Soybean crop profitability: biodynamic vs conventional farming in a 7-yr case study in Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 336-341
Author(s):  
Eliane Araujo Robusti ◽  
Vagner Antonio Mazeto ◽  
Maurício Ursi Ventura ◽  
Dimas Soares Júnior ◽  
Ayres de Oliveira Menezes
Keyword(s):  
Production Costs ◽  
Net Income ◽  
Financial Indicators ◽  
Conventional Farming ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Biodynamic Agriculture ◽  
Farming Efficiency

AbstractOrganic/biodynamic agriculture has been reported worldwide as a suitable system to conserve or even regenerate natural resources. Due to the lack of long-term studies regarding the profitability of tropical organic vs conventional farming, the economic performance of biodynamic vs conventional soybean was studied using data from a consecutive 7-yr case study in a farm with 48.4 ha of biodynamic soybeans in Paraná State, Brazil. Analyses of production costs and financial indicators were adjusted at updated values according to inflation in the period. Effective operational costs were 4.4% higher in biodynamic than in conventional farming. The biodynamic yields were lower (3.6%) than those of conventional. Prices were 57% higher in biodynamic than in conventional, making biodynamic farming more profitable than conventional farming, as shown by financial indicators (gross revenue, gross margin, net margin, net income and capital income were 50.7, 99.9, 122.9, 150.4 and 166.9%, respectively, higher in biodynamic than in conventional). The price equilibrium point (PEP) was 3.4% higher for biodynamic farming; the leveling point was 36.9% higher for conventional farming. Manual weeding and plowing increased organic costs. Higher biodynamic trading prices than those of conventional triggered a PEP suitable for covering higher costs and thus boosting profitability. Further investigations and policies are suggested to further improve biodynamic farming efficiency and sustainability.

Capacity Planning for Cluster Tools of Wafer Fabrication Plant

2010 ◽  
Vol 450 ◽  
pp. 365-368
Author(s):  
James C. Chen ◽  
Chia Wen Chen ◽  
Kou Huang Chen ◽  
Chien Hsin Lin
Keyword(s):  
Capacity Planning ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Wafer Fabrication ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Output Rate ◽  
Cluster Tools ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Capital Intensive

Wafer fabrication is a capital intensive industry. A 12-inch wafer fabrication plant needs a typical investment of US$ 3 billion, and the equipment cost constitutes about two-thirds to three-quarters of the total production costs. Therefore, capacity planning is crucial to the investment and performance of wafer fabrication plants. Several formulae are presented to calculate the required number of machines with sequential, parallel, and batch processing characteristics, respectively. An AutoSched AP simulation model using data from real foundry fabrication plants is used in a case study to evaluate the performance of the proposed formulae. Simulation results indicate that the proposed formulae can quickly and accurately calculate the required number of cluster tools leading to the required monthly output rate.

scholarly journals Kia kaua te reo e rite ki te moa, ka ngaro: do not let the language suffer the same fate as the moa

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (162) ◽  
pp. 20190526
Author(s):  
Tessa Barrett-Walker ◽  
Michael J. Plank ◽  
Rachael Ka'ai-Mahuta ◽  
Daniel Hikuroa ◽  
Alex James
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Endangered Languages ◽  
Endangered Language ◽  
Learning Rates ◽  
Welsh Language ◽  
Using Data

More than a third of the world's languages are currently classified as endangered and more than half are expected to go extinct by 2100. Strategies aimed at revitalizing endangered languages have been implemented in numerous countries, with varying degrees of success. Here, we develop a new model regarding language transmission by dividing the population into defined proficiency categories and dynamically quantifying transition rates between categories. The model can predict changes in proficiency levels over time and, ultimately, whether a given endangered language is on a long-term trajectory towards extinction or recovery. We calibrate the model using data from Wales and show that the model predicts that the Welsh language will thrive in the long term. We then apply the model to te reo Māori, the indigenous language of New Zealand, as a case study. Initial conditions for this model are estimated using New Zealand census data. We modify the model to describe a country, such as New Zealand, where the endangered language is associated with a particular subpopulation representing the indigenous people. We conclude that, with current learning rates, te reo Māori is on a pathway towards extinction, but identify strategies that could help restore it to an upward trajectory.

Impact of nutrient supply on the expression of genetic improvements of cereals and row crops – A case study using data from a long-term fertilization experiment in Germany

2018 ◽  
Vol 96 ◽  
pp. 34-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Rueda-Ayala ◽  
Hella Ellen Ahrends ◽  
Stefan Siebert ◽  
Thomas Gaiser ◽  
Hubert Hüging ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Supply ◽  
Row Crops ◽  
Fertilization Experiment ◽  
Using Data

scholarly journals Kia kaua te reo e rite ki te moa, ka ngaro: Do not let the language suffer the same fate as the moa

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tessa Barrett-Walker ◽  
Michael J. Plank ◽  
Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta ◽  
Daniel Hikuroa ◽  
Alex James
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Endangered Languages ◽  
Endangered Language ◽  
Learning Rates ◽  
Welsh Language ◽  
Using Data

AbstractMore than a third of the world’s languages are currently classified as endangered and more than half are expected to go extinct by 2100. Strategies aimed at revitalising endangered languages have been implemented in numerous countries, with varying degrees of success. Here, we develop a new model regarding language transmission by dividing the population into defined proficiency categories and dynamically quantifying transition rates between categories. The model can predict changes in proficiency levels over time and, ultimately, whether a given endangered language is on a long-term trajectory towards extinction or recovery. We calibrate the model using data from Wales and show that the model predicts that the Welsh language will thrive in the long term. We then apply the model to te reo Māori, the Indigenous language of New Zealand, as a case study. Initial conditions for this model are estimated using New Zealand census data. We modify the model to describe a country, such as New Zealand, where the endangered language is associated with a particular subpopulation representing the Indigenous People. We conclude that, with current learning rates, te reo Māori is on a pathway towards extinction, but identify strategies that could help restore it to an upward trajectory.

