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Analysis of Sri Lanka's improved position in the 'Doing Business Index' 2012
No full textThe World Bank’s ‘Doing Business Index’ measures the ease with which domestic small and medium sized enterprises can do business in their home countries. Between 2011 and 2012, Sri Lanka’s rank in the Doing Business Index rose by 9 places, from 98th to 89th. However, an analysis of Sri Lanka’s rise indicates that it was mainly attributed to a jump in the strengthening investor protection category, and that the country’s rank declined or performed poorly in the remaining 9 indicators
Show-Me 2026: Missouri Agricultural Outlook
No full textThis report provides detailed insights into Missouri’s agriculture. Broad economic indicators, including interest and unemployment rates, are discussed before transitioning to an overview of the agricultural trends. The report then outlines an in-depth analysis of 2026 projections for Missouri agricultural commodities
2015 Energy Balance for the Corn-Ethanol Industry
No full textReport Introduction: The ratio of energy in a gallon of ethanol relative to the external fossil energy required to produce the corn and process and ship the ethanol is an important measure of sustainability of the corn ethanol industry (Pimentel). Some revisions of initial energy balance calculations have already verified enhanced industry performance and identified methods that could yield further improvement (Shapouri, et al., 2002: Gallagher and Shapouri). A post-expansion survey of ethanol processors thermal and electrical energy use showed further improvement in energy balance (Shapouri, et al., 2010). Ethanol made the transition from an energy sink, to a moderate net energy gain in the 1990s, and to a substantial net energy gain by 2008. This study investigates whether ethanol energy balance still improves and reviews some potential sources of future improvement. Estimates of the current energy balance situation are presented in this report. We update effects of current corn production practices, using current fertilizer and chemical application rates from the most recent data collected by the USDA. Updates also include the energy embodied in modern farm machinery. Energy use by the transportation system for corn procurement and ethanol distribution is also revised to reflect current marketing practices. Current thermal and electrical energy use by ethanol processors is also included. Furthermore, we discuss the range of energy balance outcomes in the industry, according to byproduct marketing practices and process energy sources. Lastly, we examine the potential for further energy balance improvements through improved economic management of byproduct marketing and power choices. We find that profitable practices followed by some firms also tend to improve the energy balance above the industry average
Special Envoy for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience
No full textKate has served as the Federal Member for Jagajaga in Melbourne’s north-eastern suburbs since 2019. Kate is currently the Special Envoy for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience. Previous roles she’s held in Government include Assistant Minister for Social Security, Ageing and Women, and Chair, Joint Standing Committee for Electoral Matters. She is the author of ‘Enough Is Enough’, about making the Australian Parliament and community a safer place for women, written with former MP Jenny Macklin.She holds a BA (Journalism) and a Master of International Development. Prior to entering Parliament Kate worked as a journalist, as well as in international development, and the public service. Kate lives in Jagajaga with her husband and two children
Factors Affecting Carrot Consumption in the United States
No full textCarrots are one of the most popular vegetables in the United States and fresh-market carrot consumption has been increasing over the past few decades. Basic knowledge of the distribution of carrot consumption across different market channels, geographic regions, and population groups is very limited. Using a combination of ACNielsen Home scan panel data and USDA’s Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals, this article examines where and how much fresh and processed carrots are eaten and links this consumption to various economic, social, and demographic characteristics of consumers. The analysis indicates that per capita carrot consumption is greatest in the East and Central regions of the country. About 80 percent of fresh-market carrots are purchased at retail and consumed at home, with the majority consisting of fresh-cut (including baby) carrots. Per capita use of fresh carrots is strongest among Asians, with per capita use of both fresh and freezing carrots greatest among upper income households
Ecosystem Goods and Services: Definition, Valuation and Provision
