Master of Agribusiness / Agricultural Economics / Vincent R. Amanor-Boadu / The rapidly changing economic environment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) offers significant opportunities for businesses. The food and agribusiness sector is one of the major opportunities for growth given that increasing incomes are going to enhance the food and nutrition security needs of an increasing segment of the population. Animal protein in the form of chicken meat and eggs are relatively inexpensive and offer an opportunity for entry and differentiation in a markets located in DR Congo’s largest cities of Kinshasa and Kananga. This thesis uses the case of Z-CO Farm in DR Congo to explore the strategic opportunities for small-scale egg production in a low-income but growing country. Having been in operation for a number of years, Z-CO Farms has been producing chicken eggs for the general consumer market. This thesis explores the opportunity to differentiate the market that Z-CO Farms targets with the view to enhance its competitiveness, expand the market boundaries and create new value for customers that produce significant rewards. The off-take for the project is the creation of Blue Ocean markets for chicken eggs in a market that is increasingly exposed to food safety risks by assuring consumers a safe product. This project, when implemented, would be the first in DR Congo. However, would it be profitable? Under what conditions would it be profitable? We employ three primary methods to answer the foregoing questions. First, we evaluate the literature and the available secondary data. Second, we use an economic and financial model to develop the foundation for conducting the analyses for assessing the feasibility of building a small-scale table egg production system to address the emerging higher income consumers in DR Congo. We draw on the blue ocean strategy eloquently presented by Kim and Mauborgne for insight and guidance in building a unique product and service offering for the identified markets in Kinshasa and Kananga. We assess four strategies: the base scenario of the current market conditions where Z-CO maintains its commodity red ocean engagement in the market; innovating its feeding program for the birds; pursuing a market segmentation program whereby it offers high value food safety value proposition to the middle and upper-middle class of consumers; and a combination of a feed innovation and market segmentation initiative. The results show that while the first two strategies returned a positive net present value (NPV) in Kananga, they failed in Kinshasa. This is because of the level of competition in Kinshasa compared to Kananga as well as the cost of operations in the two locations. The results also show that while the remaining two strategies were profitable in both markets, they offered higher NPV and internal rates of return in Kananga than in Kinshasa. The best outcome in operating in both cities involved the fourth strategy, producing a combined NPV of about $493,867. The principal driver for this superior performance in Kananga is cost of feed. There is, therefore, value in thinking about how to leverage this cost advantage in Kananga to enhance the profitability in Kinshasa because of the population and income advantage in the latter. The study provides insights for the management of Z-CO to pursue their future investment planning and in selecting the locations and size of their operations to maximize their NPV and IRR. It also identifies the principal sources of risks that Z-CO’s management must avoid or effectively manage to achieve their desired business outcomes.

Master of Regional and Community Planning / Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning / John W. Keller / During the Industrial Revolution, economist Alfred Marshall published his classic book entitled Principles of Economics, in which he suggests that the external economies of scale (positive externalities) produced by the clustering of many small innovative businesses could rival the internal economies of scale achieved by a few large vertically-integrated businesses. The distinction between these two models of industrial organization, one based on many small innovative firms and the other based on a few large conglomerated firms, is the basis of cluster development theory. This distinction has been further developed in the economic development literature through the significant contributions of Schumpeter (creative destruction), Jacobs (necessary inefficiency), and Porter (diamond model). Modern cluster development theory expands upon the work of these classic theorists. Contributions relevant to this study include Markusen’s cluster typologies, Press and Feldman’s cluster lifecycle phases, Munnich’s rural knowledge cluster framework, and Doloreux’s case study of a rural innovation system. This case study applies the lessons of cluster development theory to an emerging cluster of businesses in Wamego, Kansas that share the common Wizard of Oz theme. While this cluster is not a “traditional” cluster (it does not benefit from positive externalities relating to product or process), it does create positive marketing externalities that significantly affect the local economy. This report names the cluster (Oz Cluster), identifies the typological structure of the cluster (hub and spoke), profiles the key actors and decisions which are shaping this emerging cluster, and concludes with lessons learned from the Oz Cluster and alternative scenarios for further cluster development. The Oz Cluster model of economic development demonstrates how communities can profit from niche-based tourism. Such economic development must focus on the establishment and growth of regionally competitive businesses with strategic competitive advantages. Alternative scenarios for further cluster development include: 1) expand the Oz theme; 2) diversify the cluster; and 3) maintain current level of success.

