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Hematological parameters of pigs in different housing systems in Slovenia
Get PDFObjectives: Establish blood reference
values and evaluate the influence of age
on the hematological profile of indige-
nous Slovenian Krškopolje pigs and com-
pare these values with conventionally
farmed pigs.
Materials and methods: Blood samples
were taken from 57 grower and 36 fin-
isher Krškopolje pigs from 2 organic
farms and 183 grower and 47 finisher
pigs from 6 conventional farms in Slove-
nia. Samples were analyzed using an au-
tomatic hematology analyzer to measure
white blood cell count, red blood cell
count (RBC), hematocrit (Hct), hemoglo-
bin concentration (Hb), mean corpus-
cular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular
hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular
hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and
platelet count (PLT).
Results: The hematological parameter
reference values of the Krškopolje pig
breed corresponded with reference
ranges in the literature. Pig age had a
significant effect on hematologic param-
eters. Organic grower pigs had signifi-
cantly higher RBC and MCHC values and
lower Hct, MCV, and MCH values than
conventional pigs. Organic finisher pigs
had significantly higher PLT values and
lower Hb, Hct, MCV, and MCH values
than conventional pigs. All reported dif-
ferences in hematologic values between
Krškopolje and conventional pigs are not
expected to affect clinical outcomes.
Implications: These hematologic refer-
ence values can be used as a diagnostic
tool for assessing the health status of
Krškopolje pigs, but pig age must be ac-
counted for. Reference values from the
literature are suitable for assessing the
health status of both conventionally and
organically reared pigs
Organic Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) in Italy
Get PDFThe hub fosters:
• Comprehensive and coordinated trainings across the national territory to develop the organic farming sector
• Professional organic advisers’ knowledge and skills.
• Impactful collaboration and partnerships between organic AKIS actors operating at national and regional level to meet the sector’s evolving challenges.
Practical recommendations for AKIS actors
• Seek out peer-to-peer coordination and collaboration to build up a comprehensive and integrated information base
• Promote horizontal support for organic AKIS rather than for separate sub-systems
• Invest in increasing expertise addressing multiple aspects of organic farming
• Adopt a demand-driven approach to organic advisory services
• Ensure structured and continuous provision of organic advisory services and the adoption of more participatory and innovative methods and tools
• Implement the virtual hub to create a reference point for Italian organic operators and stakeholders
The tool provides a list of the main AKIS actors supporting organic farming development in Italy
Nutritional profile and food safety of raw and value-added food products of sorghum and millets in sub–Saharan Africa and South Asia
Get PDFThis study reviewed the nutritional composition and safety of sorghum, pearl, and finger millet in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, focusing on raw and value-added products. Using PRISMA guidelines, 35 peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2023 were analysed. Data were extracted from Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Most studies (51.4%) were conducted between 2016 and 2020, with 53.3% focusing on macronutrients and 46.7% on micronutrients. Sorghum and millets were found to be rich in protein content ranging from 7.3% to 12.1% and carbohydrates exceeding 70%. Sorghum recorded the highest zinc levels (24.23 mg/kg), while finger millet had highest calcium content (344 mg/kg). Iron levels were significant in both grains, reaching 61.41 mg/kg in sorghum. Aflatoxin contamination ranged from 0.021 to 20.33 mg/kg, with microbial hazards reported in 83.3% of the studies. Fermentation was the most common processing method used to develop value-added products like porridge, beverages, and flour. Most of the studies on value-added products were from Zimbabwe (50%) and followed by India at 21.4%. This review highlights the potential of sorghum and millet to enhance nutrition and food security in drought-prone areas. However, research gaps remain on chemical and allergen hazards within the value chain, pointing to need for further studies
