scholarly journals Estimating an Aggregate Economic Genotype to Facilitate Breeding and Selection of Strawberry Genotypes in Southeast Queensland

2014 ◽  
Vol 139 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-260
Author(s):  
Mark E. Herrington ◽  
Craig Hardner ◽  
Malcolm Wegener ◽  
Louella Woolcock ◽  
Mark J. Dieters
Keyword(s):  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Breeding Population ◽  
Breeding Program ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Breeding Value ◽  
Linear Quadratic ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Economic Weight ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
Gross Margins

The Queensland strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa) breeding program in subtropical Australia aims to improve sustainable profitability for the producer. Selection must account for the relative economic importance of each trait and the genetic architecture underlying these traits in the breeding population. Our study used estimates of the influence of a trait on production costs and profitability to develop a profitability index (PI) and an economic weight (i.e., change in PI for a unit change in level of trait) for each trait. The economic weights were then combined with the breeding values for 12 plant and fruit traits on over 3000 genotypes that were represented in either the current breeding population or as progenitors in the pedigree of these individuals. The resulting linear combination (i.e., sum of economic weight × breeding value for all 12 traits) estimated the overall economic worth of each genotype as H, the aggregate economic genotype. H values were validated by comparisons among commercial cultivars and were also compared with the estimated gross margins. When the H value of ‘Festival’ was set as zero, the H values of genotypes in the pedigree ranged from –0.36 to +0.28. H was highly correlated (R2 = 0.77) with the year of selection (1945–98). The gross margins were highly linearly related (R2 > 0.98) to H values when the genotype was planted on less than 50% of available area, but the relationship was non-linear [quadratic with a maximum (R2 > 0.96)] when the planted area exceeded 50%. Additionally, with H values above zero, the variation in gross margin increased with increasing H values as the percentage of area planted to a genotype increased. High correlations among some traits allowed the omission of any one of three of the 12 traits with little or no effect on ranking (Spearman’s rank correlation 0.98 or greater). Thus, these traits may be dropped from the aggregate economic genotype, leading to either cost reductions in the breeding program or increased selection intensities for the same resources. H was efficient in identifying economically superior genotypes for breeding and deployment, but because of the non-linear relationship with gross margin, calculation of a gross margin for genotypes with high H is also necessary when cultivars are deployed across more than 50% of the available area.

Genetic analysis of docility score of Australian Angus and Limousin cattle

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 213 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. F. Walkom ◽  
M. G. Jeyaruban ◽  
B. Tier ◽  
D. J. Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effect ◽  
Animal Model ◽  
Genetic Analysis ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Breeding Value ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Subjective Score

The temperament of cattle is believed to affect the profitability of the herd through impacting production costs, meat quality, reproduction, maternal behaviour and the welfare of the animals and their handlers. As part of the national beef cattle genetic evaluation in Australia by BREEDPLAN, 50 935 Angus and 50 930 Limousin calves were scored by seedstock producers for temperament using docility score. Docility score is a subjective score of the animal’s response to being restrained and isolated within a crush, at weaning, and is scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 representing the quiet and 5 the extremely nervous or anxious calves. Genetic parameters for docility score were estimated using a threshold animal model with four thresholds (five categories) from a Bayesian analysis carried out using Gibbs sampling in THRGIBBS1F90 with post-Gibbs analysis in POSTGIBBSF90. The heritability of docility score on the observed scale was 0.21 and 0.39 in Angus and Limousin, respectively. Since the release of the docility breeding value to the Australian Limousin population there has been a favourable trend within the national herd towards more docile cattle. Weak but favourable genetic correlations between docility score and the production traits indicates that docility score is largely independent of these traits and that selection to improve temperament can occur without having an adverse effect on growth, fat, muscle and reproduction.

