Intramuscular fat formation in fetuses and the effect of increased protein intake during pregnancy in Hanwoo cattle.

Understanding adipocyte development in fetus during bovine pregnancy is important for strengthening fattening technology. Additionally, nutritional level of dams during pregnancy has the potential to improve offspring growth and fat development. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the intramuscular adipocyte development and expression level of related genes in bovine fetus, and the effect of increased crude protein (CP) intake during pregnancy on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of male offspring. Eighty six pregnant Hanwoo cows (average body weight, 551.5 ± 51.3 kg, age 5.29 ± 0.61 y) were used. Fetuses were collected at 90, 180 and 270 d of gestation from 18 pregnant Hanwoo cows. The remaining 68 pregnant cows were randomly assigned to 2 feeding groups. The control (CON) group was provided the standard protein diet (n = 34), and treatment (TRT) group was provided a diet with a 5% increase in CP intake (n = 34). Male offspring were divided into two groups according to protein treatment of the pregnant cows: CON male offspring (CON-O) and TRT male offspring (TRT-O). Intramuscular adipocytes were found in the fetal skeletal muscle after 180 days of gestation. Male calf's birth weight increased in the TRT group compared to that in the CON group (p < 0.002). The final body weight (p < 0.003) and average daily gain (p < 0.019) of male offspring were significantly higher in TRT-O than in CON-O. The feed conversion ratio was also improved by 10.5% in TRT-O compared to that in CON-O (p < 0.026). Carcass weight was significantly higher in the TRT-O group than that in the CON-O group (p < 0.003), and back fat was thicker in the TRT-O group (p = 0.07). The gross receipts and net income were higher in TRT-O than in CON-O (p < 0.04). Thus, fetal intramuscular fat can be formed from the mid-gestation period, and increased CP intake during pregnancy can increase net income by improving the growth and carcass weight of male offspring rather than intramuscular fat.

Effect of short-term fattening period and castration method on productivity, serum testosterone, and economic efficacy in Hanwoo cattle.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of castration method and short-term fattening periods on Hanwoo cattle. Thirty-two Hanwoo calves (average body weight: 148.4 ± 19.8 kg) were used. The calves were randomly assigned in a 2 × 2 factor according to two castration methods (castration or hemi-castration) and two short-term finishing periods (24 months or 26 months). The final body weight increased significantly as the fattening period increased (p < 0.05), and the average daily weight gain was higher in the hemi-castration groups than in the castration groups (p < 0.05). After surgical castration, testosterone concentration was higher in the hemi-castration group than in the castration group during the entire experimental period (p < 0.05). The rib eye area was wider in the hemi-castration group than in the castration group (p < 0.01).An interaction effect was observed between the castration method and short-term fattening period (p < 0.05). Marbling and auction price scores differed between castration methods and were higher in the castration group than in the hemi-castration group (p < 0.01). Gross receipts and net income increased in the castration group compared to the hemi-castration group (p < 0.01) and showed a tendency to increase with the short-term fattening period, but there was no significant difference. Thus, castration to remove both testicles is essential for economic profit through producing high-quality Korean beef meat, and short-term fattening for 26 months, rather than 24 months, can benefit more by increasing carcass weight and meat quality.

Economic viability of value-added cashew products processed in Southeast zone, Nigeria.

