MAB Research & Theses
Below are a sample of press releases about thesis projects completed by MAB students. Full-text electronic copies of some theses documents may be found on the K-State Research Exchange website.
2018
Family Farm Succession: A Case Study by Corey Van Otegham, Hartwick, Iowa.
Yield Protection as a Risk Management Strategy by Jacob Aizikovitz, Milton, Wisconsin.
Financial Feasibility of Investing in Bulk Soybean Infrastructure: The Case of an Evergreen Seed Agent by Bethany Huls, Alexandria, Minnesota.
An Economic Impact Analysis of a Proposed Local Enhanced Management Area for Groundwater Management District #4 by Kellen Liebsch, Westmoreland, Kansas.
Consumer Color Preferences and the Economics of Bean Consumption in Malawi by Austin Mbamba, Lilongwe, Malawi, Africa.
Mango Butter Financial Feasibility Analysis: Value Added in the Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, India by Sita Pendurthi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
A Strategic Approach to Reducing Mycoplasma Testing Costs by Zack Gregoire, St. Joseph, Missouri.
2017
Accurately Predicting Visitation as a Strategic Tool for Operation and Management of a Public Park by Nathan Bartholomew, Alexandria, Virginia.
Using Average Net Returns and Risk Measures in Determining Irrigation Management Strategies by Fran Bretz, Algona, Iowa.
Industry Analysis to Guide the Asset Strategy of the Human Nutrition and Health Premix Business of Company XYZ by Jamie Cooke, Niskayuna, New York.
Analysis of Flour Market Segments: A Study of How Specialty Products Affect Volume, Sales Dollars, and Margin Dollars by Andrew Garr, Valley Springs, California.
Planning for the Future: The Case of XYZ Farms by Kayla Lichty, Waterloo, Iowa.
Farm Management Implications of Uncertainty in Days Suitable for Fieldwork by Michelle Mensing, Grimes, Iowa.
Corn Storage and Marketing Feasibility in Northern Mississippi by Andy Milstead, Walnut, Mississippi.
Beef Replacement Heifer Decision Tool by John Sachse, Wamego, Kansas.
Lauver Family Farms: Utilizing the Conservation Reserve Program as a Risk Management Tool by Andrew Lauver, Rockwell City, Iowa.
2016
Awareness Assessment of Safe-Guard® in the U.S. Cattle Industry by Tiffany Ligtenburg, Centennial, Colorado.
A Transportation and Location Optimization Model: Minimizing Total Cost of Oilseed Crushing Facilities in Kansas by Nicole (Luna) Meiners, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
2015
Specialty Coffee Expansion in Traditional Retail: Lessons from Non-Traditional Retailers by Alison Rosenblum, Portland, Oregon.
A Framework to Develop an E-Commerce Strategy Selling Products Online for Agriculture Manufacturers by Brett Goodman, Collierville, Tennessee.
The Total Delivered Cost of Sieved Red Raspberries: A Procurement Optimization Model by Misty Trumble, Glenwood, Iowa.
Consumption Patterns of Beans in Zambia by Winnie Pele, Lusaka, Zambia.
Competitive Issues of a Small-Scale Layers’ Farm in DR Congo by Zephyrin Tshibambe Ndjibu, Kinshasa, Ngaliema, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Feasibility of a Terms Bank for Small Horsepower Tractors by Colin Peterson, Snoqualmie, Washington.
Farmland Valuation: A Net Present Value Approach Using Simulation by Chris Westergard, Dagmar, Montana.
Simulation Models of Bank Risk Management Using Data Table and Scenario Manager by Kelley Ayres, Minden, Nebraska.
The Development of a Conceptual Benchmarking Tool Representing Big Data and Agricultural Technology Adoption on the Farm by Jacob Maurer, Manhattan, Kansas.
Variable Crop Residue Management by Brian Myers, Basehor, Kansas.
Milk Quality Analysis in Southwestern Uganda by Hamid Rutaro, Menomonie, Wisconsin.
