination of two artificial intelligence approaches: (1) a pattern recognition approach; and (2) reinforcement learning based on a Markov Decision Processes approach, specifically, the Q-learning method. These two approaches were combined in a new way to account for the difference in the effect of actions taken by the player and action taken by the system on the game world. The reward function for the Q-learning method was modified to reflect the anticipated type of the WaterMan game as what is referred to as a partially competitive and partially cooperative game.
Twenty-two different persons classified under three major categories (1) practicing farmers; (2) persons without an irrigation background; and (3) persons with an irrigation background, were observed while playing the game, and each of them filled out a questionnaire about the game. The technical module of the game was validated in two ways: through conducting mass balance calculations for soil water content and salt content over a period of simulation time, and through comparing the WaterMan technical module output data in calculating the irrigation requirements and the use of irrigation scheduling recommendations with those obtained from the same set of input data to the FAO CropWat 8 software. The testing results and the technical validation outcomes demonstrate the high performance of the WaterMan game as a heuristic training tool for on-farm water management.
9
Gauthier, Laurent. "Development and use of a database and program package for farm production management." Thesis, McGill University, 1986. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=74030.
10
Petersen, Nicole Jade. "Estimating farm dam storage using SPOT imagery." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11341.
Abstract:
Includes abstract.Includes bibliographical references.
The objective of this study is to establish a methodology in which remote sensing can be used to support the monitoring of water resources. SPOT XS imagery and object-oriented classification was used to identify farm dams and their surface area. Two equations applied to determining the capacity of dams were used to convert surface area to volume. The results showed a similarity between fieldwork and object-oriented classification data for surface area. Overall, there appears to be a strong positive correlation between object-oriented classification and unsupervised classification. The correlation between object-oriented classification and supervised classification ranged from strong positive association to little or no association. This study concludes that remote sensing is a useful tool in identifying water bodies and generating an estimate of volume stored.
11
Stewart, Brittany Allison. "The Impact of Feed Management Software on Whole-Farm Nutrient Balance on Virginia Dairy Farms." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/42718.
Abstract:
Agricultural runoff is the largest source of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution entering the Chesapeake Bay, contributing 38% of nitrogen and 45% of phosphorus (USEPA, 2010). Since agricultural runoff is the number one contributing source of nitrogen and phosphorus entering the Chesapeake Bay, action needs to be taken to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus on agriculture production facilities, such as dairy farms. The impact of feed management software on whole-farm nutrient balance was studied on 18 dairy farms located in Virginia from 2006 to 2010. Nine farms began using the TMR Tracker feed management software in 2006 and were compared to 9 control farms not using feed management software. Each of the treatment farms were visited on a monthly basis to collect ration and feed ingredient samples and feed management data. Whole-farm nutrient balance was calculated using University of Nebraska software. Herd sizes and crop hectares averaged 314 and 366 for treatment and 298 and 261 for control farms. Milk production averaged 3,226 and 2,650 tonnes per year respectively. Measures of surplus (input-output) and use efficiency (input/output) for nitrogen and phosphorus were analyzed over a four year time span and did not differ between treatment and control farms whether expressed on a per farms, cow or hectare basis. Due to the large variation in feeding accuracy within farms, the use of feed management software did not influence whole-farm nutrient balance. Sources of variation that contributed to loading errors were investigated within the feed management data. Percent load deviation increased over time from 2007 to 2009 from 0.94 ± 0.53 to 2.37 ± 0.50 percent of the actual load weight. Effects of month, day of the week and time of day on percent load deviation were not significant. There was no effect of percent load deviation on milk production. No relationship was observed between percent load deviation and whole-farm nutrient balance.Master of Science
12
Smithers, Cindy. "Crop insurance and farm management of weather-related risks." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1999. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp01/MQ35933.pdf.
13
Long, Sally. "Evaluating farm management strategy using sensitivity and stochastic analysis." Thesis, Kansas State University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/19756.
Abstract:
Master of AgribusinessDepartment of Agricultural Economics
Jason Bergtold
The dramatic changes that have taken place in the production agriculture industry in the last decade have the Long Family Partnership wanting to reassess their farm land management strategy. As land owners, they feel as though they might be missing out on profit opportunity by continuing their current lease agreements as status quo. The objective of this research is to determine the optimal land management strategy for the Partnership farm that maximizes net returns for crop production, but also taking into account input costs and risk. Three scenarios were built: (1) a Base Case of the current share-crop and cash lease Agreements; (2) the possibility of farming their own irrigated farm land and continuing to cash lease land used to produce dryland wheat; and (3) deciding to farm all the irrigated and dry land farm acreage themselves. In order to do this, a whole-farm budget spreadsheet model was generated to assess alternative land management scenarios. The difference in net returns between alternative land rental scenarios were then compared and followed by a sensitivity analysis and stochastic analysis using @RISK software. The findings concluded that there was greater potential to increase net farm income while still conservatively managing risk by investing into their own farm land, as not only owners but also as operators. The stochastic and sensitivity analysis confirmed that farming their own land was more sensitive to changes in yields, prices and input expenses. However, even in consideration of the additional risk, the probability of increasing net farm income was greater for the scenarios in which they farmed their own land.
14
Victoria, Vanessa Francesca Villanueva. "Impacts of Best Management Practices on Farm Financial Performance." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/36192.
Abstract:
A rapidly changing global agribusiness environment creates a challenge for commercially oriented agricultural producers to improve business acumen through strategy development and execution. A best management practice is broadly defined as a practice that is considered to be most effective in improving business performance.
