This thesis examines determinants of the adoption of total mixed ration (TMR), and the effects of the adoption of TMR on the farm level productivity and profitability of Ontario dairy farms. A sample of 320 farm level data from 2004-2008 is taken from the Ontario Dairy Farm Accounting Project (ODFAP). A probit model is estimated to examine the factors affecting the adoption of TMR; and the propensity score matching analysis is used to explore the influence of the use of TMR on sample farm’s productivity and profitability. Results from the probit model show that farmer’s age, herd size, region, breed type and feeding system have significant effect on the adoption of TMR. In turn, the adoption of TMR feeding practice has positive influence on both farm productivity and profitability. Under the propensity score matching method, the use of the TMR feeding practice has an economically significant effect on farm profits (i.e., for average farm with approximately 73 cows, the use of TMR feeding practice increases farm profits by CAD$37,091.30/year approximately) and a statistically significant increase in milk production by 1075.41 hl/cow per year.

The objective of this thesis was to determine the effects of frequency of milking and feed delivery on the behavioural patterns and productivity of lactating dairy cows. In two independent experiments, twelve free-stall housed, lactating Holstein dairy cows were exposed to either varying milking frequency or varying feed delivery frequency over 21-d periods. In the first study, cows milked three times per day and multiparous cows produced more milk than those milked twice per day and primiparous cows. Milking three times per day altered the distribution of feeding activity throughout the day. Multiparous cows had longer, and larger meals, while primiparous cows had smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day when milked three times per day. In the second study, cows delivered feed three times per day consumed more DM than those fed once per day and twice per day. Feed delivery frequency had little effect on feeding behaviour and the distribution of feeding activity, but altered the magnitude of DMI following feed delivery. Cows delivered feed more frequently achieve greater daily DMI by consuming more feed following the return from milking and the delivery of feed. / This project was financially supported by a Dairy Farmers of Ontario (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) research grant and an Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA; Guelph, Ontario, Canada)/University of Guelph Production Systems research grant. Additional project support was received from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) and the Ontario Research Fund (Toronto, Ontario, Canada).

Bakalauro baigiamajame darbe nagrinėjamas darbo užmokesčio ir darbo našumo ryšys Europos Sąjungos šalyse. Darbas susideda iš dviejų dalių. Teorinėje darbo dalyje nagrinėjami Lietuvos ir užsienio šalių autorių moksliniai straipsniai apie darbo užmokesčio ir darbo našumo ryšį. Empirinėje darbo dalyje analizuojami 2000-2010 m. laikotarpio duomenys apie vidutinį bruto darbo užmokestį ir pridėtinę vertę vienam užimtajam, atlikta rodiklių kaitos analizė. Taip pat darbe atskleistas darbo užmokesčio ir darbo našumo ryšys bendrai Europos Sąjungoje, senosiose ir naujosiose Europos Sąjungos šalyse bei kiekvienoje šalyse atskirai. / In Bachelor‘s final work the relationship of wage and labour productivity in the European Union countries are analysed. The work consists of 2 parts – theory and practice. In theoretic part Lithuania’s and foreign countries’ science articles about relationship of wage and labour productivity are analysed. In Empiric part there are analyses of 2000-2010 years data about average gross wage and value added per person employed, performed analysis of indicators change. Also, in this work there has been revealed connection between wage and labour productivity in aggregate European Union, in old and new European Union countries and in each European Union country separately.

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This dissertation investigates the effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) and international trade on firm level decisions and examines the effect of policy changes on aggregate productivity and welfare in open economies. The first two chapters build an open economy model of FDI and trade where heterogeneous firms make simultaneous foreign investment and export decisions. The theoretical model is estimated using Indonesian manufacturing data. The estimated model is then used to perform a variety of counterfactual experiments to assess the positive and normative effects of international barriers to trade and FDI. I find that the impact of FDI on aggregate productivity is at least three times the impact of international trade on aggregate productivity. The third chapter, co-authored with Hiroyuki Kasahara, investigates whether importing intermediate goods improves plant performance. While addressing the issue of simultaneity between productivity shocks and the decision to import intermediates, we estimate the impact of the use of foreign intermediates on plants' productivity using plant-level Chilean manufacturing panel data. We find that by importing foreign intermediates, manufacturing plants can improve productivity. / Thesis (Ph.D, Economics) -- Queen's University, 2008-06-20 10:21:01.069

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This study investigated the relationship between flood duration of beaver ponds in eastern Ontario and their productivity for waterfowl. The primary objective was to assess the effect of removing water from a beaver pond for one year had on the subsequent productivity of the wetland. Productivity was estimated by sampling water chemistry, standing crops of aquatic invertebrates, vertebrates, algae and vegetation composition and distribution in naturally occurring and managed beaver ponds of varying ages during 1994 and 1995. Three ponds in each of the following categories were sampled; managed ponds reflooded in 1993, managed ponds reflooded in 1991, naturally occurring beaver ponds reflooded in 1992-93, and naturally occurring old flood ponds ($>$5 years old). / Results from this study indicate that beaver pond productivity is negatively affected by flooding duration. Removal of a portion of the beaver dam on old flood ponds may be an effective means of rejuvenating the wetland. Positive effects on the productivity of the wetland should be realized for several years after reflood. Variability in results indicates that other environmental variables were also affecting the overall productivity of beaver ponds. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

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