Utilization of cattle slurry, biogas digestates and separated digestates by injection to organically managed spring barley
Get PDFNutrient scarcity in organic farming is an important obstacle to the growth of the sector. This study aimed to design a novel anaerobic digestion system for enhancing nitrogen (N) availability and abundance by co-digestion of grass-clover biomass and cattle slurry and a series of post-treatments. The digestates were separated, and the solid fraction was dried and stripped of ammonia. By a novel approach, the liquid fraction was used in a desulfurizing filter for the biogas producing an acidic liquid that was enriched with ammonia resulting in a sulphur-nitrogen-rich fertilizer product (LiqNS). The fertilisers were assessed for their fertilizer value under organic field conditions by direct injection before sowing spring barley. Two field studies were conducted to compare the N fertilizer replacement value (NFRV) of cattle slurry, digestates from co-digestion of cattle slurry and grass-clover, the liquid fractions, the dried fibre fraction of digestates, LiqNS, and mineral fertilizers under organic crop management. A third field study also compared the effect of crop management practices (organic vs. conventional) on NFRV. The field trials showed that cattle slurry, co-digested digestates, liquid digestates, and LiqNS had high NFRV of 80–90 %, with liquid digestates showing consistent performance. Co-digestion of grass-clover and cattle slurry did not change NFRV significantly compared to untreated cattle slurry. Conversely, the dried fibre fraction (DF) exhibited negative NFRV in spring barley due to nitrogen immobilization but no negative yield effect in a N-fixing faba bean crop. Anaerobic mono-digestion of cattle slurry improved NFRV by 16 % compared to untreated cattle slurry. By organic crop management, higher NFRV was estimated than by conventional management, due to lower yield response to mineral fertilization by organic management (11.9 percentage points lower nitrogen use efficiency), but mostly similar responses to organic fertilization under organic and conventional management. A reason for this could be the use of surface application of mineral N fertilizer favouring weed growth in the organic system, while such effects were avoided in both systems by injection of the slurries. Anaerobic digestion and post-treatments of digestates are valuable methods for enhancing nutrient efficiency and availability in organic farming. However, assessing the N fertilizer value of organic manures requires careful consideration of experimental management practices. Additional research is necessary to understand the different responses to mineral N fertilizers by organic management
Hvorfor økologisk produksjon og mat? Oppsummering av litteratur innen viktige fagområder
Get PDFØkologisk landbruk er en praktisk konsekvens av ønsket om et mer økologisk bærekraftig samfunn. Formidling av data og dokumentert kunnskap om positive effekter av driftsformen er viktig. Denne rapporten presenterer oppdatert kunnskap og fakta om økologisk mat og landbruk. Rapporten består av korte oppsummeringer innen ulike fagområder, i form av presentasjon av forskningsresultater knyttet bla. til ressursbruk, næringsbalanse og -effektivitet, klimagassutslipp, biologisk mangfold, jordhelse og jordkarbon. Miljøeffekter av bruk av kjemisk/syntetiske sprøytemidler på miljø er også tatt med, siden dette ikke er tillatt brukt i økologisk landbruk. Undersøkelser av produktkvalitet i form av innhold av uønskete og ønskete stoffer er tatt med, likeledes helseeffekter av et kosthold med stor andel økologisk mat. Rapporten presenterer bare noen få grundige arbeider innen hvert fagområde. Målet er å gi et bilde av noen av de positive effektene en økologisk driftsform kan gi for miljø og en mer bærekraftig utvikling
D1.8 Jepsen et al., (2025). Breeding and restoring population of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) to combat the alien invasive species round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) – a case study from The National Aquarium Denmark – Den Blå Planet.