This study examined the relationship of financial leverage and management practices with financial performance on a group of Minnesota and Northwest farms. Management practices were classified into seven broad categories of management, namely strategic planning, financial management, networking, marketing, technology adoption, family relationship and human resources management.
Using multiple regression analysis on 242 observations, the effects of financial leverage and management practices on revenues and profits were determined. While the relationship of best management practices with profitability is less conclusive, this study concludes statistically significant relationships between management practices and financial performance, measured in terms of revenues. There exist positive and statistically significant returns to business planning, transition management, customer management and family relationship management.Master of Science
15
Mashazhu, Mabasa. "Waste farm: a productive landscape for integrated waste management." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/28251.
Abstract:
In 2010 the city of Cape Town partnered with the Department of Environmental Affairs to initiate a project to investigate and evaluate the possible re-opening and licensing of Historic and Old landfill sites. The project to reassess these landfill sites is due to the fact that the three main operating landfill sites in Cape Town are nearing capacity. This calls for the city to re-imagine its waste management infrastructure. Meanwhile, within the urban areas of Cape Town, there exists a network and constellations of informal waste pickers working in conjunction with buy-back centres and recyclers to form an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable solution that diverts volumes of recyclable waste from landfills. These informal waste pickers contribute to filling in a gap within the formal recycling system but there is no infrastructure supporting these individuals on whom the formal recycling industry depends on. Most of the waste pickers sleep 'on the streets' with little access to amenities such as water, toilets and washing facilities. The spaces they occupy/sleep make it hard to store their pickings and hence they are forced to sell as soon as they collect. It also forces them to make multiple trips to the buy-back centres whom they are always at the mercy of, particularly when the ever changing price of recyclable waste is low. This project aims at creating a productive landscape that uses waste as a vehicle to enhance the livelihoods of informal waste pickers and encourage local communities to see the economic and environmental value of recycling waste. By providing secure storage and sorting, safe/hygienic sleeping and cleaning spaces coupled with social and productive areas; the project seeks to unlock the potential of recycling using a suitable architectural intervention that is self-sustaining.
16
Nguyen, Cao Nam. "Farming risks in the Upper Eyre Peninsula : AGRIC 7010 Project C (ANR) (one semester)." Title page, table of contents and abstract only, 2002. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09AGM/09agmn5764.pdf.
Abstract:
"November 2002." Bibliography: leaves 73-80. Identifies main sources of farming risk in the Upper Eyre Peninsula as climate variability and financial risk. Finds that farmers manage risk by having high equity and off-farm investment, using gross margin analysis, having farm management deposits, diversifying varieties, minimizing tillage, relying on experts for grain marketing and keeping stock for high price periods.
17
Newkirk, Kevin J. "Financial performance comparison for ABC Farm." Thesis, Kansas State University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/19692.
Abstract:
Master of AgribusinessDepartment of Agricultural Economics
Michael Langemeier
This thesis had two objectives. One objective was to compare one northeast Kansas farm's financial performance from 2002 through 2011 to various groups of farms participating in the Kansas Farm Management Association (KFMA) during the same period. The second objective was to compare the crop acreage growth trends of the same northeast Kansas farm from 2002 through 2011 to the same groups of farms participating in the KFMA. In this thesis the northeast Kansas farm was referred to as ABC Farm. The purpose of this thesis was to provide ABC Farm's owners and management with information that could be used to formulate long-term goals for ABC Farm and to help identify strategies for achieving those goals. ABC Farm's 10-year financial performance was compared to six different KFMA member groups using 12 different financial measures or ratios. The KFMA groups included all NE region farms, NE region farms in the highest value of farm production (VFP) category, STATE irrigated crop farms, NE region farms in the highest net farm income quartile, NE region farms in the highest crop acreage category, and NE region farms in the lowest adjusted total expense ratio quartile. The 12 financial measures or ratios included VFP, net farm income, adjusted total expense ratio, operating profit margin ratio, asset turnover ratio, percent return on assets, VFP per worker, total crop acres farmed, crop machinery investment per crop acre, crop machinery cost per crop acre, current ratio, and debt to asset ratio. ABC Farm's 10-year average financial performance was better than the 10-year average of any KFMA group for most financial measures. ABC Farm's VFP, net farm income, operating profit margin ratio, VFP per worker, total crop acres, and current ratio were all higher than any KFMA group. ABC Farm's adjusted total expense ratio, crop machinery cost per crop acre, and debt to asset ratio were also lower than those of the various KFMA groups compared to. ABC Farm did not compare favorably to other KFMA groups for some of the financial measures. ABC Farm's average crop machinery investment per crop acre was higher than every group. ABC Farm's average asset turnover ratio was lower than every group. ABC Farm's average return on assets was lower than all but one group, all NE region farms.
18
Hansson, Helena. "Driving and restraining forces for economic and technical efficiency in dairy farms : what are the effects of technology and management? /." Uppsala : Dept. of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 2007. http://epsilon.slu.se/2007108.pdf.
19
Bell, Suzanna. "The influence of farm management factors on localized Culicoides species on a lowland farm in South-West England." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/27120.
