THE DYNAMICS OF FEEDER CATTLE MARKET RESPONSES TO CORN PRICE CHANGE

A feeder-calf price model is estimated which incorporates elements of break-even budget analysis, including estimates of placement weights, slaughter weights, ration cost, and feed-conversion rates. From this model, a corn price multiplier is calculated which quantifies the corn/feeder-calf price relationship. Because the multiplier includes information on cattle weight, feed conversion, and ration cost, it also provides insight into how feeding programs are altered in response to corn price changes. Changes in feeding programs which occur in response to corn price changes are illustrated with dynamic simulation based on weight, ration cost, and price models presented here.corn, corn price multiplier, dynamic simulation, feeder cattle, Demand and Price Analysis,

ESTIMATED IMPACT OF NON-PRICE COORDINATION OF FED CATTLE PURCHASES ON MEAT PACKER PROCESSING COSTS

Stochastic simulation of daily slaughter level was used in conjunction with an estimated packing plant cost curve to assess potential reductions in processing costs due to improved vertical coordination between feedlots and packing plants. Results indicate that processing cost reductions of $1 to$5 per head may be possible. Savings result from ensuring a more stable processing volume that is near the plant's cost-minimizing level of production.cattle, cost curve, meat packing, vertical coordination, Industrial Organization, Livestock Production/Industries,

Exceptional ground accelerations and velocities caused by earthquakes

This project aims to understand the characteristics of the free-field strong-motion records that have yielded the 100 largest peak accelerations and the 100 largest peak velocities recorded to date. The peak is defined as the maximum magnitude of the acceleration or velocity vector during the strong shaking. This compilation includes 35 records with peak acceleration greater than gravity, and 41 records with peak velocities greater than 100 cm/s. The results represent an estimated 150,000 instrument-years of strong-motion recordings. The mean horizontal acceleration or velocity, as used for the NGA ground motion models, is typically 0.76 times the magnitude of this vector peak. Accelerations in the top 100 come from earthquakes as small as magnitude 5, while velocities in the top 100 all come from earthquakes with magnitude 6 or larger. Records are dominated by crustal earthquakes with thrust, oblique-thrust, or strike-slip mechanisms. Normal faulting mechanisms in crustal earthquakes constitute under 5% of the records in the databases searched, and an even smaller percentage of the exceptional records. All NEHRP site categories have contributed exceptional records, in proportions similar to the extent that they are represented in the larger database

Using Toyota's A3 thinking for analyzing MBA business cases: Working paper series--10-02

In order to actualize some of the concepts that students read and discussed from The Toyota Way by Jeffrey Liker, we incorporated A3 Thinking and A3 Reports into the case analysis dimension of our MBA core, team-taught class, Managing People and Processes. The class developed an A3 report format that is a variation of that given in Sobek and Smalley (2009). In addition to actualizing these concepts, several other advantages were experienced. Both students and faculty have found that A3 thinking added value to case analysis, class discussion, and student presentations because it pushed student thinking and the focus of analysis into key issues and root causes which might be overlooked in a more intuitive problem-solving approach. In addition, the A3 process added transparency to the students' analysis and discouraged them from obfuscating to cover a lack of or weakness in cogent thinking. Further, A3 thinking provided a mechanism to help student groups structure their collaboration. Finally, emphasis on the conciseness and graphics comprising leaner communication helped students improve the "stickiness" (Heath & Heath, 2007) of their communications

Final report: Task 22 — Extreme ground motion studies

TASK 22 consisted of two separate investigations into extreme ground motions due to seismic events, Subtask 1 and Subtask 2. Subtask 1 included field studies of geological formations that should put an upper bound on extreme ground motions that have happened at the site of the formations. The locations are critically selected to provide the most effective constraints possible on the validity of the probabilistic seismic hazard analysis for Yucca Mountain. Subtask 2 surveyed recorded ground motions from around the world, with the aim to draw general conclusions from these as to the conditions where extreme ground motions are observed. Recommendations for research concerning extreme ground motions were presented by Hanks et al. (2004 a,b). Preliminary results and feasibility conclusions were presented in a synthesis report by Brune et al. (2007, Synthesis Report)