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Traumatic injuries detected at slaughter in cattle: impact of production system and season on animal welfare and meat condemnation in Sweden
Get PDFThe purpose of ante- and post-mortem inspections at slaughterhouses is to ensure that meat and other relevant food products of animal origin are safe for human consumption. However, these inspections can also be useful for detecting animal health and welfare issues. In cattle, traumatic injuries from on-farm incidents, transport or handling at the slaughterhouse are indications of both reduced animal welfare and increased risk of food waste, ultimately resulting in economic losses for both farmers and slaughterhouses. This observational study aimed to investigate the prevalence and seasonal variation of traumatic injuries in cows and heifers reared on organic and conventional farms in Sweden. The study includes slaughter remarks and condemnations from meat inspection data from 336,071 animals slaughtered between 2020 and 2022. Two types of injuries were analysed: "chronic traumatic injuries" (CTI) sustained on-farm and "acute traumatic injuries" (ATI) sustained during transport or at the slaughterhouse. Logistic regression models were developed to assess the influence of production system and season. Results show a higher prevalence of CTI in animals from conventional farms (9.8%) compared to organic farms (6.9%; P < 0.001), which may indicate that animals from organic farms are managed and handled in a way that makes them better prepared for challenges that they are later exposed to on-farm prior to slaughter. ATI were more frequent in animals from organic farms during the grazing period (interaction between production system and season: P = 0.002), which may indicate that animals from organic farms find the transition to the slaughterhouse environment more abrupt and stressful during the grazing period. Condemnations due to injuries were significantly higher for animals with CTI or ATI compared to animals without these specific remarks. These findings highlight the importance of pre-slaughter management, both on-farm and at the slaughterhouse, and slaughterhouse design in improving animal welfare and reducing food as well as economic losses associated with carcase condemnations
Soil moisture and microbiome explain greenhouse gas exchange in global peatlands
Get PDFEarth's climate is tightly connected to carbon and nitrogen exchange between the atmosphere and ecosystems. Wet peatland ecosystems take up carbon dioxide in plants and accumulate organic carbon in soil but release methane. Man-made drainage releases carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide from peat soils. Carbon and nitrous gas exchange and their relationships with environmental conditions are poorly understood. Here, we show that open peatlands in both their wet and dry extremes are greenhouse gas sinks while peat carbon/nitrogen ratios are high and prokaryotic (bacterial and archaeal) abundances are low. Conversely, peatlands with moderate soil moisture levels emit carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, while prokaryotic abundances are high. The results challenge the current assumption of a uniform effect of drainage on greenhouse gas emissions and show that the peat microbiome of greenhouse-gas sources differs fundamentally from sinks
Some aspects on boreal forest microbiotas and nitrogen
Get PDFForest microbiomes are integral parts of the forest ecosystem as they are involved in soil health, tree growth, plant resilience and nitrogen and carbon cycles. However, forest microbiomes are under-researched compared to microbiomes in agriculturally important environments. Therefore, the main aim of this thesis was to describe and analyse the fungal and bacterial microbiomes connected to Norway spruce and Scots pine growing in the Fennoscandian boreal forest and investigate the effect of nitrogen addition on these microbiomes. Additionally, the thesis assessed two potentially more sustainable alternatives to inorganic nitrogen fertilization. The results showed the microbiome compositions of bulk soil, humus, root and needle conifer samples, highlighted distinct microbiomes between bulk soil and needles and identified 15 culturable nitrogen-fixing bacteria isolated from Scots pine needles. The results further showed that increased nitrogen addition led to decreased fungal and bacterial abundance, changes in fungal microbiome composition and differences in the activity of several extracellular enzymes in humus. However, interestingly, nitrogen addition did not affect the activity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria inside Scots pine needles. The greenhouse study showed that controlled-release organic nitrogenbased nutrition was able to promote plant growth similar to inorganic nitrogen-based fertilizers but with lower nitrate leaching from the growth medium. Further, bacteria isolated from Scots pine needles showed plant growth-promoting properties in in vitro experiments but did not promote higher plant biomass of four different inoculated crop species in in vivo greenhouse study. In summary, the thesis offered a deeper look into diverse Fennoscandian boreal forest microbiomes and analysed the effects of inorganic nitrogen addition on both the presence and the activity of these microbiomes. Furthermore, the thesis highlighted the potential and challenges of possible sustainable alternatives to inorganic nitrogen fertilization
Prices for veterinary care of dogs, cats, and horses in Sweden and Norway: comparisons between corporate chain, government-run, and independent clinics
