Sustainability for Virginia dairy farms requires balancing phosphorus (P) imports and exports at the farm-gate level. Balancing P helps prevent further accumulation of P in farm soils through routine applications of manure, which over time contributes to surface water quality issues. The objectives of this research centered on guiding dairy farms in Virginia toward lower, more sustainable P balance, and without adversely impacting profitability. First, the state of P balance had to be determined for a sample of dairy farms, including risk factors for excessively high P balance. Second, a repeated assessment of P balance on those dairy farms sought to determine any key factors of change in P balance between years. Lastly, a small Virginia dairy farm was used as a case farm to evaluate whether or not it could reduce its P balance while maintaining or improving farm profitability. An initial assessment of 58 dairy farms in Virginia showed that 75% of farms could operate with a P balance less than 18.7 kg ha-1. The two risk factors that led to excessively high P surpluses were the use of poultry litter and excessive P imported with purchased feed. The repeated assessment included 30 of the 58 original dairy farms. Increases of 1.0 kg P ha-1 of total P imports and exports were respectively correlated to a mean P balance increase of 0.76 kg ha-1 and a mean P balance decrease of 0.43 kg ha-1, suggesting that changes in P imports affect changes in P balance more than changes in P exports. Reduced poultry litter use was highly correlated to reduced P balance, and increasing cow manure exports also reduced P balance for the farms with the opportunity. As a significant portion of the farms assessed were small (less than 200 milking cows), a case farm of 105 cows on 100 acres was used to explore how farm profitability could be affected as P balance was reduced through additional acres, increased crop production, and with a grazing-based farming strategy. Results from partial budget analysis showed that after expanding the land base from 100 to 150 acres for crop production, the change in potential net return ranged from $-0.90 to $1.26/cwt of milk, with accompanying changes in P balance ranging from -9.0 to -14.7 lbs/ac. The analysis also showed that changes in potential net returns after converting to a grazing-based system ranged from $-2.14 to $1.39/cwt, with greater change in P balance ranging from -9.7 to -17.8 lbs/ac. The most profitable strategy, generally, for this farm seemed to be expanding the land base and growing a cash crop. Phosphorus balance on Virginia dairy farms can be reduced, potentially without negative impacts on farm net return, though challenges remain for farms with limited land or areas with high density of animal agriculture. / Doctor of Philosophy / Phosphorus (P) is a vital nutrient for crops and livestock, but too much of it in soils leads to surface water quality problems. Sustainability for Virginia dairy farms requires balancing P imports and exports at the farm level. This research centered on guiding dairy farms in Virginia toward lower, more sustainable P balance. An initial assessment of 58 dairy farms in Virginia helped establish a zone of operation, a feasible target toward which the 25% of farms with high P balance could aim. Avoiding poultry litter as a fertilizer choice and limiting P imported with purchased feed were both ways in which some of these farms could lower their P balance. A repeated assessment in a second year showed that reductions in P imported were more likely to reduce P balance than were increasing P exports. In this, reducing the use of poultry litter as a fertilizer was again an effective way of lowering P balance. As a significant portion of the farms assessed were small (less than 200 milking cows), a case farm of 105 cows on 100 acres was used to explore how farm profitability could be affected as P balance was reduced through various management changes. Results showed that after expanding the land base by at least 50 acres for additional crop production, P balance could be significantly reduced while maintaining or increasing the potential net return to the farmer, especially if the farmer can ensure a high milk yield grazing-based operation or if they grow a cash crop like corn or soybeans. Overall, the research suggests that P balance on Virginia dairy farms can be reduced, and that these farms can operate more sustainably, though challenges remain for farms with limited land or areas with high density of animal agriculture.