The "Agricultural Promotion Policy (2016-2020)" is an initiative of Nigeria's government, designed to create jobs and wealth for participants in the agricultural value chains through value addition to export crops such as cashew. However, it is not known how cashew processors have exploited this opportunity to improve their economic returns from value-added cashew products, processed in the Southeast zone, Nigeria. Consequently, this study analysed the economic viability of value-added cashew products processed in the Southeast zone of Nigeria. Specifically, the objective was to determine the cost-benefit analysis, rate of return on investment, net income, and variability of value-added cashew products processed in the Southeast zone, Nigeria. A descriptive research design involving a cross-sectional survey of 353 randomly sampled participants was administered with a structured questionnaire. Ratio statistics, gross margin, benefit-cost ratio analysis, rate of return and ANOVA were applied to analyze the data. The results show that variable cost constitutes >96 but ≤98% of the total cost of cashew value addition. The average net income from 1 kg of value-added cashew products is profitable with cashew kernel yielding the highest net income (N2,724.4 (US $7.6) > cashew nut (N2,547.9 (US $7.1)) > both cashew products (N2,340.4 (US $6.5)). The benefit-cost ratios for 1 kg of value-added cashew nut and cashew kernel were slightly higher (1:1.4) respectively than that of both cashew products (1:1.3), suggesting that value-added cashew products deliver positive net income to the processors. Equally, the rate of returns (RORs) for 1 kg of value-added cashew products yield the highest (38.1%) in cashew kernel > cashew nut (37.4%) > both cashew products (34.1%). The coefficient of dispersion (COD) in revenue and cost of value-added products shows the least risk in cashew kernel (0.097) and the highest risk in both cashew products (0.122). The study provides empirical evidence for potential small and medium-scale investors to make an informed investment decision about value addition to cashew products. It is recommended that government should encourage people to engage in value addition to cashew products because of its high rate of return, and assist processors with credit to procure modern processing equipment to enhance profitability and income generation.

Effects of Imported Semen Based on Different Selection Indices on Some Production and Reproduction Traits in Iranian Holstein Cattle.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of imported semen of Holstein bulls from different countries on the economic traits of their daughters using the Lifetime Net Income (LNI) index in various climates of Iran. The data included the first lactation records of 274,057 Holstein cows collected during 1993 to 2017 by the Animal Breeding Center of Iran from 10 large dairy farms located in various provinces of Iran. The investigated traits included milk, fat and protein yields, calving age and calving interval. Breeding values of progenies were predicted by the Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) method under the multi-trait animal model using DMU software. The genetic-economic merit of the progenies was estimated by the LNI index. There were significant differences between the estimated breeding values (EBVs) of sire groups (based on bull semen origin) for milk, fat and protein yields, calving age and calving interval in each climate (p < 0.01). The obtained results showed that the highest least-square means of LNI index in semi-cold, moderate and warm climates belonged to the daughters of French sires; however, daughters of German sires were estimated to have the highest least-square means in the cold climate.

Forecasting Stock Price Trends by Analyzing Economic Reports With Analyst Profiles.

This article proposes a methodology to forecast the movements of analysts' estimated net income and stock prices using analyst profiles. Our methodology is based on applying natural language processing and neural networks in the context of analyst reports. First, we apply the proposed method to extract opinion sentences from the analyst report while classifying the remaining parts as non-opinion sentences. Then, we employ the proposed method to forecast the movements of analysts' estimated net income and stock price by inputting the opinion and non-opinion sentences into separate neural networks. In addition to analyst reports, we input analyst profiles to the networks. As analyst profiles, we used the name of an analyst, the securities company to which the analyst belongs, the sector which the analyst covers, and the analyst ranking. Consequently, we obtain an indication that the analyst profile effectively improves the model forecasts. However, classifying analyst reports into opinion and non-opinion sentences is insignificant for the forecasts.

Effect of Hemi-Castration on the Productivity, Histological Characteristics, and Economic Efficacy of Korean Beef Cattle.

We evaluated the growth performance, serum testosterone, carcass traits, histological characteristics, and economic efficacy of castrated and hemi-castrated Korean beef cattle. Thirty-two Hanwoo calves (Initial body weight: 148.4 ± 19.8 kg) were randomly assigned into the castrated Hanwoo (CH) and hemi-castrated Hanwoo (HH) group. The experiment lasted 18 months; the animals were all slaughtered on the same day. Final body weight and average daily gain (ADG) tended to increase in the HH group compared to the CH group. Testosterone concentration was higher in HH group (5.27-14.27 ng/dL) than in the CH group (0.47-0.70 ng/dL) during the whole experimental period after castration (p < 0.05). Rib eye area was 17.08 cm2 wider in HH group than in CH group, but marbling score was improved by 3.33 in CH group compared to HH group (p < 0.01). Deposition area of adipocytes in Longissimus dorsi were higher in CH group than in HH group (p < 0.001). Net income per head was 1760 US dollar higher in the CH group than in the HH group (p < 0.04). Thus, our findings suggest that hemi-castration had positive effects on the increase in ADG and meat yield traits, with negative effects on marbling and profitability.

The Value Surgical Services Bring to Critical Access Hospitals.

