Royal Agricultural University Repository
Not a member yet
647 research outputs found
Sort by
Developing the Philosophy and Praxis of Education through Fire-craft and Threshold: Experiences: Education as Kindling
No full textThis book challenges current mandated pedagogy which has an overly instrumental focus on credentialism and education for employability. An alternative view of education is explored, initiated through the practice of fire-craft. Deliberations on the process and affordances of fire-lighting lead to the identification of principles for a progressive pedagogy for which kindling is both method and metaphor.
First steps were undertaken in this research through life-writing, an auto-philosophical lens which sought to understand how learning fire-craft has contributed to my own praxis as an educator. Introducing facilitated fire-lighting into a variety of pedagogical contexts sparked further questions. These sought to understand how kindling, when undertaken as a collaborative task, contributes to the personal and professional development of teachers.
Questions posed in the first half of this enquiry were considered through an analysis of findings gathered from three domains: 1) narrative accounts of my own encounters with fire and self-education in fire craft (first person perspectives); 2) unstructured interviews or ‘fire talks’ with individuals or small groups who participated in kindling sessions (second person perspectives); and 3) a critical engagement with literature in which fire-lighting is discussed in terms of kindling in education and kindling in relation to education (third-person perspectives).
Deliberations on research findings lead to an identification of seven distinct but interrelated stages inherent in the kindling task. Each stage was then considered for its educational principles that, taken together, contributed to the generation of a theory of education-as-kindling (EK). EK is a living theory of education that encompasses dimensions of making (cræft) and metaphor (meaning-making) and re-evaluates human ontology for contemporary educational purposes. I conclude with the proposal that teacherly actions like kindling are ‘instances worth a thousand’; unique and contextual activities that can inform a broad array of progressive pedagogical concerns
Isolation and identification of components of mother liquor sugar from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni with nematicidal activity
Get PDFMother liquor sugar (MLS) is a highly prevalent by-product of processing Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, which is an important cash crop used to prepare a natural sweetener. With an increase in demand for stevia, MLS production
has also increased. However, MLS has limited applications owing to its complex sweetness profile and pronounced
bitter aftertaste. To explore the potential reuse of MLS, two diterpenoid compounds were gradually separated and identified using polarity-based separation, normal-phase chromatography, reversed-phase chromatography and LH-20 separation followed by an acute toxicity tracking test in Caenorhabditis elegans. These compounds were identified as sterebins E and F using high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. Sterebins E and F were found to be isomers, and sterebin F exhibited stronger nematicidal activity than sterebin E and fosthiazate at 24 h. The preliminary isolation of sterebin F was achieved via gradient elution using macroporous HPD-100 resin with methanol concentrations of 70 %, 90 % and 100 %. The adsorption process lasted approximately 10 h, and the desorption process was completed in 2 h. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to identify specific individual compounds from stevia by tracking their nematicidal activity. The insights gained into the nematicidal properties and isolation process of sterebin F from MLS provide a crucial theoretical and practical foundation for developing eco-friendly pest control solutions and natural alternatives to chemical pesticides in sustainable agriculture
Farmland trees and integrated pest management: A review of current knowledge and developing strategies for sustainable systems
No full text1. Climate change and the withdrawal of several classes of agrochemicals from use
are intensifying the challenges faced by food producers in controlling pests in
crop systems. Integrated pest management (IPM), which uses a combination of
pest control approaches, is therefore a focus in international initiatives to improve the resilience of food production.
2. Integrating the greater use of trees and shrubs on farms within IPM frameworks
offers a biodiversity-positive contribution to crop protection. For example, trees
can modulate the prevalence and impacts of agricultural pests and their natural antagonists through direct and indirect interactions. The beneficial impact of
farmland trees and shrubs on pest management in arable or grassland fields can
be enhanced from an analysis of variables such as tree species and their spatial
distribution on farms, insect-plant dynamics, population behaviours and soil management practices.
3. The aim of this study is to synthesise existing knowledge and to assess the benefits and trade-offs between farmland trees and IPM strategies, building on gaps
in knowledge identified by a stakeholder survey. Through this targeted review,
we delineate the future evidence required to define and quantify the advantages
that farmland trees offer as an element of IPM strategies.