Get PDFIntroduction: In a 10–15-year period, veterinary clinics in Sweden and Norway, as elsewhere, have undergone widespread corporatisation. High veterinary care costs have received attention in the lay press and from competition authorities. Whether corporate chains and independent clinics differ in price levels and how clinic characteristics, such as on-call service, affect pricing is not well-documented. The aim was to analyse prices levels and price changes for various diagnoses/procedures for dogs, cats, and horses from clinics in Norway and Sweden and to examine the influence of affiliation (corporate chain, government-run, or independent), extraction date, and clinic characteristics (e.g., on-call service) on prices.Materials and methods: Data from a price comparison site were extracted five times between 2 January 2023 and 2 January 2024. Prices for procedures such as vaccinations, gonadectomy, euthanasia, emergency care, diagnostic imaging, certification, and planned surgery were included. Descriptive statistics and mixed models were used to analyse effects of affiliation (Anicura, The Swedish District Vet Officers (DV), Dyrenes venn, Empet, Evidensia, Vettris, and independent), clinic characteristics (animal hospital or not, on-call service, and number of hours open Mon-Fri), and extraction date.Results: Prices were analysed for 37 procedures (16 dogs, 11cats, and 10 horses) from 771 clinics, of which 502 (65%) were independent. Most clinics with corporate affiliation belonged to Evidensia and Anicura. In statistically significant comparisons, their prices were generally higher than those from the independent group. For Anicura, the median annual price increase (in Euro) was 8%, DV 5%, Dyrenes venn 53%, Empet 12%, Evidensia 15%, Vettris 7%, and the independent group 6%. Multivariable results generally corroborated the descriptive figures.Discussion: Targeting a range of procedures in two nearby countries, veterinary care prices varied with country, clinic characteristics, and affiliation. Clinics belonging to corporate chains charged higher prices than independent clinics. Most prices increased over the year. Possible reasons for the differences between clinics are investments in equipment or number of staff, expenditure on continued education of staff, or different demands for profit. Increased price transparency within veterinary care might reduce the impact of high prices and perhaps also limit price increases
Same with less: a method to reduce destructive sampling to estimate nitrogen use efficiency components using allometric relationships in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Get PDFEnhancing nitrogen (N) use efficiency is important for a sustainable food production. Measuring shoot biomass and N pool across growth stages is critical to calculate N use efficiency, but relies on slow, costly and destructive sampling. This paper presents a non-destructive allometric approach developed for cereals; in this study, we assessed wheat (Triticum aestivum) for crop shoot biomass and N pool. Our methodology considered tiller height and number, and the estimates of leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD) as non-destructive measures to predict shoot biomass and N pool by using a multiple linear and a non-linear regression (R2 = 0.71 and R2 = 0.89, respectively) on the data from 72 samples of 16 recombinant inbred spring wheat lines (RILs) field-grown in central Sweden during 2 years with contrasting weather. Model parameters are estimated separately for different years to accommodate environmental variations between them. The regressions obtained were applied to estimate critical N use efficiency traits of 80 randomly selectedwheat linesfrom the same RIL population. The method developed here provides a promising novel tool for the cost-effective estimation of critical N use efficiency parameters in cereals, with reduced destructive sampling, and a first step toward automated phenotyping for rapid N use efficiency assessment in cereal breeding populations
Environment and not genotype drives soybean yield stability in Northern Germany
Get PDFSoybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is a major plant protein source worldwide, and its cultivation in central and northern Europe is still emerging. To understand the influence of the environment in the northern latitudes and its interactions with different soybean genotypes, a 3-year multi-location trial was carried out in Northern Germany. The objectives were to (i) quantify the grain yield and stability of six soybean genotypes across eight environments using the additive main effect and multiplicative interaction and best linear unbiased prediction models to identify superior genotypes as well as optimal environmental conditions for growing soybeans in northern latitudes, and (ii) assess the genotype-environment interaction on soybean grain yield, crude protein, and protein yield to explore the factors contributing to yield variability. The mean soybean grain yield was 2060 kg ha-1, and it varied among locations and across years. A large portion of the total variance in all parameters was explained by environment (67.6%-82.8%), followed by genotype-environment interaction (7.7%-14.6%), while a small portion was attributed to genotypes (1.3%-10.5%). The growing conditions at site M & uuml;ncheberg produced a stable soybean yield but were less productive than sites Dahlem and Dedelow. Regular precipitation in July and August corresponded with increased grain yield. The stability models ranked the feed-grade cultivar Merlin as superior in terms of stability and performance. In contrast, the food-grade cultivar Comandor may be risky for grain production in rainfed conditions. The study highlighted soybean's agronomic potential in northern latitudes and the influence of the prevailing environment on yield and stability