Purpose Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) serve rural populations and receive government subsidies to compensate for their relatively high overhead costs and low occupancy rates. Twenty-nine percent of all hospitalizations in the United States include a surgical procedure, and hospitalizations involving surgery accounted for nearly half of all hospital revenue in 2011. This study aims to determine the value surgical services bring to CAHs and their impact on the viability of these facilities.  Methods Public access data from the American Hospital Directory (AHD) was analyzed about each hospital's revenue and surgical services offered. Excel was utilized to randomly select 300 CAHs from a pool of 1350 CAHs based on a 95% confidence interval and a 5% margin of error. Linear regression models were fit to the data evaluating the association of net income with the number of surgical services offered per hospital and the association of total margin with the number of surgical services offered per hospital. Models were adjusted for location, occupancy rate, and case mix index.  Findings The linear regression model demonstrated that for every additional surgical service provided by a CAH, the hospital net income increased by $630,528 (p=0.0032). A similar trend was observed when modeling profitability. The total margin increased 0.73% for each additional surgical service added, albeit without statistical significance (p=0.1342). CAHs providing two or three surgical services showed tighter group variance than those not offering surgery or only offering one surgical service.  Conclusions Net income was significantly correlated to the number of surgical services offered at CAHs. Furthermore, CAHs offering more surgical services seem to have more predictable profits than those offering less surgical services. CAHs would financially benefit from offering more or expanding surgical services at their facilities.

Impacto económico de la adopción de tecnología para la producción de frijol en condiciones de temporal en el norte centro de México / Economic impact of technology adoption on bean production under rainfed conditions in northern central Mexico

Resumen La asignación de recursos públicos a la investigación agropecuaria es un factor de desarrollo para el sector agroalimentario del país, pero deben estar orientados eficientemente hacia la generación de productos tecnológicos que otorguen beneficios a la población. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el beneficio económico a nivel sistema de producción y sociedad, derivado de la inversión pública en investigación y desarrollo, del paquete tecnológico para la producción de frijol en zonas de temporal de la región norte centro de México. Para evaluar el impacto en los sistemas de producción, se aplicaron 42 encuestas a productores adoptantes del paquete tecnológico en municipios de Aguascalientes y San Luis Potosí; mientras que, para el impacto a nivel sociedad, se estimó el retorno económico que produjo la inversión pública utilizada en el proceso de generación y adopción de la tecnología en el periodo 2009a 2025. La medición se realizó a través del valor actual neto (VAN), la tasa interna de retorno (TIR) y la relación beneficio costo (R B/C). El costo de producción de los adoptantes fue mayor en 36.3 % comparado con la tecnología tradicional; en tanto que, el rendimiento aumentó en 102 % y el ingreso neto incrementó en 322.6 %. A nivel sociedad, la evaluación reveló un VAN de $ 10.9 millones, lo que representó 4.1 veces lo invertido en la generación de la tecnología. La R B/C fue de 5.1 y la TIR fue mayor a la tasa media real de rendimiento considerada (9.5 %). El desarrollo y transferencia del paquete tecnológico para la siembra de frijol representó una buena inversión de recursos públicos, beneficiando a la población y a los productores, porque incrementa la producción alimentaria y el ingreso neto del agricultor.

Abstract The allocation of public resources to agricultural research is a factor of development for the agri-food sector of the country and should be efficiently oriented towards the generation of technological products that provide benefits to the population. The aim of this work was to evaluate the economic benefit at a level of production system and society, derived from public investment in research and development of the technological package for dry bean crop production in rainfed areas in north central Mexico. To evaluate the impact on the production systems, 42 questionnaires were administered to users of the technological package in municipalities of Aguascalientes and San Luis Potosí. Likewise, in order to assess the impact at a society level, the economic return produced by the public investment used in the generation and adoption process of technology in the 2009 to 2025 period was estimated. The evaluation was performed through the net present value (NPV), the internal rate of return (IRR) and the cost benefit ratio (B/C R). The production cost for adopters was 36.3 % higher compared to traditional technology; however, the yield increased by 102 % and the net income increased by 3226 %. At a society level, the evaluation revealed an NPV of $ 10.9 million, which represented 4.1 times more than what was invested in the generation of technology; the B/C R was 5.1 and the IRR was higher than the real average rate of return considered (9.5 %). The development and transfer of the technological package for sowing beans represented a good investment of public resources, benefiting the population and producers, because it increases food production and farmers' net income.