No full textThis study investigates the potential of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) as a biological control method against the invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) in the Baltic Sea. Conducted at The National Aquarium Denmark, the research successfully demonstrated the spawning, hatching, and rearing of turbot larvae in a public aquarium setting, providing a viable approach for restoring wild populations. By utilizing local wild-caught broodstock, the project ensured genetic compatibility, which is crucial for the sustainability of reintroduced fish. The findings highlight that public aquariums can play a significant role in conservation efforts by leveraging existing facilities for breeding programs. The ability to produce viable turbot larvae opens new avenues for managing invasive species, which pose threats to native ecosystems and biodiversity. This research speculates that similar initiatives with other species, should be equally possible. Ultimately, this study underscores the potential for collaborative conservation efforts between research institutions and public aquariums to address ecological challenges posed by invasive species
Gemüsebau Info 01/2025
No full textInhalt:
- Aktualisierung von Pflanzenschutzmittelbewilligungen 1/2025
- Neue Notfallzulassungen für den Gemüsebau 202
La Bio dans le monde
Get PDFSelon la dernière édition de l’annuaire de l’Institut de recherche de l’agriculture biologique (FiBL), « The World of Organic Agriculture », la surface agricole biologique mondiale a augmenté de 2,5 millions d’hectares. Le marché bio mondial a dépassé les 136 milliards d’euros.
En tout, ce sont près de 99 millions d’hectares cultivés en bio : le marché bio progresse à nouveau
Report on Delphi expert interviews on value chain changes and business strategies
Get PDFWith the Farm-to-Fork Strategy, the EU has set targets of reaching at least 25% of the EU’s agricultural land under organic farming and significantly increasing organic aquaculture by 2030. The Horizon Europe project OrganicTargets4EU” develops in a multi-actor approach options and policy recommendations to support the achievement of these targets.
Based on an assessment of key drivers and lock-ins affecting the development of the organic sector, the project develops possible scenarios for achieving the targets set by the EU. The socio-economic impacts of the expansion of organic farming on agriculture, value chains and the organic market are analysed. Furthermore, the project provides evidence on the mechanisms that can drive demand for organic food and the impact of changing diets and food waste reduction on mitigating the reduced yields from organic production.
This deliverable results from Task 4.3 “Understanding market actor behaviour” analysis of the Delphi interviews with European experts downstream the value chain. Task 4.3 aims to provide information on the effectiveness of organic market development by the players in the value chain, and to analyse the socio-economic impact of achieving the Farm-to-Fork (F2F) objectives on processing, retailing and consumption. Task 4.3 is part of WP4 “Socio-economic impact on the market side”, which aims to assess the socio-economic impacts of the scenarios at the level of markets and value chains and identify market mechanisms for stimulating the increase of organic demand. In WP4, also the socio-economics effects linked to consumer demand (Deliverable D4.1 Report on assortment change and active marketing effects on demand pattern) are assessed
Tracks of travel: unveiling tire particle concentrations in Swiss cantonal road soils
Get PDFTire wear particles (TWP) originating from tire abrasion on roads are a major source of microplastics to the environment. Together with associated pollutants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and trace metals, TWP are emitted to roadside soils in the immediate vicinity of road networks. Our study aimed at quantifying TWP number and mass concentrations and investigating particle features in low-traffic roadside soils using a novel particle-based analytical approach. On the example of fifteen Swiss cantonal roadside soils, with average daily traffic volumes of 2,290 vehicles per day− 1, we sampled composite samples from distances of 1, 2, 5 and 10 m to the roadside. TWP were extracted via density separation and wet-chemical sample purification. TWP analysis was performed using microscope images and trainable Weka segmentation image analysis. Furthermore, associated road pollutants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzop[a]pyrene and trace metals were analysed using TQ GC-MS/MS and ICP-MS. We found average concentrations of 111,000 TWP per kg soil dry weight (TWP kg− 1) highest values reaching 615,000 TWP kg− 1 and mean TWP masses of 52.7 ± 83.2 mg TWP kg− 1. TWP had a minimal Feret diameter of 62.8 ± 45.6 μm on average and showed mean circularity values of 0.7 ± 0.2, resulting in elliptic particle morphology. TWP concentrations and sizes decreased with increasing distance from the road. Positive relationships were found between TWP numbers and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzop[a]pyrene and zinc concentrations in roadside soils. However, a moderate relationship to speed limits was identified. We were able to demonstrate that even in low-traffic areas, roadside soils act as an environmental sink for high concentrations of TWPs and associated pollutants and that spatial distribution and the spread of TWP to soils strongly dependent on the distance to the road