The purpose of this paper is to calculate a method of estimating minimum dairy farm sizes for specific income levels. A survey of a sample of Utah dairy farmers was conducted to obtain data to calculate a long run average cost schedule. Dairy farmers who had just recently built new facilities and with varying sized herds were interviewed. Individual costs were studied to establish their effect on the long run average cost curve. Different average revenue curves for varying prices and production levels were used to establish minimum cow numbers needed to give s pecified incomes and growth potentials. Marginal analysis was used to establish the most efficient methods of growth, i.e., cow numbers, herd production and blend price.

This study was undertaken to determine which characteristics, if any , distinguish exit from active milk producers; why producers exit from the industry; what happens to those resources formerly used in the dairy industry; the predictability of a producer either increasing or decreasing in size. This study encompassed the milk producers in the Great Basin Federal Milk Market Area which is the central and northern part of Utah. It was not possible to determine any characteristics which would distinguish the exit from the active producers. All of the sample producers sold most of their cows. A large percentage kept their land and continued to operate it. Much of the equipment was kept by the producer. The Markov Chain analysis indicated that dairy farm numbers will decrease: however, the size of the active farms will increase.

En kort promenad eller cykeltur från Hölö ligger det nya folkets hus för Hölöborna och folket på den omgivande landsbygden. I hundratals år har platsen varit en mötesplats för invånarna i området. Den resta kyrkoruinen och det nya folkets hus förstärker varandra, platsen och skapar nya rum både inne och ute. I källaren i ena änden av det avlånga folkets hus ligger ett mejeri som hämtar sin mjölk ett stenkast bort. I Restaurangen ovanför kan man avnjuta dess produkter och andra hyperlokala råvaror. I den stora salen som sträcker sig genom nästan hela byggnaden finns fristående mindre rum som skapar en stor mängd, både öppna och stängda rum där man kan plugga, jobba, gå en matlagningskurs, hänga med kompisar, ha utställningar och annat som husets användare önskar. I andra änden av byggnaden finns en aula vars lutning naturligt följer landskapet. Här finns den enda biografen på flera mils avstånd och man kan hyra denna för större möten eller föreläsningar. Den del av huset som är över mark är helt i trä och byggnaden är designad för att vara hållbar, långsiktig och enkel att ändra så att den kan stå på platsen lika länge som den gamla kyrkan gjort. / A short walk or bike ride to the north west of Hölö lies the new community hall for the people of Hölö and its surroundings. For hundreds of years the place has been a gathering spot for those who live in the area. The raised church ruin and the new community building amplifies each other, enhances the place and creates new spaces both inside and outside. In the cellar at one end of the oblong building, milk from a nearby farm is processed, and in the restaurant you can enjoy its products and other hyperlocal produce. In the main hall of the building multiple rooms create different open and closed-off spaces for studying, working, cooking-classes, hanging out with friends, exhibitions and whatever its users need. At the other end of the building is an assembly hall that follows the natural slope. Here lies the only cinema of the nearby vicinity and it can be used for bigger meetings, talks and lectures. The over-earth part of the building is made completely of wood and the whole building is designed to be sustainable, lasting and easy to change so it can stand there as long as the church has.

