Agricultural producers are exposed to various types of risk in production agriculture. Price risk is one type of risk that producers need to manage. A well established method for managing price risk is the use of futures contracts. Soybean production in the south has evolved over recent years due to changes in technology. The change in production practices due to technology has created agronomic benefits as well as new possible marketing strategies. The agronomic benefits are reflected in both higher and less variable yields. This reduction in production risk may contribute to changes in optimal marketing strategies compared to traditional production systems. New marketing strategies may now be feasible due to earlier harvesting opportunities allowing for new marketing strategies which may be preferable to traditional strategies. The focus of this study will be estimating utility maximizing hedge ratios to capture the impact of production risk on the optimal hedging strategy.

Master of Science / Department of Agronomy / Dorivar Ruiz Diaz / Two studies were conducted to evaluate phosphorus response. The first study focused on genetic improvements in corn (Zea mays) for water limited scenarios on phosphorus uptake. The object of the first study was to evaluate plant response to fertilizer and soil phosphorus for contrasting corn hybrids, including a drought tolerant (DT) and conventional hybrid. This study was established at seven locations for two years (2011 and 2012). Four locations were rain fed and three locations were under irrigation. Fertilizer treatments included phosphorus fertilizer at various rates and placements for the two different hybrids. The experimental design randomized complete block with factorial arrangement in four replications. Early growth biomass, early season whole plant tissue concentration (V6), ear leaf tissue concentration, and grain yield was measured throughout the season. Results showed differences in all measurements between hybrids. Differences in most measurements were also significant with fertilizer application. The DT hybrid had less early growth and P uptake but had higher ear leaf P concentration as well as higher yields. The second study focused on P placement, P stratification may be a concern for producers using reduced tillage systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate different placements and rates of P fertilizers in two crops, corn and soybean (Glycine max). This study is currently ongoing; however, here we are presenting data from three locations and four years (2009-2012). Two of the locations were rain fed and one was irrigated. There were four different fertilizer rates with three different placements as well as various combinations of those placements. The experimental design was randomized complete block with four replications at two locations and three replications at one location. Corn early growth biomass, whole plant tissue concentration, ear leaf tissue concentration, soybean uppermost fully open trifoliate P concentration, and yield for both crops were evaluated throughout the season. Results showed response to the phosphorus treatments in all the measured parameters. Results also showed differences in all measured parameters except yield, were significantly affected by placement.

Thesis (M.S.)--Florida State University, 2003. / Advisor: Dr. Shridhar K. Sather, Florida State University, College of Human Sciences, Dept. of Nutriton, Food and Excercise Sciences. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed 5/4/04). Includes bibliographical references.

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Kevin P. Gwinner / Companies must continue to find ways to not only access new customers, but also better serve and increase loyalty with the current customers they already serve. In an effort to increase customer retention and satisfaction, while improving the company’s bottom line, this study looks at a possible brand extension with AgriGold, a seed company based in Southern Illinois. This study will analyze the feasibility of AgriGold extending its corn-only focus into the soybean market in order to capitalize on the current strength of the U.S. soybean market. The soybean market has drastically evolved over the past several years due to the introduction of several new technologies to increase and preserve yield; in some areas of the U.S., soybeans are now the preferred crop over corn. Through the theory of brand extension and based upon the projected logistics and financial benefits, a recommendation is made for the AgriGold brand. Both internal survey results and financial analysis are used to analyze such an extension. In an expanding soybean acre market and a contracting corn acre market in the US, this study may prove to suggest one of the most important strategic moves in AgriGold's history.

