Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:22:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Flavia.pdf: 881795 bytes, checksum: 03dfcba09ee19ab44534dd6e3140e212 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-10-26 / The spoilage of semicooked and cooked cheeses and semihard and hard cheeses, known as late blowing, has been the focus of some studies. Some microorganisms already had been related with this spoilage including some species of Clostridium, as C. tyrobutiricum, C. butyricum, C. sporogenes and C. beijerinckii. A new species, C. estertheticum, is being incriminated in the spoilage of cooled meats packed the vacuum, which presents similar characteristics to the late blowing in cheeses, as gas production with blowing of the packing, fort flavor of rancid and presence of acid butyl. However, did not have a story on the occurrence of C. estertheticum in raw milk and cheeses. The present work evaluated 32 samples of raw milk proceeding from country properties of Goiás and 95 samples of cheeses commercialized parmesan and provolone in the retail market of Goiânia, produced in different States of Brazil. C. estertheticum was detected using of the Polimerase Chain Reaction with two pairs of primers, RF/RR and 16SEF/16SER. The effect of the not-selective enrichment of the samples in broth BHI was evaluated, in three incubation periods, five, ten and 30 days 10ºC in anaerobes. The genomics DNA was extracted following the methodology fenol:clorofórmio. The gotten results disclose to the occurrence of C. estertheticum in samples of raw milk (34,4%) and samples of cheeses parmesan and provolone (17,9%). The highest leves of C. estertheticum was gotten in the cheeses parmesan and provolone with signals of spoilage (50,0%) and normal (29,6%) and in provolone with spoilage signals (25,0%). C. estertheticum was detected with the two pairs of primers used in the amplification, being the totality of positives only gotten when it associated the two pairs. The daily pay-enrichment for extraction of the genomics DNA substantially influenced in the detention of the microorganism being the period of 10 days, what it provided better resulted for pair RF/RR. C. estertheticum was found in samples of cheeses proceeding from all the analyzed States, and in raw milk samples harvested in Goiás, what it indicates its dissemination in Brazil / A deterioração de queijos semicozidos e cozidos ou semiduros e duros, conhecida como tufamento tardio, tem sido o foco de vários estudos. Alguns microrganismos já foram relacionados com esta deterioração incluindo algumas espécies de Clostridium, como C. tyrobutiricum, C. butyricum, C. sporogenes e C. beijerinckii. Uma nova espécie, C. estertheticum, está sendo incriminada na deterioração de carnes refrigeradas embaladas a vácuo, que apresenta características semelhantes ao tufamento tardio em queijos, como produção de gás com distensão da embalagem, forte odor de ranço e presença de ácidos butíricos. No entanto, não havia nenhum relato sobre a ocorrência de C. estertheticum em leite cru e queijos. O presente trabalho avaliou 32 amostras de leite cru provenientes de propriedades rurais de Goiás e 95 de queijos parmesão e provolone comercializados no mercado varejista de Goiânia, produzidos em diferentes Estados do Brasil. C. estertheticum foi detectado por meio da Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase com dois pares de primers, RF/RR e 16SEF/16SER. O efeito do enriquecimento não-seletivo das amostras em caldo BHI foi avaliado em três períodos de incubação, cinco, dez e 30 dias, a 10ºC em anaerobiose. O DNA genômico foi extraído seguindo a metodologia do fenol:clorofórmio. Os resultados obtidos revelam a ocorrência de C. estertheticum em amostras de leite cru (34,4%) e de queijos parmesão e provolone (17,9%). A maior positividade foi obtida nos queijos parmesão e provolone com sinais de deterioração (50,0%) e normais (29,6%) e no provolone com sinais de deterioração (25,0%). C. estertheticum foi detectado com os dois pares de primers utilizados na amplificação, sendo a totalidade de positivos obtida somente quando se associou os dois pares. O pré-enriquecimento para extração do DNA genômico influenciou substancialmente na detecção do microrganismo sendo o período de 10 dias, o que proporcionou melhores resultados para o par RF/RR. C. estertheticum foi encontrado em amostras de queijos provenientes de todos os Estados analisados, e em amostras de leite cru colhidos em Goiás, o que indica sua disseminação no Brasil