Foi calculado o impacto econômico da brucelose bovina, a partir de um banco de dados socioeconômico, efetuado no período de 2001 a 2002 pelo Centro de Estudos Avançados em Economia Aplicada da Escola Superior de Agricultura \"Luiz de Queiroz\" da Universidade de São Paulo (CEPEA/ESALQ/USP). Foram reunidas informações de 27, 43, 36 e 17 propriedades leiteiras representantes, respectivamente, dos estados de Goiás (GO), Minas Gerais (MG), Santa Catarina (SC) e Rio Grande do Sul (RS). No Rio Grande do Sul, as propriedades amostradas situavam-se na região Noroeste, em Santa Catarina, na região Oeste, em Goiás, na região Sul e, em Minas Gerais, nas regiões Central, do Triângulo Mineiro e metropolitana de Belo Horizonte. Os parâmetros utilizados para a simulação dos prejuízos causados pela brucelose foram: prevalência de 0,06% e 3,0% respectivamente para os estados de MG/GO (Região I) e SC/RS (Região II); fertilidade 80%; descarte por esterilidade 20%; abortamento 25%; mortalidade perinatal 30%; reposição de matrizes nos rebanhos infectados 30% superior aos rebanhos não infectados; custos dos serviços veterinários 20% do salário mínimo vigente e custo da quilometragem 30% do valor da gasolina por quilômetro rodado. As propriedades foram divididas em três estratos: pequenas, com população média de 94 e 38,83 animais, respectivamente para as regiões I e II; intermediárias, populações médias de 143 e 57,83 animais, respectivamente para as regiões I e II e grandes, populações médias de 242 e 115,82 animais, respectivamente para as regiões I e II. Estes agrupamentos foram estabelecidos a partir do número de animais por rebanho e do número vacas em lactação, obtendo-se dados com uma distribuição normal. Os prejuízos totais atribuídos ao impacto causado pela brucelose bovina nas propriedades leiterias amostradas foram de R$ 18.532,80 e de R$ 4.279,94 respectivamente para as regiões I e II, quando expressos em reais ou de 39.131,60 e 10.204,83 se referidos em litros perdidos por ano. As proporções anuais de perdas na região I foram da ordem de 14% e para a região II de 5% / The economic impact of bovine brucellosis was calculated from a socioeconomic data bank corresponding to 2001-2002 period, by the staff of the Centro de Estudos Avançados em Economia Aplicada - CEPEA - Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Data concerning to the prevalence of brucellosis, dairy production and economic information from 27, 43, 36, and 17 dairy farms pertaining respectively to the states of Goiás (GO), Minas Gerais (MG), Santa Catarina (SC) and Rio Grande do Sul (RS) were analyzed in this study. In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the dairy farms sampled were located at the Northwestern region; in Santa Catarina state herds were sampled from the Western region; in the Goiás state the farms were sampled from the Southern region; and in the state of Minas Gerais, samplings included herds from the Central, Triângulo Mineiro, and metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte. The parameters used for the simulation of losses caused by brucellosis were: prevalence rate of 0.06% and 3.0%, respectively for the states of MG/GO (Region I), and SC/RS (Region II); fertility rate of 80.0%; culling of cows due to sterility of 20.0%; abortion rate of 25.0%; perinatal mortality rate of 30.0%, replacement of dams from infected herds 30.0% higher than to that of non-infected herds; cost of veterinary technical assistance service corresponding to 20.0% of the minimum wage in force; and transportation cost corresponding to 30.0% of the price of gasoline/Km. The dairy farms were divided into three strata: small farms with average population of 94 and 38.83 animals , respectively for the regions I and II; intermediate ones with mean population of 143 and 57.83 animals, respectively for the regions I and II; and large properties with mean population of 242 and 115.82 animals, respectively for regions I and II. These clusters were established starting from the number of animals existing in corresponding herds and the existing number of cows in lactation, and the data were found to be under normal distribution. Total losses attributed to the impact caused by bovine brucellosis in those dairy farms sampled reached a monetary value of R$ 18,532.80 and R$ 4,279.94, and expressed in volume of production, losses corresponded to 39,131.60 and 10,204.83 litters/year, respectively for the regions I and II. In terms of percentage, annual losses of the region I reached 14.0%, and 5.0% for the region II

Tyrimo objektas: 1) Žemaitijos ūkininkų ūkiai, užsiimantys pieno gamyba verslo pagrindais ir vertikaliosios integracijos strategijos kooperuoto įgyvendinimo pasekoje sustiprinę savo konkurencines jėgas pieno pardavimų/supirkimų grandyje; 2) Žemės ūkio kooperatinė bendrovė „Pieno gėlė“, kaip vertikaliosios integracijos strategijos kooperuoto įgyvendinimo sėkmingas pavyzdys. Darbo tikslas: Parengti pienininkystės ūkių vertikaliosios integracijos strategijos sėkmingo kooperuoto įgyvendinimo veiksnių loginę schemą. Uždaviniai: 1. Išnagrinėti vertikaliosios integracijos strategijos taikymo agrariniame sektoriuje teorinius aspektus; 2. Sukurti vertikaliosios integracijos strategijos kooperuoto įgyvendinimo tyrimo metodiką; 3. Atlikti pienininkystės ūkių vertikaliosios integracijos strategijos kooperuoto įgyvendinimo analizę; 4. Identifikuoti vertikaliosios integracijos strategijos kooperuoto įgyvendinimo sėkmės veiksnius. Tyrimo metodai: mokslinės literatūros analizė ir sintezė, atvejo analizė, anketinė apklausa. Tyrimo rezultatai: Išnagrinėtos vertikalios integracijos ir vertikaliosios integracijos strategijos teorinės sąmpratos. Nustatyti vertikaliosios integracijos strategijos taikymo ir įgyvendinimo agrariniame sektoriuje ypatumai. Atskleistos vertikaliosios integracijos ir kooperacijos plėtros sąsajos agrariniame sektoriuje. Taikant sudarytą metodiką, atlikta Žemaitijos ūkininkų ūkių vertikaliosios integracijos strategijos kooperuoto įgyvendinimo, dalyvaujant ŽŪKB „Pieno... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Object: 1)Samogitian family farms involved in milk production business, who have strengthened their competitiveness in milk selling/buying chain as a result of cooperative implementing of vertical integration strategy; 2) Agricultural cooperative company "Pieno gėlė" as a successful example of cooperative implementation of vertical integration strategy. Aim: to develop a logical scheme of successful cooperated implementation of vertical integration strategy for dairy farms. Objectives: 1st. To analyze the theoretical aspects of the vertical integration strategy application in agrarian sector. 2nd. To create a research methodology for cooperate implementation of vertical integration strategy. 3rd. To perform analysis of cooperate implementation of vertical integration strategy in dairy farms. 4th. To identify success factors of cooperate implementation of vertical integration strategy. Research methods: analysis and synthesis of scientific literature and case studies, a survey. Research results: Theoretical concepts of vertical integration and vertical integration strategy are analyzed. The pecularities of vertical integration strategy implementation and application in the agrarian sector are established. The connection of vertical integration and cooperation development in the agrarian sector is revealed. Using the developed methodology, analysis of cooperated implementation of vertical integration strategy of Samogitian family farms by participating in ACC "Pieno gėlė"... [to full text]

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-25T19:29:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JoelcioEurich.pdf: 13188511 bytes, checksum: ea4803244a91638233a9941c32432d02 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-21 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Even with the prominence of the current discussions about sustainable models of development, studies and adoption of techniques of sustainable rural development are not common. The generation of technology as well as the measuring the real sustainability of production systems is incipient. This study aimed the application of the emergy analysis to evaluate the agroecosystems sustainability of two family dairy farms. Two properties were studied: the Alcerich farmstead, classified as traditional, located in Palmeira – PR, and the Meier Family farmstead, that adopts the Voisin Rational Grazing System - PRV, located in the municipality of Dionisio Cerqueira - SC. In the emergy analysis we characterized the production systems, elaborated the systemic diagram, organized the emergy evaluation table and determined the traditional and modified (based on