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Daniel M. O'Brien / In recent years, the price volatility in agricultural commodity prices, as well as agricultural input costs, has drastically increased. Today’s famer is faced with difficult decisions concerning when to market their crop, as well as when to secure various inputs. An increase in information availability, coupled with increasing price fluctuations, can make these decisions even more difficult for producers. Although seasonal trends, forecasts, and technical market analysis can be helpful, market efficiency prevents accurate prediction of agricultural prices. Because marketing decisions can be difficult to make, the easiest decision for a producer to make is to not make one at all. However, failure to make sound risk management decisions can be extremely costly to a producer. There are two primary factors that impact a producer’s bottom line: cost of production and grain marketing decisions. Each producer has their own unique cost of production that changes throughout the year. Variable input costs can be volatile within a single growing year, and often the need for certain inputs changes. Marketing decisions and timing can be an even bigger factor in a producer’s gain or loss. Since price prediction is impossible, a producer’s time may be better spent focusing on information they can control. The purpose of this thesis was to test and evaluate a cost of production, crop insurance, and grain marketing calculator with a group of corn and soybean producers in Southeast Nebraska. It is hypothesized that providing customers with a multifaceted, integrated farm management and marketing decision making tool should help them be able to make more profitable risk management and marketing decisions. By knowing how factors as changing expenses impact cost of production and how grain sales impact revenues and profitability per acre, it is hypothesized that users will make more profitable farm management and marketing decisions. In October and November of 2014, twenty corn and soybean farmers were presented with the Grain Marketing Calculator. Grain sales in the 2014 and 2015 crop years were to be entered into the calculator by participating producers as they make their grain sales. Annual production history (APH), revenue protection insurance information, actual or expected yields, and total acres of each crop were entered into the calculator during the initial producer calculator rollout. Generalized costs were entered into the calculator prior to the producer rollouts. Participants were able to change the generalized costs to their actual costs if they chose to do so. Data were gathered from the participants using the Grain Marketing Calculator in March of 2015. Participants weighted average futures sales, weighted average cash sales, percent of APH sold, and percent of total production sold were collected. In March of 2015, the same information from another group of producers who did not use the Grain Marketing Calculator was collected. The two groups average results were compared to each other and regression analyses were done to determine statistical significance of the impact on the test groups’ results. At the end of the experiment, feedback was gathered from participants and improvements were suggested.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:50:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T13:59:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 00408.pdf: 1075141 bytes, checksum: 54b845712f2166aa73f4a1b2faffd2c2 (MD5) / Dissertacao (Mestrado) / IEA/D / Faculdade de Ciencias Farmaceuticas, Universidade de Sao Paulo - CF/USP

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:50:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T13:59:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 00408.pdf: 1075141 bytes, checksum: 54b845712f2166aa73f4a1b2faffd2c2 (MD5) / Dissertacao (Mestrado) / IEA/D / Faculdade de Ciencias Farmaceuticas, Universidade de Sao Paulo - CF/USP

Orientador: Celio Kenji Miyasaka / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-03T20:55:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Silva_LucianoBrunodeCarvalho_M.pdf: 1363000 bytes, checksum: e8be41339935878e0220e14d99b01b70 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004 / Resumo: A degradação oxidativa dos ácidos graxos da soja, ocorrida durante o processamento dos grãos, desenvolve o sabor de feijão verde ou de soja crua que altera a palatabilidade e conseqüentemente aceitabilidade dos produtos à base de soja, resultando em problemas para a indústria. A enzima lipoxigenase (linoleato: O2 oxirredutase, EC 1.13.11.12), catalizadora dessa reação, está presente na soja sob a forma de três isoenzimas caracterizada por três genes dominantes, LOX-1, LOX-2 e LOX-3. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi a identificação e determinação qualitativa e quantitativa das frações de lipoxigenases em sementes de soja Glycine Max provenientes da quarta geração do primeiro retrocruzamento (F4) dos mutantes isentos das respectivas LOX {PI-408251 (-LOX-1), PI-86023 (-LOX-2), TOHOKU nº 74 (-LOX- 3)}, com o cultivar comercial IAC-8, resultando nas linhagens IAC 97-3503, IAC 97- 3512, IAC 97-3545 e IAC 97-3803, fornecidas pelo Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC). A análise qualitativa e quantitativa destes quatro genótipos e do IAC 8-2 foi realizada através de 1) Eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida contendo SDS, para discriminar as bandas existentes; 2) Teste colorimétrico e; 3) Determinação da atividade enzimática em espectrofotometria na presença de: 3.1)substratos específicos e, 3.2) reação acoplada de descoramento do b-caroteno. Observou-se por eletroforese em gel as bandas correspondentes a cada isoenzima. A reação de oxidação da LOX sobre o b- caroteno (LOX-3) e azul de metileno (LOX-2 e LOX-1) foi sensível para a detecção da LOX-1 e LOX-3. O método de determinação de atividade enzimática com a utilização de substratos específicos (ácido linoléico para LOX-1 e LOX-3, e metil-linoleato para LOX- 2) também foi sensível somente para a detecção de LOX-1 e LOX-3. Através da reação de cooxidação do b-caroteno pela LOX-2 e LOX-3 foi possível determinar todas as isoenzimas, complementando os resultados obtidos através da eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida. Constatou-se que através dos cruzamentos e retrocruzamentos realizados pelo IAC, na linhagem IAC 97-3503 não demonstrou atividade de LOX-1, não tendo ocorrido redução significativa (p<0,05) nos outras três linhagens estudadas. Evidenciou-se redução significativa (p<0,05) da LOX-2 nas linhagens IAC 97-3512 e IAC 97-3545, quando comparados ao padrão IAC 8-2. Para a LOX-3 ocorreu redução significativa (p<0,05) no cultivar IAC 97-3503, não ocorrendo diminuição nas outras três linhagens em estudo / Abstract: The oxidative degradation of the soybean fatty acids which has taken place at the grain processing, have developed the flavor of green been or raw soybean. This degradation alters the palatability and consequently the acceptability of the products made by soybean, resulting in some industries problems. The lipoxygenase enzyme (linolenato: O2 oxirredutase, EC 1.13.11.12), which is the component that catalyze the reaction, exists in soybean in the shape of 3 isoenzymes characterized by 3 dominant genes, LOX-1, LOX-2 and LOX-3. The main propose of this work was the identification and qualitative and quantitative determination of the lipoxygenase fractions in Glycine max soybean seeds, which had come from the fourth generation of the first crossing (F4) of the mutants that didn¿t have the respective LOX {PI-408251 (-LOX-1), PI-86023 (- LOX-2), TOHOKU no 74 (-LOX-3)}, using the commercial cultivar IAC-8, resulting in the seeds IAC 97-3503, IAC 97-3512, IAC 97-3545 and IAC 97-3808, which have been furnished by the Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC). The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the samples were done beyond: 1)Electrophoresis in gel of poliacrilamida and SDS, to discriminate the existing bands; 2) color test and; 3) determination of the enzymatic activity using espectofotometric in the presence of: 3.1) specific subtracts and; 3.2) connected reaction of ß-carotene bleaching. It has been observed that beyond electrophoresis in gel each band corresponds to each isoenzyme. The oxidation reaction of LOX in the ß-carotene (LOX-3) and methyl blue (LOX-2 and LOX-1) was sensible for the detection of LOX-1 and LOX-3. The method for determination of enzymatic activities with utilization of substrates (linoleic acid for LOX-1 and LOX-3, and methyl-linoleate acid for LOX-2) it was sensible for detection of LOX-1 and LOX-3. Beyond the reaction of the co-oxidation of ß-carotene by LOX-2 and LOX-3, it was possible to determinate all the isoenzymes, adding the final result which was obtained first beyond electrophoresis in gel of poliacrylamide, and it has been saw that beyond the crossing and backcrosses been made by the IAC, the seed IAC 97-3503 haven¿t shown any activity of LOX-1, to he step of it hasn¿t been observed any significant reduction (p<0,05) in the others seeds that had been studied. A significant reduction had been shown (p<0,05) in LOX-2 in the seeds IAC 97-3512 and IAC 97- 3545 when they were compared to the standard IAC 8-2. To LOX-3 it had been observed a significant reduction (p<0,05) in the seed IAC 97-3503, and no reduction had taken place in the others cultures three seeds / Mestrado / Mestre em Alimentos e Nutrição

