Proposing a feasibility study to see if a 3×4 or 3×3 baler is more profitable for the Z Hills Ranch
Project Proposal
By John Doe
Introduction
The Z HillsRanch has been putting up hay for over fifty years. In the last ten years, we have been selling premium horse hay to feed stores across the front range. On average, just over fifty percent of the hay produced is baled as premium hay. The rest is used as cow hay. The difference between premium and cow hay is the nutritional value. Premium hay has high protein which is over thirteen percent. Cow hay loses its nutritional value because it gets rained on. This causes it to lose protein and sometimes become moldy. Increasing the amount of premium hay will increase ranch profit.
To
increase ranch profit, I suggest trading in our 3×3 Case baler for a 3×4 Kuhn
baler. This action would be a $35,000 investment. The return on the investment
will come from the increased amount of premium hay because it allows us to bale
twice as fast. The speed will also save on labor and fuel expenses. 3×4 bales,
compared to 3×3 bales, are easier to transport and stack. For the cow hay that
we do get 3×4 bales are easier and more efficient to feed due to the larger
flakes.
My objective is to compare a
3×3 and a 3×4 baler to see which one is more profitable for the Z Hills Ranch.
Procedures
To obtain the necessary data I will conduct multiple interviews with other ranchers and machinery experts. This will allow me to get the pros and cons of each baler from people that already have them. I will use Lakeside Machinery in Lakeside, Colorado, for pricing and specifications of each baler. They are the dealership that we use to buy all our machinery and have a working relationship with them. The information acquired from reliable online sources will determine the average price of hay at different qualitys and sizes. I will use data from Z Hills Ranch to evaluate the ranches situation.
To complete this project, I will begin research on July 18th by conducting interviews and finding information from reliable sources online. For the rest of the week I will begin to compare the two balers and create a feasibility report. On July 21st, I will submit a rough draft of the feasibility report and then have a peer edit it on July 22nd. I will then revise my document and submit it on Aug 4th.
The criteria I will use to judge the balers are the expenses, price of the final crop, and the percentage of premium hay produced. The criteria will be evaluated and will determine the most profitable baler.
Qualifications
I am a senior at Colorado State University majoring in mechanical engineering and looking to go to work for a ranch equipment company such as Case or John Deer. For my job, I am the ranch manager for Z Hills Ranch which consists of operating, maintaining and fixing haying equipment. My boss expects me to make the best decisions for the ranch.
Sources
To get the most reliable information about haying with different balers in Lakeside, Colorado, I will talk to Joe Smith. He is our neighbor and has both 3×3 and 3×4 balers. He puts up the most hay in the valley. Jim Smith at Lakeside Machinery will assist me in determining the price and specifications of each baler. Peer reviewed journals on the CSU library database and trusted agricultural websites will be my online sources.
