The report explores three development alternatives that support and strengthen Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms as a sustainable nonprofit organization and valued member of the community. Each strategy promotes success through improved stability, increased revenue streams and enhanced volunteer support without depleting current resources or funding. Designed as a potential employment plans for Pioneer Farms, benefits and constraints associated with each course of action are compared and contrasted. / text

The Canadian supply managed dairy sector is likely to face more competitive pressure from challenges through the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the changing global trade environment. Therefore, it is highly prudent for Canadian dairy producers to focus their concern on their level of competitiveness and how to improve it. This study investigated the competitiveness of Ontario dairy sector based on a sample of farm level data with a Box-Cox transformed econometric cost model. The data were gathered by the Ontario Dairy Farm Accounting Project, for the years 2005, 2006, and 2007. The impacts of output, yield per cow and several farm-specific characteristics on the average cost of milk production were examined. Results support the presence of significant size economies and yield economies within Ontario milk production. Minimum costs were achieved for farms with approximately 125 cows. The results also indicated that some farm-specific characteristics, breed and region, also had significant impacts on the cost of Ontario milk production. However, it appears that Ontario farms may find it difficult to survive if they are forced to face international competition. Even at their minimum, average costs were above an indicator international dairy price.

The research of the Master thesis was carried out in 2005/2006 years in the Laboratory of the State Food and Veterinary Service of Klaipeda County, state and private poultry farms in Klaipeda County and in the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Lithuanian Veterinary Academy. The data was analysed applying the descriptive statistical analysis method. The Master thesis consists of 48 written pages, 7 tables, 10 figures and 56 references. The study aimed at analysing the Salmonellosis hazard in the poultry farms in Klaipeda County and preparing the plans for Salmonellosis prevention. The goals: to collect the data for epidemiological analysis; to analyse the hazards of Salmonellosis in poultry farms in Klaipeda County; to prepare the plans for Salmonellosis prevention. Bacteriological analyses were carried out according to Food and Feed Microbiology LST EN ISO 6579 standards; the horizontal method for the detection of Salmonella spp. (ISO 6579:2002) was applied. The commercial kits were used to identify Salmonella spp. In a year 2005, 15660 poultry keepers were registrated in Klaipeda County, with the total of 817960 birds, 797974 of which were hens. In 2005 there were analysed 1524 samples for Salmonellosis. About 40.4 % of the analysed samples were pooled samples of chicks 1 to 4 d old, in which the majority of pooled samples constituted the samples from boxes, bedding, faeces (282 samples). The pooled samples in the layer hens group amounted to 24.6 % of the total... [to full text]

Tyrimo tikslas – nustatyti kaip vykdomi aplinkosauginiai reikalavimai Joniškio rajono žemės ūkiuose. Magistro darbe aprašomi pagrindiniai agrariniai aplinkosaugos reikalavimai, aptariamos Lietuvos 2007-2013 m. Kaimo plėtros programos priemonių, Kraštovaizdžio gerinimo programos reikalavimai ir jų nauda aplinkai. Uždaru klausimynu atliktas aplinkosaugos reikalavimų vykdymo Joniškio rajono ūkiuose tyrimas. Patvirtinta mokslinė hipotezė, kad aplinkos apsaugos priemonės žemės ūkyje įgyvendinamos problematiškai: aplinkosaugos reikalavimai neįgyvendinami dėl to, kad ūkininkai nežino ar nepaiso reikalavimų. Išanalizavus teisės aktus, mokslinius straipsnius ir kitą publikuojamą literatūrą, paaiškėjo, kad yra daug patarimų, taisyklių, reglamentų ir kitų reikalavimų, kaip saugiai naudoti trąšas, pesticidus, bei ūkininkauti tausojant aplinką, tačiau neaiški ūkio subjektų atsakomybė ir nėra konkrečiai numatytų baudų neatsakingai vykdant ūkinę veiklą. Cheminės medžiagos pesticidai ir trąšos Joniškio rajono ūkiuose naudojamos intensyviai, tuo sudaromos sąlygos atsirasti potencialiems taršos šaltiniams. / Purpose of this analysis is to estimate Environmental rules Execution in Joniskis' district farms. Master work describes the main agri-environment rules, 2007-2013 Lithuanian Rural Development Programme of measures for improving the program requirements of landscape and environmental benefits. It was made environmental survey by closed questionnaire about Environmental rules Execution in Joniskis' district farms. Was approved scientific hypothesis that environmental protection measures implemented in agriculture are problematic: Environmental requirements are not being met due to the fact that farmers are unaware of the requirements or ignore them. There are a lot of guidance, rules, regulations and other requirements for safe use of fertilizers, pesticides, and farming in a sustainable manner, however, unclear responsibilities and the operators are not specifically provided for penalties in an irresponsible farming activity. Pesticides and fertilizers in Joniskis farms are used intense, that allows the lead to potential pollution sources.