Orientador: Ricardo de Lima Zollner / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-23T22:13:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Olivier_CelsoEduardo_D.pdf: 3614236 bytes, checksum: 1ad74cf399538a32c71390e6b3dbd7bc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: A alergia ao leite de vaca é uma condição, até o momento, sem uma solução satisfatória. Dentre as proteínas do leite, a beta-lactoglobulina é uma das mais alergênicas pelo fato de não ser produzida pelo ser humano e sua pouca digestibilidade, mas pouco se sabe sobre a alergenicidade das proteínas bioprocessadas pela indústria de laticínios como a beta-lactoglobulina polimerizada. O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar imunorreatividade da beta-lactoglobulina polimerizada e compará-la com a beta-lactoglobulina nativa. Utilizou-se a polimerização induzida pela transglutaminase em presença de cisteína e a polimerização induzida pelo aquecimento. Cinco grupos de pacientes (dois grupos intolerantes e três grupos tolerantes) provenientes de duas clínicas de características distintas foram estudados segundo a apresentação dos sintomas e submetidos a testes cutâneo-alérgicos e a ensaios analíticos para pesquisa de IgE específica contra a beta-lactoglobulina, assim como avaliação da imunorreatividade mediada por células por testes de enfrentamento ex vivo, monitorados por testes de inibição da aderência leucocitária . Foram realizados testes cutâneos pareados com beta-lactoglobulina nativa e polimerizada em 56 adultos com hipersensibilidade problemática ao leite de vaca previamente diagnosticados como intolerantes à lactose. Realizou-se pesquisa de IgE específica contra a beta-lactoglobulina por ImmunoCAP e imunoblote. Um grupo de 20 indivíduos tolerantes ao leite de vaca e com ausência de IgE contra beta-lactoglobulina detectável por ImmunoCAP e testes cutâneo-alérgicos negativos foram selecionados como controle da técnica do imunoblote. Os resultados mostraram que a detecção analítica por imunoblote de anticorpos da classe IgE é significativamente mais sensível quando se utiliza a beta-lactoglobulina polimerizada no imunoensaio do que quando se utiliza o monômero de betalactoglobulina. Os resultados mostraram que a dosagem de IgE por imunoCAP abaixo dos limites de detecção, ou o teste cutâneo-alérgico não reagente, não descartam a possibilidade de hipersensibilidade mediada por IgE como demonstrado pelo imunoblote. Foram realizados testes cutâneos pareados com beta-lactoglobulina nativa e polimerizada em 22 crianças sintomáticas, com diagnóstico de alergia à betalactoglobulina mediada por IgE, confirmado por ImmunoCAP. Um grupo controle pareado de 22 crianças assintomáticas com IgE específica para beta-lactoglobulina não detectável por ImmunoCAP foi estabelecido para comparação da técnica dos testes cutâneo-alérgicos. Os resultados mostraram nos dois grupos que as reações cutâneas para os testes realizados com a beta-lactoglobulina polimerizada foram significantemente menores que as reações dos testes realizados com a beta-lactoglobulina nativa. A imunorreatividade mediada por células contra a beta-lactoglobulina nativa e contra a beta-lactoglobulina polimerizada pela transglutaminase foi estudada em 49 indivíduos atópicos através de testes pareados de enfrentamento antigênico ex vivo monitorado pelo teste de inibição da aderência leucocitária. Os resultados mostraram que a imunorreatividade mediada por células contra a beta-lactoglobulina nativa não é significantemente diferente da observada contra a betalactoglobulina polimerizada pela transglutaminase quando o enfrentamento ex vivo é monitorado pelo teste de inibição da aderência leucocitária. A polimerização é um método promissor para a indução de imunotolerância às proteínas alimentares, uma vez que diminui a imunorreatividade in vivo e não destrói os epítopos alergênicos como demonstrado nos ensaios in vitro e ex vivo / Abstract: Cow's milk allergy is a debilitating condition of difficult diagnosis and, until the moment, without a definitive solution that can be presented to the patient by the medical attendant. Amongst the dozens of proteins of the cow's milk, the beta-lactoglobulin (Bos d 5) is one of most allergenic for the fact that it is not produced by the human being and because of its hard digestibility. The allergenicity of beta-lactoglobulin in human beings is a subject well studied but little is known about the allergenicity of bioprocessed proteins as the polymerized beta-lactoglobulin. The objective of the present work is to study the immunoreactivity of the polymerized beta-lactoglobulin and to compare it with the immunoreactivity of the native beta-lactoglobulin in patients with and without clinical diagnosis of hypersensitivity/intolerance to cow's milk. It was used thermically induced polymerization and polymerization induced by transglutaminase in presence of cystein. Five groups of patients (two intolerant groups and three tolerant groups) proceeding from two clinics of distinct characteristics had been studied according to presentation of the symptoms and submitted to allergic cutaneous tests and immunoassays