• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-28
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• 2012

The Extension Program accountability will continue to be an influential force to develop agriculture and rural area. As we incorporate new approaches into our service program and respond to new domains of knowledge, we must also consider how our assessment strategies may need to change in order to meet local and other external standards. The main purpose of the study was to be what the best way of Extension Service is set farmers' educational needs met and to be what kind of methodologies and role of Extension system should provide for their faced problem solving effectively. The major results of the study on Farmers' needs toward Korean Extension Services are summarized as follows. First, it is observed that, when the farmers' perceptions were analyzed, the most ranked by the farmers' needs was "having nice extension workers to get advice and solve their problems on the farm in all at once." Farmers had especially more positive attitudes in the categories of interest and careers in ag-technology. To do services level up, the headquarter of Rural Development of Administration must be work with local branches to effectively deliver their missions and educational objectives to target crops and farmers group. And farmers were strongly needed "a specialized service team will be organized" to work closely with operating services for ag-products processing, packing and marketing. The recommendations were made by: farmers' needs should be identified and announced by computer networking development to solve their problems faster. Also, provincial and county level service members should have a chance to working at research institute or related work places with their incentives, which system will be easer to meet farmers' needs and deal with their problems so that the systematic approaches should be managed and recorded their educational attendings, education contents and even their farming corporations. Finally, Agricultural Extension Service should be met to general ag-technology literacy and be balanced with knowledge of other industries and be competitive service with better values in non-agricultural sectors.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.773-783
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• 2012

Objective: The aim of this study is to identify foot shapes of Korean male farmers by classifying their foot types using 3D scan data and analyzing the characteristics of each type. Background: The increasing demands for anthropometric information for the design of machinery and personal protective equipment to prevent occupational injuries has necessitated an understanding of the anthropometric differences to be found among occupations. Static stooped posture and squatting posture are so common in Korean farmers that anthropometric deformation in foot especially seems to occur easily. Method: 366 Korean male farmers volunteered for this study from 16 different farming villages nationwide from 2009 to 2011. Subjects were categorized into 4 age groups from 40s to 70s. Their right feet were measured by using 3D foot scanner, the anthropometric dimensions were composed of 40 items. Results: The 8 major factors affecting the foot shapes were extracted. From these factors the foot shape of Korean male farmers was classified into 3 Foot types. Foot type 1 showed severe deformation in toe 1, type 2 had a narrow shape and type 3 had a wider width for its length. Conclusion: There were some differences in foot shape and types between farmers and the public. The most characteristic foot type in Korean male farmers was type 3. Application: The results of identifying foot shapes of Korean male farmers might provide the useful information for designing ergonomic farm work shoes.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.127-132
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• 2021

Background: Herbicides such as glyphosate, paraquat, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid have been reported to cause adverse side effects through production of reactive oxygen species. However, there were no data representing the adverse effects of a mixture herbicide usage in farmers, especially the changes in oxidative marker and antioxidant defense. This study aimed to determine the urinary malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) level in farmers using mixed herbicides. Methods: Ninety-three farmers were recruited, and two spot urine samples (before and after work) were collected. The urinary MDA level was evaluated by thiobarbituric acid reactive substance assay, and the urinary GSH level was determined using the enzymatic recycling method. Results: Sixty-two percent of the participants were men, and 59% of the participants worked in a farm for 20-40 years. The common combinations of herbicide usage were glyphosate with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (36.5%). There was no significant difference between pre- and post-work urinary MDA and GSH levels among the 3 groups of herbicides. However, the urinary MDA levels in farmers using the combination of glyphosate and paraquat were significantly higher than those found in farmers using glyphosate alone. The associated factors with changes in MDA levels found that the exposure intensity index (B = 0.154), the cumulative exposure intensity index (B = 0.023), and wearing gloves while working (B = -2.347) were found to be significantly associated with MDA level. Conclusion: The results suggest that the combined use of glyphosate and paraquat caused a significant increase in urinary MDA levels. Moreover, intensity of exposure to herbicide and wearing gloves were associated with the level of MDA.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.20-32
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• 1982

