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Nitrogen (N) management is the most important fertility consideration in sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris) production as it affects not only yield but also sugar quality. Increased N in sugarbeets can result in increased impurities which reduces sugar extraction efficiency. As industry yields continue to increase over time, the established method for determining N requirement in sugarbeets results in greater and greater fertilizer N applied. This is despite research showing that the actual amount of N supply required to achieve these yields has remained relatively stable over time. This study was conducted to compare two commonly used N determination methodologies to potential alternative N management approaches in the Northwest U.S. sugarbeet production. In 2020 and 2021, studies were conducted in six locations by the Amalgamated Sugar Company (ASCO) to evaluate current and proposed N supply recommendations on sugarbeet production. The N supply treatments were determined using the industry standard yield goal N management (YGNM) method, recommendations from a commonly used agricultural consultant business (ACB), and 3 rates representing a range of a proposed alternative to the YGNM approach, Static Range N Management (SRNM) low, SRNM med, and SRNM high. Two of the study sites had significant treatment effects on root and sucrose yield. The N supply needed to maximize sucrose yields at the 2 responsive sites was 202 and 218 kg N/ha. For five of the six siteyears, the SRNM low N supply treatment met or was closest to the N supply required to maximize yields. For the sixth site-year, the SRNM med N supply treatment maximized yield. Nitrogen requirement calculated using the YGNM approach, resulted in an average of 91 kg N ha-1 in excess fertilizer N being applied. This represented an economic cost of $79 to $200 ha-1 depending on N price (2018 to 2022 U.S. prices used). The ACB recommendations resulted in even greater excess N fertilizer application, an average of 140 kg N ha-1, cost- ing from $122 to $308 ha-1 depending on N price. The SRNM approach better matches N supply with crop need compared to the YGNM and ACB N recommendations over time. Results from this study indicate that sugarbeet growers should evaluate the needed N supplies in their growing area and follow a SRNM approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes impacts of large, one-time cash transfers and farm management plans among farmers in Senegal. Farmers were randomized into groups receiving advisory visits; the visits and an individualized farm management plan; or the visits, the plan, and a cash transfer. After one year, crop production and livestock ownership were higher in the transfer group relative to the group that only received visits. Livestock gains persisted after two years. The evidence suggests the results were driven by increased investment, and, indeed, there is no robust evidence that the management plans alone affected agricultural outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to analyse how the intensive use of non-financial performance measures and the lack of an economic reality among Danish farmers have contributed to a low economic performance despite high productivity. The research ambition of the paper is to contribute to a better understanding of the managerial decision-making made by family business managers, in this case farmers, and how these decisions may impact financial performance.Design/methodology/approach The study is based on a case study including farmers, agricultural consultants and bankers. The analysis uses pragmatic constructivism to analyse the economic reality of the farmers included and the business topos among Danish farmers.Findings The main finding of the paper is that the dominating non-financial performance management techniques and a historically based strong emotional emphasis on size and production volume as the main success criteria for being a good farmer have led to a neglect of economic rationality. In addition, this practice has made the farmers blind to alternative possibilities for taking advantage of the resources available. The result has been an un-economic utopian reality.Originality/value The paper shows how the use of non-financial performance measures can lead to prolonging of a certain reality perception that may not be economically sustainable. Small family businesses such as family farms are likely to be more exposed to such risk because such businesses are run by a set of values that include more objectives that are more dominating than the profit objective. The paper concludes that family business managers must be open towards inputs from the society around the business, because family businesses may have a tendency to create their own reality that at some point may come in conflict with society of which the family business has to co-exist within. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural advisory services are meant to provide farmers with relevant knowledge and networks for innovation, as well as adjustments to policy and markets in agriculture. Despite substantial investment into these services, there has been little evaluation of their performance and impact, in particular at a system level. A system level analysis is especially challenging in countries with a diverse and fragmented advisory community such as the United Kingdom. This paper proposes criteria for assessing advisory services based on a conceptual framework for analysing characteristics of advisory services as a component of the wider Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS). Using the example of the UK, we investigated characteristics pertaining to governance structures, capacity, management and advisory methods. Data were collected in an online survey of 80 agricultural advisory organisations. Findings showed that most criteria for functional advisory services were met: agricultural advisory organisations utilised diverse knowledge sources and cooperated to fill knowledge gaps; there was a stable workforce of advisors who received regular training; advisory organisations were flexible and adaptive; and all relevant advisory topics were covered. However, a number of client groups were not targeted by advisory organisations and some organisations used only a narrow range of advisory methods. The proposed criteria reflect a balance between a thorough assessment of a country’s advisory services and the typically limited time and budget available for regular evaluations. The criteria and associated proxy indicators should be fine-tuned to reflect the individual country’s situation, and quantitative survey data complemented by qualitative data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated pest management came to Turkey with international projects in 1980s and it has been implemented by Food, Agriculture and Livestock Ministry in various product groups. The present research aims to determine the socio-economic factors affecting the level of integrated pest management methods' implementation of enterprises involved in cherry growing that stands out in the region. In this context, Izmir, Manisa, Konya, Isparta, Afyon and Denizli were taken into the scope of research where intensive growing of cherry in Turkey takes place. Research findings indicate that awareness of integrated pest management concept is at low level. However, the integrated pest management methods have been implemented more since cherry started to be exported. Producers' implementation level of the integrated pest management methods is affected by production scale, spraying schedule, the consultant ownership, compliance with Food, Agriculture and Livestock Ministry provincial / district offices' spraying schedule proposal for brown rot (Monilinia laxa), cherry fruit fly (Rhagoletis cerasi L.), (Dip.:Tephritidae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, developing a branding strategy has become a must even for commodities. The main decision many producers face is opting for a producer brand, a geographical brand or a certification brand when trying to create a coherent value proposition for their agricultural product. Nevertheless, the main challenge they all encounter is how to build brand equity and establish a sound positioning strategy. In this paper we try to conceptualize the primary directions for action in agricultural consultancy regarding building brand equity. First we debate the necessity of branding for commodities. Secondly, we analyze the primary sources of brand equity for agricultural products in terms of value creation for consumers. Furthermore, we investigate the fundamentals of positioning strategies for agricultural commodities throughout the analysis of two case studies based on traditional Romanian brands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

General surveillance activities have an important role in plant biosecurity for the early detection of pests (includes diseases) and for demonstrating area freedom. Currently general surveillance information for the grains industry in Western Australia is mainly collected though reports of suspect high priority pests to the state Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA). Little information is available on the likelihood that members of the grains industry would report a suspect high priority pest, where and who they report pests to, and the factors that influence their decisions to report pests. This study details a survey of members of the grains industry conducted to determine the reporting practices relating to plant pest and diseases in the grains industry. Results of the study indicate that growers preferentially report to agricultural consultants and the local DAFWA staff; whereas agricultural consultants and researchers are more likely to report to the DAFWA head office. Factors that influenced participants’ reporting of suspect high priority pests included the ability to eradicate the pest or disease, free examination of suspect samples and the desire for more information about high priority pests. The ranking of factors varied with the role the individual had in the grains industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]