Food System Dynamics (E-Journals)
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Reorganization of the Sugar Beet Supply Process as an Opportunity for a more Sustainable Transport: Based on a Model for the Polish Sugar Sector
Get PDFThis paper presents the impact of reorganization efforts on the ability to enhance the sustainability of the sugar beet supply process, as illustrated by the example of the Polish sugar sector. As a result of the solutions deployed, the farmers spend less on beet transport and may therefore allocate the freed-up resources to other activities. The professionalization of transport also contributed to reducing the farmers’ expenditure on logistical activities involved in sugar beet farming and delivery. These are benefits that directly affect the economic viability of sugar beet farming. As regards the environmental and social impact of transport, it was concluded that making consistent efforts to restrict the transport operations handled directly by the growers contributed to reducing (i) carbon exhaust emissions and (ii) nuisance caused by agricultural vehicles on public roads. In the period under review, the reorganization of beet supply to sugar refineries resulted in decreasing the CO2 emission ratio from 6.38 kg/t to 4.07 kg/t (by 36%)
Citizens’ Perception of Different Aspects Regarding German Livestock Production
Get PDFFarm animal husbandry and animal welfare still are of growing interest in our society. Studies show a mismatch of citizens’ expectations and the present situation in many countries. Therefore intensive livestock production systems seem to lose their societal acceptability. Especially modern pig and poultry production systems are criticized, but dairy farming is also affected. This can more and more be observed in Germany, one of the EU’s biggest livestock producing countries. Against this background, the Scientific Advisory Board on Agricultural Policy, Food and Consumer Health Protection at the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture established guidelines to ensure prospective animal husbandry practices, accepted by the majority of the German society.In this paper we present the actual perception of German citizens and the importance of different husbandry aspects based on seven of these guidelines. Thereby, pig, cattle and poultry production systems are considered and the animal species fattening pigs, dairy cattle as well as laying hens are compared. An online survey with at all 2.400 respondents was conducted in 2017.The survey is based on a qualitative pilot study. Therefore citizens were invited for focus groups about the topics pig, poultry and cattle production in Germany. For each topic six focus groups (poultry: eight) took place in three (poultry: four) German cities. Participants discussed about their perception of actual animal husbandry with respect to housing systems, animal health and well-being, regarding the crucial points of the Scientific Advisory Board’s guidelines. Using content analysis, main present husbandry factors in participants’ perception were identified: flooring type, space per animal, fresh air supply, manipulable material, outdoor access and daylight.Using a ranking procedure with these husbandry factors, main criticism points as well as sideshows could be identified for each of the three production systems, in particular fattening pig production, dairy cattle production and laying hens production. The results will contribute to establish livestock production systems in consensus with citizens’ preferences. Furthermore, results will be important for the constructions of upcoming stables for all investigated animal species
“Actionable” critical success factors for supply chain information system implementations
Get PDFImplementing a supply chain information system (SCIS) incurs organizational and technical complexities. For managing these complexities, information system researchers have identified generic critical success factors. However, CSFs are abstract and, therefore, difficult to use in practice. To maximize the chances of successfully implementing a SCIS in the food industry, we aim to identify “actions” linked to CSFs. We, consequently, investigated four German pork supply chains that implemented a SCIS. Fourteen critical success factors were made “actionable”; most actions were identified for the CSFs “manage change and deliver training” and “select standards, vendor, and software package”, indicating their relative importance
Policy Incentives and the Organic Value Chain in Ireland
Get PDFAdministrative datasets are utilised to study farms that have converted to organic beef production in Ireland, to draw lessons for future CAP scheme design. The analysis confirms anecdotal evidence in relation to a leakage of animals from the organic to the non-organic (conventional) beef sector. As a result of this differential response across the value chain, there is sub-optimal production of organic meat relative to the investment in incentives for conversion from non-organic to organic production. This may result in risks to the long term viability of the incentive scheme and more widely, for supports for organic farming
Exploring the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Cooperative Members' Switching Decisions
Get PDFThis article analyses the spatiotemporal dynamics of the actual switching behaviour of farmers’ in a dairy cooperative’s membership base. Space-time permutation scan statistic is used to identify clusters of switching decisions in space and time, while objective and publicly available indicators are related to the occurrence of these clusters. The analysis reveals two classes of clustered switching decisions: Clusters in which many farmers switch on a particular day and clusters covering longer periods of time with farmers switching in a herd-like pattern. Additionally, the relationship between farm sizes as well as price incentives and clustered switching decisions is observed. [EconLit citations: Q13; C23; L25]