This survey was conducted to investigate the present status of farm tractor utilization for obtaining a basic reference to the establishment of the government's agricultural mechanization strategies. Thirty two counties from the eight provinces except Jeju were covered in this study. From these selected areas, 433 sample farms having farm tractor were taken to obtain the general informations by the enquete, and 93 sample farms among them to investigate the status of daily tractor use in the year of 1980. The analyzed results are summarized as follows: 1. Farm tractors owned by the rice-oriented farms holds 71.5 percent of the total number of tractors the livestock-oriented farms 17.0 percent, and the orchard-oriented farms 7.0 percent. Among the farm tractors 64.3 percent was a large size (46ps) and 35.7 percent a small size(19~23ps). 2. Most of the tractors surveyed were equipped with the essential attachments such as plow and rotavator. About 18 percent of the tractor owners had no trailer, which seemed too high considering the large percentage of tractor use for transportation. The availability of other attachments was very low except a grader on the rice-oriented farms and a hay harvester and a front loader on the livestock-oriented farms. 3. The average size of farm was 3.9 hectare for the rice-oriented farms, 13.9 hectare for the livestock-oriented farms and 7.4 hectare for the orchard-oriented farms. It was obious that the average farm size of was too small compared to the theoretical machine capacity of the tractors. 4. About 70 percent of the tractor operators were in the age of twenties and thirties. About 90 percent of them had an educational level of middle school graduate or above even though their technical level was very low. 5. Any particular problem in tractor use was not found in this survey. From the farmer's preference for purchasing a new tractor, however, it is estimated the demand on a 20-30ps tractor will be more increased. 6. The average annual use of tractor was of about 100 days or 400 hours. It appeared that the rice-oriented farms used most with 412.4 hours per year, and followed by the livestock-oriented farms with 403.6 hours, the orchard oriented farms with 377.7 hours. 7. Among the total hours of tractor use, 47.3 percent was for transportation, and 41.6 percent was for plowing and rotary tillage. The largest portion of the annual tractor use was taken by transportation on the livestock-oriented farms, by land preperation on the rice-oriented farms, and by loading and chemical spraying on the orchard-oriented farms. 8. The hours of tractor use had a peak in May. The hours of use for own farm was remarkably different among the different farm oriented, but there was no considerable difference between the too different sizes of tractor. 9. The hours of tractor use decreased as the age of the operator or the educational level increased. The reason might be that the operators who had a high educational level or were older had a tendency of disliking custom works. 10. The average custom use of tractor was 171.3 hours per year, and the ratio of custom work was 63.7 percent on the rice-oriented farms, 31.7 percent on the livestock-oriented farms and 22.4 percent on the orchard-oriented farms. Among the custom works, the most popular one was the grader leveling. 11. The charge on custom work was about 40,000 Won per hectare for plowing and rotary tillage, and it was the most expensive in the southeastern region, and next followed by the southwestern region. 12. The average plowing capacity of the small tractor was 7.8 hours per hectare in the paddy field, and that of the large tractors was 4.3 hours per hectare. The average rotary-tilling capacities of the small and the large tractors were 6.5 and 4.3 hours per hectare, in the paddy field respectively.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2016

Objectives: In establishing policies for agricultural safety, evaluating injury burdens as well as investigating the rates and characteristics of work injury is important. This study investigated the types and characteristics of agricultural injury subjective burdens. Methods: By analyzing the injured farmers identified in the 2013 Korean Farmers' Occupational Injury Survey, the burdens caused by injuries were categorized using one direct cost item (medical costs) and five indirect cost items (including productivity decreases and wage increases). Statistical differences among the burden items were analyzed using logistic regression analysis according to the characteristics of the farmers and their farm injuries. Results: Among the subjective burdens indicated by the 457 injured farmers, disruption to work was most common. The major influences on each subjective burden item are as follows: for the item of disruption to work, age, time of injury occurrence, treatment period, and farming machine use were influential; for an increased family member's burden of farm works, the number of family members and treatment period were influential. Regarding cost burden of treatment, the results varied according to whether or not the patient was hospitalized and annual income. Conclusion: Subjective burdens induced by indirect costs rather than those induced by direct costs were found to be higher in ratio. In regard to each burden item, the results varied according to the characteristics of the farmers and their farm injuries. To support injured farmer, setting goals to reduce indirect cost burdens and preparing concrete methods is necessary.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2023.04a
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• pp.7-7
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• 2023

