CUSTOM MACHINE WORK RATES IN MICHIGAN

Farm Management, Labor and Human Capital,

CROPS AND LIVESTOCK BUDGETS ESTIMATES FOR MICHIGAN

Agricultural Finance,

COST OF CHIP POTATO PRODUCTION IN CENTRAL MICHIGAN

This bulletin represents a tool that can help producers, consultants, educators, and agribusinesses working with producers estimate costs of production and expected profit based on "typical" chip potato production management strategies found in Montcalm County, Michigan. The budget included in this bulletin will allow users to revise inputs based on their management strategies and calculate their expected cost and profit. This flexibility provides a decision aid to search for systems that generate higher net returns to the farm's resource base.Crop Production/Industries,

COST OF FRESH MARKET CELERY PRODUCTION IN SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN

This bulletin represents a tool that can help producers, consultants, educators, and agribusinesses working with producers estimate costs of production and expected profit based on "typical" celery management strategies found in southwestern Michigan. The budget included in this bulletin will allow users to revise inputs based on their management strategies and calculate their expected cost and profit. This flexibility provides a decision aid to search for systems that generate higher net returns to the farm's resource base.Crop Production/Industries,

COST OF CABBAGE PRODUCTION IN MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN

This bulletin represents a tool that can help producers, consultants, educators, and agribusinesses working with producers estimate costs of production and expected profit based on "typical" cabbage management strategies found in Monroe County, Michigan. The budget included in this bulletin will allow users to revise inputs based on their management strategies and calculate their expected cost and profit. This flexibility provides a decision aid to search for systems that generate higher net returns to the farm's resource base.Crop Production/Industries,

DAIRY FARMERS' USE OF FINANCIAL LONG-RANGE PLANNING (FINLRB) TO AID DECISION-MAKING

Agricultural Finance, Livestock Production/Industries,

COST OF ASPARAGUS PRODUCTION IN WESTERN MICHIGAN

This bulletin was developed to help producers as well as educators and agribusinesses working with producers to estimate costs of production and expected profit based on "typical" asparagus management strategies found in northwestern Michigan. The budget included in this bulletin will allow users to revise inputs based on their management strategies and calculate their expected cost and profit. This flexibility provides a decision aid to search for systems that generate higher net returns to the farm's resource base. The brief outline of cultural and pest management practices included in this publication should be supplemented with publications from Michigan State University or from other Universities. See the References section for resources. Many are available on-line.Crop Production/Industries,

Pooling job physical exposure data from multiple independent studies in a consortium study of carpal tunnel syndrome

Pooling data from different epidemiological studies of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is necessary to improve statistical power and to more precisely quantify exposure–response relationships for MSDs. The pooling process is difficult and time-consuming, and small methodological differences could lead to different exposure–response relationships. A subcommittee of a six-study research consortium studying carpal tunnel syndrome: (i) visited each study site, (ii) documented methods used to collect physical exposure data and (iii) determined compatibility of exposure variables across studies. Certain measures of force, frequency of exertion and duty cycle were collected by all studies and were largely compatible. A portion of studies had detailed data to investigate simultaneous combinations of force, frequency and duration of exertions. Limited compatibility was found for hand/wrist posture. Only two studies could calculate compatible Strain Index scores, but Threshold Limit Value for Hand Activity Level could be determined for all studies. Challenges of pooling data, resources required and recommendations for future researchers are discussed

Respecting Your Core Resources…People, Cows and Land

This information was presented at the 2011 Operations Managers Conference, organized by the PRO-DAIRY program in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University. This conference provides an opportunity for people responsible for day to day activities to increase their management and operations skills while interacting with other managers. Softcover copies of the entire conference proceedings may be purchased at http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/dm/proceedings_orders.html or by calling (607) 255-4285