Gambling expenditure by game type among weekly gamblers in Finland.

BACKGROUND: Excessive expenditure and financial harms are core features of problem gambling. There are various forms of gambling and their nature varies. The aim was to measure gambling expenditure by game type while controlling for demographics and other gambling participation factors. A further aim was to find out how each game type was associated with gambling expenditure when the number of game types played is adjusted for. METHODS: Using data from the 2015 Finnish Gambling survey on adult gamblers (n = 3555), multiple log-linear regression was used to examine the effects of demographics, gambling participation, and engaging in different game types on weekly gambling expenditure (WGE) and relative gambling expenditure (RGE). RESULTS: Male gender, lower education level, higher gambling frequency and higher number of game types increased both WGE and RGE, while younger age decreased WGE but increased RGE. Furthermore, seven specific game types increased both WGE and RGE. Weekly horse race betting and non-monopoly gambling had the strongest increasing effect on expenditure. Betting games and online poker were associated with higher expenditure even when they were played less often than weekly. Among weekly gamblers the highest mean WGE was recorded for those who played non-monopoly games (146.84 €/week), online poker (59.61 €/week), scratch games (51.77 €/week) and horse race betting (48.67 €/week). Those who played only 1-2 game types a week had the highest mean WGE and RGE on horse race betting and other betting games. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that overall gambling frequency is the strongest indicator of high gambling expenditure. Our results showed that different game types had different effect sizes on gambling expenditure. Weekly gambling on horse races and non-monopoly games had the greatest increasing effect on expenditure. However, different game types also varied based on their popularity. The extent of potential harms caused by high expenditure therefore also varies on the population level. Based on our results, future prevention and harm minimization efforts should be tailored to different game types for greater effectiveness.

Economic assessment of conventional and conservation tillage practices in different wheat-based cropping systems of Punjab, Pakistan.

Wheat productivity and profitability is low under conventional tillage systems as they increase the production cost, soil compaction, and the weed infestation. Conservation tillage could be a pragmatic option to sustain the wheat productivity and enhance the profitability on long term basis. This study was aimed to evaluate the economics of different wheat-based cropping systems viz. fallow-wheat, rice-wheat, cotton-wheat, mung bean-wheat, and sorghum-wheat, with zero tillage, conventional tillage, deep tillage, bed sowing (60/30 cm beds and four rows), and bed sowing (90/45 cm beds and six rows). Results indicated that the bed sown wheat had the maximum production cost than other tillage systems. Although both bed sowing treatments incurred the highest production cost, they generated the highest net benefits and benefit: cost ratio (BCR). Rice-wheat cropping system with bed sown wheat (90/45 cm beds with six rows) had the highest net income (4129.7 US$ ha-1), BCR (2.87), and marginal rate of return compared with rest of the cropping systems. In contrast, fallow-wheat cropping system incurred the lowest input cost, but had the least economic return. In crux, rice-wheat cropping system with bed sown wheat (90/45 cm beds with six rows) was the best option for getting the higher economic returns. Moreover, double cropping systems within a year are more profitable than sole planting of wheat under all tillage practices.

Comparative analysis of profitability of honey production using traditional and box hives.

Information on the profitability and productivity of box hives is important to encourage beekeepers to adopt the technology. However, comparative analysis of profitability and productivity of box and traditional hives is not adequately available. The study was carried out on 182 beekeepers using cross sectional survey and employing a random sampling technique. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), the Cobb-Douglas (CD) production function and partial budgeting. The CD production function revealed that supplementary bee feeds, labor and medication were statistically significant for both box and traditional hives. Generally, labor for bee management, supplementary feeding, and medication led to productivity differences of approximately 42.83%, 7.52%, and 5.34%, respectively, between box and traditional hives. The study indicated that productivity of box hives were 72% higher than traditional hives. The average net incomes of beekeepers using box and traditional hives were 33,699.7 SR/annum and 16,461.4 SR/annum respectively. The incremental net benefit of box hives over traditional hives was nearly double. Our study results clearly showed the importance of adoption of box hives for better productivity of the beekeeping subsector.