Currently, the main technologies of various fourth industries are big data, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, blockchain, mixed reality (MR), and drones. In particular, "digital twin," which has recently become a global technological trend, is a concept of a virtual model that is expressed equally in physical objects and computers. By creating and simulating a Digital twin of software-virtualized assets instead of real physical assets, accurate information about the characteristics of real farming (current state, agricultural productivity, agricultural work scenarios, etc.) can be obtained. This study aims to streamline agricultural work through automatic water management, remote growth forecasting, drone control, and pest forecasting through the operation of an integrated control system by constructing digital twin data on the main production area of the nojinot industry and designing and building a smart farm complex. In addition, it aims to distribute digital environmental control agriculture in Korea that can reduce labor and improve crop productivity by minimizing environmental load through the use of appropriate amounts of fertilizers and pesticides through big data analysis. These open-field agricultural technologies can reduce labor through digital farming and cultivation management, optimize water use and prevent soil pollution in preparation for climate change, and quantitative growth management of open-field crops by securing digital data for the national cultivation environment. It is also a way to directly implement carbon-neutral RED++ activities by improving agricultural productivity. The analysis and prediction of growth status through the acquisition of the acquired high-precision and high-definition image-based crop growth data are very effective in digital farming work management. The Southern Crop Department of the National Institute of Food Science conducted research and development on various types of open-field agricultural smart farms such as underground point and underground drainage. In particular, from this year, commercialization is underway in earnest through the establishment of smart farm facilities and technology distribution for agricultural technology complexes across the country. In this study, we would like to describe the case of establishing the agricultural field that combines digital twin technology and open-field agricultural smart farm technology and future utilization plans.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.199-208
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• 2002

This paper introduces the method to make management network about milking cow farm tasks. The object of this research was to design of biological measuring system and managing network system in a livestock farm. This auto-management system provides informations about individual cows' temperature, conductivity of milk and weight for efficient management of feeding, and milking works by a micro-processor and RS -485 type serial COM. ports. And measured bio-data which are basic informations for remote raising management are saved to user PC by serial communication between the PLC and user PC. Milking cow farm is divided into three working place to each measurement work and feed. The first working place is milking station which has two thermometers, a conduct meter and a scale set. The second working place is feeding station, and the third place is cattle cage. These are combined by network system and the PLC which is used to drive network and sub-modules. Sub-modules have a micro-process to control the sensor and to interface with network. The PLC which drive network and control sequence has two serial communication port to be linked with user PC for sending the measured data and for receiving data. Above all, in this study tells the sequence operating method by the driving scenario of breeding milk cow for livestock auto-management using the PLC and network system.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.118-124
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• 2020

Background: The poultry industry in Pakistan has flourished since the 1960s; however, there are scarce data regarding the impact of occupational exposure on the pulmonary health of farm workers in terms of years working in the industry. The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of poultry environment on the health of occupationally exposed poultry farmers in countries of warm climatic regions, such as Pakistan. This study will also show the effect of exposure to poultry facilities on the health of poultry farmers in the context of low-income countries with a relatively inadequate occupational exposure risk management. Materials and methods: The lung function capacity of 79 poultry workers was measured using a spirometer. Along with spirometry, a structured questionnaire was also administrated to obtain information about age, height, weight, smokers/nonsmokers, years of working experience, and pulmonary health of farm workers. The workers who were directly involved in the care and handling of birds in these intensive facilities were considered and divided into four groups based on their years of working experience: Group I (3-10 months), Group II (1-5 years), Group III (6-10 years), and Group IV (more than 11 years). The forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and the FEV1/FVC ratio were considered to identify lung function abnormalities. Statistical analysis was carried out using independent sample t test, Chi-square test, Pearson's correlation, and linear regression. Results: Based on the performed spirometry, 68 (86 %) of workers were found normal and healthy, whereas 11 (14 %) had a mild obstruction. Of the 11 workers with mild obstruction, the highest number with respect to the total was in Group IV (more than 11 years of working experience) followed by Group III and Group II. Most of the workers were found healthy, which seems to be because of the healthy survivor effect. For the independent sample t test, a significant difference was noticed between healthy and nonhealthy farmers, whereas Chi-square test showed a significant association with height, drugs, and working experience. Linear regression that was stratified by respiratory symptoms showed for workers with symptoms, regression models for all spirometric parameters (FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC) have better predictive power or R square value than those of workers without symptoms. Conclusion: These findings suggest that lung function capacity was directly related to years of working experience. With increasing number of working years, symptoms of various respiratory problems enhanced in the poultry workers. It should be noted that most of the poultry workers were healthy and young, the rationale being that there is a high turnover rate in this profession. The mobility in this job and our finding of 86% of the healthy workers in the present study also proposed healthy worker survivor effect.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.250-256
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• 2018