Economic performance of organic vs conventional vegetables production in Gaza strip

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 9-18
Author(s):  
Ahmed Abu Shaban
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Gaza Strip ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Economic Potential ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Lower Production

Organic farming has achieved significant growth in developing countries. However, it is still in some areas such as Gaza strip at embryonic stage. Introduction and promotion of organic farming would need more information about economic feasibility of shifting from the existing conventional farms to organic farming system. This is the main aim of this study. Data was collected from 100 randomly selected farmers in southern area of Gaza strip using standard questionnaire. Additional focus group discussions were conducted for further qualitative analyses. Data was also collected from the organic farm of Safe Agriculture Association where vegetables are organically produced and marketed. Gross margin and comparative analyses were used to describe cost structure of conventional and organic production and to assess economic potentialities to shift to organic farming. Results varied among vegetable crops as some crops showed very high economic potential to shift to organic farming while other crops did not. Major reasons for crops with good potential were higher yield under organic farming, premium market prices and lower production costs. Major reasons for lower economic potential to shift were the significant lower yield and higher production costs. The study recommends further technical research to explore organic production techniques that allows for higher yield and lower production cost. The study also recommends further market research to investigate consumers' preferences and willingness to pay for organic products.

scholarly journals Economic analysis of smallholder maize farmers: implications for public extension services in Eastern Cape

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
I. K. Agbugba ◽  
M. Christian ◽  
A. Obi
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Sampling Procedure ◽  
Land Acquisition ◽  
Smallholder Farmer ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Profitability Analysis ◽  
Household Heads ◽  
Multistage Sampling ◽  
Gross Margins

ABSTRACT This study sought to determine the economics of maize farmers in Amatole District, Eastern Cape. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select hundred and nine (109) smallholder farmers (homestead and irrigators). Descriptive statistics and gross margin analysis were used to determine the economics and profitability of maize in the study area. Findings indicated that majority (66 per cent) of them were men with an average age of 61 years old, majority (69 per cent) were married, with mean household size of 4 persons and household heads having some primary education. Moreover, majority (76 per cent) of the farmers depended on irrigation technology; majority (33 per cent) of the famers spent between 9 and 11 years of experience in farming; majority (89 per cent) of the respondents in the study area were dependent on farming as their major occupation and livelihood. Pertaining to land acquisition, majority (48%) of the farmers believed that the traditional or community leaders set rules and regulations regarding land acquisition. From the profitability analysis, smallholder farmer irrigators generated significantly higher yield, total revenues and gross margins more than the homestead gardeners at 5, 10 and 5 per cent levels, respectively. Moreover, homestead gardeners spent more money in purchase of inputs and this may have contributed to their low gross margins. On the other hand, smallholder-farmer irrigators who incur less input costs have higher chances of benefiting from price discounts and transport offer by input suppliers than the homestead gardeners. This results in smallholder farmer irrigators wielding more profits, thereby creating more income and wealth which is pivotal in the improvement of farmers' livelihoods. Keywords: Economics, profitability, Maize farmers, Extension service, Eastern Cape.

scholarly journals MoBPSweb: A web-based framework to simulate and compare breeding programs

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Pook ◽  
L. Büttgen ◽  
A. Ganesan ◽  
N.T. Ha ◽  
H. Simianer
Keyword(s):  
Selection Index ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Breeding Program ◽  
Breeding Value ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
General Applicability ◽  
Breeding Programs ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Value Estimation

ABSTRACTSelective breeding is a continued element of both crop and livestock breeding since early prehistory. In this work, we are proposing a new web-based simulation framework (“MoBPSweb”) that is combining a unified language to describe breeding programs with the simulation software MoBPS, standing for ‘Modular Breeding Program Simulator’. Thereby, MoBPSweb is providing a flexible environment to enter, simulate, evaluate and compare breeding programs. Inputs can be provided via modules ranging from a Vis.js-based flash environment for “drawing” the breeding program to a variety of modules to provide phenotype information, economic parameters and other relevant information. Similarly, results of the simulation study can be extracted and compared to other scenarios via output modules (e.g. observed phenotypes, accuracy of breeding value estimation, inbreeding rates). Usability of the framework is showcased along a toy example of a dairy cattle breeding program on farm level, with comparing scenarios differing in implemented breeding value estimation, selection index and selection intensity being considered. Comparisons are made considering both short and long-term effects of the different scenarios in terms of genomic gains, rates of inbreeding and the accuracy of the breeding value estimation. Lastly, general applicability of the MoBPSweb framework and the general potential for simulation studies for genetics and in particular in breeding are discussed.