Responses of Nitrogen Utilization and Apparent Nitrogen Loss to Different Control Measures in the Wheat and Maize Rotation System.

Nitrogen (N) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and excessive application rates can decrease crop yield and increase N loss into the environment. Field experiments were carried out to understand the effects of N fertilizers on N utilization, crop yield and net income in wheat and maize rotation system of the North China Plain (NCP). Compared to farmers' N rate (FN), the yield of wheat and maize in reduction N rate by 21-24% based on FN (RN) was improved by 451 kg ha-1, N uptakes improved by 17 kg ha-1 and net income increased by 1671 CNY ha-1, while apparent N loss was reduced by 156 kg ha-1. The controlled-release fertilizer with a 20% reduction of RN (CRF80%), a 20% reduction of RN together with dicyandiamide (RN80%+DCD) and a 20% reduction of RN added with nano-carbon (RN80%+NC) all resulted in an improvement in crop yield and decreased the apparent N losses compared to RN. Contrasted with RN80%+NC, the total crop yield in RN80%+DCD improved by 1185 kg ha-1, N uptake enhanced by 9 kg ha-1 and net income increased by 3929 CNY ha-1, while apparent N loss was similar. Therefore, a 37-39% overall decrease in N rate compared to farmers plus the nitrification inhibitor, DCD, was effective N control measure that increased crop yields, enhanced N efficiencies, and improved economic benefits, while mitigating apparent N loss. There is considerable scope for improved N use effieincy in the intensive wheat -maize rotation of the NCP.

Net Income of Pharmacy Faculty Compared to Community and Hospital Pharmacists.

Objective. To compare the net cumulative income of community pharmacists, hospital pharmacists, and full-time pharmacy faculty members (residency-trained or with a PhD after obtaining a PharmD) in pharmacy practice, medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, and social and administrative sciences. Methods. Markov modeling was conducted to calculate net projected cumulative earnings of career paths by estimating the costs of education, including the costs of obtaining degrees and student loans. Results. The economic model spanned 49 years, from ages 18 to 67 years. Earning a PharmD and pursuing an academic career resulted in projected net cumulative lifetime earnings ranging from approximately $4.7 million to $6.3 million. A pharmacy practice faculty position following public pharmacy school and one year of residency resulted in higher net cumulative income than community pharmacy. Faculty members with postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) training also had higher net income than other faculty and hospital pharmacy career paths, given similar years of prepharmacy education and type of pharmacy school attended. Faculty members with either a PharmD or PhD in the pharmacology discipline may net as much as $5.9 million and outpace all other PhD graduates by at least $75 000 in lifetime earnings. Projected career earnings of postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) trained faculty and PharmD/PhD faculty members were lower than those of community pharmacists. Findings were more variable when comparing pharmacy faculty members and hospital pharmacists. Conclusion. With the exception of PGY1 trained academic pharmacists, faculty projected net cumulative incomes generally lagged behind community pharmacists, likely because of delayed entry into the job market as a result of advanced training/education. However, nonsalary benefits such as greater flexibility and autonomy may enhance the desirability of academic pharmacy as a career path.

Optimal management of on-farm resources in small-scale dairy systems of Central Mexico: model development and evaluation.

This study evaluates the available on-farm resources of five case studies typified as small-scale dairy systems in central Mexico. A comprehensive mixed-integer linear programming model was developed and applied to two case studies. The optimal plan suggested the following: (1) instruction and utilization of maize silage, (2) alfalfa hay making that added US$140/ha/cut to the total net income, (3) allocation of land to cultivated pastures in a ratio of 27:41(cultivated pastures/maize crop) rather than at the current 14:69, and dairy cattle should graze 12 h/day, (4) to avoid grazing of communal pastures because this activity represented an opportunity cost of family labor that reduced the farm net income, and (5) that the highest farm net income was obtained when liquid milk and yogurt sales were included in the optimal plan. In the context of small-scale dairy systems of central Mexico, the optimal plan would need to be implemented gradually to enable farmers to develop required skills and to change management strategies from reliance on forage and purchased concentrate to pasture-based and conserved forage systems.

Effect of Physician IT Use on Practice Performance.