for research of specific-IgE against beta-lactoglobulin, as well evaluation of cell-mediated immunoreactivity by challenge tests monitored by Leukocyte Adherence Inhibition Test. Side to side cutaneous tests with native and polymerized beta-lactoglobulin in 56 adults with problematic hypersensitivity to cow's milk previously diagnosed as intolerants to the lactose had been carried through, as well research of specific-IgE against betalactoglobulin by ImmunoCAP and immunoblot. A control group of 20 subjects tolerant to cow's milk people with absence of specific-IgE against beta-lactoglobulin (detectable by ImmunoCAP or by allergic skin tests) had been selected for control of the technique of immunoblot. The results had shown that the analytical detection by immunoblot of specific-IgE is significantly more sensible when the polymerized beta-lactoglobulin is used in the immunoassay instead of the beta-lactoglobulin monomer. The results had shown that the research of specific-IgE by ImmunoCAP below of the detection limits, or the absence of cutaneous reactivity does not discard the possibility of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity as demonstrated by immunoblot. Side to side cutaneous tests with native and polymerized beta-lactoglobulin had been carried through in 22 symptomatic children, with confirmed by ImmunoCAP diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergy to beta-lactoglobulin. A matched control group of 22 asymptomatic children with not detectable specific-IgE for beta-lactoglobulin by ImmunoCAP was established for comparison of the technique of the skin tests. The results had shown that the cutaneous reactions carried through with the polymerized beta-lactoglobulin had been significantly lesser that the reactions of the cutaneous reactions carried through with the native beta-lactoglobulin. The cell-mediated immunoreactivity was studied on 49 atopic subjects by paired ex vivo allergen challenges monitored by the leukocyte adherence inhibition test. The results did not shown significant difference between the immunoreactivity against native versus polymerized beta-lactoglobulin. The polymerization of proteic antigens is a promising study model to be further investigated as a potential tool for the therapeutic induction of immune tolerance to alimentary proteins, because it decreases the in vivo immunoreactivity and does not destroy the allergenic epitopes as demonstrated by the in vitro and ex vivo assays / Doutorado / Clinica Medica / Doutor em Clínica Médica

Os ácidos linoléicos conjugados (CLAs) consistem de um grupo de isômeros geométricos e posicionais do ácido linoléico aos quais tem sido atribuídos efeitos anticarcinogênico, antidiabético, antiaterogênico e modulador da composição corporal. As principais fontes naturais de CLA são o leite e a carne de ruminantes, uma vez que microorganismos ruminais são capazes de formar CLAs e seus precursores como intermediários da biohidrogenação. Para sua identificação e quantificação por cromatografia gasosa (CG) deve se tomar cuidado ao decidir um procedimento apropriado de metilação, a fim de evitar a isomerização dos CLAs. Dessa forma, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi de avaliar criticamente metodologias analíticas para caracterizar os isômeros conjugados c-9, t-11 e t-10, c-12 do ácido linoléico, identificando o melhor método para a esterificação e a melhor programação por cromatografia gasosa para a separação, identificação e quantificação dos CLAs através de sua análise em suplementos, cortes bovinos e laticínios. Para tanto, foram empregadas as técnicas de esterificação ácida com trifluoreto de boro metanólico, esterificação alcalina com metóxido de sódio metanólico e uma esterificação mista usando a combinação dos dois catalisadores na metilação de uma amostra comercial de suplemento de ácido linoléico conjugado na forma de triacilglicerol, o Tonalin® CLA TG 80, da Cognis. Os ésteres metílicos foram identificados sob três condições cromatográficas CLA01, CLA02 e CLA03. Também foram realizadas quantificações dos isômeros c-9, t-11 e t-10, c-12 CLA no Tonalin® CLA TG 80 e FFA 80 através de ressonância magnética nuclear do carbono 13 (13C-RMN). Os resultados obtidos permitiram decidir pelo emprego da técnica de esterificação alcalina, seguido da análise cromatográfica pelo método CLA03 para análise de cinco cortes bovinos fracionados em músculo e capa de gordura, creme de leite, iogurte integral e três tipos de queijo. O método de esterificação alcalina, seguido de separação por CG pelo método CLA03 mostrou-se o mais adequado para uma quantificação segura do perfil de ácidos graxos de alimentos que contenham os isômeros conjugados do ácido linoléico, uma vez que os resultados obtidos concordam com a literatura atual. / Conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) are