scholarly journals PERANAN AUDIT INTERNAL DALAM MENUNJANG EFEKTIVITAS PENGENDALIAN INTERNAL ATAS BIAYA PRODUKSI AIR MINUM DALAM KEMASAN 240ML PADA PT. AQUA GOLDEN MISSISSIPPI TBK.

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-65
Author(s):  
Arief Tri Hardiyanto
Keyword(s):  
Internal Control ◽  
Production Cost ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Internal Controls ◽  
Bottled Water ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Control Cost ◽  
Strongly Agree

This study shows how the role of internal audit is adequate can play a role in supporting the effectiveness of internal controls over the production cost of bottled water 240ml at PT. Aqua Golden Mississippi Tbk. (Branch Mekarsari). The method used in this research is descriptive statistic by using Spearman Rank correlation coefficient with n = 15 and a significant level of 0.05. Based on the research that has been described, it can be concluded that the respondents in the role of internal audit is adequately provide answers strongly agree and agree amounting to 96.1% of respondents regarding the effectiveness of internal control over production costs by 97.02% answered strongly agree and agree, The role of internal audit in supporting the effectiveness of internal controls over the production cost of bottled water 240ml including a very strong, which is 89.96%. While the remaining 10.04% influenced by other factors not included in the research conducted by the author. Thus it can be said that adequate internal audit was instrumental in supporting the effectiveness of internal controls over the production cost of bottled water 240ml at PT. Aqua Golden Mississippi Tbk. (Branch Mekarsari).Keywords: Internal Audit, Internal Control, Cost of Production

Lot-Size Planning with Non-Linear Cost Functions Supporting Environmental Sustainability

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Heck ◽  
Guenter Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Cost Function ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Cost Functions ◽  
Size Optimization ◽  
Lot Size ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
Linear Cost

In this paper, the authors propose a non-linear cost function based on ecological considerations for lot-size planning. The classical approaches of lot-size optimization, the Wagner-Whitin algorithm and the Part-Period Balancing heuristic, are enhanced with so-called eco-factors. These eco-enhanced approaches combined with eco-balancing help to reduce overall production costs. Simultaneously, the environmental impact is also reduced.

Design and Analysis of Linear Quadratic Regulator for a Non-Linear Positioning System

2015 ◽  
Vol 761 ◽  
pp. 227-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tang Teng Fong ◽  
Zamberi Jamaludin ◽  
Ahmad Yusairi Bani Hashim ◽  
Muhamad Arfauz A. Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Physical System ◽  
Inverted Pendulum ◽  
Linear Quadratic Regulator ◽  
Upright Position ◽  
System Model ◽  
Optimum Control ◽  
Control Vector ◽  
Linear Quadratic ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
Lqr Controller

The control of rotary inverted pendulum is a case of classical robust controller design of non-linear system applications. In the control system design, a precise system model is a pre-requisite for an enhanced and optimum control performance. This paper describes the dynamic system model of an inverted pendulum system. The mathematical model was derived, linearized at the upright equilibrium points and validated using non-linear least square frequency domain identification approach based on measured frequency response function of the physical system. Besides that, a linear quadratic regulator (LQR) controller was designed as the balancing controller for the pendulum. An extensive analysis was performed on the effect of the weighting parameter Q on the static time of arm, balance time of pendulum, oscillation, as well as, response of arm and pendulum, in order to determine the optimum state-feedback control vector, K. Furthermore, the optimum control vector was successfully applied and validated on the physical system to stabilize the pendulum in its upright position. In the experimental validation, the LQR controller was able to keep the pendulum in its upright position even in the presence of external disturbance forces.

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