Abstract:
A survey of the localised distribution of Culicoides obsoletus and Culicoides pulicaris was performed on a dairy and sheep farm in south-west England. Culicoides obsoletus and C. pulicaris have both been confirmed as vector species for the transmission of bluetongue virus in Europe. Sampling was done using motorised black-light suction insect traps. Seventeen traps were set around the farmyard and animal housing and five traps were set in varying pasture locations. Sampling was carried out on eight occasions between mid-September and mid-October 2008. The trapped Culicoides were counted, speciated, sexed and the reproductive stages of the females were recorded. Culicoides obsoletus, C. chiopterus, C. scoticus, C. dewulfi and C. pulicaris (group) were identified during the study. The trap sites were selected to examine the Culicoides populations associated with a wide range of microclimates. The selected sites included manure stores; forage feed stores; yard areas and sites surrounding as well as inside the animal housing. Comparisons were made between Culicoides numbers trapped from different directional sides of the animal buildings and the numbers found inside compared to numbers found outside the buildings. Culicoides numbers collected from the animal areas were compared to the non-animal areas and to the manure and forage sites. The field sites consisted of a marsh area; stream; water trough; open field site and a group of trees in a hedge field boundary. Culiccompared catch sizes from the field trap sites were compared to each other and to the farm holding sites. The highest number of Culicoides trapped were at the farm holding sites, apart from one catch on one occasion from a single field site. Weather changes, particularly high wind speeds with direction changes appeared to reduce the catch sizes during some of the trapping occasions. A greater number of C. obsoletus were collected from both the farm and field sites although a higher relative proportion of C. pulicaris was collected from the field sites. Of the C. obsoletus group, C. dewulfi was only found in farm holding catches, not at any of the field sites. The remaining three sibling species were found in both the farm and field catches. Relatively high numbers of Culicoides were found within the animal housing, with external numbers apparently influencing those found within the housing. An increase in numbers of Culicoides trapped inside the buildings may have been associated with a small shed size and possibly with straw bedding. A relative shift in the Culicoides population into the buildings appeared associated with prolonged high wind speeds. Widely varying female life stages found at all of the farm trap sites suggested possible dispersal of the Culicoides populations between these sites. Populations appeared to remain localised around the farm holding, but possibly dispersed over greater distances from the pasture locations. A wide distribution of breeding sites was suspected around the farm holding. A ranking system was used to identify specific areas associated with increased numbers of female Culicoides collected from these sites. Three sites surrounding a straw bedded cow shed were highlighted as higher risk Culicoides exposure sites; two sites adjacent to a cubicle shed; inside the calf housing; the manure store area and the silage store area. A field site with trees in a hedge boundary was the only high-risk field site identified. Multilevel modelling was used to examine for possible factors influencing Culicoides numbers. Factors examined included wind, temperature and humidity variables; distance from manure, forage, water and trees and livestock variables such as: time of contact, time since contact and distance from sheep and cattle. The model suggested wind speed at light trap setting and an increased time since contact with cattle both appeared significantly associated with reduced Culicoides numbers. Culicoides obsoletus numbers also appeared significantly reduced with increasing distance from manure. From an on-farm risk assessment point of view the farm holding area of a dairy farm as a whole should generally be considered a high-risk site for Culicoides exposure and specific pasture sites can periodically become high exposure sites. CopyrightDissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2009.
Veterinary Tropical Diseases
unrestricted
20
Herman, John. "Herpetofaunal communities in agroecosystems : the effect of farm management style /." See Full Text at OhioLINK ETD Center (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing), 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=toledo1114016439.
21
Herman, John Edward. "Herpetofaunal Communities in Agroecosystems: The Effect of Farm Management Style." University of Toledo / OhioLINK, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1114016439.
22
Cork, Justin Trevor James. "An integrated farm management information system for the South African hydroponic industry." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5500.
Abstract:
The world’s population is growing at an average of 1.2 percent per annum and forecasts see the global population reaching 9.6 billion by 2050. This places great demands on the sustained production capacity of agricultural organisations to meet the desperate need for nutrition. This problem will continue to persist if production methods do not evolve to improve production and quality. Hydroponics and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) was first seen in Rome during the 1st Century. Then sixteen Centuries later Greenhouses were developed in France and England as experimental hydroponics for basic laboratory research. Rapid expansion took place from about the 1950’s in areas where traditional openenvironment agriculture was difficult or impossible such as the deserts of Iran, Abu Dhabi and California. Sixty-five years later in 2015 hydroponics and CEA are well established around the world with thousands of hectares under propagation. Hydroponics is a method of agricultural production that has been refined over the years to become an exact science. Through the application of technology and know-how the physiological processes within plants can be manipulated and controlled to produce superior results. These results require less land area and less water to accomplish. It can be seen, based on this development, that hydroponics is such an evolution that has the capacity to meet the needs of a growing global population and its nutritional needs. The challenge lies, though, in the scientific understanding and application of knowledge in growing and managing a hydroponics farm. This study seeks to determine the internal data and external information needs of farmers in the hydroponics industry. This data and information will be integrated into a Farm Management Information System (FMIS) model that will be used for decision making, report generation and documentation. The problem leading to this study is the dissemination of data and information sources that are currently underutilised and difficult to access. In determining the internal data and external information needs, an empirical study was conducted using structured interview. Thirty farm managers were interviewed to assess what their current information system consisted of, whether they had a need for an FMIS and what internal data and external information was needed which related to four functional components of hydroponic farming. The results of this study indicate that there is a need for an FMIS for the hydroponic industry in South Africa. The results also indicate that managers are not fully satisfied with the performance of their current information system and would be interested in considering alternative information systems. Data points relating to the four functional components were assessed and integrated into an FMIS model for the hydroponic industry. This model sets out to integrate internal data and external information for purposes of decision making, report generation and documentation.
23
Mathenge, Mary W. Kiiru. "Essays on off-farm labor market participation, farm production decisions and household economic wellbeing empirical evidence from rural Kenya /." Diss., Connect to online resource - MSU authorized users, 2008.