a group of geometric and positional isomers of linoleic acid which have been attributed to present anticarcinogenic, antidiabetic, antiaterogenic and body composition modulation effects. Major natural sources of CLA are ruminants milk and meat, since rumen microorganisms are able to produce CLAs and their precursors as intermediates of biohydrogenation. Before identification and quantification by gas chromatography (GC), the methylation procedure should be carefully decided to avoid isomerization of CLAs. Thus, the objective of this study was to critically evaluate analytical methods for characterizing conjugated linoleic acid isomers c-9, t-11 and t-10, c-12, by identifying the best method for esterification and the best gas chromatography programming for separation, identification and quantification of CLAs through quantification of CLAs in supplements, beef and dairy products. In order to accomplish this objetive, the techniques of acid esterification with boron trifluoride methanol, alkaline esterification with methanolic sodium methoxide and mixed esterification using a combination of the two catalysts were employed in the methylation of a commercial sample of conjugated linoleic acid supplement in triacylglycerol form, the CLA Tonalin® TG 80, from Cognis. The methyl esters were identified in 3 chromatographic conditions CLA01, CLA02 and CLA03. CLA isomers c-9, t-11 and t-10, c-12 were also quantified in CLA Tonalin® TG 80 and FFA 80 by carbon 13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C-NMR). The results indicated the alkaline esterification technique followed by chromatographic analysis by CLA03 method as the best method for analyzing five cuts of beef fractionated in muscle and fat layer, cream, full yoghurt and three types of cheese. The alkaline esterification method followed by GC separation method CLA03 proved to be the most suitable for safe quantification of fatty acid profile in foods that contain conjugated linoleic acid isomers, once the results agreed with the data available in the current literature.

Brucellosis is a disease of socio-economic and zoonotic importance worldwide. In animals it is associated with the ingestion of feed that is contaminated with cyetic material from aborting herd-mates, while in humans it is associated with the consumption of unpasteurised milk and dairy products from infected animals. It may also be acquired from contact with infected material of animal origin by farmers, veterinarians, and abattoir and laboratory workers. Brucellosis was first reported in South Africa in the late nineteenth century. It is still present in the country today, with reported annual losses of at least R 300 million, and a national annual incidence of 5 000 cases in humans. The global incidence of human brucellosis is about half a million infections annually. As the incidence of human brucellosis is directly associated with prevalence in animals, control of animal brucellosis is emphasised. Veterinary control is compromised by the chronic nature and the variable incubation period of the disease, with an estimated up to 15% of cattle in infected herds aborting before sero-conversion. Latency, which involves about 5% of calves born from infected dams, is also problematic as these infected animals often test seronegative, only to seroconvert in the peri-parturient period, thus allowing opportunity for disease spread within and between herds before diagnosis is made. In addition, the currently used serological tests are at times unable to distinguish brucellosis from cross-reacting antibodies from other infections or brucellosis vaccines. x It was the objective of this study to investigate, under South African conditions, the value of the brucellin skin test (BST) in improving the sensitivity and specificity of the currently used serological tests. It has proved a valuable additional test in diagnosing early and latent infections as well as in differentiating brucellosis from cross-reacting organisms in unvaccinated cattle in Europe. The study also evaluated the benefit of replacing some of the currently used serological assays with the fluorescence polarisation assay (FPA). The FPA, a rapid and homogenous serological test with only a few operational steps, has been validated and is in current use in Canada. The study was carried out in Mpumalanga Province, on herds selected to reflect prevailing South African farming conditions. These herds were divided into certified Brucella abortus-negative herds (608 head) for the estimation of BST specificity, and confirmed B. abortus-infected herds (845 head) for the estimation of BST sensitivity. The results obtained indicated the BST had a specificity of 99.18%, and a relative sensitivity of 42.86%. However, 65.38% of BST-positive animals were negative on serology. When the high specificity is considered, together with the experiences of other researchers who found that the skin test became positive earlier than serological tests, these animals may be assumed infected. It is concluded that the BST is a valuable addition to the panel of diagnostic tests currently used to identify infected herds and individuals in South Africa. The FPA, with a relative sensitivity of 93.65% and a specificity of 98.85%, can potentially be of use as a screening test under South African conditions. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / gm2014 / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / unrestricted

