This book contains 12 chapters focusing on: (i) experimental planning; (ii) sample preparation; (iii) weighing and dispersing; (iv) acid-digestion, ashing and extracting procedures; (v) analysis of soil and compost; (vi) analysis of fertilizers; (vii) analysis of animal feed and plant materials; (viii) analysis of silage; (ix) near infrared spectroscopy; (x) methods in equine nutrition; (xi) methods for organic farmers and growers; and (xii) quality assurance and control.

Risk and uncertainty are inescapable factors in agriculture which require careful management. Farmers face production risks from the weather, crop and livestock performance, and pests and diseases, as well as institutional, personal and business risks. This revised third edition of the popular textbook includes updated chapters on theory and methods and contains a new chapter discussing the state-contingent approach to the analysis of production and the use of copulas to better model stochastic dependency. Aiming to introduce agricultural decision making, probability and risk preference, this book is an indispensable guide for students and researchers of agriculture and agribusiness management.

Here in one easy-to-understand volume are the statistical procedures and techniques the agricultural researcher needs to know in order to design, implement, analyze, and interpret the results of most experiments with crops. Designed specifically for the non-statistician, this valuable guide focuses on the practical problems of the field researcher. Throughout, it emphasizes the use of statistics as a tool of research—one that will help pinpoint research problems and select remedial measures. Whenever possible, mathematical formulations and statistical jargon are avoided. Originally published by the International Rice Research Institute, this widely respected guide has been totally updated and much expanded in this Second Edition. It now features new chapters on the analysis of multi-observation data and experiments conducted over time and space. Also included is a chapter on experiments in farmers' fields, a subject of major concern in developing countries where agricultural research is commonly conducted outside experiment stations. Statistical Procedures for Agricultural Research, Second Edition will prove equally useful to students and professional researchers in all agricultural and biological disciplines. A wealth of examples of actual experiments help readers to choose the statistical method best suited for their needs, and enable even the most complicated procedures to be easily understood and directly applied. An International Rice Research Institute Book

Analysis of Chemical Residues in Agriculture presents a focused, yet comprehensive guide on how to identify, evaluate and analyze the wide range of chemicals that impact our food production system. The book presents a variety of analytical technologies and methods in order to help professionals, researchers, and graduate and undergraduate students understand chemical residues in agriculture and apply them to applications for the detection and quantification of chemical residues – both organic and inorganic – in several agricultural matrices, including crops, fruits, meat, food, feed, soil and water. Agriculture remains one of the most strategic sectors for the global economy and well-being. However, it is seen as a source of environmental and health concerns mainly due to the high amount of pesticides and fertilizers used in production systems around the world; moreover, a thorough understanding of the topic is necessary when we consider livestock production systems also apply large amounts of veterinary drugs to treat illness and promote increases in productivity. - Identifies the main scientific and technological approaches of analytical chemistry dedicated to agricultural and related matrices to solve real problems and for R&D purposes - Provides a description of the analytical technologies and methodologies used to reduce the negative impact of several agrochemicals on the environment and health - Explores cutting-edge analytical technologies to detect residues in agricultural and related matrices

Students of public policy and practitioners within the farm program arena will find theis book an essential source of insight, information, and original cross-disciplinary argument."--BOOK JACKET.