Means Of Diversification Research Articles

A Whole-Farm Economic Analysis of Early-Maturing and Traditional Soybean

Diversification into early-maturing soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] could spread operator labor and machinery use over a longer time, thereby reducing seasonal labor and machinery requirements or allowing production of more acres. The objective of this research was to investigate the economic potential of early-maturing soybean (EMS) in the mid-latitude section of the eastern Great Plains using experimental research plot data. A linear programming (LP) model of a representative farm that produced soybean, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] was developed to determine whether a profit-maximizing farm would raise EMS, traditional soybean (TS), or a combination of both. This study focuses on a maturity group I variety (Hodgson 78) drilled in April at a rate of 336 000 seeds/acre and a maturity group III variety (Zane) planted in June at a rate of 139 000 seeds/acre to represent EMS and TS, respectively. Results indicate that when hired seasonal labor is available, EMS rotated with grain sorghum provides the highest returns above variable costs ($65 927). When hired labor is not available, a combination of 235 acres of EMS rotated with wheat and 132 acres of TS rotated with wheat (26 acres) and grain sorghum (106 acres) provides the highest returns above variable costs ($48 680). Early-maturing soybean was more profitable than TS. When hired seasonal labor was not available, a combination of EMS and TS distributed labor and machinery field time over a larger time, and thereby, enhanced farm income. Research Question Soybean maturity groups that can be planted and harvested earlier than traditional maturity groups can take advantage of spring rains, avoid late summer droughts, and receive higher prices at harvest than traditional maturity groups. Producers might introduce early-maturing soybean into their cropping operations as a means of diversification. This interdisciplinary study investigates how production of early-maturing soybean on a representative crop farm in southeastern Kansas affects profitability, labor use, and machinery field-time requirements. Literature Summary In the southern USA, several agronomic studies have been conducted on early-maturing soybean. However, little research has evaluated the economic feasibility of incorporating early-maturing soybean into a whole-farm situation. Study Description Four years of agronomic research from the Kansas State University Southeast Agricultural Research Center in Parsons provided yield data for this whole-farm economic analysis. From 1987 through 1990, representative soybean cultivars from maturity groups 00, 0, I, III, IV, and V were drilled in 7-in. rows at a rate of 336 00 seeds/acre in April and planted in 30-in. rows at a rate of 139 000 seeds/acre in June. The highest yielding cultivar from each planting system was selected for whole-farm economic analysis. Budgets for four crop rotations, including early-maturing soybean and wheat, early-maturing soybean and grain sorghum, traditional soybean and wheat, and traditional soybean and grain sorghum, were constructed to measure returns above variable costs. This measure of relative profitability, along with labor and machinery field-time constraints, was incorporated into linear programming models of a representative crop farm to evaluate the economic potential of early-maturing soybean. Applied Questions Should producers in southeastern Kansas consider adding early-maturing soybean to their crop portfolio? Yes, fanners should consider planting early-maturing soybean for three reasons. First, an early-maturing soybean variety planted in April had a higher 4-yr average yield than the highest yielding traditional soybean variety planted in June and, therefore, was more profitable than traditional soybean. However, these results were obtained from only 4 yr of yield data and, therefore, should be interpreted with caution. Second, a combination of early-maturing and traditional soybean spreads owner/operator labor and field time for machinery operations over a longer time. In particular, competition for labor and field time between traditional soybean and grain sorghum resulted in production of a large amount of wheat, the least profitable crop included in this study. Use of early-maturing soybean shifted labor and field time use to other times, allowing the model to shift production from wheat to the more profitable grain sorghum alternative. Third, soybean prices tend to be higher when early-maturing soybean is harvested than when traditional soybean is harvested. How does seasonal labor availability affect the addition of early-maturing soybean into a whole-farm situation? The adoption of early-maturing soybean into a crop farm can be very advantageous if hired seasonal labor is not available. When a combination of early-maturing and traditional soybean is planted, a producer can plant and harvest more acres in a timely manner than would be possible if only early-maturing or traditional soybean were planted. Because more acres are planted, profits are also significantly higher for the combination of early and traditional soybean. The higher profits and greater land use associated with the combination of early and traditional soybean result from owner/operator labor for soybean harvest being spread into different times.

USING MULTIMEDIA IN LARGE‐SCALE COMPUTER‐BASED TESTING PROGRAMS

ABSTRACTTo make substantial improvements in how and what we measure, future generations of tests will need to tap nontraditional constructs, base test designs on cognitive principles, and increase the diversity of problem types. The advent of computer‐based tests makes some of these improvements more feasible, especially diversifying problem types. One means of diversification is by including dynamic stimuli such as audio, video, and animation. We give examples of how such stimuli might be employed to assess skill in history, physical education, and the sciences. In addition, we pose an initial set of issues for consideration by operational testing programs.

Hotels and the Leisure Sector: A Product Differentiation Strategy for the 1990s

The means by which leisure can provide a unique means of diversification from the traditional hotel markets of food and accommodation are outlined. These according to industry analysts are likely to demonstrate slow or even negative growth during the 1990s. The general trends in the leisure industry are examined and specific examples of leisure diversification are given with recommendations for effective space utilisation, management and marketing.