Orientador: Maria Antonia Martins Galeazzi / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-03T16:04:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Martins_MyrianTherezaSerra_D.pdf: 4946853 bytes, checksum: 41e76365b8a6f23dcc821fb11791c932 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2003 / Resumo: O presente trabalho teve como objetivo realizar a caracterização química e funcional da plasteína produzida a partir de hidrolisado pancreático de isolado protéico de soja (IPS). O hidrolisado de IPS foi produzido em um reator de sistema descontínuo, usando-se 5% de substrato, relação enzima/substrato 1/20, durante 6h, a 37°C, sob agitação. O grau de hidrólise, determinado através da solubilidade do nitrogênio em TCA a 10%, foi de 83,7%. A plasteína foi produzida a partir deste hidrolisado na concentração de 40% em solução aquosa, pH 7, durante 24h a 37°C, sob repouso. A produtividade da plasteína, determinada através da insolubilidade do nitrogênio em TCA a 10%, foi de 65,8%. Na caracterização química, foi verificada a distribuição dos pesos moleculares do hidrolisado e da plasteína por meio de eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida, na presença de dodecil sulfato de sódio (SDS-PAGE) e cromatografia de exclusão molecular. A SDS-P AGE não permitiu a visualização das bandas tanto no hidrolisado quanto na plasteína. A cromatografia de exclusão molecular indicou diferenças na distribuição do peso molecular do hidrolisado e plasteína. O hidrolisado apresentou 5 frações de PM na faixa de 5,4 a 66,2 kDa e a plasteína com 2 frações de PM na faixa de 9,6 e 58,7 kDa. O escore químico de aminoácidos essenciais confirmou a presença dos aminoácidos sulfurados como limitantes sendo obtido os valores de 93,2 e 96,4% para o hidrolisado e plasteína, respectivamente. A possível aplicação tecnológica destes produtos foi avaliada através das propriedades funcionais. A solubilidade em água destilada, solução tampão fosfato 10mM e solução de ácido acético 50% (v/v) foi igual e em torno de 86% para o IPS, 93% para o hidrolisado e 92% para a plasteína. Em solução de SDS 0,3M, não houve diferença significativa, enquanto que em solução de TCA 10%, a solubilidade diferiu entre as amostras, sendo maior no hidrolisado (82,90%), seguido pela plasteína (35,08%) e IPS (21,43%). A capacidade emulsificante, determinada em água destilada e solução de NaCl 0,5M mostrou ser maior no IPS, seguido pela plasteína e hidrolisado. Esta capacidade foi maior em água do que em solução de NaCI 0,5M, em todos os produtos avaliados. A modificação enzimática também promoveu um aumento da capacidade espumante, sendo maior na plasteína (46,6%), quando comparada ao hidrolisado (40,0%) e IPS (13,3%). A sinérese foi proporcional à capacidade espumante, sendo maior na plasteína (36,0%). A viscosidade diminuiu com o processo de modificação enzimática e com o aumento das rotações em que foram submetidos. Houve diferença entre a viscosidade do IPS, hidrolisado e plasteína, somente quando as amostras foram submetidas à rotação de 100 rpm (3,9; 4,5 e 5,2 cP, respectivamente). A partir de 150 rpm, a viscosidade diminuiu e não diferiram entre si. Isto demonstrou um comportamento tixotrópico do hidrolisado e plasteína. A osmolalidade do hidrolisado foi de 328 mOsm/Kg H20 e da plasteína de 342 mOsm/Kg H2O. O grau de sabor amargo do hidrolisado e plasteína de IPS apresentou os valores médios de 1,8 para o IPS; 3,7 para o hidrolisado e 2,9 para a plasteína, numa escala de 5 pontos, sendo que a menor nota se refere ao produto menos amargo. A reação de síntese de plasteína promoveu um aumento da capacidade espumante e emulsificante, uma melhora no sabor amargo e valores similares de solubilidade, osmolalidade e escore químico de aminoácidos essenciais, quando comparada ao hidrolisado pancreático de IPS. Esta reação mostrou ser uma alternativa viável na utilização de produtos alimentares para diversos fins, e em especial, bebidas com ampla variação de pH, concentração e condições de processamento com rotação controlada (100 rpm) / Abstract: The objective of this research was to characterize, both, chemically and functionally, plastein obtained from a pancreatic hydrolysate of soy protein isolate (SPI). The SPI hydrolysate was produced by an enzymatic discontinuous process in a hydrolysis reactor, with a 5% substrate concentration, an enzyme/substrate ratio of 1/20, and an incubation temperature of 37°C for 6 hours under constant stirring. The degree of hydrolysis, determined by nitrogen solubility in 10% TCA, was 83.7%. The plastein was produced from this hydrolysate with a 40% substrate (w/v) at a pH of 7 at 37°C, for 24 hours without stirring. The yield of plastein, determined through nitrogen insolubility in 10% TCA was 65.8%. The protein profile was analyzed by gel electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel, in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS-P AGE) and by molecular exc1usion chromatography. The