the values of partial renewability emergy indices). It was also calculated the values of economic return and socio-land elationship.Transformity values Tr = 486,087 sej J-1 and Tr = 836,011 sej J-1, respectively calculated for the Alcerich and Meier family farmsteads, show that the former has a higher emergy efficiency, but this result is based on the higher use of no renewable resources.The calculated sustainability index for the Alcerich farm, based on the classical methodology (SI = 1.77), and modified methodology (SI = 2.13), confers a classification as sustainable at medium-term and high demand from resources of the economy.To the Meier farm the SI values = 3.15 and 5.94, for the modified and classical methods, confers a classification as sustainable at medium-term and sustainable at long term, respectively, based on consistent use of energy.The values of economic returns of 49 and 61, and the socio-land relationship indicators, from 16.00 to 6.25 po ha-1 for the Alcerich and Meier farms, respectively, emphasize the socioeconomic importance of the properties.The emergy methodology provided a broad view of the potential and bottlenecks of the systems sustainability. The Meier Family farm, based on the PRV system, showed a greater sustainability regarding a holistic understanding of the concept. / Mesmo com a notoriedade atual das discussões acerca de modelos sustentáveis de desenvolvimento, estudos e adoção de técnicas que visem o desenvolvimento rural sustentável não são comuns. A geração de tecnologia bem como mensuração da real sustentabilidade de sistemas de produção é incipiente. Sendo assim, objetivou-se a aplicação da análise emergética para avaliação da sustentabilidade de dois agrossistemas de produção pecuária leiteira familiar. Duas propriedades foram estudadas, a Chácara Alcerich, classificada como tradicional, localizada no município de Palmeira – PR e o Sítio Família Méier com a adoção do Sistema de Pastoreio Racional Voisin – PRV, localizado no município de Dionísio Cerqueira – SC. Para análise emergética, caracterizaram-se os sistemas, elaborou-se diagrama sistêmico, organizou-se tabela de avaliação emergética e determinaram-se índices emergéticos tradicionais e modificados (utilizados os valores de renovabilidade parcial). Calcularam-se ainda os valores de rentabilidade econômica e relação sócio-fundiária. Os valores de transformidade Tr = 486.087 sej J-1 e Tr = 836.011 sej J-1, respectivamente calculados para a Chácara Alcerich e Sítio Família Méier, demonstram que a primeira possui maior eficiência emergética, porém tal resultado é baseado em maiores recursos advindos de forma não renovável. O Índice de sustentabilidade observado para a Chácara Alcerich, tanto na metodologia clássica (SI = 1,77) quanto na metodologia modificada (SI = 2,13), lhe confere a classificação de sustentável a médio prazo e com alta demanda de recursos advindos da economia. Para o Sítio Família Méier os valores de SI = 3,15 e SI = 5,94 para as metodologias clássica e modificada classificam-na em sustentável a médio prazo e sustentável a longo prazo respectivamente, sempre com uso energético coerente. Os valores de rentabilidade econômica de 49 e 61% e indicadores sócio-fundiário de 16,00 a 6,25 po ha-1 para a Chácara Alcerich e Sítio Família Méier, respectivamente, enfatizam a importância sócio-econômica das propriedades. A metodologia emergética corroborou para a visualização de potenciais e gargalos quanto à sustentabilidade dos sistemas. O Sítio Família Méier, baseado no sistema PRV, demonstrou maior sustentabilidade na forma holística da palavra.

The purpose of this thesis is to study the effect of lower milk support prices trigger ed by chronic surplus production problems and to offer alter native management strategies for dairymen caught in the cash flow squeeze precipitated by resulting cuts in the producer price of milk. Historical dairy policy is reviewed and recommendations are offered for consideration in developing dairy policy over the next decade. FLIPSIM V, a powerful, firm-level computerized simulation model is employed to predict the probable outcome of employing alternative management strategies designed to improve profitability for individual dairymen. The study focuses on a typical farm devised from survey data to be representative of Utah's dairy industry. A five-year planning horizon is simulated.

