Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1975. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 558-573).

[No abstract available] / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Co-written with C. Duncan MacKenzie / Graduate

This study is based on the hypotheses that technical advances have increased the efficiency with which factor-inputs are converted into output on dairy farms, and have induced shifts in the input structure of dairy farms. The method used to test these hypotheses has been to measure changes in: (⊥) the real savings in the use of factors during the period 1946 to 1954 and then to make a linear projection of the trend, which existed during the 1946 - 1954 period, into 1961; and (2) the relative importance of inputs over the period 1946 to 1954. Inputs have been divided into seven categories viz: feed purchased; custom work; labour; cost of operating farm machinery and repairs and maintenance of machinery, equipment and buildings; depreciation; interest on investment; and miscellaneous items. Milk was the only output considered in this thesis. Efficiency was measured as the ratio of total output to total input within a given year. The results of the study support the hypothesis. They show that shifts had taken place in the relative importance between labour, and the other factors of production, and that associated with these shifts had been an increase in overall efficiency between 1946 and 1954 of 20 percent, which if projected to 1961 would amount to 34 percent. Thus technological progress had resulted in gains in overall efficiency, with which inputs were converted into output on dairy farms. The study has also shown the types of adjustments on dairy farms which were necessary in order to achieve gains in overall efficiency. It has also been indicated that the dairy farm industry of the Lower Fraser Valley has the potentialities for increasing its output of milk in response to future increases in demand, which growth in population would render necessary. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate

Bovine Somatotropin (BST) is a naturally occurring hormone in dairy cows which affects milk production levels (Chalupa and Galligan, 1988). The effects of BST have been known since the 1930's but limited supply of this hormone made any large scale commercial use impossible. Recently a low cost source of BST became available through recombinant DNA technology. This low cost availability of the hormone has led to research experiments which show that recombinant BST can significantly increase a cow's ability to produce milk (Peel and Bauman, 1987; Burton et al, 1987; Soderholm et al, 1988; De Boer et al, 1988). A number of studies have examined the firm level impacts of BST on the Canadian dairy industry. This present work will build upon these earlier studies by examining the impacts of BST at the both the firm and aggregate levels for all of the dairy producing regions in Canada. To facilitate this analysis at an aggregate level a linear programming model of the Canadian dairy industry was used. This model describes the dairy sector for each province, including the production, processing, trade and marketing subsectors, and is incorporated into the Canadian Regional Agricultural Model (CRAM), (Webber et al, 1986). Several scenarios were examined representing different government policy responses with the introduction of BST to the Canadian dairy industry. These scenarios are compared to a 1986 "base case" situation of the dairy industry. The first scenario examined represents a "no policy change" situation. Provincial quota levels, producer prices, levies and subsidies all remain unchanged and BST adoption rates are assumed for each province. In order to maintain existing milk production levels with BST a 5% reduction in the national cow herd results. This lower number of animals producing the same amount of milk as in the base case results in a 5% increase in dairy producer income at the national level. In the second scenario the impact of BST on quota values is examined. As in the first scenario all dairy policy instruments remain at 1986 base levels. The decrease in marginal costs for a producer fully adopting BST is then estimated. Using a marginal cost estimate of $32 per hi, the fall in marginal cost was nearly 6% or $2.00 per hi on average for Canada. This results in an 18% increase in what these producers can pay for quota. Using lower marginal cost estimates would result in a greatre increase in this variable and smaller quota increases. In scenario 3 some of the benefits of BST adoption are passed on to consumers. This is done by allowing production levels to expand such that the difference between farm-gate price and supply price remains the same as prior to the introduction of BST. Quota values remain at their base case level. This resulted in a 2% increase in the national supply of raw milk. In the fluid milk market the supply of standard milk increased by 2% and lowfat milk production increased by approximately 3 percent. In the industrial market cheese production increased by 6%, butter production increased by 2% and skim milk powder production fell by approximately 4 percent. In the final scenario the benefits of BST adoption are passed on to the taxpayers. This is accomplished by reducing the dairy subsidy by an amount which just offsets the cost savings in each province as a result of BST adoption. This leads to a decrease in the dairy subsidy of $80 million at the national level or approximately 30% of the 1986 subsidy payment. At the firm level, given the assumptions of this study, the main impacts of BST are a fall in marginal costs of $2 per hi and an increase in quota values of 18%. While these estimates of firm level changes resulting from BST adoption are not trivial they are much less than would be expected with earlier results of milk yield increases of over 25 to 3 5% accompanied by dry matter feed increases of only 10 to 15 percent (Bauman et al, 1985; Soderholm et al, 1988) . Given the assumed Canadian adoption rates of approximately 50% the aggregate level impacts of BST are more moderate. The national herd size falls by 5% and dairy producer incomes are increased by 5% to produce at the base case 198 6 production levels. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate

The recent increase in intensification of the UK dairy industry has led to the majority of cattle in the UK being housed in large, dynamic groups. Proposals for two large-scale dairies intending to house between 3,000 and 8,000 head of cattle have been met with considerable opposition by both producers and the public alike. Recent reports by both the Farm Animal Welfare Council and European Food Safety Authority have highlighted the continued welfare issues relating to dairy cattle, especially those housed in such large, dynamic groups. Conversely, with the current economic challenges being imposed on the UK dairy industry, there are many who see these systems as the future of dairying and discount the welfare concerns being highlighted. This project aimed to address one of the main welfare issues that receives scarce consideration when designing such systems; the social bonds of dairy cattle. A herd of 400 Holstein-Friesian cattle, plus followers, were observed in cubicle housing under commercial conditions. Through the identification of preferential relationships using an association index, important social bonds between individuals were identified. The majority of relationships between dyads were however weak, short term associations appearing together no more than once throughout the observation period. These bonds were significantly stronger in younger cattle demonstrated through the closer proximity maintained and the higher association index scores between dyads. Between the ages of 7 & 11 months animals performed the most positive social behaviour and had the strongest dyad relationships. In order to assess the strength of these positive relationships between dyads and to investigate the importance of these relationships to cattle, a short term (30 minutes) separation test from the remainder of the herd was carried out. Cattle’s responses to the challenge were assessed both physiologically and behaviourally. A significantly lower heart rate (p<0.01) during the separation period was observed when cattle were separated with their preferred partner compared to the non-preferred partner, and significantly lower levels of behaviour suggestive of agitation (p<0.05) were observed when they were with their preferred partner compared to when they were with the non-preferred partner. These results suggest that cattle were receiving social support from their preferred partners allowing them to have a reduced stress response to the social isolation test. As cattle aged and experienced regrouping, positive social bonds tended to disappear and cattle were more likely to have only weak associations. During long term separation (two weeks) from preferred partners, cattle showed significant behavioural, physiological and milk production changes. Upon subsequent reunion of preferred partners and consequential regrouping of individuals no further changes in behaviour, biology and milk production were observed, suggesting that separation rather than regrouping elicited a stress response. The bonds that had previously been evident between dyads were no longer present after the two weeks of separation. Subsequent relationships were also significantly weaker in focal cattle after separation of preferred partners and regrouping of animals. These results highlight the importance of relationships to the welfare of cattle and in particular the psychological well-being of cattle in commercial dairies. There is a significant need to reduce regrouping where possible and promote a more stable grouping system that enhances social bonds and positive social behaviour such as allogrooming; a behaviour which is currently rare in commercial systems. This will improve the quality of life for dairy cattle and increase their ability to cope with environmental challenge such as at times of regrouping and separation. In conclusion, social bonds do occur in domesticated dairy cattle and can be found when living in large dynamic group systems, but they are significantly affected by separation at the time of regrouping. These social bonds are important to the welfare and well-being of cattle; practices that promote stability and positive associations will be beneficial to the welfare of animals.

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Queensland, 2003. / Includes bibliography.

This paper concerns itself with decreasing milk consumption in the Port Elizabeth area and how the marketing mix influences marketing decisions. Personal interviews were conducted in different supermarkets to investigate consumer perceptions of milk, the brand purchased and how consumers use milk. The study indicated that people purchasing milk were very price conscious. Respondents showed almost no brand loyalty. However, respondents indicated that they were aware of the health benefits of drinking milk, although most used milk predominantly to whiten their tea and/or coffee. A comparison of the findings of this study to those of Geils (1981) and Hanekom (1990) indicates that the milk industry has the same problems in 1999 as it did in 1990 and in 1981. Findings reflect the unhealthy perception people have about milk. Many regard it as a child’s drink and others perceive it as fattening. Decreasing consumption figures indicate that there has been little effort or success from the dairy industry to change consumer perceptions of milk. Figures indicate that consumption of milk may be close to zero in 2015, if marketers of dairy companies do not improve the image of milk. However, a considerable amount of investment by overseas companies in Port Elizabeth dairies may increase marketing activities in the future. This paper begins with an overview of the major competitors in the Port Elizabeth area, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. The importance of selecting the appropriate market mix for milk is discussed by explaining each mix element, namely, product, distribution, promotion and price. Distribution involves the delivery of the perishable product to outlets in the shortest space of time after production. Careful and efficient planning of refrigerated warehousing, transport and delivery services all indirectly contribute to the freshness and quality of milk. Promotion is one of the most important elements that can be used to change consumer perceptions of milk. It is necessary to select the correct message for the specific target group when advertising. Product benefits like milk’s purity, or naturalness, should be focused on rather than its creaminess and richness. Price constitutes the fourth element of the marketing mix. Price in the narrowest sense, is the amount of money charged for milk. The milk industry is intensely price sensitive which often results in price wars among competitors. Most consumers purchase the cheapest brand of milk indicating little brand loyalty, especially among top-end consumers.

Financial records from 63 farms on Virginia Agribusiness Management Association and 72 farms on North Carolina Farm Business Records Program from 1978 to 1981 were combined with annual Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) records to determine relationships among management practices and farm profit between and within dairy herds. Herd effects were the largest source of variation (>45%) for most financial variables whereas year effects were smaller (<10%). Regressions within herds and years accounted for .7 to 8.5% and residual effects 8.6 to 56.8% of variation in financial measures. DHI variables had large components of variance due to herds (>40%), but year effects were not significant. Correlations between financial and production variables were estimated overall and after removing herd and year effects. Many differences in magnitude existed between levels of correlation. Standardizing herd management and year differences reduced relationships between financial and production variables. Time-series cross-sectional regression analyses to identify production variables predictive of net cash income, receipts, and expenses found nine production variables to be significant within herd and year in one or more equations. While not significant in all equations, year average milk and quadratic year average milk were the most important production variables influencing financial variables, as measured by standard partial regression coefficients. Results varied among production levels with a 1 kg increase in year average milk increasing net cash income $.25 per cow and total receipts $.20 per cow while decreasing total expenses $.05 per cow at low levels of production. At high levels of production, further increases in year average milk increased total receipts $.26 per cow and total expenses $.34 per cow with a net negative effect on net cash income of $.10 per cow. Differences among herds and years are responsible for most variation in financial variables. Relationships among financial and production variables within herds need to be considered when making management recommendations to dairymen. / M.S.