MAB Research
Below are a sample of press releases about thesis projects completed by MAB students.

2008
Developing a Procurement Support Tool for a Laundry Soap Bar Manufacturing Facility in Venezuela
Miguel Marcano, Caracas, Venezuela, defended his thesis, “Developing a Procurement Support Tool for a Laundry Soap Bar Manufacturing Facility in Venezuela.”

FCV T.O.T.A.L: An Analysis of Leadership Development Best Practices and Recommendations
Kate Duke, Chapel Hill, NC, defended her thesis, “FCV T.O.T.A.L: An Analysis of Leadership Development Best Practices and Recommendations."

A Business Plan and Strategy for Taste St. Louis Catering and Vending
Paula Prindiville, Arnold, MO., defended her thesis, “A Business Plan and Strategy for Taste St. Louis Catering and Vending.”

The Effect of Intermittent Vaccination of the Beef Cow Herd on Herd Production
Todd Marsh, Plentwood, MT., defended his thesis, “The Effect of Intermittent Vaccination of the Beef Cow Herd on Herd Production.”

Organic Transition Rates on a Morris County Kansas Grain Farm
Russell Moore, Wamego, Kans., defended his thesis, “Organic Transition Rates on a Morris County Kansas Grain Farm.”

2007
The Adoption of Good Manufacturing Practices in Grain Elevators
Sarah Velasquez, Manhatan, Kans., defended her thesis, “The Adoption of Good Manufacturing Practices in Grain Elevators.”

An Economic Comparison of Reduced Tillage and No-Till Crop Production in Western Kansas With and Without Opportunity Cropping
Ray Smith, Sharon Springs, Kans., defended his thesis, “An Economic Comparison of Reduced Tillage and No-Till Crop Production in Western Kansas With and Without Opportunity Cropping.”

A Decision Model to Determine Class III Milk Hedging Opportunities
Travis Holt, Spencer, Wis., defended his thesis, “A Decision Model to Determine Class III Milk Hedging Opportunities.”

Reaction to and Potential Economic Impact of a Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak in Kansas
Debbie Clough, Topeka, Kans., defended her thesis, “Reaction to and Potential Economic Impact of a Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak in Kansas.”

Comparative Analysis of Origin vs. Destination Ethanol Plants
Charles Sauerwein, Cimarron, Kans. defended his thesis, “Comparative Analysis of Origin vs. Destination Ethanol Plants.”

2006
Financial Ratio Benchmarks for Kansas Farms 1995 to 2004
Mark Winger, Colby, Kan., defended his thesis, “Financial Ratio Benchmarks for Kansas Farms 1995 to 2004.”

Bimbo Bakeries USA Productivity Savings Project
Melissa Frick,  Fontana, Calif., defended her thesis, “Bimbo Bakeries USA Productivity Savings Project.”

Factors Influencing Consumption of Traditional Domestic Beer in the U.S.
Zach Gaines, St. Louis, Mo., defended his thesis, “Factors Influencing Consumption of Traditional Domestic Beer in the U.S.”

Feasibility Study: Converting a Conventional Feed Mill to Organic Production
Michelle Evosovich Adams, Vancouver, Wash., defended her thesis, “Feasibility Study: Converting Conventional Feed Mill to Organic Production.”

2005
Utilizing Economic Order Quantity in a Multiple Input and Output Facility to Manage Inventory Flow
Craig Hagood, Raleigh, North Carolina, defended his thesis, “Utilizing Economic Order Quantity in a Multiple Input and Output Facility to Manage Inventory Flow.”

Competitive Positioning in the Cattle Handling Industry
Fred Armstrong, Lakin, Kan, defended his thesis, “Competitive Positioning in the Cattle Handing Industry.”

Cross-Hedging Feed Ingredients
Angie Pierce, Emporia, Kansas, defended her thesis, “Cross-Hedging Feed Ingredients.”

Michigan Greenhouse and Nursery Financial Study
Cindy (Mulert) Birchmeier, Pewamo, Michigan, (formerly from Owatonna MN) defended her thesis, “Michigan Greenhouse and Nursery Financial Study.”

Factors Influencing Producer Participation in Agritourism Ventures: A Survey
David Mace, Wamego, Kan., defended his thesis, “Factors Influencing Producer Participation in Agritourism Ventures: A Survey.”

Commodity Indemnity Funds: Alternatives for Wyoming
Keith Kennedy, Burns, Wyoming, defended his thesis, “Commodity Indemnity Funds: Alternatives for Wyoming.”

Empirical Yield Probability Distributions, De Minimus Yields, and Insurance Incentives in Wheat
Alex Offerdahl, Billings, Montana, defended his thesis, “Empirical Yield Probability Distributions, De Minimus Yields, and Insurance Incentives in Wheat.”

2004
Economies of Scale in the Farm Credit System
Jess Thompson, Lawrenceburg, Ky., defended his thesis, “Economies of Scale in the Farm Credit System.”

Florist Attitudes Towards Roses From Ecuador
Maria Pilar Jativa, Quito, Ecuador, defended her thesis, “Florist Attitudes Towards Roses From Ecuador.”

Causes of Retail Pull in Nebraska Counties and Towns
Rex Nelson, McCook, Nebraska, defended his thesis, “Causes of Retail Pull in Nebraska Counties and Towns.”

The Economics of Irrigated Pasture Using Management Intensive Grazing Versus Traditional Cropping Systems in East Central Idaho
Mark Orchard, Rexburg, Idaho, defended his thesis, “The Economics of Irrigated Pasture Using Management Intensive Grazing Versus Traditional Cropping Systems in East Central Idaho.”