Transport costs can account for a significant portion of the total production costs in an agricultural system. In order to ensure maximum efficiency of a transport operation, the transport manager is required to select a suitable vehicle and choose the best route. This is a complex process as vehicles should not be selected based solely on lowest capital cost, but with several variables taken into account. In order to determine an optimal haulage system and to aid the decision making process, a computer model called SimTrans has been developed. SimTrans simulates a haulage vehicle travelling on any given route under normal vehicle operating conditions. The model produces a set of simulated vehicle performance results and a summary of trip details. The vehicle input parameters and route details can be modified to enable the user to simulate different vehicle configurations on alternate routes. The SimTrans model was used in this research project as it provides a comprehensive output of simulated results. However, under certain conditions there is variance between actual and the simulated vehicle performance in SimTrans, particularly with the gear selection routines. The primary objective of this research was to refine, calibrate and validate the current SimTrans model. An initial investigation focused on diesel engine management systems for heavy-duty commercial vehicles and how these systems affect a vehicle's performance. This investigation was aimed at gaining an understanding of how performance data could be gathered directly from the onboard vehicle electronics of a haulage vehicle. A data logging system was developed to measure and record certain operating parameters of a haulage vehicle during operation. The system was installed on a Mercedes Benz 2637 and the vehicle was driven on two alternative routes between the Eston Sugar Mill and a loading zone near Mid-Illovo. The Mercedes Benz 2637 used for the vehicle tests was simulated in SimTrans using identical operating conditions of route and speed limits. By comparing the observed and simulated data sets, errors particularly with gear selection routines were identified. The SimTrans model was modified such that these errors were corrected and a new gear skipping routine was added. The modified SimTrans model was validated through a comparison of a new set of simulated results with the observed data. The modified model showed significant improvement in simulation accuracy over the previous version of SimTrans. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

Bakalauro baigiamajame darbe analizuojamas investicijų poveikis ūkių veiklos plėtrai. Tiriamą problemą apibūdina klausimai: kokią įtaką analizuojamiems ūkiams turėjo suteikta investicinė parama? Kokie būtų ūkių veiklos rodikliai be paramos? Darbą sudaro dvi dalys. Pirmoje darbo dalyje nagrinėjama investicijų samprata, procesas bei elementai. Pateikiama investicijų klasifikacija. Analizuojama, kokią reikšmę investicijos turi ekonomikai, kas lemia investicijų apimtis. Darbe pateikiamos priežastys, dėl kurių investicijos žemės ūkiui yra būtinos, išskiriamas žemės ūkio veiklos specifiškumas, skirtumai nuo kitų verslo formų. Darbe aptariama veiklos plėtros sąvoka bei metodai, kuriais galima išmatuoti, kaip atskiro ūkio plėtrą paveikė gauta investicinė parama. Tai atsispindi apskaičiavus ūkių pelningumo, mokumo, stabilumo ir efektyvumo bei turto panaudojimo ir atnaujinimo rodiklius, įvertinama, ar atskiras ūkis atitinka ekonomiškai gyvybingo ūkio statusą. Investicinė parama turi reikšmės ir technologiniams, socialiniams bei ekologiniams pokyčiams ūkiuose. Antroje darbo dalyje vertinama ūkių veikla, nustatomi ekonominiai rodikliai. Pateikiami ūkių, pasinaudojusių investicine parama, veiklos rezultatai. Siekiant išsiaiškinti ne tik ekonominius ūkių veiklos rezultatus, kuriuos įtakojo investicinė parama, bet ir kitus pokyčius, buvo naudojamas interviu. Jo metu apklausti šeši ūkininkai. / Bachelor thesis analyzes the impact of the investment activities on the farms’ economic efficiency. The analyzes is expressed by answering to the questions: What was the impact on the farms which were given the investment support? What could have been the performance of the same farms without the support? The research consists of two parts. The first part interprets the concept of the investment, the elements of this process, and the classification of the investments. It analyzes the significance of the investments to the economy and the factors determining the volume of the investment. The research presents the necessity of agricultural investments. The thesis specifies the agriculture’s difference from other business forms. The paper discusses the development of operational concepts and methods which can be used to measure the impact of the investments on the farms’ economic efficiency. This is reflected in the calculation of the farm’s profitability, solvency, stability, efficiency, asset utilization, and renewal rates. The investment support has not only economic effects, but it also has significant impact on technological, social and ecological change on farms. The second part analyzes the economic performance of farms. The research presents the performance of farms which benefited from the investment support. It also analyzes the performance of the farm which has not received any investment. The data is compared in relative terms. It presents the visible effect on the... [to full text]

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.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges faced by farm schools in exercising the right to basic education. In doing so, also to determine possible reasons behind learners' drop-out rate at farm schools. This stUdy was prompted by political changes, which took place after the democratic elections of April 1994, impacting on the provisioning of education in South Africa. The South African education system and its institutions were confronted by many laws and policies, including the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996 (84/1996), the National Education Policy Act 27 of 1996 (27/1996) and specific obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Through literature and empirical studies it was found that the State's commitment to social justice, especially to education, remains unfulfilled for large numbers of children, youths and adults living in rural areas. Literature revealed that the South African government is failing to protect the right to a primary education for learners living on commercial farms by neither ensuring their access to farm school, nor maintaining the adequacy of learning conditions at these schools. The research findings revealed that poverty resulting from unemployment or low income on the farms increases the need for teenagers to be in paid employment in the evenings or at the weekend, increasing absenteeism and ultimately resulting in learners dropping out, and an increase in child-labour. The empirical method, using questionnaires, was successful in obtaining information about what challenges are faced by farm schools in exercising the right to basic education and the reasons behind farm school learners dropping-out. It also established how participants felt and thought about their experiences and perceptions on the challenges confronting the right to basic education as well as the reasons behind farm school learners dropping out. The study established that if the State could respect and fulfil economic and social rights of the farm sChool community, including the right to basic education, by eradicating measures that deny the enjoyment of the right to education as seen at the farm schools, great progress and sustainability as far as education is concerned could be achieved by these schools. A number or recommendations were made with regard to the research on findings for the Sedibeng-West District (08). / Thesis (M.Ed. (Education Law))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2008.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Alnarp : Sveriges lantbruksuniv. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (Psy. D.)--Wheaton College Graduate School, 2003. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-85).

Thesis (Psy. D.)--Wheaton College Graduate School, Wheaton, IL, 2003. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-85).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1964. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [194]-197).

Thesis (Psy. D.)--Wheaton College Graduate School, Wheaton, IL, 2003. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-85).