The role of information technology (IT) remains important within the medical community. However, little is known about the extent to which practicing physicians improve practice performance by having and utilizing IT at the national level. The present study, analyzing a national physician survey (n = 4,720), seeks to explore associations of IT availability and utilization with practice performance at the national level. The multivariate regression analysis results suggest that patient information IT functionality upholds physician advantages in annual income but prescription drug IT functionality was reversely linked to annual income. We also found a negative association of patient information IT functionality with patient visit volume. Our study results revealed mixed findings. Not all IT functionalities would offer benefits to practicing physicians. Our data suggest that patient information IT functionality can moderate cost concerns related to IT investment among providers.

Os custos de produção e a rentabilidade da soja nos municípios de Santarém e Belterra, estado do Pará / The cost of production and profitability of soybeans in the municipalities of Santarém and Belterra, State of Pará

The paper aimed to analyze the production costs of soybeans in the municipalities of Santarém and Belterra, considering that this is a competitive basic criterion for determining the operational efficiency as well as the formation of sustainable competitive advantage. The analysis was based on the perception of 20 producers on the concepts and application of fixed and variable costs used in decisions to produce soybean. The results showed that 18 producers use mechanical technology and modern inputs, but do not employ conservation practices. They also do not compute much of the fixed costs to determine profit, an indicator of competitive performance. The production units with productivity of up to 2,400 kg ha-1 (40 bags of 60 kg ha-1) are not having profit. On the other hand, farmers who use conservation technologies like direct planting are getting profit. Finally, we conclude that, 80% of the grain production systems using traditional technology are not sustainable in the region studied and have high production cost .

O artigo teve por objetivo analisar os custos de produção da soja, nos municípios de Santarém e Belterra, considerando que, este é um critério competitivo básico para determinar a eficiência operacional, bem como para a formação de vantagens competitivas sustentáveis. Para tanto, a análise foi realizada a partir da percepção de 20 produtores sobre os conceitos e aplicação dos custos fixos e variáveis, utilizados nas decisões de produzir. Entre os produtores, 18 utilizam tecnologia mecânica e de insumos modernos, porém não empregam práticas conservacionistas. Também não computam grande parte dos custos fixos para determinar o lucro, um indicador de desempenho competitivo. As unidades de produção com produtividade de até 2.400 kg ha-1 (40 sacas de 60 kg ha-1) estão tendo prejuízo. Por outro lado, os agricultores que utilizam tecnologias conservacionistas, como o plantio direto, estão gerando lucro. Finalmente, conclui-se que, 80% dos sistemas de produção de grãos que utilizam tecnologia tradicional não são sustentáveis na região estudada e têm maiores custos de produção.

Avaliação econômica da utilização de diferentes níveis de polpa cítrica com ou sem adição de complexo enzimático nas dietas de suínos / Economic evaluation of the use of different levels of citrus pulp with or without the addition of enzyme complex in the diets of pigs

Avaliou-se economicamente o efeito da inclusãode 0, 5, 10 e 15 por cento de polpa cítrica (PC), com ou sem adição do complexo enzimático, sobre o desempenho de 72 suínos, dos 25,71±7,51 aos 98,81±10,64kg de peso. Com este peso final, os animais foram abatidos, e dos valores (R$) da carcaça, incluindo os índices de bonificação, foram descontados o valor de compra dos animais e os custos com alimentação, de acordo com cada tratamento. Para os custos com alimentação, foi observado aumento linear (P=0,0190), enquanto para as receitas bruta (P=0,0328) e líquida (P=0,0013) parciais foram encontradas reduções lineares em função das porcentagens de PC com ou sem a adição do complexo enzimático. Considerando-se a evolução dos preços do milho, farelo de soja e do suíno durante o ano de 2008, foram determinados 12 cenários diferentes para a receita líquida parcial e, em todos eles, foi observada redução linear em função da inclusão da PC, com ou sem adição do complexo enzimático. Conclui-se que a utilização de PC, com ou sem adição do complexo enzimático, não reduziu os custos com alimentação, não sendo economicamente viável sua inclusão nas rações de suínos em crescimento e terminação.