24
Li, Haoxin, and 黎皓欣. "A revolution of the 'Farm-to-table' channel." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10722/207146.
Abstract:
Agricultural products are indispensable components of daily life. Nowadays, most cities in China, food supply is already setup, however the whole food supply chain is quite long with low efficiency. After the harvest of agricultural products, they have been transported to multi-hierarchical markets and go through plurality sales links by simple vehicles before meeting consumer. Due to the existence of an imperfect agricultural product supply system, specifically the inadequate infrastructure for cold-chain transportation and low-level storage technology, agricultural products and aquatic products, among others, suffer huge loss rates ranging from 15% to 30% during picking, transportation, and storage as well as during processing in other logistics sectors. Thus, some unscrupulous producers or agents add preservatives to the agricultural products in order to keep them looks with good quality. Besides, for the producers, though they do their utmost for farming and cultivating，they still living at the bottom of the social ladder with low income. For the consumer, owing to the increasing standard of living, the improvement of the logistical system and the structural adjustment of modern agricultural products, more and more consumers no longer just pursue the goal of having sufficient food to eat. Instead, they hope to eat better and healthier and prefer fresher or more diverse food options with high quality and nutrition.
This thesis aims to study the existing agricultural product system in Guangzhou, focusing on the agricultural products supply model and discusses ways to revolutionize the “farm-to-table” agricultural products channel by proposing a new supply model in a regional scale to narrow the gap between consumer and producer in two main methods. On one hand, establish Agricultural Association to coordinate the whole system and guide the local farmer cultivate agricultural product and deliver their product to the consumer with high efficiency. On the other hand, attract the costumer come to productive area that they not only get the product directly but also understand the process of production.
In these ways can guarantee the safety, freshness, and nutritional value of agricultural products, improve farmer’s income and satisfied consumer’s requirement by achieving a high-efficiency, low-pollution and energy-saving “farm-to-table” channel for local agricultural products.published_or_final_version
Architecture
Master
Master of Landscape Architecture
25
Saffert, Andrew Thomas. "An economic analysis of adjusted gross Revenue-Lite insurance on farm income variability for southeast Kansas farms." Thesis, Manhattan, Kan. : Kansas State University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/308.
26
Ostermeier, Gaylia Clare Gries. "Using on-farm strip-trials to improve nitrogen management for corn." [Ames, Iowa : Iowa State University], 2007.
27
Dantsoho, Abubakar Mahmud. "Risk-based framework for safety management of onshore tank farm operations." Thesis, Liverpool John Moores University, 2015. http://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/4496/.
Abstract:
The onshore tank farm operations has become more useful and handy, as a result of increased international sea-borne trade, particularly, the unprecedented higher volume of petroleum products and hazardous chemicals traffic globally. The onshore tank farm is a facility used for safe discharge, loading and storage of petroleum products and other hazardous chemicals at the ports. It has become an important element in the supply chain system because of the increased universal energy demand and the fact that large number of modern tanker vessel is busy and efficiently moving cargo to different destinations around the world. The tank farm serves as a back-up facility to the ports. However, it has high degree of system-wide challenges of potential major incidents/accidents, as evidenced in various tank farm recorded accidents, which occurred at different times with estimated losses valued in millions of US dollars. The accidents could be catastrophic, leading to deaths, extensive damages and adverse impact on environment. To eliminate or minimize the risk of major incident/accidents, as well as minimize the magnitude and severity, it is acutely urgent to uncover and assess all potential hazards, with a view to adopt the best preventive/mitigative policy direction in the management of this strategic facility. This thesis presents multiple safety/risk assessment approaches, uncertainties treatments and decision making techniques that are capable of finding optimal solutions that will ensure safety of tank farm operations. The standard tools of analysis employed in this tank farm operational risk assessment are Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA), Faulty Tree Analysis (FTA), fuzzy logic, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Firstly, the FMEA-Fuzzy Rule Based (FRB) is applied in Hazard Identification (HAZID) and risk evaluation of tank farm operations. The methodology is utilized to discover five possible causes of catastrophic accidents in tank farm operations. The causes/hazards are described as the automatic shut-down oil safety valve failure, pipe corrosion protection system failure, automatic tank gauge system failure, leak detection device system failure, and secondary containment monitoring system failure. In the risk assessment conducted, the leak detection system failure was identified as the riskiest hazard using the Expected Utility Theory. Consequent upon the need for further investigation, another technique, Fuzzy Fault Tree (FFT), as novel model is used successfully to investigate and understand the causes of the leak detection system failure. The main aim of these two exercises is to assess risks and facilitate proper manage of these risks in tank farm operations, in order to forestall accidents that could cause damage to the facility, workers and the port environment. Nevertheless, the tank farm operations need to be optimized by ensuring the efficiency and safety of all systems and sub-systems through the adoption of best safety management decisions, which is achieved by employing AHP-TOPSIS model. This method is used to solve a complex multi-criteria decision-making problem such as selection of best Safety Control Design (SCD) among various SCDs identified. Finally, the results produced from the developed models and frameworks are summarized and other areas where they can effectively make impacts in HAZID, risk assessment and safety improvement are defined.
28
Sousek, Nicholas D. "Enhancing grain marketing decisions: farm breakeven analysis and grain sales management." Thesis, Kansas State University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/35770.