Traner i Trøndelag
Get PDFForekomst og fordeling av traner ble registrert på landbruksarealer i Snåsa og Steinkjer kommuner i 2023. Målet var å få en oversikt over antall traner, hvilke arealer de bruker og vurdere mulige konsekvenser for landbruksdriften i regionen. Derfor ble det også gjennomført en pilotstudie i Snåsa der metodikk for vurdering av beiteskader på kornåkrer ble testet og mulig skade på arealene kvantifisert. Det ble også gjennomført bortjaging av traner for å kvantifisere effekten av dette som skadeforebyggende tiltak. I slutten av mai ble det på én dag (27.mai) registrert 59 traner i studieområdet i Snåsa, mens det i begynnelsen av september (4.september) ble registrert 140 traner i samme område. Dette inkluderte også årsunger. Langs en registreringsrute i Steinkjer kommune om våren (25.mai) var høyeste daglige antall med traner 39 individer, med tilsvarende tall i august på 108 individer (21.august). Om våren fordelte tranene seg etter hva som var tilgjengelig av veksttyper, men om høsten var det en preferanse for kornarealer (primært bygg) og i 84% av observasjonene i Steinkjer beitet de i uhøstede åkrer. I Snåsa ble tranene jaget bort fra arealene 4-6 ganger per dag av gårdbrukerne gjennom vekstsesongen. Til tross for dette, ble det registrert flere felter med synlige beiteskader i form av avspist korn og nedtråkket aks. Totalt ble 1 217 m2 klassifisert med beiteskader. Skadeberegningene viser at om tranene hadde fått beitet fritt kunne dette medført et betydelig avlingstap. Under de eksperimentelle jageforsøkene tok tranene raskere til vingene utover i forsøkene og oppfluktavstanden var i gjennomsnitt lengre når det var bil som kom til feltene sammenlignet med når det var en gående person. Dette antas å være en lært respons og et resultat av jagingen tranene var eksponert for gjennom sesongen. I noen av jageforsøkene fløy tranene ut av studieområdet, i andre forsøk landet de på et annet felt i nærheten. I gjennomsnitt var flokkene som dro ut av området mindre enn flokkene som landet i studieområdet. Dette var imidlertid ikke statistisk signifikant og er sannsynligvis et resultat av et noe begrenset datamateriale. Tiden det tok før tranene var tilbake ble ikke registrert. Basert på områdets topografi og omkringliggende landskap er det imidlertid grunn for å tro at det vil ta lengre tid før traner som jages ut av studieområdet kommer tilbake til feltet de ble jaget fra enn de som bare forflyttet seg innad i studieområdet. Resultatene antyder også at det sannsynligvis vil være vanskeligere å jage bort større flokker sammenlignet med små flokker. Resultater fra denne studien viser nåværende forekomst og utbredelse av traner i denne delen av Trøndelag og vil være et grunnlag for fremtidige vurderinger av mulige endringer i bestandsstørrelse. Studien viser også hvilke betydelige økonomiske konsekvenser traner kan ha når de får beite fritt uten bortjaging i uhøstede kornåkrer der de både spiser av kornet og tramper ned vekstene
Storage Dynamics and Groundwater-Surface Water Interactions in a Drought Sensitive Lowland Catchment: Process-Based Modelling as a Learning Tool
Get PDFGroundwater is a key strategic water resource in times of drought, yet climate and land use change are increasing threats; this means that quantitative understanding of groundwater dynamics in lowland catchments is becoming more urgent. Here, we used a spatially distributed numerical groundwater model to simulate seasonal and long-term changes in the spatio-temporal patterns of water storage dynamics and groundwater-surface water interactions in the 66 km(2) lowland Demnitzer Millcreek catchment (DMC) in NE Germany. DMC experienced a long period of drought following the hot, dry summer of 2018, with groundwater stores becoming depleted and stream flows increasingly intermittent. The architecture and parameterisation of the model domain were based on groundwater observations, hydrogeological mapping and geophysical surveys. Weekly simulations using a single model layer with a 50 x 50 m grid of 15 m depth were able to broadly reproduce observed shallow groundwater dynamics in glacial and post-glacial deposits across the catchment. We showed that most groundwater flow is shallow and focused around topographic convergence zones fringing the channel network in more permeable glaciofluvial deposits. Most stream flow is generated by shallow groundwater in the catchment headwaters, which is relatively young (i.e., similar to 5 years old). With potential evapotranspiration rates exceeding precipitation, the groundwater balance is very sensitive to hydroclimate at DMC. The past two decades have been dominated by negative anomalies in annual rainfall, causing a general lowering of water tables and persistent storage deficits. Spatio-temporal patterns of recharge are also strongly influenced by vegetation cover, with coniferous forests, in particular, having high evapotranspiration losses that inhibit groundwater recharge. This underlines the importance of developing integrated land and water management strategies in NE Germany where climate change is expected to further reduce rainfall, increase temperatures and decrease groundwater recharge. For an evidence base to guide policy, we need to develop more robust ways to interface groundwater models with ecohydrological models to better characterise the impacts of land use on rechange in groundwater-dominated lowland catchments