SDS-P AGE did not permit the bands visualization. The molecular exc1usion chromatography pointed out differences in the molecular weight (MW) profiles of the hydrolisate and plastein. The SPI hydrolysate presented 5 zones in the region between 5.4 and 66.2 kDa while plastein presented 2 zones in the MW of 9.6 and 58.7 kDa. The hydrolysate showed a more homogeneous MW distribution. The amino acid scoring showed that the limiting amino acids were the sulfurcontaining amino acids, reference values of 93.2 and 96.4% were observed for the hydrolysate and plastein, respectively. The functional properties of these proteins were evaluated for technological applications. The solubility was modified by medium dissolution of protein sources, being approximately 86% for the SPI, 93% for the hydrolysate and 92% for the plastein in water, 10 mM sodium phosphate buffer and 50% acetic acid (v/v). In 0,3M SDS there has been no difference among the SPI, hydrolysate and plastein, whereas that in 10% TCA the solubility differed in the hydrolysate (82,9%), plastein (35.08%) and SPI (21.43%). The emulsifying capacity was analysed in water and O,5M NaCl. It was greater in SPI followed by hydrolysate and plastein. This capacity was higher in water than in O,5M NaCI for all the products analyzed. The enzymatic modification resulted in a higher foam capacity. The foam capacity of plastein was higher (46.6%) than that of the hydrolysate (40%) and SPI (13.3%). The syneresis was proportional that the foam capacity and bigger in plastein (36.0%). The viscosity decreased with the enzymatic modification process and with the increase of rotation used. There has been difference among the SPI, hydrolysate and plastein when submitted to 100 rpm (3.9; 4.5 and 5.2 cP, respectively). However, from 150 rpm, the viscosity decreased and no difference was found. This behavior showed that either hydrolysate or the plastein of SPI might be considered thixotropic gel. The osmolarities of the hydrolysate and the plastein were 328 and 342 mOsm/kg H2O, respeGtively. The taste scores of SPI, hydrolysate and plastein were 1.8; 3.7 and 2.9, respectively, on a scale of 5 points. The smaller score refers to the less bitter product. The synthesis reaction of the plastein caused increase of foam and emulsifying capacity, an improvement in the bitter taste and similar values of solubility, osmolality and chemical scoring of essential amino acid when compared to SPI hydrolysate. These results suggest that the plastein reaction is a viable alternative in the use of food products for several purposes, in special beverages with a large pH range, concentration and controlled rotation conditions (100 rpm) variation / Doutorado / Nutrição Experimental e Aplicada à Tecnologia de Alimentos / Doutor em Alimentos e Nutrição

The effect of germination on the levels of certain antinutritional factors, nutritional composition and in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) of soybean seeds were determined. Raw soybeans contain antinutritional factors, such as trypsin inhibitors (83.05 mg/g), total polyphenols (10.83%) and condensed tannins (1.24%). These factors limit the use of soybeans as a source of protein, carbohydrates and minerals in the poultry industry. In general, soybeans are subjected to heat treatment to reduce the amount of antinutritional factors within the seeds, but it is costly and needs high technology equipment. In order to assist small-scale chicken farmers or people living in developing countries, traditional or domestic processing methods are implemented to address the problem of antinutritional factors (ANFs) in soybeans. This study focused on germination as a versatile and low cost practice. Different lengths of germination time were assessed and compared to each another. Soybeans were soaked for 24 hours and allowed to germinate from one day up to six days. Changes within seeds were noted for nutritional and antinutritional factors during germination. Condensed tannins and trypsin inhibitors decreased significantly (P<0.05) while total polyphenols increased from 5 to 6 days. Protein and fat content increased significantly (P<0.05), but starch content decreased with germination. There were no significant changes for IVPD during germination of soybeans. Germination was also compared to other traditional methods such as roasting, soaking and dehulling. Results showed that dehulled soybeans had the highest proximate composition which was significantly different from other treatments (P<0.05), but the total polyphenols increased. It was concluded that germination for a period of three days effectively improved the nutritional value of soybeans and can be considered as an alternative treatment of soybeans in situations where heat treatment is impossible or impractical. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted