Average Market Research Articles

ANALISIS SALURAN PEMASARAN LADA PUTIH DI DESA AIR GEGAS KECAMATAN AIR GEGAS KABUPATEN BANGKA SELATAN

This research aims to: (1) determine pepper marketing channels (2) calculate pepper marketing margin (3) calculate pepper farmer share (4) analyze pepper marketing efficiency in Air Gegas Village. The research method used in this research is the survey method. The sampling technique used snowball sampling and the number of samples was 10 farmers and 2 trader collectors. The data collection methods used were interviews, observation and questionnaires. The data analysis method uses qualitative analysis, marketing margin analysis, farmer share analysis and marketing efficiency analysis. The research results show that 1) the marketing channels for pepper in Air Gegas Village are indirect selling and collecting traders as intermediaries. 2). The average marketing margin for pepper in Air Gegas Village is Rp. 4,500/kg. 3). The average farmer share of pepper in Air Gegas Village is 96.4%. 4). The average pepper marketing efficiency in Air Gegas Village is 1.83%.

Development of a material selection decision support system for an automotive application

This study presents the development of a material selection decision support system for an automotive rooftop tent. The system uses five parameters of material cost, formability, corrosion resistance, tensile strength and hardness to optimize material choice from a list of aluminium alloy options. This was done before production via the deep drawing process can commence. The parameters were quantified using the average market prices for each alloy, product requirements obtained from the case study and the performance data that was obtained from the uniaxial tensile and hardness tests. These inputs were combined with the developed material selection framework and then programmed into a web-based decision support system for automated, data-driven material selection. The output presents the recommendation for the optimum material that balances cost-effectiveness and performance. The decision support system was successfully used to select the optimum alloy for the rooftop tent. Results show that AA1050 is the optimum material, providing weight reduction at the minimum achievable cost without compromising the product requirements for the rooftop tent. The decision support system is also scalable, and this allows it to be used with larger datasets for different products and processes in the future.

Income Analysis and Break-Even Point of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) Business: A Case Study of the Lubuk Makmur and Tani Makmur Farmer Groups in Mugirejo Village, Samarinda City, Indonesia

Horticulture is a field that has great potential to be developed in the agricultural sector, because it has advantages that are much higher than other commodities, such as high economic value and significant added value. The prospects for farming in Samarinda City have good prospects and most vegetable farmers rely on income from mustard farming. The research aims to analyze production costs and receipts as well as income from mustard greens farming in Mugirejo Village, Sungai Pinang District, Samarinda City. This research was conducted for four months starting from March 2024 to June 2024. The research was conducted at the Lubuk Makmur and Tani Makmur Farmers Groups, Mugirejo Village, Sungai Pinang District, Samarinda City. The method used in sampling was purposive sampling with a sample size of 22 respondents. The data analysis method used was an analysis of production costs, revenues, income, and BEP. The results of this study indicate that the duration of mustard cultivation from land preparation to harvesting in one mustard planting season is 40 days, with a planting area of ​​0.755 m2 or 0.034 ha, farmers spend production costs to run mustard farming activities of IDR 1.269.916,63 respondents-1 planting season-1 or IDR 40.976.680,00 respondents-1 planting season-1 ha-1. The average income received by mustard farmers is IDR2.642,471.59 respondents-1 planting season-1 or IDR 85.419.034,09 respondents-1 planting season-1 ha-1. The average income received by farmers in running mustard farming in the research area is IDR1.372.554,96 respondents-1 planting season-1 or IDR39.994.979,00 respondents-1 planting season-1 ha-1. The BEP selling price and BEP production volume of mustard farming in Mugirejo Village are respectively IDR8,696.39 kg-1 and 81.20 kg-1. The BEP value is smaller than the average selling price and production values, so it can be concluded that mustard farming is profitable.

Increasing the Recycling of PVC Flooring Requires Phthalate Removal for Ensuring Consumers' Safety: A Cross-Checked Substance Flow Analysis of Plasticizers for Switzerland.

As our planet grapples with the severe repercussions of plastic pollution, mechanical recycling has been proposed as a potential remedy. However, increasing mechanical recycling may have unintended negative consequences. For example, recycling of PVC flooring containing hazardous plasticizers that were used in the past may lead to continued exposure. Here we propose measures to increase recycling while circumventing adverse health impacts caused by legacy additives. For this, we conduct a dynamic substance flow analysis for Switzerland and the time period from 1950 to 2100, focusing on three plasticizers: di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diisononyl phthalate (DiNP), and di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHT). We quantify the uncertainty of results, check their plausibility against measured concentrations in samples representative for the Swiss market, and compare them with modeled substance flows in Germany. Based on the cross-checked model, future average concentrations of DEHP in PVC flooring on the Swiss market are expected to be above the legal limit of 0.1 wt % for several decades if increased recycling rates are implemented without additional measures. Phasing out the potentially concerning DiNP, too, and preventing phthalates from entering recycling would lower their average market concentrations to values below 0.1 wt % and enable increasing recycling rates without compromising product safety. Analogous measures could help achieve this goal across other European countries and product groups.

Gender Disparities in Kazakhstan’s Labor Market: Evidence from the Quality Employment

Gender disparities in the labor market have remained a critical area of economic research, particularly in understanding how men and women experience different employment conditions. This study aims to assess the quality of employment for men and women, focusing on the multidimensional quality of jobs, including formal and informal employment, unemployment, and access to highly qualified professions. The research employs a standardized approach using Z-scores to analyze deviations from average labor market indicators across genders, enabling a comparative evaluation of employment trends over the past decade. Data were drawn from national labor force statistics, covering a wide range of indicators such as labor force participation, employment rates, unemployment, and sectoral distribution. The results of the study show significant gender differences. The average level of the involvement of women in the labor force during the study period was 64.96%, while for men this figure reached 76.38%. The employment rate among women was 4.5% lower on average compared to men, and for women in informal employment, it was 20.16% versus 20.76% for men. Women also showed a higher unemployment rate: 5.71% versus 4.36% for men. The study also highlights the impact of external economic shocks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, on labor market dynamics, exacerbating gender disparities. Future research should focus on developing policies that reduce informal employment and increase job stability for women. Further study of the long-term effects of global economic crises on gender differences in the quality of employment is also necessary to develop effective measures.

Understanding Market Dynamics and Profitability in Small Ruminant Marketing: An Economic Analysis in Southern Karnataka, India

Small ruminants, particularly sheep and goats, play a crucial role in India's agricultural economy, serving as a significant source of income and livelihood for millions of small and marginalized farmers. In regions like Southern Karnataka, where livestock farming is integral part of rural households as they are not only a source of meat, wool, and milk but also provide financial security during times of economic distress. Despite their importance, the marketing of small ruminants remains largely unorganized, posing significant challenges for farmers. The marketing of small ruminants such as sheep and goat involves the procurement of animals at primary markets from farmers, selling these animals at local markets, and further distribution to terminal markets through wholesalers or commission agents. For sheep and goat farmers, selecting the appropriate marketing channel is crucial, as the benefits they receive are largely dependent on this choice. The chosen channel must minimize marketing costs while maximizing the farmer's share of the consumer's rupee. So, this study was undertaken focusing on analysing the existing marketing channels for small ruminants in Karnataka, particularly sheep and goats, and to evaluate the cost structure of different marketing channels, understand the role of middlemen, and propose measures to reduce marketing costs and improve the farmers' share of profits. In the study area, four primary marketing channels were identified: (1) Farmer → Village Trader → Wholesaler/Butcher, (2) Farmer → Local Trader → Wholesaler/Butcher, (3) Farmer → Local Trader → Farmer, and (4) Farmer → Wholesaler → Distant Trader. The cost of marketing is a significant concern for sheep and goat farmers, encompassing expenses such as transportation, feeding, market fees, middlemen charges, personnel expenses, and loading/unloading fees. The average marketing cost per animal across various channels was ₹91.71, with transportation costs making up the largest portion (49.61%), followed by feeding costs (14.72%) and middlemen charges (17.01%).This highlights the challenges related to high transportation costs and inadequate market facilities, particularly for sheep and goat marketing. So, to improve the marketing efficiency and reduce costs for sheep and goat farmers, there is a need for the establishment of regulated markets for livestock and enhancing the transportation facilities in the rural areas to help farmers realize better prices for their small ruminants.

Resources, energy consumption and economic analysis for flame synthesis of ternary cathode materials

Cathode materials account for around one third of the manufacturing cost of lithium-ion battery, which are the major factor preventing the wider applications of power battery packs. Flame synthesis (FS) is a new manufacturing technology of nanostructured materials with few equipment and high efficiency, which potentially can substantially bring down the manufacturing cost of cathode materials. The primary objective of the present study was to quantitatively evaluate the resources, energy consumption and economic feasibility of large-scale production of cathode materials though FS. In the analysis process, the mass flow of reactants and resultants as well as the minimum cathode material selling price (MCSP) of ternary cathode material LiNixCoyMn(1-x-y)O2 (x + y + z = 1) produced by FS were calculated, and compared with that of the conventional hydroxide co-precipitation method. Results show that the production of ternary cathode material through FS can reduce CO2 emissions by ∼60% and water consumption by ∼30%. MCSP of LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 (NCM523), LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 (NCM622), and LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) produced by FS are 224.8 k¥/t, 235.1 k¥/t, 240.0 k¥/t, which respectively are about 2%, 10% and 14% lower than the average selling prices in Chinese market, indicating that FS is economically feasible for producing ternary cathode materials. Particularly, for the production of high-nickel cathode materials, FS has notable potential in simplifying the production process and manufacturing costs. Sensitivity analysis of NCM811 produced by FS shows that when raw material price, fuel and power costs are reduced by 25%, MCSP can be as low as 186.4 k¥/t. When the metal cation concentration of the solution increases to 3.2 mol/L, it enables FS to meet the most rigorous energy consumption limitation standards in China. When the lithium excess is reduced from 10% to 5%, MCSP of NCM811 can be further reduced by 5.6 k¥/t, indicating that lithium loss due to high temperatures in FS is a moderate factor for reducing the manufacturing cost. Finally, this work presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) of NCM materials produced by FS in China. Comparison to the global warming potential (GWP) of the co-precipitation method in the literature indicated that GWP of FS is lower.

Study on the Factors Affecting Housing Prices in Chengdu

Based on the background of the sluggish real estate market in recent years, this paper organizes the relevant data on the average selling price of commercial housing in Chengdu from 2002 to 2022 and studies the factors affecting housing prices. It also collects data such as per capita GDP, housing completion area, and real estate development investment in Chengdu from 2002 to 2022, and constructs the STIRPAT model for multiple linear regression. After a series of model tests and empirical analysis, it is concluded that both per capita GDP and real estate development investment have a positive effect on Chengdu housing prices, while the housing completion area is negatively correlated with Chengdu housing prices. Based on the research results, this paper summarizes the conclusions and puts forward suggestions for the Chengdu Municipal Government and real estate developers.

The Effect Of Assemblr Edu Learning Media On Social Science Learning Outcomes

This research aims to determine the influence of the Assembir Edu learning media on the learning outcomes of class IV science class Mis Nurus Salam Deli Tua. This research method is a quantitative research method using a gore pernental (quasi-experimental) research design, in the form of a non-equivalent conventional group design. The sample for this research is all class IV Mis Nurus Salam Deli Tua, totaling 53 students with the experimental class class IV A with a total of 26 students and class IV B as a control class with a total of 27 students. The data collection method in this research was a multiple choice session consisting of 20 data analysis tests which were used statistically through a single test for two independent samples (dependent samples, the results of the study showed that the Zembo El learning media has an effect on the science and science learning outcomes for class IV, Mis Nurus Salam Deli Tua. Descriptively, the average posture score for the control class is 57,04, which is smaller and the average market value for the experimental class is 73,85. Furthermore, the unit hypothesis result is 5,10 > 2,01. with a significant level of 5% or 005 which means Ho is processed and Ha is received. Thus, statistically it can be stated that Amit's learning media has an equally significant effect on increasing the level of science learning skills for class IV science students. Mis Nurus Salam Deli Tua.

THE ROLE OF SELF-MARKETING IN CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ROMA EMPLOYMENT

The role of different groups in society in the labour market is of vital importance for the functioning of a nation's economy. Equal access to employment is a fundamental condition for tackling social exclusion and is closely linked to reducing and combating poverty. Research on discrimination in the labour market goes back several decades and is primarily based on perceptions of discrimination. The Roma population is one of the most disadvantaged groups in Hungary, with the most severe labour market tensions and the largest number of underprivileged groups. Roma are considered a social group with below average labour market opportunities. The unfavourable social and economic situation of the Roma population in Hungary and their resulting marginalisation has become a platitude in public discourse and academic work. The importance of the issue is undoubtful, as it is estimated that the Roma population, which constitutes a significant proportion of the population, is the poorest, most excluded and, overall, the most vulnerable group in society. The gap between the Roma population and the majority society has been steadily increasing for decades, mainly due to the residential segregation and economic decline of the Roma. Negative discrimination in the labour market plays a crucial role in shaping the employment prospects of Roma people. On the one hand, this is due to the negative discrimination they face, and on the other hand, to the low level of knowledge acquired by these people compared to the average in society. In our study, we examine the factors determining selfmarketing and the labour market chances of Roma in the context of the background factors, economic and social effects of unemployment, which particularly affect this precariat group. We make an attempt to prove that self-marketing has a right to exist among the Roma working population. In researching this topic, it is essential to address the issue of the conscious career management competences of members of the emerging generation and the crucial role of inclusive workplaces.

Countermeasures to promote sustainable construction and coordinated development of healthy cities: a case study of Dandong City

In order to promote sustainable construction and coordinated development of healthy cities in small and medium-sized cities, as well as to improve people's happiness, this paper takes the border city of Dandong as an example. It constructs 5 primary indexes and 28 secondary indexes, including healthy environment, healthy culture, health service, healthy society, and healthy tourism real estate. Among them, the index for healthy tourism real estate includes five secondary indicators: tourism income, number of tourists, real estate transaction volume, average selling price of commercial housing, and renovation of old residential areas. This paper analyzes the overall goal of healthy city construction in Dandong using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The relative priorities of the five first-level indicators considered are: healthy environment; healthy society; health service; healthy tourism real estate; and healthy culture. This indicates that a focus on creating a healthy environment is more important in evaluating a city's health. According to data analysis, Dandong has met national standards for creating a healthy environment and promoting a vibrant cultural scene. In addition to this achievement, the number of practicing (assistant) doctors per 1000 people in health services reached national standards in 2018, and people's living standards have gradually improved. Combining the advantages of local tourist destinations with the promotion of healthy development in the tourist industry, and balanced growth in real estate development as contributed to the creation of a positive social environment conducive to good health.

Removal and stabilization of As and Cd in water/soil using silicate-supported nano zero-valent iron composites: Preparation, behavior, mechanism and cost analysis

A novel silicate-supported nano zero-valent iron composite material (nZVI@SS) for the removal and stabilization of arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) in water/soil had been developed through the modification of low-grade oolitic iron ore (OI) by reduction, while refinery sludge (RS) as reductant, manganese carbonate (MC) as additive in this work. The As and Cd adsorption capacity of nZVI@SS reached 93.91 mg·g−1 and 265.81 mg·g−1, respectively. Its specific surface area and pore volume increased by 19.28 m2·g−1 and 0.24 cm3·g−1, respectively when compared with unmodified OI. In the actual soil leaching process, using 2 % nZVI@SS for 30 days, the leaching concentrations of As and Cd decreased by 87.86 % and 85.51 % respectively, while their bioavailable contents were reduced by 15.59 mg·kg−1 and 1.40 mg·kg−1, correspondingly. The formation of chemical precipitates as Fe-As, Ca-As compounds, and Cd(OH)2 was the main mechanism of their adsorption process. Therefore, HMs adsorbed by nZVI@SS were difficult to desorb, making it more suitable for passivation/stabilization of HMs in groundwater/soil. Furthermore, the production cost of nZVI@SS was approximately 50 $/T, below the average market value of comparable adsorption materials. This method made low-grade minerals into environmentally friendly materials with high added value, significantly reduced the environmental risk of HMs in water/soil, and provided a new approach for the development of sustainable environmentally friendly materials using hazardous waste RS as a resource.

Returns to solar panels in the housing market: A meta learner approach

This paper aims to estimate the returns to solar panels in the UK residential housing market. Our analysis applies a causal machine learning approach to Zoopla property data containing about 5 million observations. Drawing on meta-learner algorithms, we provide strong evidence documenting that solar panels are directly capitalized into sale prices. Our results point to a selling price premium above 6% (range between 6.1% to 7.1% depending on the meta-learner) associated with solar panels. Considering that the average selling price is £230,536 in our sample, this corresponds to an additional £14,062 to £16,368 selling price premium for houses with solar panels. Our results are robust to traditional hedonic pricing models and matching techniques, with the lowest estimates at 3.5% using the latter. Despite the declining trend, the additional analyses demonstrate that the positive premium associated with solar panels persists over the years.

Analisis Pendapatan Petani Jagung yang Ditinjau dari Modal dan Harga Jual: Studi pada Petani Jagung di Desa Tudi Kecamatan Monano

In Indonesia, corn is a food ingredient that can contribute to the development of the agricultural sector. Development of the agricultural sector is synonymous with efforts to increase community income and welfare. There are various factors that can influence farming income such as capital, selling price, production, land area, and labor. The aim of this research is to determine the income of corn farmers in terms of capital and selling price. This research uses a descriptive qualitative method using primary data obtained through observation, interviews and documentation. The results of this research show that the average level of income of farmers in terms of selling prices produces income for one harvest which is quite high because the average selling price received during the last harvest by farmers was IDR 4,800/kg. This is also a high selling price. will produce a large income, while the farmer's income level in terms of capital to produce one harvest is quite low due to the varying differences in capital expenditure. This can occur because the purchase price of tools, materials and wage costs incurred by each informant is different, this causes large the small amount of capital spent will affect the level of income generated.

Stock market return and merger and acquisition activity in Poland

This article explores mergers and acquisitions trends in the Polish market in a period between 2019 and 2022, focusing on transactions exceeding one million dollars and their correlation with sector-specific stock market returns. The research reveals that the real estate sector, encompassing both development and property management, dominated M&A activity, comprising 25% of transactions in 2022. Significant positive correlations were observed between transaction volumes and average stock market returns, notably in sectors like real estate (R-Pearson = 0.75) and TMT (R-Pearson = 0.87). These findings indicate that sectors with higher returns attracted more M&A activity, reflecting investor confidence and strategic growth opportunities. Despite fluctuations in company valuations post-pandemic, the overall volume of M&A transactions continued to rise, driven by firms with strong cash reserves leveraging lower valuations for strategic expansions. The study anticipates sustained momentum in technology and real estate sectors, alongside emerging opportunities in energy and biotechnology, influenced by global trends and technological advancements. This research contributes valuable insights into the evolving landscape of M&A in Poland, highlighting sectoral attractiveness and strategic implications for investors and businesses.

Optimized Nutritional Intakes of Fishers’ Children in Coastal Communities in Mabini, Davao de Oro, Philippines

In the Philippines, the fishers’ children are one of the groups with the highest prevalence of malnutrition. Mabini in Davao De Oro is among the municipalities affected by the high incidence of nutrition inadequacies. The study assessed the dietary intakes of fishers’ school-aged children during three seasons: Northeast Monsoon (NEM), summer, and Southwest Monsoon (SWM). A stratified random sampling was used to obtain the 112 fishing household data, and the three-day diet recall approach was utilized in gathering nutrition information of 178 fishers’ children during the 2017–2018 period. From the Kruskal Wallis test followed by Dunn’s post-hoc test, results showed that the total catch per week, income per week, and the average selling price of fish during the three seasons were significantly different with catch and income levels higher during the NEM followed by SWM and summer. Moreover, the results from the linear programming show that the average nutrient intakes of the children were found to be inadequate compared to the recommended energy and nutrient intakes. This result is more noticeable during the summer season when there are low catch and income levels. The results from the optimal diet plan suggest that the recommended nutrient intakes can be attained by increasing the consumption of locally available fish resources and decreasing the consumption of processed foods. Finally, local interventions such as food fortification, school-based feeding programs, and diet supplementation can increase the nutrient adequacy of children in coastal communities.

Impact of contract farming on green technological efficiency of farmers: a comparative study of two contract organizational models

IntroductionEngaging in contract farming represents a crucial avenue for developing countries to integrate small farmers into modern agricultural practices. Existing research believes that contract farming offers a promising opportunity for fostering sustainable agricultural development. However, insufficient attention has been directed toward investigating the varying impacts of different organizational models within contract farming on farmers' transition to green production practices.MethodsThis study investigates the impact of contract farming on green technological efficiency of farmers using survey data from 719 wheat growers in Shandong Province, China. The propensity score matching method and multiple mediation effects models are employed for empirical analysis.ResultsThe organizational model plays a pivotal role in determining whether participation in contract farming can improve the green technological efficiency of farmers. Participation in an integrated model demonstrates a significant effect on improving green technological efficiency, whereas participation in a quasi-integrated model does not show a significant improvement. Integrated contract farming can improve green technological efficiency through expanding the degree of land consolidation and enhancing the level of productive service, whereas quasi-integrated contract farming improves green technological efficiency only by enhancing production intensification. As an economic incentive measure, the effect of contract purchase price on strengthening the enhancement of green technological efficiency in the quasi-integrated model is moderate only when the contract purchase price exceeds the local average selling price of wheat by more than 19.3%. Conversely, the moderate effect of farmers' dividend income in the integrated model remains consistent, with higher dividend incomes correlating with a stronger moderating effect.DiscussionThe impact of contract farming on green technology efficiency correlates significantly with the organizational model. Compared with the quasi-integrated contract farming model, the integrated model distinctly excels in advancing farmers' green technology efficiency, evidenced by its ability to consolidate fragmented land, provide productive services, and offer economic incentives. Therefore, to unlock the latent potential of contract farming in driving agricultural green transformation, a shift toward organizational models with higher levels of integration is essential.

Unlocking potential in renewable energy curtailment for green ammonia production

Renewable energy stands as a cornerstone for a sustainable future, yet it grapples with a significant obstacle: curtailment—deliberate energy generation reduction to avert grid overload. Curtailment not only squanders clean energy but also poses economic and environmental challenges. This study seeks to enhance the value of renewable energy by proposing a comprehensive methodology to evaluate and mitigate curtailment, with a particular focus on repurposing curtailed energy for ammonia production in Jordan, a pioneering nation in renewable energy adoption. The study unfolds several pivotal contributions to the field: (1) Incorporating curtailment in the capacity factor equation for the first time. (2) Exploring green ammonia potential in Jordan for the first time. (3) Investigating, for the first time, the effects of by-products (specifically oxygen and rare gases) on the investment in green hydrogen and ammonia, utilizing system dynamics (4) Outlining hydrogen applications and highlighting the breakthrough hydrogen energy release optimizer for combustion-free hydrogen extraction. In a scenario where curtailment is restrained (514.1 GWh/year), our findings unveil promising prospects: hydrogen and ammonia can be produced at levelized costs of 2.4 USD/kg and 600 USD/ton, respectively. More significantly, the integration of free energy (curtailed energy) and the synergistic utilization of oxygen and rare gases, notably argon, precipitate a remarkable cost reduction to 1.5 USD/kg and 401 USD/ton for hydrogen and ammonia production, respectively. This remarkable cost reduction underscores a substantial improvement, with the cost of ammonia being USD 219 lower than the average market price (USD 620). We advocate for the adoption of the hydrogen energy release optimizer and strategic utilization of by-products as pivotal strategies to significantly mitigate the costs associated with hydrogen and ammonia production, thereby amplifying the value and viability of renewable energy initiatives.

ASSESSMENT OF PRIVATIZED CEMENT INDUSTRY’S PERFORMANCE AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA: AN APPLICATION OF TOBIN’S Q MODEL

The paper investigates the application of Tobin’s Q model in assessing the impact of corporate governance on firm value of cement industry. The variables studied were Tobin’s Q as firm value’s proxy (dependent variable) and corporate governance proxies as independent variables. Data was obtained from the secondary source, and the statistical tools employed in the Methodology were; Performance Trend Analysis and OLS regression. Trend analysis result shows that, post-privatisation has higher firm value. Inferential statistics result suggests that, Average Minority ownership, average percentage of executive directors, average foreign ownership, average board size, average percentage of non-executive directors, average percentage of management staff and average workforce have a positive and significant impact on Cement industry’s performance (Tobin’s q). However, average total market value of shares, institutional ownership and privatisation have negative and significant impact on the Cement industry’s market value while, State ownership has positive and insignificant impact on market value of cement industry. In conclusion, the result of inferential statistics has rejected the null hypothesis that corporate governance does not have significant impact on the performance of Cement industry. Admirably, the result confirmed the findings of the performance trend analysis result. The study recommends that cement industry need to; introduce effectives mechanisms of protecting the overall interest of existing shareholders and potential investors, create a strong corporate governance practice that is value-oriented and ensures economic efficient method of production to maximize earnings per share as well as timely dividend payment, the board of directors should increase the numbers of independent audit committee in order to improve transparency, timely and accurate information flow and prudent financial statement and corporate governance reporting system.

291 An evaluation of soybean meal inclusion rate in pigs fed from wean to market

Abstract Soybean meal (SBM) supply may result in decreased relative costs of SBM compared with other ingredients. Net energy of SBM closer to the NE of corn has been reported which may increase its relative value in formulations (Boyd and Gaines, 2023). To evaluate the effect of SBM level in two common diet formulation strategies, Corn-DDGS-SBM (DDGS) or Corn-SBM (SBM) in wean-to-market pigs (WTM). A total of 540 pigs (PIC X Duroc, 18 d of age, 5.3 kg) were weaned and blocked by body weight (BW) and sex for allocation. Six dietary treatments were assigned to 90 pens to give 15 replications per treatment in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Individual BW for average daily gain (ADG) and pen feed disappearance (ADF) were collected every 2 wk for 18 wk and carcass data were collected at average market weight of 129 kg (18 to 20 wk after placement). The mash diets were formulated to a SID lysine:NE target in 7 phases using current NE estimates for SBM, 2087 Kcal/kg, and to meet or exceed NRC requirements (2012). The NE level used for DDGS was 2,343 Kcal/kg. The treatments consisted of Low (LO), Medium (MED), and High (HI) SBM levels by providing 0.5%, 0.25% and no added lysine (AA) in SBM- or DDGS (30%)-based diets. Data were analyzed using pen as the experimental unit for performance data and the pig as the experimental unit for carcass data. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) and P < 0.05 was considered significant and 0.05 ≤ P < 0.10 considered a tendency. The ADF tended to be less from wk 0 to 18 for pigs fed SBM than DDGS diets. SBM diets increased wk 6 BW and ADG compared with DDGS (P < 0.05). HI and MED SBM additions increased wk 6 BW and wk 0 to 6 ADG vs LO SBM (P < 0.05). SBM diets increased wk 14 and 18 BW, gain to feed ratio (G:F) and ADG compared with DDGS (P < 0.05) except for MED in DDGS diets, which was not different. HI and MED SBM additions increased wk 14 and 18 BW and 0 to 18 wk ADG vs LO SBM (P < 0.05). Carcass data indicated SBM diets increased hot carcass weight by 2 kg, loin depth, back fat and calculated lean weight, compared with DDGS (P < 0.05). LO SBM resulted in more back fat, less loin depth and lean weight compared with the use of HI or MED SBM (P < 0.05). SBM improved growth, feed and caloric conversion, and increased carcass value in high-performance WTM pigs compared with the use of DDGS. MED and HI SBM level tended to improve ADG and carcass characteristics.