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Arlo Biere / The objective of this thesis is to examine the factors that a producer will want to consider when choosing the milk cooling and storage system for the dairy farm. The two systems studied are the traditional, on-farm, bulk tank system and the more recently developed, direct tanker loading system that uses glycol chilling plates. As a long-term investment, the choice of the refrigeration and storage system will have an impact on at least four dimensions of the dairy business. The capital cost of the milk cooling/storage system can range from 2% to 5% of the total capital investment in the farm. Milk cooling costs can also account for as much as 25% of the farm’s total electric costs. The system selected can also have an impact on the hauling charges and the hauling charges can account for as much as 10% of the dairy’s gross revenue. Lastly, the storage system selected may influence the range of markets available to the producer as not all processors accept milk from farms using direct tanker loading. Using an economic engineering approach, three hypothetical farm sizes were considered: milking 700, milking 1,400, and milking 2,100 cows. Capital and operating cost data were collected from three major dairy equipment manufacturers that service the Upper Midwest. Capital expenses for each size farm were priced for conventional bulk tanks and then also priced for glycol plate chiller systems that load directly into tanker trailers. The comparison of annualized costs of ownership for all three farm sizes shows only minor differences in the two systems. For the 700 cow farm, a direct tanker loading system saved 0.24% over the total capital investment; for the 1,400 cow farm, a direct tanker loading system saved 0.97%; and for the 2,100 cow farm, a direct tanker loading system saved 1.19%. Thus, differences in hauling charges, which will vary with each situation, become critical to the choice. Because the overall cost of the two systems are so close, one can expect that the peripheral and non-economic issues may be much more influential on each producer’s decision. Given the known differences in hauling charges, one can conclude that for the 700 cow farm, conventional tanks would be the preferred choice. For the 1,400 cow farm and the 2,100 cow farm, the determining factors come down to the differences in hauling charges and long-term goals for the farm business.

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Allen M. Featherstone / Land is a fundamental input in agricultural production and the factors affecting land prices are an important topic in agricultural economics research. The farmland market has several unique characteristics. Land price volatility can be a source of problems for farmers and investors, especially in periods of falling prices in locations far from markets where the impact of land price reductions is higher than in other locations. This study analyzes land price volatility in different geographical regions of Brazil. The hypothesis is that variation in land price increases with the distance to the market, indicating that land price changes will be more pronounced in areas far from markets and the effects of price cycles in land markets will increase as distance from the market increases. The results obtained in this research support the hypothesis that areas far from end markets are exposed to greater changes in land prices and those same areas are more susceptible to price cycles. The effect on price volatility was also stronger in periods of land price declines. These regions have greater incentives for expansion and investment in periods of land price increase and greater risks of disinvestment and failure in periods of land price contraction. It is difficult to predict when a cycle of expansion or crisis will start or finish, but the present study helps to understand the effects of increases or decreases in land prices when such an event occurs.