Net Present Value Analysis of an Automated Grain Aeration System Technology on Stored Corn by Paul Popelka, Gothenburg, Nebraska.
Feasibility Study on a Brand Extension within AgriGold by Andy Montgomery, Brazil, Indiana.
2014
A Business Plan for Wheat State Distilling by David Bahre, Wamego, Kansas.
Market Segmentation to Become the Partner of Choice by Tara (Oliver) Deines, West Lafayette, Indiana.
Customer Satisfaction Impact by Kyle Patten, Cedar Falls, Iowa.
The Effects of Individual Crop Payments on the Cost of Food by Nicole Siderewicz Peter, Otsego, Minnesota.
Efficiency of Combine Usage: A Study of Combine Data Comparing Operators and Combines to Maximize Efficiency by Janel Schemper, Holdrege, Nebraska.
Distribution of U.S. Beef Exports in the International Market by Heather (Luis) Tenhoff, Hastings, Nebraska.
Business Continuity Management for an Agribusiness Company: A Case Study from West Africa by Tene Mouphtaou Toure, Windsor Mill, Maryland.
Profitability Drivers of Farmer Cooperatives – A Dupont Model Analysis by Christopher Hines, Wright, Kansas.
Profitability, Risk and Business Plan for Hauger Farm by Michael Hauger, Gardner, Kansas.
Developing a Dealer Customer Support Center Strategy by Jarah (Casten) Hauger, Gardner, Kansas.
Fulfillment Processing of a Multi-Zone Warehouse by Kurt Anderson, Sioux Center, Iowa.
Direct Payment Subsidies and the Impact on Farm Land Prices: A Cross-Country Comparative Evaluation by Magnus Rupp, Rosenberg, Germany.
2013
Comparative Grain Storage Analysis by Chris Wagner, Ulysses, Kansas.
A Logistics Optimization Study for Garden City Co-Op, Inc. by Michael Kempke, Garden City, Kansas.
Response to Population in Corn Hybrids with Specific Characteristics by Nathan Schroeder, Gretna, Nebraska.
2012
Creating Value with Equity Management at Ag Valley Cooperative by Kevin Nielsen, Oxford, Nebraska.
Comparative Analysis of Errors in Pre-Pick and Bulk Order Volumes at Frito-Lay by Jamaa Muhsin Abdi Ali, Shakopee, Minnesota.
Benefits of Flour Storage as Related to Process Efficiencies in Milling by Brent Johnson, Boulder, Colorado.
Foreign Direct Investment Decision Making Using an Investment Index by Christina Pepple, Ogden, Utah.
New Grain Discharge Terminal at Santos Port, Brazil by Mauro Bergerman, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Banana Transshipment Model by John Brasington, Bellingham, Washington.
Precision Agriculture Adoption by Growers in South Central Nebraska by Tyrell Fickenscher, Axtell, Nebraska.
Trend Yields and the Crop Insurance Program by Matthew Smith, Hitchcock, South Dakota.
A Feasibility Study of a Diesel Maintenance Program at North Arkansas College by Matt Shekels, Alpena, Arkansas.
Damaged Starch in the Flour Mill: How to Reduce the Electricity Bill by Charles Loubersac D’Hotel,Paris, France.
Inbound Wheat Railcar Loading Optimization: An Opportunity Cost Study for ConAgra Mills by Erin Jordan, Bellevue, Nebraska.
A Financial Analysis of Placing Fixed Grain Assets in Northern Kansas by Seth Post, Minneapolis, Kansas.
Make or Buy, Feasibility of Intermediate Good Production by Mark Davis, Scott City, Kansas.
2011
From Rice Fields to Red Light Districts: An Economic Examination of Factors Motivating Employment in Thailand’s Sex Industry by Cori Wittman, Bangkok, Thailand.
Dairy Price Risk Management Analysis by Joshua Engelmann, Mayer, Minnesota.
