• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.131-146
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• 2005

The farming type in Korea is predominantly a small farm managed by family members. This study mainly examines the current usage of the website of family farms as a management tool for small farm business and discusses the strategies for effective utilization of the website. A county that currently employs governmental project of information system was purposely selected. Among all the websites operated by small farm businesses in that county, websites of which purpose is introduction of the business, advertisement, or e-business were included for analysis; it yielded total seven websites, The study was conducted with two phases; on-line website analysis and interview with business owners. The websites were analyzed based on four categories; content, interface, design, and site management. With regard to the content of the websites, the lack of connection between domain names and product names was found. Moreover, the problem relevant to site management was shown as low utilization of bulletin boards and delayed upload of new information. However, design and interface were comparatively well presented. Business owners reported that the motivation to initiate the websites was mostly supports from the governmental project for the agricultural information system. The barriers to effective management of websites were found i) business owner's misinterpretation of business website with e-business ii) very limited opportunity for website management education in small farm business, and iii) lack of regional infrastructure for information system. Based on the findings, this study suggests as followed; i) construction of infrastructure should be preceded to make effective management for websites; ii) education for website management should include small business management strategies as well as computer skills, iii) the education should be provided in diverse ways considering subject's characteristics iv) small farm business owners should be informed that their websites could play a role only to provide information about the products and hand over the practical load for e-business to retailing web sites such as portal shopping mall; and v) wives' participation should be encouraged.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.78-84
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• 2015

Although researches have highlighted the important role of enhanced farm biosecurity to reduce the severity and prevalence of diseases in livestock, to date there has been little study in Korea on farmers' adoption of biosecurity measures to control porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection. To mitigate the risk of PRRSV infection in pigs, the risk factors by which PRRSV is introduced in pig farms must be determined. The primary aim of this study was to investigate pig producers' perceptions about on-farm biosecurity practices. We also analyzed data obtained from a cross-sectional study on 196 farrow-to-finish farms conducted between March 2013 and February 2014 to identify risk factors for PRRSV infection at farm level. Standardized questionnaires with information about basic demographical data and management practices were collected in each farm by on-site visit of trained veterinarians. Farms were classified as negative or positive through the use of infection profiles that combined data on PCR positive pigs and serological testing including antibody titer, sero-conversion pattern at each age category, and vaccination status. Data on biosecurity practices, farm management and environmental characteristics were analyzed using multivariate ordinal logistic regression. Generally, the biosecurity level in the pig farms included in this study were insufficient to reduce/prevent the risk of PRRSV infection given the high pig density areas and the considerable extent of vehicle movement. Factors associated with PRRSV infection were those where owners used on-farm vaccination programs had a lower risk of infection (OR = 0.19, 95% CI 0.06-0.61). The results from the analysis may guide to tailor biosecurity measures in the reduction or prevention of PRRS to the specific circumstances of pig farms in different localities of the world. To the best knowledge of the authors, this is the first study to report information on the biosecurity practices currently implemented on Korean pig farms.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.782-787
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• 2015

The myogenic regulatory factors is a family of transcription factors that play a key role in the development of skeletal muscle fibers, which are the main factors to affect the meat taste and texture. In the present study, we performed candidate gene analysis to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the MyoD, Myf5, MyoG, and Mrf4 genes using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism in 360 Erlang Mountain Chickens from three different housing systems (cage, pen, and free-range). The general linear model procedure was used to estimate the statistical significance of association between combined genotypes and muscle fiber traits of chickens. Two polymorphisms (g.39928301T>G and g.11579368C>T) were detected in the Mrf4 and MyoD gene, respectively. The diameters of thigh and pectoralis muscle fibers were higher in birds with the combined genotypes of GG-TT and TTCT (p<0.05). Moreover, the interaction between housing system and combined genotypes has no significant effect on the traits of muscle fiber (p>0.05). Our findings suggest that the combined genotypes of TT-CT and GG-TT might be advantageous for muscle fiber traits, and could be the potential genetic markers for breeding program in Erlang Mountain Chickens.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.91-99
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• 2010