The History of the Book in Canada / Histoire du livre et de l’imprimé au Canada and other national book history projects have been a catalyst for research into the local production of print and have highlighted the need for more study of the print trades in smaller centres. In Ontario during the nineteenth century independent weekly newspapers were printed in most villages, while larger towns boasted more than one print shop and often one or more booksellers and stationers. Bookbinders were active members of the book trades selling books and stationery, ruling paper, binding local pamphlets, periodicals, and books, and manufacturing blankbooks for a variety of purposes. Since much local printing was ephemeral in nature, the only evidence of its existence is found in the record books kept by printers and binders. Partial business records and other surviving artifacts of the Guelph Bookbindery, which operated from 1855 to 1978, are both a rich source of evidence of the day-to-day operations of the bookbindery and a key to the intersection of print trades in Guelph, Ontario, and the surrounding counties. This study uses local imprints, blankbooks, authors’ papers, newspapers, directories, maps, assessment records, photographs, museum artifacts, and oral history accounts to reconstruct a history of the bookbindery and its place in the print culture of nineteenth-century Guelph. It documents the transformation of a business selling books, stationery, and wallpaper into a commercial bindery, which along with local printers produced large numbers of pamphlets, ubiquitous then but increasingly rare today. It is a view into the microcosm of a dynamic community where print was a vital medium for communication reflecting the cultural, commercial, and entrepreneurial discourse in nineteenth-century Canadian society that reached far beyond its borders.

The History of the Book in Canada / Histoire du livre et de l’imprimé au Canada and other national book history projects have been a catalyst for research into the local production of print and have highlighted the need for more study of the print trades in smaller centres. In Ontario during the nineteenth century independent weekly newspapers were printed in most villages, while larger towns boasted more than one print shop and often one or more booksellers and stationers. Bookbinders were active members of the book trades selling books and stationery, ruling paper, binding local pamphlets, periodicals, and books, and manufacturing blankbooks for a variety of purposes. Since much local printing was ephemeral in nature, the only evidence of its existence is found in the record books kept by printers and binders. Partial business records and other surviving artifacts of the Guelph Bookbindery, which operated from 1855 to 1978, are both a rich source of evidence of the day-to-day operations of the bookbindery and a key to the intersection of print trades in Guelph, Ontario, and the surrounding counties. This study uses local imprints, blankbooks, authors’ papers, newspapers, directories, maps, assessment records, photographs, museum artifacts, and oral history accounts to reconstruct a history of the bookbindery and its place in the print culture of nineteenth-century Guelph. It documents the transformation of a business selling books, stationery, and wallpaper into a commercial bindery, which along with local printers produced large numbers of pamphlets, ubiquitous then but increasingly rare today. It is a view into the microcosm of a dynamic community where print was a vital medium for communication reflecting the cultural, commercial, and entrepreneurial discourse in nineteenth-century Canadian society that reached far beyond its borders.

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Arlo Biere / The investors I am representing would like to know if they can be successful in the seed industry. They have certain skills and abilities along with industry experience that provides them with certain advantages that would allow them to succeed in the industry. The thesis or study will provide them with a detailed study of the possibilities and the challenges that are before them. To gain insight into positioning a firm in the industry, one must find a tool to help us to discover the answers to the question. I will use "Strategic Visioning in Cascade", this model outlines area of interest such as; a strategic overview, a value proposition, a market analysis, a functional analysis, financial projection and exit strategy in its total. The focus of the study will provide insight into the value proposition and market analysis. The value proposition will follow Michael Porter's Competitive Strategy analogy of cost leadership, differentiation and focus strategies. The market analysis will follow Thompson and Strickland's seven questions that lead to understanding of the selected industry.

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Vincent R. Amanor-Boadu / For more than a decade, the consumption of peanuts as food has been stagnant. This situation has been attributed to several factors. This study seeks to identify and understand some of the factors that have hindered growth in this industry and attempts to present recommendations that will be useful in transforming the peanut industry from stability to growth. We determined that in addition to peanut prices, consumers' income and young children's share of the total population, substitute snack foods such as potatoes chips and popcorn influenced peanut consumption. We also discovered that consumer perception about peanut's fat content and the increasing concern about peanut allergies affected their consumption behavior. The research used data drawn from US Census Bureau, Department of Labor Statistics, National Agricultural Statistics Services, and various industry publications. We suggest that changing the consumption trend lines in the peanut industry can be achieved through effective innovation and focused marketing of the product's health and convenience benefits.