Thesis (M.Sc. (Agricultural economics)) --University of Limpopo, 2011 / The cattle (especially beef) industry in Botswana has traditionally played an important role in the country’s economy, with significant contributions to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), exports, and employment, as well as playing an important role in social and cultural spheres. Agriculture contributes about 2.3 % of GDP, out of which 70% - 80% is attributable to cattle production. By 2004, beef exports amounted to P284m, approximately 1.7% of total exports of P16.2 billion. In recent years, however, there have been signs of decline and stagnation, especially in the beef export subsector, with adverse implications for the viability of cattle farming in the country, and more generally for rural livelihoods. Botswana’s beef subsector has not fulfilled its potential as a contributor to economic growth and development, especially in the rural areas. The BMC has never been able to meet its quota of 19 000 tonnes of beef to the European Union (EU), despite being cushioned by the Continuo agreement against price competition from more efficient beef producers like Brazil. With the above background, the study was undertaken to examine the supply response of beef farmers in Botswana to various economic (e.g. prices) and non-economic [e.g. rainfall, technology and inventory (cattle population)] factors. This study used historical data on Botswana’s beef subsector for the period 1993 to 2005, and Nerlove’s partial adjustment model was used for the empirical analysis of the data. The results of the study revealed that Botswana beef farmers respond positively to price incentives and time trend (proxy for technology), and negatively to all other variables. Elasticities of supply showed that cattle supply is elastic with respect to variations in producer price and almost unit elastic to changes in cattle inventory. However, the response to shocks in other variables included in the model was inelastic. Short run price elasticity of supply is 1.511 whereas long run price elasticity is 10.57, a clear sign that pricing can be employed as a strategy to enhance beef production in Botswana. The speed of adjustment however, was relatively very low at 14% per period. This slow adjustment perhaps tells us that Botswana farmers, who are predominantly subsistence farmers, may not be having enough capacity (in terms of resources and technology) to immediately increase production when economic environment improves in their favour. Based on the results it is recommended that price increase be adopted as a strategy for improving cattle supply. Extension services need to be strengthened with a view of promoting cattle farming as a commercial activity. Current technology of using communal grazing and indigenous breeds need to be improved. It is also recommended that studies be conducted to determine the suitability of technology that is at the disposal of the farmers. Lastly Botswana government needs to come up with a strategy by which farmers can change from their attitude of oxen production to weaner production.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 273-277). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 273-277). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2003. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 58 p. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 37-38).

Food safety has become an important topic in today's mainstream media. Food safety incidents, specifically related to the beef industry, have the potential to damage the beef industry severely, and negative coverage in the media can alter consumers' perceptions and attitudes toward the beef industry. This study examined consumers' media dependency during normal times when a food safety incident is not occurring or is not expected to occur and during times of a potential food safety incident. This study also compared rural, urban, and suburban respondents' media dependencies and described consumer perceptions of the beef industry. The target population was Texas A & M University former students registered with a valid email address in a database maintained by The Association of Former Students. An online questionnaire was created on surveymonkey.com and sent to respondents over a four-week time period. Most of the respondents were educated, married, 50 years of age, and had some agricultural experiences. Respondents reported using more media during normal times than during a potential food safety incident. There was a level of concern among respondents toward aspects of the beef industry, such as use of antibiotics and growth hormones, and some concerns about respondent's health being affected by a food safety incident. The researcher concluded that respondents use multiple mediums to receive information about any issue; therefore agricultural communicators should target consumer messages to multiple mediums. Messages also should be constructed to address concerns with the beef industry to ensure consumers that the beef food supply is safe. It was recommended that similar research be conducted during or immediately after a national food safety incident, and research could be conducted on a different population.

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Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 180 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 154-169).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 252-261).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 252-261).

BSE was discovered in Canada in 2003. Research on the impacts of BSE indicates that cattle producers suffered significant economic losses, and that these may have reverberated into local communities, where industries connected to cattle production have sustained secondary impacts. Also, the desirability of different forms of agriculture may have shifted as a result of BSE. This study addresses the impacts of BSE in Alberta from a geographical perspective, examining the cattle industry, community economic structure, and regional agricultural economies. The spatial organization and structure of the cattle herd has changed as a result of BSE. Little evidence of a ripple effect was found in the geography of community economic structure. Spatial changes in regional agricultural economies may be tied to changes in the cattle industry resulting from BSE, but do not indicate significant agricultural restructuring. This study places limits on the spatial and economic impacts of BSE in Alberta. / x, 171 leaves ; maps ; 29 cm