Weak information flow challenging reproductive management decision-making along the swine reproductive value chain: three manuscripts

Belanger Bishinga, Clement

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/42350 Copy

Description

Title

Weak information flow challenging reproductive management decision-making along the swine reproductive value chain: three manuscripts

Author(s)

Belanger Bishinga, Clement

Issue Date

2013-02-03T19:36:06Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Goldsmith, Peter D.

Department of Study

Agricultural and Consumer Economics

Discipline

Agricultural and Consumer Economics

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• system dynamics
• swine
• value chain
• information markets

Abstract

Over the last two decades, the hog industry has undergone significant structural changes in terms of specialization, increasing scale, linkages across the value chain with retailers and processors, environmental obligations and new technologies. As a result, industry structure, markets for information and transaction governance have emphasized contracts, vertical coordination, improved sharing of information and strategic partnerships. Some animal scientists argue that breeding management, use of superior genetic breeds and lines and crossbreeding to utilize heterosis are important factors for this improvement, especially in reproductive traits. Others suggest that genetic management lags other areas of management in terms of efficiency gains because results in the nucleus herds’ environment are difficult to replicate in a commercial herd environment. Part of this difference of opinion corresponds to where a firm is located along the value chain. The contribution is a unique value chain model that allows for the analysis of genetic improvement information as it relates to the industry structure and reproductive decision-making at the nucleus, multiplier, and commercial tiers. The system's model of the swine reproductive value chain employs stochastic, dynamic, and feedback techniques to examine genetic stock's flows and phenotype information creation and availability both across time and along the swine reproductive value chain. It is now possible to support in unique ways researchers and practitioners as they tackle difficult system-related questions facing reproductive management information and strategy. Of particular interest is the model’s production of managerially relevant key performance indicators over time and across the value chain. There are many applications of the model. This thesis is developed in three individual manuscripts. The first paper presents and validates the model. The second paper explores alternatives to reduce genotype x environment interaction across the swine reproductive value chain. Of particular interest is the integration of the multiplier stage by the genetic nucleus (integrates downstream) or the commercial herd (integrates upstream). The second paper observes the relevant key performance indicators over time and across the value chain in comparison to the non-integrated value chain tested in the first paper. The third paper explores alternatives to management practices across the swine reproductive value chain. Of particular interest are explorations of two specific industry debates: fresh versus frozen artificial insemination and pooling versus non-pooled semen in those inseminations.

Graduation Semester

2012-12

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/42350

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2012 Clement Belanger Bishinga.

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