4. Practical implication. The development of regional biodiversity monitoring tools,
which integrate landscape features such as trees, shows promise for shaping
national policies to increase the adoption of IPM. There is a demand for userfriendly on-farm tools, adaptable to changing crop and pest priorities, that can
support the alignment of the management of farm trees with IPM. However, basic and applied biological and ecological research are needed to inform and validate
these decision-support tools and the capability to inform landscape-scale model
Participatory assessment of maize productivity following the transition from conventional ridge tillage to deep bed farming system in Malawi
No full textClimate change and soil degradation threaten agricultural productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa(SSA), particularly in Malawi where smallholder farming systems predominate. This studypresents a comparative assessment of deep bed farming (DBF) a hybrid conservationagriculture practice versus conventional ridging (CR) in smallholder maize-based farmingsystems through participatory on-farm quasi-experiments that positioned farmers as co-researchers. Across diverse agroecological zones, we implemented a randomized completeblock design under farmer management to systematically evaluate both cultivation methods.DBF significantly (p ≤ 0.001) outperformed CR, supporting higher plant populations of 450 vs350 maize plants per 10 m² (45,000 vs. 35,000 plants ha⁻¹), higher stalk biomass yield of 75vs. 50 kg per 10 m² (7,500 vs. 5,000 kg ha⁻¹), and 70% greater grain yields (8.5 – 9.0 vs. 5.0metric tonnes ha⁻¹). These outcomes are attributed to DBF's enhancement of soil structure,moisture retention, and biological activity. The co-creation approach validated DBF'sagronomic benefits while fostering local ownership, enabling real-time adaptation andenhancing adoption potential. Our findings highlight DBF as a scalable, climate-resilientpractice capable of strengthening food security and ecological sustainability in resource-constrained smallholder systems
Farmer identities and permanent grassland management: Evidence from five European biogeographic zones
No full text1. Permanent grassland (PG) provides multiple ecosystem services. However, there is increasing concern regarding the decreased multifunctionality of PGs, including those located in Europe. The decreased PG multifunctionality has been attributed to the increased intensity of PG management, where decision-making is influenced by farmers' relevant behavioural intentions and self-identities.
2. In order to investigate how farmer identities can translate into future adoption of PG management practices, interviews (n = 373) were conducted with farmers from five European biogeographic zones. Their farms are located in Continental/Pannonian (Czech Republic), Mediterranean (Spain), Boreal (Sweden), Alpine (Switzerland) and Atlantic (United Kingdom) biogeographic regions. The data were analysed using a mixed-method approach involving thematic analysis and multinomial logistic regression.
3. The thematic analysis enabled seven farmer ‘identity’ types to be identified. The results of multinomial logistic regression showed that productivist identity was a predictor of farmers' intention to intensify or extensify PG in future, while land caretaker identity predicted maintenance of current PG management practice. Farmers with a higher dependence on income from agri-environment schemes were more likely to extensify their PG in future, while those with a higher dependence on income from farm production were more likely to maintain current PG management practices. Older farmers were less likely to extensify their PG, and those having organic and extensive farms were more likely to intensify PG in future.
4. Future policies and interventions that aim to increase PG-related ecosystem-service multifunctionality can be more targeted by considering specific farm attributes, farmer identities and their future PG management intentions, as well as regional differences in these. Financial benefits and risks perceived by farmers should be considered when promoting any management practices, including policy interventions and policy levers
Citizen attitudes towards the environment and association with perceived threats to the countryside: Evidence from countries in five European biogeographic zones
No full textCitizens play a crucial role in attaining the United Nations 2030 sustainable development goals (SDGs). There is growing awareness of the importance of understanding citizen perspectives on environmental issues, in relation to developing and maintaining sustainable lifestyles, and in addressing perceived threats to protection and restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity. This analysis sought to understand people’s attitudes towards environmental conservation, how they relate to perceived threats to the countryside, and to determine how attitudes and perceived threats vary demographically and between countries. A survey was administered to citizens (quota sampled on age, gender, education, and split between rural and urban residency) across five countries representative of differing biogeographical regions (N = 3,190): Czech Republic (n = 649) (Continental); Spain (Mediterranean) (n = 623); Sweden (Boreal) (n = 645); Switzerland (Alpine) (n = 641); United Kingdom (UK) (Atlantic) (n = 632). Attitudes were measured using the Environmental Attitudes Inventory (EAI-24) on 2 factors (utilization; preservation) and perceived threat to the countryside on 1-factor (15 items). Multigroup regression analysis indicated that preservationist attitudes were associated with greater perceived threat to the countryside in all five countries. Higher perceived threat was associated with activities linked to environmental degradation, socio-economic uncertainty and risks in agri-food supply chains in all countries. The “bad behaviour of visitors” was the greatest perceived threat in the Czech Republic, Switzerland and the UK, while “lack of young farmers taking over farming” was the greatest perceived threat in Spain and Sweden. To promote pro-environmental attitudes and obtain greater public support for policies and interventions targeting environmental conservation, communication about environmental threats is needed, together with threat mitigation measures. Raising peoples’ awareness of threats to the countryside through targeted communications could promote pro-environment attitudes and potentially result in pro-environmental behaviours
European Permanent Grasslands: A Systematic Review of Economic Drivers of Change, Including a Detailed Analysis of the Czech Republic, Spain, Sweden, and UK
No full textPermanent grasslands (PG) feature in the European rural landscape and represent a major agricultural production resource. They support multiple non-provisioning ecosystem services (ES), including climate regulation, flood control, biodiversity, and pollination. PG are at risk of loss or degradation due to agricultural land use and land management changes. The objective of this systematic review is to identify the main economic influences shaping management and maintenance of PG, and the risks and opportunities for delivery of a range of ES. A total of 51 papers were included. Relevant policy interventions and economic drivers are identified in relation to how they shape the management of EU grasslands over time and across farming systems, countries, or biogeographic zones. A high reliance on public payments from the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), with
uneven impact on mitigating PG losses and associated ES provisions, was identified, which needs to be considered in relation to ongoing CAP reform. There is a gap in the literature regarding economic tipping points for change. Future research needs to identify and map ES provisions by PG along with trade-offs and synergies, and link this to policy. There are substantive challenges to maintaining Europe’s PG area and management, which must be addressed through EU-wide instruments
Antibiotic use in first opinion equine practice in the United Kingdom: Serial point prevalence surveys in 17 practices
Get PDFBackground: Monitoring antibiotic use (AMU) is a key component of antimicrobial stewardship. Published data on AMU in first opinion equine practice are limited.