An economic evaluation was done in order to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of 0, 5, 10 and 15 percent of citrus pulp (PC), with or without the addition of the enzyme complex, on the performance of 72 pigs from 25.71±7.51 to 98.81±10.64kg of body weight. The animals were slaughtered when they reached 98.81kg. The purchase value of the animals and feed costs (R$) were discounted from the carcass value, including subsidy rates (R$). A linear increase (P= 0.0190) was observed, while linear reductions were observed for the gross receipts (P=0.0328) and net (P = 0.0013) partials, due to the inclusion of PC in the diet with or without the enzyme complex. Considering the evolution of corn, soybean meal and pig prices during 2008, there were some 12 different scenarios for partial and net income determined and in all of them, linear reductions were observed due to the inclusion of PC in the diet with or without the enzyme complex. The use of PC with or without the addition of the enzyme complex was unable to reduce the costs of feed.

Aspectos técnicos e econômicos da bananeira 'Prata-Anã' sob fertirrigação nos tabuleiros costeiros de Sergipe / Technical and economical aspects of the banana tree "Prata-Anã" under fertirrigation in the coastal tablelands of Sergipe

Neste trabalho, objetivou-se estudar os efeitos de doses de nitrogênio e potássio via água de irrigação, sobre o tempo de colheita, componentes da produção: número de pencas, número de frutos pencas-1, número de frutos cacho-1 e massa do cacho planta-1, e lucratividade da bananeira Prata-Anã em tabuleiros costeiros do Estado de Sergipe. O experimento foi conduzido no campo, utilizando um arranjo fatorial 4x4 com quatro blocos casualizados, na Estação Experimental da Universidade Federal de Sergipe. Foram testados dois fatores: nitrogênio (0; 350; 700 e 1050, em kg ha-1 de N, na forma de uréia) e potássio (0; 400; 800 e 1200, em kg ha-1 de K2O, na forma de cloreto de potássio). O primeiro ciclo da bananeira 'Prata-Anã' é prolongado em situações de deficiências de N e K. O maior rendimento do cacho (32,56t ha-1) é obtido com a aplicação de 1050kg ha-1 ano-1 de N e 1112kg ha-1 ano-1 de K2O, cujas doses proporcionam uma lucratividade de 27,75 por cento e uma redução do custo de produção de 40,54 por cento.

The objective of the work was to study the effects of doses of N and K applied through irrigation water, on the number of days between planting and harvesting, yield components (number of hands, number of fruits per hands, number of fruits per bunch, bunch weight per plant) and the profitability of the 'Prata-Anã' banana, in the coastal tablelands of Sergipe State. The experiment was carried out in the field at the Sergipe Federal University Experimental Station. A 4² factorial in a randomized block experimental design was used. Treatments were nitrogen (0; 350; 700 e 1050, kg ha-1 of N, as urea) and potassium (0; 400; 800 e 1200, kg ha-1 of K2O, as potassium chloride). Nitrogen and potassium deficiencies increased the number of days between planting and harvesting in the first cycle. Maximum yield of 32.56 t ha-1 was associated with 1050 kg ha-1 year-1 of N and 1112kg ha-1 year -1 of K2O. These doses were able to increase net income by 27.75 percent and reduced costs by 40.54 percent.

Receitas bruta e líquida parcial e custo de dietas contendo polpa cítrica para suínos abatidos com 130kg de peso / Gross and partial net incomes and feeding cost of diets containing citrus pulp for pigs slaughtered with 130kg of weight

Avaliou-se o custo de inclusão da polpa cítrica em programa de restrição alimentar qualitativa, utilizando dados de desempenho de 36 suínos da linhagem Topigs, dos 83,7±5,1kg aos 129,8±1,9kg de peso, alimentados com dietas contendo porcentagens crescentes (0, 10, 20 e 30 por cento) de polpa cítrica. Os animais foram abatidos aos 130kg e dos valores (R$) da carcaça foram descontados o valor de compra dos animais e o custo com alimentação, de acordo com cada tratamento. Não houve efeito (P>0,05) da inclusão da polpa cítrica sobre o custo com ração e receita bruta, porém houve efeito linear negativo (P<0,05) sobre o rendimento líquido parcial com o aumento da participação da polpa cítrica nas dietas. A queda no rendimento líquido parcial foi causada pelo menor peso da carcaça obtida de animais alimentados com porcentagem mais elevada de polpa cítrica. Considerando a evolução dos preços do milho, do farelo de soja e do suíno entre junho de 2005 e maio de 2006, foram determinados 12 diferentes cenários para o rendimento líquido parcial. Em todos esses cenários, foi observada redução linear da receita líquida parcial em função da inclusão da polpa cítrica, mostrando que esse ingrediente não foi eficiente em promover melhora no rendimento (R$) ao produtor.