Implementation of school ground vegetation
Get PDFSchool ground vegetation offers many benefits for children’s health and learning yet faces multiple challenges in implementation. This interdisciplinary thesis investigates these challenges and possible solutions, with a particular emphasis on shrubs, through four complementary studies: a mapping review, an interview study, a greenhouse experiment, and a school ground experiment. Five research questions guided the studies, addressing: (1) current knowledge, (2) the impact of children’s play on vegetation, (3) governance factors, (4) species selection, and (5) planting design and methods. The scientific literature generally overlooks vegetation specifics on school grounds and fails to capture its complexity and dynamic nature. Similarly in practice, knowledge of planting specifics on school grounds in Sweden is often considered low. Governance challenges in the Swedish context, particularly low prioritization and risk-averse discourses, further complicate implementation efforts. Interaction between children and vegetation is both fundamental and complex, as it compromises plant vitality through wear and tear, while simultaneously being the core benefit for children. Species strategies to handle disturbance from wear and tear as well as drought seem particularly important but depending on the design and species mixtures, other aspects should also be considered. Dense plantings with balanced species mixes and using tougher and spiny plants as nursing plants may increase the resilience against wear and tear. Further, existing vegetation accessible for play may divert wear and tear away from newly planted vegetation. Varying plot sizes, given adequate management, seem to be able to support mixed shrub plantings and thus support overall school ground greening. However, larger plot size appears to increase children's possibility to create play spaces within vegetation. The studies put together clearly highlight that no factor single handed is determinant for success, and there is a need for careful alignment of planting design, species selection, governance and management for making school grounds greener
Climate change impacts on Egyptian aquaculture: challenges, opportunities, and research gaps
Get PDFThe Egyptian aquaculture sector is subjected to several threats caused by climate change, including a considerable decline in Nile River flow, the sea level rise with the risk of inundation, salty-water intrusion, and the loss of productive farms besides increases in temperatures and decreased water supplies. Due to other urgent issues in Egypt, such as rising food and living expenses and decreased land productivity along the coast, climate change has recently risen to the top of the priority list for national decision-makers. This study aims to highlight climate change impacts on Egyptian aquaculture food systems considering the three sustainability pillars: environmental, economic, and social. We also highlighted the related challenges, opportunities, and research gaps to suggest future needs for further studies. National efforts to improve the local aquaculture sector were presented, as well as potential opportunities for climate change adaptation strategies. The results of this study are intended to assist researchers, policy, and decision-makers in developing strategies that would help in mitigating climate change impacts on the aquaculture sector, to assist sustainably expanding aquaculture food systems, and to enhance local food security. The study reveals that the most productive fish farms in the coastal lakes, mainly brackish, are vulnerable to sea level rise with expectations of salty-water intrusion and disturbance of the cultivated species and loss of aquaculture farms with the consequent environmental and socio-economic impacts. Data availability is one of the main challenges that face academics interested in the aquaculture field. Research fields such as hydrodynamics, remote sensing, geographical information systems and life cycle assessment are promising fields that can contribute to the prediction of climate change impacts on aquaculture systems which helps in developing proper mitigation strategies. Socioeconomic aspects that need to be considered include climate change impacts on living conditions and the physical well-being of small-scale aquaculture farmers, the vulnerability of small-scale farms related to their location, circumstances, disadvantages, and labor challenges. Solar energy usage expansion, development of hatcheries for fry production, expansion in integrated fish farming in reclaimed lands, water-return maximizing and usage of intensive and semi-intensive systems are all some of the strategies adapted by national authorities to mitigate the climate change impacts on local aquaculture sector. Furthermore, the involvement of investors, policy and decision makers is a must to expand the Egyptian aquaculture sector in a sustainable way. Regulations must be set to encourage investments in sustainable technologies as aquaponics, desalination and water recycling. Funds can be provided to stimulate the research and development in in this sector. A national awareness campaign among farmers to explain the potential impacts of climate change on local aquaculture farms and how to adapt is highly recommended, and enhancing collaboration and communication between local stakeholders "researchers, investments, policy makers and farmers" is a must