The windrow turner, widely used for outdoor fermentation of mushrooms in Europe, has been improved by using rice straw instead of wheat straw in accordance with Korea's actual situation. It was compared with conventional excavator work, and the results were as follows. Agitation performance was $81m^3/hr$, which was 2.8 times higher than $28.6m^3/hr$ of excavator. As a result of the temperature distribution in the pile at the end of the fermentation stage, it was found that the temperature at the lower part of the pile was $5^{\circ}C$ higher than that of conventional pile. This was more favorable for aerobic fermentation. Meanwhile, ash ratio of prototype ($30.9{\pm}1.1%$) was higher than that of control $28.4{\pm}1.6%$. In the case of prototype turner agitation, the yield of mushroom cultivation was $880kg/66m^2$, that was 22.9% higher than the conventional control yield of $716kg/66m^2$.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Near Infrared Spectroscopy Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.1610-1610
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• 2001

Microbiological examination of silage is of little value in gauging the outcome of silage, and so chemical analysis is more reliable and meaningful indicator of quality. On the other hand chemical assessments of the principal fermentation products provide an unequivocal basis on which to judge quality. Livestock require energy, protein, minerals and vitamins from their food. While fresh forages provide these essential items, conserved forages on the other hand may be deficient in one or more of them. The aim of the conservation process is to preserve as many of the original nutrients as possible, particularly energy and protein components (Woolford, 1984). Silage fermentation is important to preservation of forage with respect of feeding value and animal performance. Chemical and bacteriological changes in the silo during the fermentation process can affect adversely nutrient yield and quality (Moe and Carr, 1984). Many of the important chemical components of silage must be assayed in fresh or by extraction of the fresh material, since drying either by heat or lyophilisation, volatilises components such as acids or nitrogenous components, or effects conversion to other compounds (Abrams et al., 1987). Maize silage dorms the basis of winter rations for the vast majority of dairy and beef cattle production in Uruguay. Since nutrient intake, particularly energy, from forages is influenced by both voluntary dry matter intake and digestibility; there is a need for a rapid technique for predicting these parameters in farm advisory systems. Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) is increasingly used as a rapid, accurate method of evaluating chemical constituents in cereals and dried forages. For many years NIRS was applied to assess chemical composition in dry materials (Norris et al., 1976, Flinn et al., 1992; Murray, 1993, De Boever et al., 1996, De la Roza et al., 1998). The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the potential of NIRS to assess the chemical composition of dried maize samples and (2) to attempt calibrations on undried samples either for farm advisory systems or for animal nutrition research purposes in Uruguay. NIRS were used to assess the chemical composition of whole - plant maize silage samples (Zea mays, L). A representative population of samples (n = 350) covering a wide distribution in chemical characteristics were used. Samples were scanned at 2 nm intervals over the wavelength range 400-2500 nm in a NIRS 6500 (NIRSystems, Silver Spring, MD, USA) in reflectance mode. Cross validation was used to avoid overfitting of the equations. The optimum calibrations were selected on the basis of minimizing the standard error of cross validation (SECV). The calibration statistics were R$^2$ 0. 86 (SECV: 11.4), 0.90 (SECV: 5.7), 0.90 (SECV: 16.9) for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF) in g kg$\^$-1/ on dry matter, respectively for maize silage samples. This work demonstrates the potential of NIRS to analyse whole - maize silage in a wide range of chemical characteristics for both advisory farm and nutritive evaluation.