Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences
Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences

Author: Wade H. Shafer

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 414

ISBN-13: 1461573882

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Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences was first conceived, published, SIld disseminated by the Center for Information and Numerical Data Analysis and Synthesis (CINDAS) * at Purdue University in 1957, starting its coverage of theses with the academic year 1955. Beginning with Volume 13, the printing and dissemination phases of the activity were transferred to University Microfilms/Xerox of Ann Arbor, Michigan, with the thought that such an arrangement would be more beneficial to the academic and general scientific and technical community. After five years of this joint undertaking we had concluded that it was in the interest of all con cerned if the printing and distribution of the volumes were handled by an interna and broader dissemination. tional publishing house to assure improved service Hence, starting with Volume 18, Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences has been disseminated on a worldwide basis by Plenum Publishing Cor poration of New York, and in the same year the coverage was broadened to include Canadian universities. All back issues can also be ordered from Plenum. We have reported in Volume 30 (thesis year 1985) a total of 12,400 theses titles from 26 Canadian and 186 United States universities. We are sure that this broader base for these titles reported will greatly enhance the value of this important annual reference work.

Willingness to Adopt Best Management Practices by Beef Cattle Producers in a Southeastern Tennessee Watershed
Willingness to Adopt Best Management Practices by Beef Cattle Producers in a Southeastern Tennessee Watershed

Author: Alicia Marie Signore

Publisher:

Published: 2014

Total Pages: 111

ISBN-13:

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Extensive beef cattle farming in the ridge and valley region of East Tennessee suggests that cattle producers could play an important role in improving water quality through the adoption of livestock best management practices (BMPs). This study examines factors influencing willingness to adopt four BMPs—rotational grazing, pasture improvement, stream water crossing, and water tank systems—by beef cattle operations in a southeast Tennessee watershed. Factors examined include farm and farmer characteristics, farmer attitudes, and a hypothetical incentive program encouraging adoption of these practices. Data was collected through a mail survey of 5,150 farmland owners in McMinn, Bradley, and Monroe Counties. Respondents were asked if they would be willing to adopt each of the four BMPs at a given cost share, with the cost share amounts ranging from 50% to 125% of the expected out-of-pocket costs of installation/annual management, and how many acres/units of the practice they would implement. Younger, more educated producers with higher income levels were more willing to adopt one or more of the BMPs. Higher cost share amounts appeared to have greater influence on adoption of stream crossings than on rotational grazing, water tanks, and pasture improvement. Pasture improvement showed the greatest level of overall adoption interest, although many would-be adopters had already taken steps to improve their pastures. Analysis suggests producers have the most interest in a bundle of BMPs that include rotational grazing, water tanks, and pasture improvements. The analysis also suggests a preference away from stream crossings and BMP bundles that included stream crossings, unless all four BMPs were concomitantly implemented. Factors influencing willingness to adopt were analyzed along with factors influencing adoption intensity using regression analysis. Cost-share incentives did not play a substantial role in explaining adoption, but the influence of other explanatory factors was similar to other results found in the BMP adoption literature.