Abstract:
Master of AgribusinessDepartment of Agricultural Economics
Daniel M. O'Brien
In recent years, the price volatility in agricultural commodity prices, as well as agricultural input costs, has drastically increased. Today’s famer is faced with difficult decisions concerning when to market their crop, as well as when to secure various inputs. An increase in information availability, coupled with increasing price fluctuations, can make these decisions even more difficult for producers. Although seasonal trends, forecasts, and technical market analysis can be helpful, market efficiency prevents accurate prediction of agricultural prices. Because marketing decisions can be difficult to make, the easiest decision for a producer to make is to not make one at all. However, failure to make sound risk management decisions can be extremely costly to a producer. There are two primary factors that impact a producer’s bottom line: cost of production and grain marketing decisions. Each producer has their own unique cost of production that changes throughout the year. Variable input costs can be volatile within a single growing year, and often the need for certain inputs changes. Marketing decisions and timing can be an even bigger factor in a producer’s gain or loss. Since price prediction is impossible, a producer’s time may be better spent focusing on information they can control. The purpose of this thesis was to test and evaluate a cost of production, crop insurance, and grain marketing calculator with a group of corn and soybean producers in Southeast Nebraska. It is hypothesized that providing customers with a multifaceted, integrated farm management and marketing decision making tool should help them be able to make more profitable risk management and marketing decisions. By knowing how factors as changing expenses impact cost of production and how grain sales impact revenues and profitability per acre, it is hypothesized that users will make more profitable farm management and marketing decisions. In October and November of 2014, twenty corn and soybean farmers were presented with the Grain Marketing Calculator. Grain sales in the 2014 and 2015 crop years were to be entered into the calculator by participating producers as they make their grain sales. Annual production history (APH), revenue protection insurance information, actual or expected yields, and total acres of each crop were entered into the calculator during the initial producer calculator rollout. Generalized costs were entered into the calculator prior to the producer rollouts. Participants were able to change the generalized costs to their actual costs if they chose to do so. Data were gathered from the participants using the Grain Marketing Calculator in March of 2015. Participants weighted average futures sales, weighted average cash sales, percent of APH sold, and percent of total production sold were collected. In March of 2015, the same information from another group of producers who did not use the Grain Marketing Calculator was collected. The two groups average results were compared to each other and regression analyses were done to determine statistical significance of the impact on the test groups’ results. At the end of the experiment, feedback was gathered from participants and improvements were suggested.
29
Ku, Tsun-Yao. "Educational needs in farm management skills of Taiwan's core rice farmers /." free to MU campus, to others for purchase, 2002. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/mo/fullcit?p3074418.
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Garrot, D. J. Jr, D. D. Fangmeier, S. H. Husman, and S. Stedman. "On Farm Cotton Irrigation Scheduling Management Using Infrared Thermometers in Arizona." College of Agriculture, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/204859.
31
Abbruzzese, Vito. "Using bio-manipulation to optimise nutrient management within intensive farm systems." Thesis, Lancaster University, 2017. http://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/86607/.
Abstract:
Optimising the use of organic amendments, such as livestock slurry, on commercial farms represents one route through which the reliance of agricultural production on inorganic fertiliser use might be reduced. For economic, environmental and geopolitical reasons, decoupling future agricultural production from inorganic fertiliser use is desirable, particularly if increases in future demand for food at global scale are to be met sustainably. However, there remains substantial uncertainty surrounding the impacts of organic amendments on many of the key physico-chemical and microbial properties of agricultural soils. This uncertainty reduces the likelihood that land owners and land managers will adjust farming practices in order to deliver more widespread use of organic amendments to support production. In this context, the research reported in this thesis sought to understand how the management of livestock slurry within intensive grassland systems can be optimised to support production. The thesis had a particular focus on understanding how the soil microbial community mediates the input of livestock slurry, in terms of the influence of this community on the cycling and crop-availability of macronutrients within soil. The thesis first examined the impact of a biological slurry additive, SlurryBugs, on the nutrient content of livestock slurry during storage, finding positive effects of the additive particularly with respect to the total phosphorus (P), where an increase by 27% was observed compared to the control slurry treatment, and the total solids contents of slurry during storage. It was hypothesised that the SB additive may have altered the emission of phosphine (PH3) from slurry during storage. Subsequently, the impacts of slurry application, both with and without the biological additive, on soil organic matter (SOM), as well as on the nitrogen (N) and P content of grassland soils were examined, in comparison to inorganic fertiliser and control treatments. Positive effects following slurry application were observed, spanning SOM, Olsen P, mineral N and soil pH conditions. Finally, the impacts of applying slurry alongside a range of carbon (C) substrates of different quality (glucose, glucose-6-phosphate (G6P), and cellulose) to a grassland soil were examined, in terms of the partitioning of C within soil as mediated by the microbial community and in terms of changes in the structure and biomass of the soil microbial community. The results revealed an increase in the soil microbial biomass, as well as a decrease in the cumulative respiration, following the application of both slurry types, alongside a carbohydrate, compared to the treatment with the carbohydrate alone, likely due to a microbial metabolic mechanism known as preferential substrate utilisation. In addition, a bacterial predominance within the soil microbial community was observed in all treatments, with increasing dominance of fungi toward the end of the 49-day incubations. This thesis also revealed that the quality of C substrates represented a major factor affecting both the extent of mineralisation and of incorporation of externally-derived C into microbial biomass. The application of 14C-glucose or 14C-G6P to soil resulted in a significantly greater incorporation of 14C into microbial biomass by 68 or 57%, respectively, compared to 41% following the 14C-cellulose application. Further, the addition of US slurry alongside 14C-glucose generated a significantly greater extent of mineralisation by 30%, compared to the treatments with AS slurry or with only 14C-glucose added with 19 and 21%, respectively. Taken together, the data reported within this thesis have potentially important implications for the way in which livestock slurry is managed as a nutrient resource on commercial farms, as well as for broader environmental concerns including the acidification of agricultural soils and the impact of agricultural soils on the global C cycle.
