Video and industry data were used to assess the inter-relationships of aggression, delivery, coat color, year of birth, number of outs, buckoff percent and score in rodeo bulls. An evaluation of laterality based on observations of how the individual animals were loaded into chutes at 11 bull riding events showed 63% left-handed delivery and 37% right-handed delivery across all observations (n = 525). There was a similar distribution for aggressiveness (based on whether or not the bull charged after the rider dismounted) with 64% of bulls being non-aggressive and 36% of bulls being aggressive. Significant linear relationships existed between score and number of outs and score and buckoff percentage indicating that experience impacted performance. The correlation between number of outs and buckoff percentage was low to moderate (0.06 to 0.30), depending upon the subset of data evaluated. The r-square value for the analysis of score among all bulls was 0.14; however, the r-square value in the subset of bulls with known sires with more than one son was 0.68 when sire was included in the model. Similar increases in r-square values were observed for 2006 average score, career average score, buckoff percentage, and career buckoff percentage, indicating important genetic influences on these traits and/or their component traits. Investigations into the relationship between performance and aggression may help bucking stock producers improve the selection criteria they use. The current trend within the industry is for several breeders to breed ‘hot’ or flighty, nervous cattle to achieve higher performing offspring. Given that there was no association between aggression and score based on chi-square test, aggression may be removed from the criteria for using certain animals for breeding purposes. Based on results from this work, if bucking stock breeders want to make genetic changes in these traits, documentation of pedigree information is vital.

Harvester operators are handling large amounts of information while processing trees. Primarily by looking at the close environment, the trees, and the harvesting head, but also through the bucking display placed in front of the operator. Head-mounted displays have been under development since the 1960s but have yet to find any major applications where they excel outside military aircrafts despite numerous tries. This master thesis aims at evaluating the usability for head-mounted displays (HMDs) and augmented reality (AR) technology within forestry, by answering the research question: Are HMDs suited for displaying information in harvesters? What information is suitable to display in HMDs and how should it be displayed for best effect? A literature review about the current state of the art of HMDs and AR has been compiled which can be read independently. Qualitative user studies have been performed to map the current interactions of harvester operators by observation and interviews in the field. Interviews have been made with subject matter experts in relating fields. The insights gathered from the user studies led to three interface designs for bucking which were designed, prototyped and tested for usability in a harvester simulator. Ideas for other more immersive uses of the HMD were also designed. For bucking is assortment and species the most important information for the operators, contrary to how it is displayed today, where diameter and fed length is presented as the most significant information. Near machine navigation is a problem area which may be solved with AR. Operators participating in the test were positive towards the technology after testing. Our conclusion is that HMDs shows enough promise and performance to be evaluated further by tests in the field. Weight, brightness, and a non-occluding design are the most important properties for an HMD for harvesters. / Skördaroperatörer hanterar stora mängder information vid fällning och aptering. Främst genom att titta på omgivningen, träden och aggregatet men också via apteringsskärmen framför sig. Head-mounted Displays (HMDs) har varit under utveckling sedan 1960 talet men har hittat få tillämpningar utanför det militära flyget trots många studier. Detta examensarbete försöker utreda om HMDs och augmented reality (AR) är lämpliga tekniker för det mekaniserade skogsbruket genom att svara på frågorna: Är HMDs lämpliga för att visa information för skördaroperatörer? Vilken information skall då visas och hur ska den visas på bästa sätt? En litteraturstudie om HMDs och AR har genomförts och kan läsas fristående. Kvalitativa användarstudier har genomförts för att kartlägga skördaroperatörers arbete genom observationer och intervjuer. Intervjuer har även gjorts med experter inom närliggande områden. Från studierna har tre gränssnitt utvecklats och testats i en skördarsimulator. Idéer för AR gränssnitt har även de utformats. För aptering är sortiment och trädslag den viktigaste informationen att visas, i motsats till dagens gränssnitt där diameter och utmatad längd visas tydligast. Navigation i närheten av skördaren är ett problemområde som skulle kunna lösas med hjälp av AR. Operatörer i användartester har varit positiva till tekniken. Vår slutsats är att HMDs är tillräckligt lovande för fortsatta tester i fält för skördaroperatörer. Vikt, ljusstyrka och en design som inte skymmer sikten är de viktigaste faktorerna för en HMD för skördarbruk.

Procurement of sawlogs to purchasing sawmills represents a basic strategic business process. The properties of inbound sawlogs are decisive for the output of sawn products and the cost of raw material contributes substantially to the cost of the final product. Increasing customer orientation and new demands from powerful customers in the building and retail sectors entail new or accentuated demands on management of procurement. Managing raw material procurement and communicating needs to suppliers and logging machine operators are vital issues for sawmills in order to be competitive. The purpose of the thesis is to explore how purchasing sawmills manage procurement of sawlogs. The results are based on 46 in-depth interviews with people involved in the procurement process at seven softwood sawmills in Denmark, Finland and Sweden. The thesis identifies various types of supply uncertainties as well as process improvement and buffer activities that reduce uncertainties. However, the major obstacle in the procurement process is the power/dependence balance in the relationships with suppliers. Beyond doubt, it restricts the manageability of procurement and particularly bucking. The results suggest that there are a number of ways to improve management of procurement, which are currently not fully employed. The thesis provides four key strategic dimensions of the procurement process and suggests a general conceptual model of wood procurement to purchasing sawmills. Further research within the subject can usefully explore the link between procurement management and procurement strategy as well as the relation to other functions' strategies and the corporate strategy. The importance of the identified strategic dimensions of the procurement process needs to be quantified in order to provide normative suggestions.

The goal of the Master thesis is to design a grain container. The thesis involves a possible method of grain storage depending on the quality and condition of the grain and also the ways of filling and emptying the container with all the problems that might occur. The thesis deals for example with a possibility of occurrence of vault and with it associated change of state of stress, or with the pressure surges in the container. The thesis involves an analysis of an appropriate construction solution, a design of the main dimensions of the container and a test calculation of the container ´s strength.

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