Objectives: To document AMU in first opinion equine practices.
Study design: Repeated point prevalence surveys.
Methods: AMU was recorded one day every month for 12 consecutive months in 17
equine practices.
Results: Two hundred and fifty-two horses were prescribed antibiotics across 2273 consultations (excluding routine appointments) (11.1%; 95% CI 9.8%–12.4%). Median number
of consultations per practice was 121 (IQR 112–159; range 27–303). Across 17 practices, the proportion of horses receiving antibiotics varied by practice from 0% to 26.4%.
Commonest indications for AMU included cellulitis (66; 26.8%), wounds (46; 18.7%),
surgical prophylaxis (36; 14.6%), respiratory infection (27; 11.0%) and skin infection (20;
8.1%). Commonest antibiotics prescribed were potentiated sulphonamides (109; 43.6%),
oxytetracycline (58; 23.2%), procaine penicillin (40; 16.0%) and doxycycline (36; 14.4%).
45.0% of oxytetracycline use was for surgical prophylaxis. 44.8% of procaine penicillin
use was for cellulitis. 28.6% of ‘other antimicrobial’ use was for pyrexia of unknown origin.
Use of antibiotics differed significantly depending on the underlying diagnosis (p< 0.001).
Median antibiotic dose rates were: potentiated sulphonamides 30 mg/kg (IQR 27–75;
range 10–75; n= 96); procaine penicillin 19 mg/kg (IQR 15–23; range 7–30; n= 35); oxytetracycline 6 mg/kg (IQR 5–6; range 4–30; n= 55); doxycycline 10 mg/kg (IQR 10–20;
range 7–30; n= 34).
Main limitations: Weight of horses were often estimated. Duration of antibiotic courses
was not recorded.
Conclusions: Antibiotics were prescribed in 11% of nonroutine consultations. Commonest
indication for AMU was cellulitis. Potentiated sulphonamides, oxytetracycline and procaine penicillin were the commonest prescribed drugs. Critically important antibiotic use
was infrequent. Dose rates varied, but median values were generally appropriate
Unravelling Enterococcus cecorum infection on UK broiler farms: Correlating clinical signs with genomics, persistence and animal behaviour
Get PDFApplication
To combat endemic Enterococcus cecorum disease in UK broilers, it is essential to understand the pathogenesis of the organism and to
develop tools for early disease detection and prevention. This will ultimately result in improved animal welfare and reduced economic
losses. This pump-priming project provided a scientific basis for future research, by starting to address significant knowledge gaps in E.
cecorum epidemiology. Research outputs can be used further to inform farm management practices related to disease management and
prevention. This research will also aid the poultry industry with its antibiotics stewardship programme.
Introduction
E. cecorum infection is an emerging endemic disease in UK and global broiler poultry with significant welfare concerns and results in considerable economic losses to the industry (Wood et al., 2002; De Herdt et al., 2009; Stalker et al., 2010; Dunnam et al., 2023). There are
substantial research gaps with regards to E. cecorum pathogenesis, source of infection, transmission routes and strain differences in terms
of their ability to cause disease. In addition there is a need to detect E. cecorum infection earlier in the production cycle to aid disease prevention. The aim of this project was to fill knowledge gaps by conducting research into pathogen genomics, transmission and persistence as
well as early detection of disease through behavioural monitoring
Materials and methods
Four commercial UK broiler farms (A-D) with a range of historical performances and history of E. cecorum infections, were chosen for the
study. Farms operated an all- in all-out production system with chicks being placed into disinfected sheds at 1 day of age followed by a 37
to 42 day growth cycle. Water and feed intake and environmental parameters were automatically monitored and final performance data
was collected. A sample of birds that had been found dead or were culled for any health reasons, were presented for examination by poultry
veterinarians. A total of 725 samples were collected on days -1, 7, 14 and 21 (Table 1). DNA was extracted from all samples and E. cecorum
was detected using qPCR. Samples were also cultured and
E. cecorum was identified using Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI-TOF). Two E. cecorum strains isolated from joint fluid
were tested for tenacity at 23 �C and 32 �C on concrete surfaces in a 21 day long in-vitro experiment. A total of 180 E. cecorum sequences
from public repositories (n = 107), APHA archives (n = 74) from 2003 to 2022, and five E. cecorum isolated in this farm study were submitted
to whole genome sequencing (WGS) and a maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree constructed. The APHA SeqFinder pipeline was used to detect AMR genes. Finally, commercially available intelligent camera systems were installed on trial farms to record flock activity patterns,
cluster movements, distribution and spread.
Results
No E. cecorum outbreak was observed during the trial period.E. cecorum was detected in 215/725 (29.7%) samples by qPCR (Table 1). It was
detected on all farms and in all sample types,
including all chick papers suggesting a possible route for entry to farms. qPCR also showed that 99.0% and 88.3% E. cecorum positive samples, respectively, from farms D and C were taken at day -1. E. cecorum was detected throughout the trial on farms A and B. Three E. cecorum
were isolated from farm B caecal samples and two from infected birds, which showed sporadic E. cecorum infection; but
E. cecorum was not isolated from any environmental source, including from farm B. Survival experiments on concrete showed that both E.
cecorum isolates survived longer at 23 �C than at 32 �C. One isolate survived for longer at both temperatures, and was still viable on day 21.
Analysis of WGS data indicated several antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes conferring resistance to aminoglycosides, macrolides and
tetracycline were variably present in isolates. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the majority of UK isolates into three groups which are
mostly separated from other non-UK isolates collected worldwide. The groups were widely distributed across all the farms included. Data
from the cameras indicated that on farms A, C and D bird activity and distribution patterns were consistent with a healthy broiler population. Analysis of data from a house in farm B revealed an unexpected drop in activity and a decrease in distribution after day 15, signalling
a potential health concern. This coincided with a noticeable drop in feed consumption from day 12 and diagnosis of dysbacteriosis by the
primary veterinarian.
Conclusion
This study has highlighted a range of possible environmental reservoirs for E. cecorum, by detecting DNA in range of environmental sources.
The results indicate that E. cecorum may be present as a harmless commensal at low levels within the farm environment, indicating further
work is required to understand conditions that promote changes of this commensal to a pathogen that causes large disease outbreaks on
UK farms. Bird activity data from cameras could not be linked to E. cecorum infection, primarily due lack of E. cecorum associated disease on
trial farms. Nevertheless the technology shows promises as a reduction in bird activity and change in the distribution was detected on farm
B, where gastrointestinal disease was diagnosed.
This project has brought together academia, government bodies, veterinarians, poultry farmers and other stakeholders related to the broiler industry. This collaboration has allowed us to harness expertise and knowledge in all areas relevant to the project and to design trials
with scientific outputs that can inform farm management practices related to E. cecorum disease prevention and management
Assessing moderated mediation effects influencing consumer acceptance of cell-cultured Meat: A PLS-SEM modeling approach
No full textCell-cultured meat, as a novel food, is often met with limited consumer understanding, leading to a predominantly conservative attitude and lower acceptance. To gain insights into the key factors influencing consumer acceptance of cell-cultured meat, this study constructs a moderated mediation model to examine the relationship between food techneophobia (FTN), food disgust sensitivity (FDS), and acceptance of cell-cultured meat. Moreover, we investigate the mediating effects of perceived benefits (PB) and perceived risk (PR), as well as the moderating effect of information acquisition (IA). A field survey was conducted in 2020 with 4,841 Chinese consumers in households. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that PB is the strongest positive influencing factor of acceptance. FTN has a better predictive effect on acceptance than FDS. Both FTN and FDS can reduce PB and increase PR, thereby lowering acceptance. Partial mediation of PB and PR between FTN and acceptance of cell-cultured meat is observed, while full mediation of PB and PR exists between FDS and acceptance. IA can mitigate the negative impact of FDS on PB, thereby enhancing consumer acceptance of cell-cultured meat. This study contributes to the current literature by employing PLS-SEM as an assessment model for examining direct and mediation relationships. Understanding the factors that shape consumers’ perceptions and influence their acceptance is essential for effective forecasting and strategic decision-making in the novel food industry