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Kulesza, Marie. "Revenue Management Strategies for Long-Term Survival of Small-Farm Wineries." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/7398.
Abstract:
Some owners of small-farm wineries have moved to direct and alternative revenue management strategies to generate revenue and create brand awareness because of increased competition and regulatory changes. Research has revealed that owners of small-farm wineries remain financially reliant on direct-to-consumer sales through tasting rooms that represent an estimated 70% of their total revenue generated. This qualitative multiple case study was an exploration of how revenue management decisions of small-farm winery owners may contribute to long-term survival in a regulated industry. Dynamic capabilities concept was the conceptual framework for this study. The study population consisted of 3 small-farm winery owners in Connecticut who have operated a winery with Connecticut Grown designation for at least 10 years. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, organizational documents, observation notes, and review of each winery's website. Three themes emerged from data analysis: focus on brand and customer base, constraints consideration, and competitors' impact. The findings and recommendations from this study may further small-farm winery owners' understanding of revenue management strategies they can use to overcome constraint challenges and mitigate competitors' impact. As small-farm winery owners improve profitability and sustain long-term survival, subsequent positive social change, such as small business development and increased employment opportunities, may lead to economic prosperity for the local community and financial stability of community residents.
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Nsiah, Bernard. "Contribution of Farm Forest Plantation Management to the Livelihood Strategies of Farm Households in the High Forest Zone of Ghana." Doctoral thesis, Saechsische Landesbibliothek- Staats- und Universitaetsbibliothek Dresden, 2010. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:14-qucosa-39671.
Abstract:
Ghana has experienced a remarkable degradation and depletion of its forest resources over the last 100 years. This process has undermined the socio-economic and socio-cultural importance of the forests for millions of rural people who depend on the resource to support their livelihood. Many rural households have over the past three decades developed strategies to minimize the effects of forest depletion on their livelihood. The establishment of smallholder forest plantation on agricultural land has emerged as an important form of land-use for households to diversify their sources of income and also improve their socio-economic well-being. The main objective of the study was to identify and analyze the endogenous and exogenous factors inducing farm household’s decision to establish farm forest plantation and to analyze its financial contribution to household’s income and livelihood strategies. The study involved a survey of 280 randomly selected farm households from five communities in the Offinso district in Ghana. The multi-stage stratified random sampling technique was used to select as many as 165 households with farm forest plantation as well as 115 without farm forest plantation. A mixture of tools including semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, wealth ranking, forest inventory and market surveys were used to collect the required data. Results from logistic regression analysis revealed that the age of the household head, the number of years of education of the household head, the amount of household labor, the size of household landholding, the ownership of permanent land, the availability of non-agricultural land and household’s participation in past forest plantation development projects are the most important endogenous factors influencing the farm household’s decision to establish farm forest plantation. On the other hand, exogenous factors such as the availability of market and buyers for farm forest products and farm household’s satisfaction with market prices for farm forest products positively influenced the household’s decision to establish farm forest plantation. Prohibitive rules and regulations relating to the harvesting of trees and transportation of timber from private lands and uncertainty in tree tenure as a result of ambiguous policy framework, however, negatively influenced the decision to establish smallholder forest plantation on their agricultural land. The results from household income portfolio analysis show that cash income from selling farm forest products contributed an average of $273.6 to total household’s income in one agricultural season. This amount accounted for 17.6% of total household’s income and represented the second most important source of income after agriculture. The profitability of different land-uses practiced by the households was analyzed using a conventional economic method (Net Present Value). The results from a comparative financial analysis show that the establishment of teak plantation on agricultural land inter-cropped with food crops is the most profitable form of land use for the households compared to pure teak plantation and maize-plantain cultivation. The results of the study underscore the potential contribution of smallholder farm forest plantation to increase the overall household’s income and thereby improve household’s well-beingGhana hat während der letzten 100 Jahre eine bemerkenswerte Degradation und Verminderung seines Waldvorkommens erlebt. Dieser Prozess hat die sozio-ökonomische und sozial-kulturelle Bedeutung des Waldes als Einkommensquelle zur Unterstützung des Lebensunterhalts für Millionen ländlicher Einwohner geschwächt. Während der letzen 30 Jahre haben viele Kleinbauern Haushalte Strategien entwickelt um den Effekt, den die Verminderung des Waldvorkommens auf ihren Lebensunterhalt hat, zu minimieren. Die Anlage kleinflächiger Forstplantagen auf Ackerland hat sich dabei als wichtige Form der Landnutzung erwiesen, da sie eine Einkommensquelle zusätzlich zu den vorhandenen bedeuten. Sie haben das Potential, die sozio-ökonomiche Situation der Bevölkerung zu verbessern. Ziel der Studie war die Identifizierung von internen und externen Faktoren, die bedeutend zur Entscheidung von Haushalten über die Errichtung kleinflächiger Forstplantagen beitragen. Desweiteren sollten der finanzielle Beitrag der Forstplantagen zum Einkommen