A Model of small scale total mixed rations(TMR) plant which can be utilized round bales was developed, tested and analyzed in this study. This study consist of two parts. One is development of a small scale TMR plant model which was already reported at the previous paper. This is the second part of the study. For the study, a series of tests of the model plant were performed and its costs was analyzed. Also, the break-even point of the model plant by comparing with market price of commercial TMR feed was determined. Results of the research are summarized as follows ; As the results of mixing test, the average coefficient of variation(CV) value for mixing of the feed was 13.0 % at the gate of the mixer. The production cost was estimated as 8,298 won/head for dairy cattle farm and 2,495 won/head for beef cattle farm, when producing 8 batch a day. Also, it is recommended to utilize the model plant when farm size is over 79 heads for dairy cattle farm and 113 heads for beef cattle farm. As an overall conclusion, the model plant designed for farm size TMR feed mill will be very useful model for both beef cattle and dairy farms in Korea. Also it is expected that the capital investment for the model plant can be recovered with 8 months compare with purchasing commercial TMR feed if the model plant feeds 1,000 beef cattle approximately.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.463-466
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• 2009

A swine farm located in the Kyungpook province (designated as farm D that have been suffering from PED for several years was selected to study the etiology and the outbreak pattern of PED by clinical and laboratory examinations. Clinical examination indicated that sows exhibited signs of mastitis resulting in an inadequate transfer of lactogenic immunity against PEDV to newborn piglets. Furthermore, serological tests revealed that all sow groups and their piglets had low levels of anti-PEDV antibody. These data suggest that improper vaccination program has been indeed performed in this farm. Remarkably, despite no symptoms of PED in weaners, the presence of PEDV was identified by RT-PCR from fecal samples of weaning piglets, indicating persistent PEDV circulation in the herd. Based on these results, the following basic control schemes were executed for the control of PEDV circulation in the farm; a) A quick removal of affected pigs and disinfection of affected sheds. b) restructuring of vaccination program and employment of consultant. c) prompt treatment of mastitis and removal of poor lactogenic sows, and d) enhancement of biosecurity of farrowing house by acquisition of additional space. We evaluated risk factors and implementation of control measures in two months and were unable to found any case related to PEDV infection. Taken together, our data indicate that the method described above is effective for the control of PED outbreak in farm persistently suffering from PEDV infection.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.293-309
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• 1998

This study is aimed at identifying the decision making criteria as B/C ratio, IRR and NPV based on the expected benefits and costs of the land utilization and promotion projects which have implemented to improve agricultural structure under WTO system. To carry out the objectives of the study, Sinseok project area located at Dangjin district, Chungnam province was selected. Sinseok project area has 306.2 ha of paddy area with 172 farm households. The project area will be operated by the 33 specialized farm households after completion of the project which will have 20 years of economic life. After completion of the project, farm size will be increased from 1.8ha to 9.3ha. Land intensity of the project area will be increased by 10%. Increase of land productivity and cost saving due to the labor saving technology as farm mechanization will be expected. According to the survey results, the annual amount of production cost savings per farm was estimated 3.884million won and increased total farm income was expected about 43.8million won per year. The total expexted project benefits was expected 174million won per year. The project costs to promote land utilization and structural change consisted of handling charges, and direct payment for land movility. The decision making criteria representing economic feasibility of the project such as B/C ratio, NPV and IRR were estimated 2.49, 483million won and 30% respectively when the cut-off rate was taken into account 10%. In conclusion, the land utilization and promotion project proppeled by the Korean Government under the agricultural land law is considered economically feasible from the view points of expected project benefits and costs. Accordingly the project have to be implemented more strongly under the G't financial support considering WTO and UR negociation which were aimed at achieving the free trade and improvement of international competitiveness of farm products.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.201-208
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• 1998