The purpose of this study is to provide a better understanding of the coping strategies used by dairy-farm couples. The independent variables of size of farm, where the respondents grew up, off-farm employment, age, amount of formal education, and debt-to-asset ratio of the farm are analyzed to determine their impact on the use of coping strategies by the dairy-farm husbands and wives. A sample of 116 dairy farm-couples was drawn from five counties in Northern Utah. The farm husbands and wives were each interviewed separately using a structured questionnaire. Due to the racial and religious composition of the sample and to its specific nature , the results of the study cannot be generalized to other populations of dairy farmers in other states or to other types of farms. The F-COPES (Family Crisis oriented Personal Evaluation Scales) developed by McCubbin, Larsen, and Olson in 1982 were used to categorize the dairy-farm couple's coping strategies into the following subscales: Passive Appraisal , Reframing, Mobilizing the Family to Acquire and Accept Help, Acquiring social Support, and Seeking Spiritual support. The results of the study indicated there were significant differences between the scores of farm husbands and wives on the coping strategies . The husbands scored statistically higher on the coping strategies Reframing, Passive Appraisal, and Acquiring Social Support than did the wives. Additional results indicated there were also significant differences between spouses in the correlation of coping strategies with the independent variables. Reframing was substantively correlated with age for farm husbands. The farm's debt-to-asset ratio was correlated statistically with Reframing for farm husbands. Mobilizing the Family to Acquire and Accept Help was statistically correlated with age for farm wives. Acquiring Social Support was statistically related to the amount of formal education for farm wives.

Increasing pressure is being placed on the dairy industry to reduce nitrogen losses from soil. Nitrification inhibitors are a management strategy that could be implemented on dairy farms to help reduce losses of nitrogen. Nitrification inhibitors work by temporarily inhibiting the microbial conversion of soil ammonium to nitrate. Past trials have indicated that nitrification inhibitors can increase grass production and decrease nitrate leaching; however, little is known about the long-term effects on other soil nitrogen processes such as denitrification. Denitrification rates in soils can be limited by the availability of substrate (carbon and nitrate) and by insufficient anaerobic microsites. The objective of this thesis was to establish whether the nitrification inhibitor, dicyandiamide (DCD), could decrease denitrification rates in dairy farm soils by limiting nitrate availability. A field trial was established at Dexcel's research farm near Hamilton, New Zealand on a Typic Orthic Allophanic Soil. Twenty replicated field plots were established in a paddock, ten plots acted as controls and ten plots had DCD applied to the soil once a month at a rate of 30 kg ha-1 yr-1. Denitrification rates were measured using the acetylene inhibition technique on intact soil cores. Ammonium and nitrate concentration, soil carbon availability, denitrifying enzyme activity and soil pH were measured from soil samples collected monthly. Two further field experiments and one laboratory experiment were undertaken. The distribution of denitrifying enzyme activity with soil depth was measured to ensure that the depth to which denitrification was sampled (15 cm) in the field experiment was sufficient. DCD degradation in the field during 20 days was measured to establish how long the effects of DCD might last. A laboratory study investigated whether DCD would decrease denitrifying enzyme activity in soil, when soil conditions were optimized for denitrification. More than 80% of the denitrifying enzyme activity occurred in the top 15 cm of the soil profile, indicating that the depth to which samples were collected was sufficient. There was no significant decrease in denitrification rates in the field experiment when DCD was added. Nitrification was partially inhibited as shown by a significant increase in soil ammonium (+14%) and a significant decline in soil nitrate (-17%) in the DCD-amended soils compared to the control soils. However, the decline in soil nitrate was not great enough for nitrate to limit denitrification. Nitrate concentrations were consistently greater than 5 mg NO3- kg-1 soil (the proposed threshold for declines in denitrification). The laboratory study supported the field study with DCD having no effect on denitrifying enzyme activity and nitrate concentrations remaining above 5 mg NO3- kg-1 soil. So while DCD reduced nitrification rates and the formation of nitrate, denitrification rates were not limited by nitrate availability. DCD was completely degraded in the soil 19 days after DCD application, with a half-life of 2.9 days, which may be a reason for the minor inhibition of nitrification. Denitrifying enzyme activity, carbon availability and soil pH were all unaffected by the application of DCD.