No full textEcosystem goods and services emanate from a functioning ecosystem and are of direct value to humans. They enter the utility function either directly (without any other inputs); or along with labor, capital, and other produced goods as inputs in a production process resulting in consumable goods. Most ecosystem goods and services have produced–although usually imperfect–substitutes. For example, mushrooms may be cultivated, trees may be grown in plantations, and the waste assimilation properties of natural watersheds can be replaced with a waste treatment plant. It is the nature of economic and population growth that some ecosystem goods and services become depleted and that humans use inputs including more plentiful ecosystem goods and services to produce new capital and goods that compensate for such depletion. An economic question is whether the substitutes for ecosystem services cost society more to produce than the opportunity cost of protecting the original ecosystem services. Many ecosystem services and some ecosystem goods are commonly received for free. The marketing of ecosystem goods and services is basically an effort to turn such recipients–those who benefit without ownership–into buyers, thereby providing market signals that serve to help protect valuable services. Some formal arrangement is needed to make this happen. We review the various mechanisms for marketing ecosystem goods and services
Effect of galectin-1 administration on pregnancy rate and its economic viability in TAI procedures in beef cattle
No full textThe purpose of this work is to demonstrate the reproductive effectiveness and the economic impact of a complementary tool to the TAI (timed artificial insemination) protocols - the administration of a single dose of recombinant human galectin-1 (rHGAL1) during the insemination procedure. GAL-1 can be considered as a modulator of the pregnancy development process. Reproductive efficacy was verified through the pregnancy rate in the first service, by ultrasonography (at 28-35 days) in contemporary groups (YG) of cows multiparous and with calf at the foot (from 60 to 100 days old) subdivided into 02 experimental groups. Ninety YG were formed, grouping cows under identical conditions (inseminator, farm/lot, breed, animal category, semen/bull variables). The experiment was conducted on 15 farms, with 3,125 cows (Nellore and crossbred), all of which maintained a body score (BSC) between 3.5 and 2.5 in the act of the TAI protocol and the pregnancy diagnosis. It was demonstrated, by the proposed statistical method (Generalized Linear Model assuming a binomial distribution “pregnant” or “not pregnant”) for residual effect under logarithmic function, PROBIT, which model included the “fixed effect” of YGs and treatments, that the “rhGAL-1 dose” effect was significant, increasing the probability of obtaining pregnancy by 8.38 percentage points (p < 0.0001). Based on the construction of a hypothetical model, economic profitability that can be obtained was compared. Using the average increase obtained by 8.38 percentage points more in the pregnancy rate, it was possible to increase productivity, adding, almost U$2 thousand to profitability for every 100 cows worked
Satisfaction survey as a tool to map the perception of a laboratory's primary stakeholders
No full textMarketing is present everywhere, as the consumerism of modern society is the result of an exchange relationship that involves communication, pricing, distribution, and products. Offering services that satisfy the target market and achieve organizational objectives can be accomplished through marketing, which uses perception mapping as one of its tools.primarily through marketing research. One way to build a competitive advantage for a company is through a vision based on superior stakeholder management, in which the interested public views the company as the center, favoring a competitive advantage in relationships and communication. In this context, the general objective of the study was to map the perception of the primary stakeholders of a laboratory in a university in the interior of São Paulo, and the specific objective was to apply a marketing survey on customer satisfaction regarding the services provided. The methodology of this study was descriptive and quantitative, with data collection through a structured questionnaire applied to 1,361 members of the university, obtaining 72 responses. As a result, opportunities for improvement were identified in satisfaction regarding the physical structure of the laboratory, recognition of the areas of activity, and consequently, the means of accessing this information. Based on these results, indicators will be presented to the laboratory, creating an action plan to assist in problem-solving and achieving the desired results
FALL 2025 FARM INCOME OUTLOOK FOR ARKANSAS
No full textIn September 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Economic Research Service (ERS) released state-level farm income estimates through calendar year 2024 and national farm income projections for calendar year 2025. The present report published by the Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center (RaFF) provides an updated outlook for Arkansas farm income in calendar years 2025 and 2026. It intends to inform policymakers, industry analysts, and agricultural practitioners about the state agricultural sector’s expected profitability and its main drivers
FALL 2025 FARM INCOME OUTLOOK FOR ILLINOIS
No full textIn September 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Economic Research Service (ERS) released state-level farm income estimates through calendar year 2024 and national farm income projections for calendar year 2025. The present report published by the Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center (RaFF) provides an updated outlook for Illinois farm income in calendar years 2025 and 2026. It intends to inform policymakers, industry analysts, and agricultural practitioners about the state agricultural sector’s expected profitability and its main drivers