Thesis (M. A. Agricultural Science (Agricultural Economics) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / The relationship between farm and retail prices provides insights into marketing efficiency, consumer and farmer welfare. In light of this, much focus has been given to price transmission studies. Thus, price transmission studies have become increasingly important in Sub Saharan Africa because of its nature of providing clear insights information into our markets. Despite its importance in markets, there are a few studies analysing the mechanism through which prices are determined and transmitted from farm gate to retail markets in dairy markets in South Africa. The aim of the study was to investigate and analyse the nature of price transmission mechanism of pasteurised liquid milk and cheese in South Africa. The specific objectives were to determine the correlation between the milk production and quantity of milk processed in South Africa. Furthermore, there was a need to determine the direction of causality between the farm gate, processor and retail prices of cheese and pasteurised liquid milk in South Africa. It was also necessary to determine whether the price transmission of pasteurised liquid milk and cheese was symmetric or asymmetric in South Africa. The study used secondary time series data that covered a sample size of 17 years (2000 -2016) of pasteurised liquid milk and cheese in South Africa. Pearson correlation coefficient, Granger causality test and Vector Error Correction Model were used for data analysis. Pearson correlation results revealed that milk produced is perfectly correlated with the quantity of milk processed and it was positive. The Granger causality tests revealed that there was a no causal relationship between farm gate and processor, retail and processor and also between farm gate and retail for cheese. However, signs of independent causal relationship from farm gate to retail prices were visible. It also suggested a bidirectional causal relationship between processor and farm gate prices and also between retail and processor prices of pasteurised liquid milk. On the other hand, a unidirectional causality was found from retail to farm gate prices. The VECM results for pasteurised liquid milk showed asymmetric price transmission implying that retailers and processors react quicker to price increases than to price decrease. ii It is recommended that more focus be placed on investment in emerging dairy farmers in order to increase production. This can be done through the input price subsidies, grants and education on modern technologies. The government should also implement the price monitoring cell in order to protect the consumers from unfair prices passed on by the retailers. / Services SETA and National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC)

Lactic acid bacteria are natural part of the human gastrointestinal tract. They are often used in food supplements and for the production of fermented dairy products. This thesis focuses on the identification of selected species of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria in cheese and dairy products. Bacterial DNA was isolated by magnetic particles P(HEMA-co-GMA) from crude cell lysates from 9 products. Isolated DNA was amplified in genus-specific and species-specific polymerase chain reactions (PCR). The obtained amplicons were detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. The results of PCR were compared with those provided by the manufacturers and there has been declared a match.

The work was focused on isolation of PCR-ready DNA and the identification of probiotic lactic acid bacteria that were isolated from five milk product for infant nutrition. DNA was isolated from crude cell-lysates of the products by magnetic P(HEMA-co-GMA) microspheres. DNAs isolated from crude cell lysates of control strains using phenol extraction method were used as positive controls. Using PCRs DNA of genera Bifidobacterium and species B. animalis, B. bifidum, B. breve, B. infantis, B. longum and Streptococcus thermophilus species were identified in products. The results obtained are consistent with the data declared by the manufacturers.