An Analysis of Factors Influencing Wheat Flour Yield by David Mog,Wichita, Kansas.
Improving Community Connection to its Youth: The Case of Wabaunsee County by Abby (Dechant) Amick,Alma, Kansas.
Strategy for De-Commoditizing a Commodity: Focusing on Replacement Filters by Nate Smith, Lenexa, Kansas.
Child Mortality: The Impacts of Food Safety and Tertiary Education by Debra Frey,Manhattan Kansas.
Factors Affecting the Annual Unit Sales Volume of Combines in the United States by Benjamin Q. Smith, Olathe, Kansas.
Analysis of a Cooperative Dairy Producer Risk Management Program by Travis Heiman, Kearney, Missouri.
Competitive Factors Affecting the Expansion of Greenfield Elevator Sites by Michael Wisner, Alma, Nebraska.
Analysis of Raw Potato Sorting Technology on a Potato Chip Line by Audra Geiger, Topeka, Kansas.
Optimizing Wheat Blends for Customer Value Creation: A Special Case of Solvent Retention Capacity by Nikolas Haas, Riverdale, Utah
Implications of a Renewable Fuels Standard by Ted Monoson, Washington, D.C.
Commodity Pork Price Forecasting for Hormel Fresh Pork Sales Team by Cortney Bally, Brownsdale, Minnesota.
2010
Growing the Footprint of Traditional Grain Origination by Dustin Ploeger, Glenwood, Iowa.
A Business Plan for a 600-Acre Farm and a 300-Head Commercial Cow Herd in South-Central Idaho by Joshua Staley,Buhl, Idaho.
Feasibility Study of a 100-Million Gallon Ethanol Plant in Des Moines, Iowa by Nathan Broders, Gretna, Nebraska.
Determining How to Increase Premium Honey Smoked Turkey’s Selling Potential Based on Flavor Reformulation by Derrick Coleman, North Little Rock, Arkansas.
The Feasibility of Crop Insurance Agency Acquisitions by Bill Davis, Omaha, Nebraska.
Exploring Employee Preferences for the Farm Credit System Incentive Program by Autumn Crider, Markham, Virginia.
Online Cash Grain Exchange: Examining Factors Impacting the Level of Web-based Trades and Potential Future Adoption of Mobile Technology by Kevin Heikes, Lenexa, Kansas.
Analysis of Forward Contracting by California Dairy Producers on Input and Output Sides using a Least Cost and Profit-Maximization Methods by Joel Karlin, Fresno, California.
Considerations for Direct Tanker Loading on Dairy Farms by Earl Biggers, Jr., Dakota Dunes, South Dakota.
Improving Production Agriculture Efficiencies and Profitability through the Development of New Planting Technologies by Steven Turner, Geneseo, Illinois.
Statistical Analysis of Pre-Employment Predictive Indexing within the Farm Credit System by Tim Ulrich, Greeley, Colorado.
The Economics of Corn Cob Cellulosic Ethanol for Northwest Iowa by William “B.J.” Schany, Emmetsburg, Iowa.
Financial Performance Profile and Evaluation of Alternative Equity Management Programs for Farmers Cooperative Equity Company by Andy Smarsh, Garden City, Kansas.
2009
The Economics of Bagoss Cheese Production in Bagolino, Italy by Piercarlo Marlettaof Cinisello Balsamo, Milano, Italy.
The Economics of an Alternative Bio-energy Feedstock – The Case of Jatropha Curcas by Meng-Yee Tee,Gilroy, California.
Time Savings from Paperless Processes in a Container Freight Company by Rebecca Bradwell, Lenexa, Kansas
Evaluating the Economic Feasibility of Anaerobic Digestion for Kawangware Market Waste by James Arati, Baldwin, Wisconsin.
Analysis of Rail Rates for Wheat Rail Transportation in Montana; Comparing Rates in a Captive Market to One with More Intramodal Competition by Matthew McKamey, Cascade, Montana.