Piglets' diarrhea is one of the major causes of economic loss in Korean swine industry. To prevent this serious and persistant problem, we have developed systemic farm evaluation and analysis program. The program consists of the checklist and the computerized program. The items of the checklist are selected on the basis of various causative factors related with the piglets' diarrhea including sanitational status, nutritional management, or farm environment. The checklist is composed of 30 items including 6 factors on facility, 8 factors on environment, 6 factors on nutrition and 10 factors on sanitation, respectively. Minimum 1 to maximum 10 points was assigned to each item depending on level or status of farm. The scores calculated by sum of points obtained from each item could find out the problems which the farm was confronted with. To investigate the applicability of a program 150 swine farms raising over 500 heads were selected from 7 provinces throughout the country and surveyed. There were significant correlations between the piglets' diarrhea and the scores of the checklist. Based on above results we revised the checklist which consisted of 22 items including 5 factors on facility, 7 factors on environment, 3 factors on nutrition and 7 factors on sanitation. After that we composed a computerized diagram out of each point of an item which showed and indicated weak factors to be improved promptly. Our present study suggested that this newly established swine farm evaluation program would be a very efficient way to find out the problems and support the systemic control program of the piglets' diarrhea for swine farms.

• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.181-192
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• 2003

With emphasis on environmentally safe and sustainable and economically sound and oriented to consumer, this study intends to assess the consumer's cognition and attitudes for safe food distribution, to investigate the supplying system of the organic farm products, to survey the consumer and life cooperatives dealing with organic farm products, and to draw some implications toward environment- and consumer-oriented agriculture. Related literatures and available documents were reviewed to conceptualize the environmental-and consumer-oriented agriculture and consumer and life cooperatives, to grasp the nationwide status of such alternative agriculture and consumer cooperatives, and investigate the consumers' cognition and attitude. In order to investigate the consumers' needs for organic farm products and to grasp the active consumer and life cooperatives dealing with organic farm products, questionnaire method and non-structured interview were applied. The environment-and consumer-oriented agriculture refers hero to the farming system in which any farm food and other living products giving no harm to human and livestock health and catering the consumers' need. The consumer and life cooperatives is consumer's group buying and selling organic farm products organized in the cooperative system with which any consumer can be affiliated to buy organic farm products safely and reasonably.

• Journal of Information Technology Applications and Management
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.149-166
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• 2006

During the past several years, a number of attempts have been made to develop computer applications for the farm business. However, none of them truned out properly applicable to small farms occupying more than 90% of the total agri-business in number as they failed to take it into consideration that small farm, typically a private busines is quite different by nature from the large-scaled farm corporate. Small-sized farming is usually done on the houshold basis, and thus there is no distinction between the household and the business economy. In addition, small farm managers are mostly lacking knowledge or skills of both computers and accounting. This study, therefore, aims at the design and implementation of the financial management and accountign information system for small farms, with an attempt to relax constraints and resolve pitfalls revealed in previously developed applications. The following principles were introduced for the study : 1) The user-system interfaces have to be managed in the natural language as much as possible, so that the users can operate the system without any professional terms. 2) Household accounting has to be seperarte by some means from the business accounting, so that small farm businesses can manage their finance and accounting as necessary. 3) The system has to be designed so as not only for the users to manage transactional data but to analyse historical data in multiple dimensions for their decision-makings. The results from this study would perhaps help not only for the farmers but for the educators, policy makers, and counselors for the farming.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.170-181
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• 2015

Generally, because individual agricultural product possesses its own distinctive characteristics and shows different characteristics at each stage of the agricultural supply chain, it is necessary to develop a proper enterprise architecture for managing information system. In this paper, we propose an enterprise architecture based on RFID/USN technology that can be used as a reference enterprise architecture for u-IT application in the agriculture sectors, which is called the u-Farm enterprise architecture with taking heterogeneous characteristics of agricultural products into account for. In addition, we also developed the RFID/USN middleware platform as a core infrastructure technology. Fo evaluation of the performance of the proposed u-Farm architecture and the RFID/USN middleware platform, the field-trial evaluation at the apple Agricultural Processing Center (APC) has been executed and the results shows that the proposed architecture and platform perform well in terms of information integration over the whole SCM process from the farming stage to delivering statge to the customers. It is expected that the proposed u-Farm enterprise architecture can be utilized as a standard information architecture, and the RFID/USN middleware platform can be a infrastructure platform for future u-IT based information technology applications and services in the agricultural environment.