The cost of inclusion of citrus pulp was evaluated in a qualitative feed restriction program using performance data of 36 pigs of Topigs lineage (from 83.7±5.1kg to 129.8±1.9kg) fed with crescent levels of citrus pulp (0, 10, 20, and 30 percent). The animals were slaughtered when they reached 130kg. The value paid for animal and its feeding cost were discounted from the carcass value (R$), according to each treatment. No effect (P>0.05) of the inclusion of citrus pulp on ration cost and gross income was observed. A negative linear effect (<0.05) on partial net income with the increasing participation of the citrus pulp in diets was found. The decreasing trend in the partial net income was caused by the reduction on carcass weight of animals fed on crescent levels of citrus pulp. Considering the increase on corn, soybean, and swine prices from June 2005 to May 2006, 12 different sceneries were determined for partial net income analysis. In all situations, linear reductions on partial net income were observed as a function of citrus pulp inclusion, evidencing that the ingredient was not efficient in promoting profits for producers.

Produção e renda de taro Macaquinho, solteiro e consorciado comalface 'Salad Bowl', em solo com cobertura de cama-de-frango semidecomposta / 'Macaquinho' taro in monocrop system and intercropped with 'SaladBowl' lettuce in soil with chicken manure mulching

Este trabalho teve como objetivos estudar a produtividade e a renda do taro ‘Macaquinho, em cultivo solteiro e consorciado com a alface mimosa ‘Salad Bowl’, em solo sem (SCF) ou com (CCF) cobertura com cama-defrango (10 t ha-1). A colheita da alface foi feita aos 64 dias após a semeadura e a do taro aos 199 dias após o plantio. Na alface obtiveram-se baixos valores para plantas com “cabeças” comerciais (média de 15.830 “cabeças” ha-1) e altos para as não comerciais (média de 89.160 “cabeças” ha-1). No taro, as maiores produções de folhas (4,89 t ha-1), rizomas-mãe (6,46 t ha-1), rizomas-filho comerciais (15,33 t ha-1) e não-comerciais (9,73 t ha-1) foram obtidas nas plantas sob cultivo solteiro e cultivadas em solo CCF. A razão de área equivalente (RAE) para o consórcio taro-alface, em solo CCF foi de 1,47 e a do consórcio em solo SCF foi de 1,82. As rendas bruta e líquida mostraram que no taro foi melhor o cultivo solteiro em solo CCF (R$ 18.936,00 e R$ 17.596,00, respectivamente). Para alface, foi melhor o consórcio com taro, em solo CCF (R$ 18.024,00 e R$ 17.224,00, respectivamente). A maior RAE não induziu as maiores rendas bruta e líquida.

This work had as aim to study yield and income of ‘Macaquinho’ taro in monocrop system and intercropped with ‘Salad Bowl’ mimosa lettuce in soil without (SCF) or with (CCF) mulching with chicken manure (10 t ha-1). Lettuce harvest was done on 64 days after sowing and taro harvest on 199 days after planting. For lettuce it was obtained low values for plants with commercial heads (average of 15,830heads ha-1) and high values for non-commercial heads (average of 89,160 heads ha-1). For taro, the highest yields of leaves (4.89 t ha-1), corms (6.46 t ha-1), commercial (15.33 t ha-1) and non-commercial (9.73 t ha-1) cormels were obtained in plants under monocrop system and that were cultivated in CCF soil. Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) for taro/lettuce intercropping, in CCF soil, was 1.47 and of intercropping in SCF soil was 1.82. Gross and net income showed that for taro it was better to use of monocrop system in CCF soil (R$ 18,936.00 and R$ 17,596.00, respectively). For lettuce, it was better to use intercrop system with taro in CCF soil (R$ 18,024.00 and 17,224.00, respectively). The highest LER did not induce the highest gross and net income.