Analysis of Solar Power Generation on California Turkey Ranches by Rick Palermo, Fresno, California.
Real Estate Advertising in Today’s Auction Industry by Doug Regehr, Tonganoxie, Kansas.
Survey of Business Management Factors Associated with Mixed Animal Veterinary Practice Size and Growth by Amy Brusk, Manhattan, Kansas.
Preparing Industry Leaders: An Evaluation of Former AFA Participants’ Workplace Skills by Leslie Shuler Svacina, Baldwin, Wisconsin.
Flour Moisture Control for Maximum Water Addition by Chad Bontrager, Holton, Kansas.
2008
The Impact of Ethanol Driven Corn Price on the Cow-Calf Industry by Marcella Warner, Spearville, Kansas.
A Study of Hybrid Seed Corn Pricing by Brent Schwenneker, Ankeny, Iowa.
Developing a Procurement Support Tool for a Laundry Soap Bar Manufacturing Facility in Venezuela by Miguel Marcano, Caracas, Venezuela.
FCV T.O.T.A.L: An Analysis of Leadership Development Best Practices and Recommendations by Kate Duke, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
A Business Plan and Strategy for Taste St. Louis Catering and Vending by Paula Prindiville, Arnold, Missouri.
The Effect of Intermittent Vaccination of the Beef Cow Herd on Herd Production by Todd Marsh, Plentwood, Montana.
Organic Transition Rates on a Morris County Kansas Grain Farm by Russell Moore, Wamego, Kansas.
2007
The Adoption of Good Manufacturing Practices in Grain Elevators by Sarah Velasquez, Manhattan, Kansas.
An Economic Comparison of Reduced Tillage and No-Till Crop Production in Western Kansas With and Without Opportunity Cropping by Ray Smith, Sharon Springs, Kansas.
A Decision Model to Determine Class III Milk Hedging Opportunities by Travis Holt,Spencer, Wisconsin.
Reaction to and Potential Economic Impact of a Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak in Kansas by Debbie Clough, Topeka, Kansas.
Comparative Analysis of Origin vs. Destination Ethanol Plants by Charles Sauerwein, Cimarron, Kansas.
2006
Financial Ratio Benchmarks for Kansas Farms 1995 to 2004 by Mark Winger, Colby, Kansas.
Bimbo Bakeries USA Productivity Savings Project by Melissa Frick, Fontana, California.
Factors Influencing Consumption of Traditional Domestic Beer in the U.S. by Zach Gaines,St. Louis, Missouri.
Feasibility Study: Converting a Conventional Feed Mill to Organic Production by Michelle Evosovich Adams, Vancouver, Washington.
2005
Utilizing Economic Order Quantity in a Multiple Input and Output Facility to Manage Inventory Flow by Craig Hagood, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Competitive Positioning in the Cattle Handling Industry by Fred Armstrong, Lakin, Kansas.
Cross-Hedging Feed Ingredients by Angie Pierce, Emporia, Kansas.
Michigan Greenhouse and Nursery Financial Study by Cindy Birchmeier, Pewamo, Michigan
Factors Influencing Producer Participation in Agritourism Ventures: A Survey by David Mace, Wamego, Kansas.
Commodity Indemnity Funds: Alternatives for Wyoming by Keith Kennedy, Burns, Wyoming.
Empirical Yield Probability Distributions, De Minimus Yields, and Insurance Incentives in Wheat by Alex Offerdahl, Billings, Montana.
2004
Economies of Scale in the Farm Credit System by Jess Thompson, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.
Florist Attitudes Towards Roses From Ecuador by Maria Pilar Jativa, Quito, Ecuador.
Causes of Retail Pull in Nebraska Counties and Towns by Rex Nelson, McCook, Nebraska.
The Economics of Irrigated Pasture Using Management Intensive Grazing Versus Traditional Cropping Systems in East Central Idaho by Mark Orchard, Rexburg, Idaho.