und zu Strategien der Kleinbauern analysiert werden. Für die Sudie werden Datensätze von 280 zufällig ausgewählten landwirtschaftlichen Haushalten aus fünf Gemeinden im Offinso Distrikt in Ghana erfasst. Die mehrstufig aufgebaute zufällige Auswahltechnik wurde benutzt, um die 165 Haushalte mit Forstplantagen und 115 Haushalten ohne Forstplantagen für die Studie auszuwählen. Mehrere Instrumente, wurden genutzt um die benötigten Daten zu sammeln darunter vor allem semi-strukturierte Befragungen, fokusierte Gruppendiskussionen, Wohlstandsranking der Haushalte und eine Forstinventur. Ergebnisse einer logistischen Regressionsanalyse ergaben, dass das Alter des Haushaltsvorstands, die Anzahl der Ausbildungsjahre des Haushaltsvorstands, die Anzahl der im Haushalt vorhandenen Arbeitskräfte, die Größe des dem Haushalt zur Verfügung stehenden Ackerlandes, das Eigentum an Ackerland, verfügbare nicht-landwirtschaftlich nutzbare Flächen und die Teilnahme der Haushalte an Projekten zur Forstplantagenentwicklung die wichtigsten internen Faktoren für die Entscheidung der Kleinbauern zur Errichtung von kleinflächiger Forstpantagen darstellen. Andererseits beeinflussten externe Faktoren wie das Vorhandensein von Markt und Käufern für Produkte der Forstplantagen und die Zufriedenheit der Haushalte mit den gebotenen Marktpreisen für diese Produkte die Entscheidung der Kleinbauern zur Errichtung von Forstplantagen positiv. Demgegenüber beeinflussten Verbote und einschränkende Regelungen zur Ernte und zum Transport von Bäumen auf Privatland und die Unsicherheit bezüglich des Eigentums an den Bäumen als Ergebniss unklarer politischer Vorgaben die Entscheidung zur Errichtung von kleinflächiger Forstplantagen auf Ackerland negativ. Das Ergebniss der Analyse verschiedene Haushaltseinkommensquellen zeigt, dass das Jahreseinkommen der Haushalte mit Forstplantagen höher ist als das der Haushalte ohne Forstplantagen. Der Beitrag zum Jahreseinkommen aus dem Verkauf von Produkten der kleinflächiger Forstplantagen betrug im Durchschnitt 273,6 USD in einer landwirtschaftlichen Saison. Dies entsprach 17,6 % des gesamten Haushaltseinkommens und stellte somit die zweitwichtigste Einkommensquelle nach der Landwirtschaft dar. Die Rentabilität der verschiedenen Landnutzungsarten wurde mit der Kapitalwertmethode (Net Present Value) ermittelt. Diese vergleichende Analyse zeigte, dass kleinflächiger Forstplantagen auf Agrarland bei gleichzeitigem Anbau von Nahrungsmittel die profitabelste Art der Landnutzung für die Haushalte im Vergeich zu ausschließlichem Teakanbau und zum Anbau von Mais mit Kochbanane ist. Die Ergebnisse der Studie unterstreichen das Potential kleinflächiger Forstplantagen, einen Beitrag zur Steigerung des gesamten Haushaltseinkommens und zur Verbesserung des Lebensstandards der Haushalte leisten zu können
34
Smith, Eric Campbell. "Farm Management Practices and Environmental Effluents in the Western Lake Erie Basin of Ohio: An Economic Optimization of Farm Systems." Connect to resource, 1997. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=osu1216047614.
Abstract:
Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio State University, 1997.Advisor: D. Lynn Forster, Dept. of Agriculture Economics and Rural Sociology. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 125-127). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center
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Pollock, Kirrily Suzanne. "The economic cost of farm-related fatalities and the perceptions and management of health and safety on Australiam farms." Thesis, The University of Sydney, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/7146.
Abstract:
Farm-related fatalities are a significant problem in Australian agriculture. Over the period 2001–04, there were 404 fatalities that occurred as a direct consequence of visiting, residing or working on a farm. This research is comprised of two separate, but related components; the economic cost of farm-related fatalities and the farm health and safety study; a qualitative study into farmer perceptions and behaviour relating to farm safety. This study employed a human capital approach to establish the economic costs of farmrelated fatalities to the Australian economy. Fatalities were selected for analysis as they are the most reliable, accurate and comprehensive form of farm injury data available. A study was conducted on 335 farm enterprises to examine farmer perceptions and estimates of performance relating to the culture of safety and their systems and procedures to manage health and safety and major hazards on their farms. Finally, the changes farmers were making to health and safety on their farms, the motivating drivers for those changes, and what they perceived to be the risks and hazards on their farms were also assessed. Modelling of direct and indirect costs associated with farm-related fatalities estimated that the 404 traumatic deaths over the period 2001–04 cost the Australian economy $650.6 million, in 2008 dollars. This equates to 2.7 per cent of the 2008 farm gross domestic product (GDP) due to potentially preventable farm accidents and injuries. The top five agents causing death (tractors, ATVs, drownings, utilities and 2 wheel motorcycles) accounted for exactly half of the fatalities, and 46.7 per cent ($303.5 million) of the economic cost. Significant differences in gender, age and industry were revealed in attitudes and perceptions of farm safety and the management of health and safety and major hazards. Farm enterprises also provided a considerable level of detail on the changes and improvement they had made to farm safety, the reasons and motivations behind those changes, as well as details on what they perceived as the key risks and hazards on their farms. The outcomes of this research have questioned some of the preconceived ideas relating to farmers’ perceptions, attitudes and practices in relation to farm safety and have also identified potential new approaches and target populations for increasing adoption and implementation of farm safety recommendations. The challenge is for farm safety researchers, Farmsafe Australia, work safety authorities, industry and farmer groups and health practitioners to encourage further investment and resources into farm health and safety research, which will enable them to capitalise on these findings and re-evaluate farm safety strategies and initiatives to reduce the level of risk on Australian farms and therefore, the incidence of fatal and non-fatal injury and the cost of to the Australian economy.