La presente tesis tiene como finalidad proponer la transformación digital del proceso de acopio de leche, utilizando IoT, acrónimo de Internet of Things, y mejoras en procesos del área de Tecnologías de la Información (TI), con el fin de asegurar el soporte tecnológico de la mencionada transformación. El acopio de leche es uno de los principales procesos en una empresa dedicada a la elaboración de productos lácteos y la aplicación de esta transformación junto con herramientas complementarias como aplicaciones web, apps móviles y analítica, está directamente relacionada al objetivo específico de optimizar los procesos de las áreas productivas de la empresa, el cual también se vincula al objetivo estratégico de lograr en tres años un margen de EBITDA del 12%, EBITDA es un acrónimo de Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization. Adicionalmente, se mejorarán los procesos de TI, con el fin de asegurar la transformación del proceso mencionado, para lo cual nos apoyaremos en el marco de trabajo COBIT 5, COBIT es el acrónimo de Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies. Este marco ayuda a los profesionales de TI con el gobierno, la gestión y el control de sus áreas. Al interior de COBIT 5 encontramos el marco de referencia COBIT PAM, del acrónimo Process Assessment Model. Este modelo es utilizado como herramienta de COBIT para determinar el nivel de capacidad y madurez de los procesos de TI. Finalmente, se presentarán los resultados del proyecto propuesto, con el fin de determinar los beneficios entregados a la empresa. / The purpose of this thesis is to propose the digital transformation of the milk collection process, using IoT, acronym for Internet of Things, and improvements in processes of the Information Technology (IT) area, in order to ensure the technological support of the transformation. Milk collection is one of the main processes in a company dedicated to the production of dairy products and the application of this transformation together with complementary tools such as web applications, mobile apps and analytics, is directly related to the specific objective of optimizing the processes of In the productive areas of the company, which is also linked to the strategic objective of achieving an EBITDA margin of 12% in three years, EBITDA is an acronym for Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization. Additionally, IT processes will be improved, in order to ensure the transformation of the process, for which we will rely on the COBIT 5 framework, COBIT is the acronym for Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies. This framework helps IT professionals with the government, management and control of their areas. Inside COBIT 5 we find the COBIT PAM reference framework, of the acronym Process Assessment Model. This model is used as a COBIT tool to determine the level of capacity and maturity of IT processes. Finally, the results of the proposed project will be presented, in order to determine the benefits delivered to the company. / Tesis

Early adulthood is a period of peak bone mass formation, which is one of the basics in prevention of osteoporosis onset in older age. Milk and dairy products intake as a source of well-absorbed calcium is still very substantial at this age, as it was in the previous period of adolescence. However, it is also often a time of finding a person's own diet and a time of eliminating certain food groups from the diet, which is often due to succumbuing to widespread myths. Thus, milk is one of the most controversial foods for the public. The aim of the questionnaire research, which was part of the thesis, was to find out, how many young adults believe and succumb to these myths. Questions were asked about eating habits and respondents' views on the health benefits of milk. The survey shows that a significant percentage of them are misinformed by such myths and exclude milk from their diet, often for no reason. Although campaigns to promote milk consumption are still ongoing and have undoubtedly had a positive effect on public perception of the benefits of milk, it is certain that this activity needs to be continued and myths (not only) about milk still need to be debunked. keywords: milk, dairy products, early adulthood, myths, peak bone mass, calcium

Dairy marketing cooperatives provide marketwide services, such as lobbying for higher support prices and negotiating for premiums above marketing order prices, which benefit all dairy farmers in the market. The presence of free riders, people who benefit from these marketwide services without paying any of the costs of these services, can jeopardize the existence of the cooperative. Understanding why members were attracted to the cooperative and why independents (non-members) were attracted to the investor oriented firm (IOF) allows cooperatives to target specific membership groups. Depending on the cooperative's goals, management can then use this information to focus on either retaining current members or attracting new members or both. The purpose of this study is to produce practical recommendations for dairy marketing cooperatives for recruitment and retention of members. This study begins with a background on cooperatives and a conceptual framework based on group and game theory. The data are a result of a regional survey of dairy farmers. The data are then analyzed using t-tests for continuous responses and chi-square tests for categorical responses. This analysis results in a comparison of responses from cooperative members and independents. The independents stressed immediate benefits over long-run gains. Independents also appeared to have a risk/return trade-off. They received higher prices in exchange for fewer written contracts. Economic issues were important to both groups but significantly more important to independent producers. The two groups exhibited no difference on tradition and loyalty issues. Cooperative members emphasized prices and deductions, but they also highlighted assured markets and field services offered by their cooperatives. / Master of Science