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.

Magistro darbo tikslas yra nustatyti, kaip įgyvendinami kompleksiniai aplinkosaugos reikalavimai Šiaulių regiono ūkiuose. Teorinėje dalyje, remiantis išnagrinėta moksline literatūra ir kitais informacijos šaltiniais, pateikiama aplinkosaugos reikalavimų įgyvendinimo vaidmuo ūkiuose ir aplinkosaugos teorijose. Analizuojama nauda gaunama įgyvendinant kompleksinius aplinkosaugos reikalavimus, remiantis moksline literatūra ir kitais informacijos šaltiniais, norminiais teisės aktais atskleista aplinkos apsaugos reikalavimų įgyvendinimo praktika. Pateikiama Šiaulių regiono ūkininkų nuomonė apie kompleksinių aplinkosauginių reikalavimų įgyvendinimo priemones ir jų teikiamą naudą. Magistro darbo pabaigoje, remiantis empiriniais tyrimo rezultatais, pateikiamos išvados ir pasiūlymai. / Master‘s paper aim of the study: to analyse complex environmental requirements realization in agriculture in regional Siauliai. In this master‘s paper the role of complex environmental requirements in agricultures and environment control by analyzing methodical literature and using descriptive method. Also with reference to methodical literature, there is environmental requirements inspection system revealed by the means, based on the normative acts and the requirements for institutions. There are given the opinions of Siauliai citizens about environmental requirements realization. The conclusions and recommendations are given in the end of the Master’s work.

The transition from conventional to sustainable farming has been limited in Quebec by the absence of a comprehensive strategy, applicable at the farm level, to facilitate the transition process. This study summarizes the popular discussion pertaining to planning the farm transition, and the following six concepts that are useful to take into account when designing sustainable systems: vision, creativity, values, the efficiency - substitution - redesign spectrum, an holistic, systems perspective of the farm, and popular participation in the development process. Case studies of six farms in the early phase of transition are presented. Farm and farmer characteristics are detailed as well as the potential of each to influence the evolution of the farm. The outcomes of farm-level planning and activities in the first two transitional years are described. Particular attention is paid to the implications of creative visioning and approaches to problem solving, value adjustments, decision-making criteria, and the farmers' perceived restraining forces. A comprehensive, practical strategy designed to facilitate the farm transition process is constructed. This combines the current popular template for appropriate planning and the theoretical constructs of sustainable development, with insights gathered from the six case study farms. Finally, procedures for using the strategy are outlined, together with some requirements for its further development.

The objective of this study was to determine what impact, if any, interest rate subsidies have on the price of farmland in Canada. The basic capitalization model is used as a starting point for the development of several models. These econometric models are then estimated, using data from four provinces: Quebec, New Brunswick, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The time period studied is 1972 to 1991. The findings indicate that interest subsidies do in fact affect land values, however the effect is relatively small. There are large differences between provinces in terms of subsidy amount and consequently in terms of the effect of the subsidy programs on the value of land in each province.

No description available.

Public concern for the intergenerational transfer of natural resources has generated an interest in sustainable development and sustainable agriculture. Policy makers have a new mandate to insure the promotion of sustainable agriculture. At the same time these policy makers must also reduce public expenditures in agriculture. These two conflicting mandates can only be accomplished when private market values for various soil conservation investments are known. Once this market information is known, policy makers can formulate appropriate policies to achieve both goals. / The focus of this research is to measure the significant factors affecting land values in the study area. The sample farm sales data used were drawn from four of Quebec's twelve agricultural regions. Two of these regions are among Quebec's most productive. These data were used in conjunction with a Hedonic Pricing Model for the analysis. / This research seeks to quantify the implied price paid for land characteristics, soil conservation and capital improvement investments. The research should determine whether the studied land market provides adequate price incentives for private market implementation of soil conservation and capital improvement investments. These investments are necessary to achieve a sustainable agriculture scheme.