36
Hill, Hester Elizabeth Johanna. "Modelling extensive beef cattle production systems for computerised decision support in South Africa." Diss., Pretoria : [s.n.], 2008. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-02102009-114500.
37
Bolter, R. S. J. "Formal and informal methods of learning farm management : Their use and effectiveness in the U.K." Thesis, University of Reading, 1987. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.378677.
38
Guilhermino, Magda Maria. "The use of information systems by dairy farmers in England and Wales." Thesis, University of Reading, 1994. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.283608.
39
Donnelly, M. "An investigation of the management and economics of a red deer farm enterprise using a computer model." Thesis, University of Reading, 1988. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.233770.
40
Okelola, O. M. "The design of a cost-effective farm management data-information system : A case study from Nigeria." Thesis, University of Reading, 1987. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.376817.
41
Nagy, Reka. "EFFECTS OF MANAGEMENT ON REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY IN THOROUGHBREDS." UKnowledge, 2006. http://uknowledge.uky.edu/gradschool_theses/175.
Abstract:
Many factors influence the reproductive efficiency of thoroughbred mares. This thesisestimated two separate models for 13 farms in the 2004 breeding season. One model isestimated for pregnancy outcomes, the other is estimated for breeding intervals.Statistically significant variables include age of the mare, number of breedings, certainmedications, farm size, last date of breeding for the first model. Statistically significantvariables for the second model include age, status of mare, number of breedings, certainmedication, and farm size. The model has implication to achieve an optimal breedingschedule and associated management decisions
42
Qasim, Muhammad [Verfasser]. "Determinants of Farm Income and Agricultural Risk Management Strategies : The Case of Rain-fed Farm Households in Pakistan’s Punjab / Muhammad Qasim." Kassel : Kassel University Press, 2012. http://d-nb.info/1027391311/34.
43
Carmichael, Shenique. "Small Farm Management of Information Communication Technology, E-Commerce, and Organization Performance." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4719.
Abstract:
Many small farm farmers in the United States are reluctant to use information communication technology (ICT) and e-commerce, yet little is known about their decision-making rationale. The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore U.S. small farm farmers' decision making, specifically, regarding use or non-use of e-commerce, in managing farm operations by using the Miles and Snow's typology of strategic management. The purposive sample consisted of 30 small farm farming operations in Kansas and Missouri with revenue less than $250,000 per annum. Data analysis was 3-tiered and involved use of horizontalization, thematic clustering, and synthesis. Using the Van Kaam method of data analysis, 4 themes emerged: (a) small farm farmers have a family-oriented farming experience with complex factors that lead to the reliance on fellow farmers for information and support; (b) small farm farmers rely on fellow farmers for advice and support as well as the use of established procedures in their farming operations; (c) while small farm farmers see the value in ICT in farming, many view it as either impractical or non-applicable for their own operations; and (d) small farm farmers recognized that ICT has a positive impact on farms productivity, income, and growth. However, some small farm farmers were reluctant to adopt ICT due to expenditure, location, and farm size concerns. Study findings also highlighted a few business models such as community-supported agriculture investment that small farm farmers use to enhance their daily farm operations. With insights from the study, small farm farmers in the United States may be able to improve their understanding of e-commerce applications, which could potentially lead to increased annual profits for these farmers, new customers and consistent product pricing for consumers.
44
Persson, Elizabeth P. "Exploring Income Supplementation for Farm Sustainability." ScholarWorks, 2013. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/478.
Abstract:
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, and concepts to identify the following profitable supplemental income themes: (a) government subsidies, (b) custom work, (c) sales of other products, (d) patronage dividends, (e) insurance payments, (f) cash rent, and (g) agtourism. The implications for positive social change include new insights that farmers may use to improve farm business practice, increase farm sustainability, and improve quality of life for farm families.
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Larusso, Nicholas David. "A Mobile real-time data collection and analysis system for farm management." Connect to resource, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/1811/6463.
Abstract:
Thesis (Honors)--Ohio State University, 2006.Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages: contains iv, 35 p.; also includes graphics. Includes bibliographical references (p. 33-34). Available online via Ohio State University's Knowledge Bank.
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Gilker, Rachel Esther. "Water quality in management intensive grazing and confined feeding dairy farm watersheds." College Park, Md. : University of Maryland, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/1903/2706.
Abstract:
Thesis (Ph. D.) -- University of Maryland, College Park, 2005.Thesis research directed by: Natural Resource Sciences. Title from t.p. of PDF. Includes bibliographical references. Published by UMI Dissertation Services, Ann Arbor, Mich. Also available in paper.
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Oliver, Danielle P. "The effects of farm management practices on cadmium concentration in wheat grain /." Title page, contents and summary only, 1994. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09A/09ao48.pdf.
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Archuleta, Kristy L. "The impact of dyadic processes and financial management roles on farm couples." Diss., Manhattan, Kan. : Kansas State University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/929.
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McCardle, Rebecca. "Farm management optimization /." 2009. http://etd.louisville.edu/data/UofL0474t2009.pdf.
Abstract:
Thesis (M.Eng.)--University of Louisville, 2009.Title and description from thesis home page (viewed May 15, 2009). Department of Industrial Engineering. Vita. "May 2009." Includes bibliographical references (p. 24-25).
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Counts, Jurdan T. "A comparison of Kansas farm management farms to all Kansas farms." 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/22262.