A case study of PavMD a new tool to identify good performing pavements in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacobus Daniel van der Walt ◽  
Eric Scheepbouwer ◽  
Bryan Pidwerbesky ◽  
Brian Guo ◽  
Max Ferguson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Performance Measures ◽  
Data Structures ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Pavement Performance ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Additional Value

With the advancement of digital technology, the collection of pavement performance data has become commonplace. The improvement of tools to extract useful information from pavement databases has become a priority to justify expenditures. This paper presents a case study of PaveMD, a tool that integrates multi-dimensional data structures with a data-driven fuzzy approach to identify good performing pavement sections. Combining this tool with an innovative paradigm where the focus is on repeating success can bring additional value to existing pavement databases. The case study shows that PaveMD can identify pavement sections that are performing well by comparing performance measures for the New Zealand context. In this paper, PaveMD's development is described, and its implementation is showcased using data from the New Zealand Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) database. It is recommended that this approach be further developed and extended to other infrastructure databases internationally.

Trends in rainfall intensity for stormwater designs in Ontario

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Vasiljevic ◽  
E. McBean ◽  
B. Gharabaghi
Keyword(s):  
Rainfall Intensity ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Sewer Pipes ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Rain Gauges ◽  
Long Term Trends ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Storm Sewer

The intensities of short-duration rainfall events are fundamental inputs to the design of stormwater management infrastructure. However, since stormwater infrastructure must function as designed for many decades, if there are long-term trends in rainfall intensities, design storms need to be modified. Evidence demonstrates, using data from 13 rain gauges in Ontario, that storm intensities relevant to urban stormwater (5 year) appear to have changed over the last 30 years. The results show, for example, statistical significance at 80% confidence that the 5-year storm has increased, and 85% that the 2-year storm has increased, for the 1 h storm in Waterloo, using partial duration series (PDS) data. The PDS data indicate intensities are increasing at a rate of 1–3% per year. Results show, for example, that a 5-year recurrence storm for PDS for the period 1970–1984 is now very close in magnitude to a 2-year recurrence storm for the period 1985–2003 for Waterloo, Ontario. The implications for a case study demonstrate that 5 out of 12 storm sewer pipes in a subdivision would need to be increased in diameter to obtain the same level of stormwater performance.

scholarly journals Economic efficiency of creation and long-term use of different-ripening grass stands for hay harvesting

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalya Zhezmer
Keyword(s):  
Economic Efficiency ◽  
Economic Assessment ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Annual Production ◽  
Net Income ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
The Creation ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Feed Unit

Based on the improved methodology, an economic assessment of the mowing technology for hay harvesting is given. The total cost (44.8–47.5 thousand rubles/ha) for the creation of early and medium-mature long-term herbage with the dominance of rhizomatous grasses paid off in 1.6–1.8 years. In the next 25 years, annual production costs amounted to 20.1–21.6 thousand rubles/ha with the cost of 1 feed unit of 5.1–5.6 rubles and a conditional net income of 15.1–20.1 thousand rubles/ha.

scholarly journals Production Costs and Profitability for Selected Greenhouse Grown Annual and Perennial Crops: Partial Enterprise Budgeting and Sensitivity Analysis

HortScience ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 637-646
Author(s):  
Xuan Wei ◽  
Hayk Khachatryan ◽  
Alicia Rihn
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Price Competition ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Net Income ◽  
Perennial Crop ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Greenhouse Growers

In recent years, growers in the ornamental horticulture industry have experienced declining revenue and shrinking profit margins due to increased consumer spending captured by wholesale stores bypass, price competition at the retail level, as well as relatively low consumer demand. Maintaining cost-effective production practices is critical for nursery and greenhouse growers to stay profitable. However, a recent trend to impose more restrictive labeling polices on pesticide use (i.e., disclosing the use of neonicotinoids) may impact growers’ already tightening production costs. A better understanding of the cost structure and production decision-making can provide insights for profitable operation. Using a partial enterprise budgeting approach, this research aims to evaluate production costs and profitability for 20 individual greenhouse annual and perennial crop production systems. Three primary economic performance indicators (net income, gross margin, and profit margin) were calculated and a sensitivity analysis was conducted to account for potential risks in production. Our results suggest that production costs vary significantly among different crops, thus implying that producers may have different profitability levels depending on the combination of crops grown. Our partial enterprise budgeting estimates serve as a reference point and can assist producers with reducing costs in specific areas, and aids in selecting and adjusting crop combinations to maximize potential profits. Sensitivity analysis scenarios provide insights to producers for evaluation of their entire operations and aid in making decisions on adopting alternative practices.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document