German Pig Farmers’ Attitudes towards Animal Welfare Programs and their Willingness to Participate in these Programs: An Empirical Study
Get PDFIn recent years, the image of intensive livestock production systems has been suffering from increasing public criticism. Many consumers express strong demands for higher farm animal welfare standards – especially in conventional livestock husbandry systems. This applies primarily to products from pork production, as consumers have criticized that the animals have not enough space in their stables and no possibility for outdoor access. Although pig farmers are key stakeholders for the implementation of animal welfare programs (AWPs) there is little evidence of their attitudes towards AWPs. Thus, the main objective of this investigation was to investigate pig farmers’ attitudes towards AWPs and to determine target groups for participation in AWPs. Therefore conventional pig farmers throughout Germany were questioned via an online survey. For statistical analysis an explorative factor analysis and a hierarchical cluster analysis were applied. Four factors and three farmer groups were identified which significantly differ regarding their attitudes towards AWPs and their willingness to participate in AWPs. For all groups of farmers the economic aspects are important for implementing AWPs. The orientation on the production process is strongly influenced by monetary aspects. This paper represents a starting point for the design of tailormade strategies to increase the market penetration of AWPs and to provide incentives for farmers to participate in AWPs. Further financial incentives are needed to transfer pig farmers attitudes into corresponding behaviour
How People Share Information about Food: Insights from Tweets Regarding two Italian Regions
Get PDFSharing information about food through Twitter contributes to the evolution of food cultures, accelerating the exchange of information and knowledge about food. The aim of this study is to describe the type of information regarding food shared on Twitter and what kind of network is established between Twitter users in those cases when the #food in question is associated to a geographical area (#Tuscany or #Sicily). Using two different methodological approaches, combining quantitative tools with Network Analysis, the study highlights the fact that there are differences between the two networks surveyed, both with regard to the actors involved and to the way in which they share information on Twitter
International Demand Shaping Governance Mechanisms in Brazilian Beef Agri-systems: The Case of the Three Main Processors
Get PDFDrawing inspiration from international institutions and how they influence American organizations and their internal arrangements, this paper discusses the emergence of coordination between beef cattle producers and processors as a transition of neoclassic market transactions to a contractual form to participate in international trade. Three case studies from the largest Brazilian processors show the rise of strictly coordinated sub-systems to address new demands that rose from export requirements. The key finding from the case studies is that institutional shocks can drive new architectures in the system because it can generate new ones, described as strictly coordinated sub-systems that demand different organizational and technical support. In addition, the cases provide findings about organizational tolerance and its relationship with different formal institutions, based on an analysis of national and international supply in quality systems
Preferences for Attributes of Halal Meat: Empirical Evidence from the Muslim Community in Vienna, Austria
Get PDFThe aim of this contribution is to approximate Muslims’ preferences towards selected attributes of halal meat. A comprehensive literature review on the influence of religion was undertaken with special emphasis on Muslims, a significant and growing community in Austria. An empirical study was conducted to estimate part‐worth utilities. In particular, the attributes of halal label, price, slaughtering method, and country of origin were included in the empirical design. Based on the literature review, a conjoint experiment model was developed to approximate the importance of selected attributes and attribute levels. The methodological approach followed the so‐called limit conjoint analysis. With this method, a no‐choice option is included in the experimental design, meaning it comes closer to real shopping behaviour. A sample from the Austrian Muslim community was selected. Data collection within this community was demanding, mainly because of cultural aspects. The results of the conjoint experiment show that the most important attribute is the halal label. This clearly demonstrates the significance of correct and trustworthy labelling of halal products
System Dynamics Modelling and System Analysis Applied in Complex Research Projects - the Case of VALUMICS
Get PDFVALUMICS is a Horizon 2020 project funded by the European Commission (2017-2021). The project structure is highly integrated and transdisciplinary, building on the expertise of over 30 specialists in various fields of research including knowledge integration through systems analysis and system dynamics modelling, food science, supply chain management, life cycle assessment, logistics, economics and social science. The aim of the project is to analyze the dynamics of food supply- and value chain systems using a structural analysis including system analysis and perform system simulations using system dynamics. The VALUMICS research approach and the project design are explained and it is justified why system analysis is needed to obtain an understanding of the complex connections and interactions of the distinct parts of food systems. Patterns will be recognized and thus causes and effects of complex relations within the selected food supply system and networks will be identified. This understanding of the functioning of the system can in turn be used to identify policy interventions