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Integrating landscape character assessment with community values in a scenic evaluation methodology for regional landscape planning
No full textThe Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) method from the UK has proven effective in identifying landscape values and characteristics through a comprehensive mapping process. However, it is predominantly expert-led and lacks an evaluation of scenery, hindering the inclusion of the broader community’s preferences and visual attachment to their landscape. In Australia, the application of the Scenic Amenity Methodology (SAM) using Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping has engaged communities but has often overlooked the importance of landscape character. To overcome these limitations, this study presents an innovative scenic assessment methodology, referred to as modified Scenic Amenity Methodology (modified SAM). The methodology establishes landscape character types (LCTs) to map scenic preference ratings derived from community photo surveys. Simultaneously, it incorporates the visual exposure of the landscape from publicly accessible viewpoints, modelled using a Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The combination of scenic preferences and visual exposure enables mapping of the scenic amenity values held by the community. This methodology was first trialled in Bundaberg, then Cairns, the Whitsunday Islands, and, most recently, Toowoomba in Queensland, Australia. This paper presents the results of the Toowoomba study and reports on the challenges and limitations of informing landscape character type (LCT) values through a public photo survey, developing a scenic preference map from ratings of photos across a region, a map of the visual exposure of landscape elements from key public viewing locations, and, ultimately, a map of scenic amenity values across the Toowoomba Region. It indicates that integrating previous LCA approaches with public participation through community preferences is indeed feasible for regional landscape planning
Effects of repeated tasting sessions on acceptability, emotional responses, and purchasing behaviors of waste-to-value-addedSCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) ice cream
No full textThis study investigated the effects of repeated exposure on acceptability, emotional responses, and purchase intention of a novel symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) ice cream, compared to a control (no extra additives) and a guar gum ice cream sample, using three sessions: a survey (SCOBY information) and two tasting sessions (repeated-exposure effect). Participants initially conducted blind evaluations of all samples, followed by an informed tasting. The blind tasting sessions evoked high arousal emotions for the SCOBY ice cream and positive emotions for the control and guar gum samples. The second session showed a rise in liking for sweetness (5.6–6.5) and texture (5.6–6.7) of the SCOBY samples. Sensory attributes such as flavor (odds ratio = 1.7) and texture (odds ratio = 1.7), coupled with positive emotions such as “happy” (odds ratio = 3.8), “pleasant” (odds ratio = 0.4), and “interested” (odds ratio = 3.8) affected purchase intention. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into participants' liking and emotional responses during repeated exposures to stimuli. Practical Applications: The study's findings show that repeated exposure to novel products enhances consumer acceptance and emotional responses, challenging the current formats of traditional sensory studies. This implies that the introduction of novel products can be successful with repeated tasting exposure strategies. The focus on improving familiarity with sensory attributes, especially flavor and texture, can positively impact purchase intention. This insight can guide product positioning, marketing campaigns, and flavor development efforts, encouraging the successful integration of innovative products into the market
Promoting sustainable agrifood production in changing climate: Adaptation, returns, and food security implications
No full textClimate change is challenging sustainable agrifood production and food security, and encouraging farmers’ climate change adaptation can help promote sustainable agrifood production and ensure food security. The primary objective of this study is to investigate farmers’ climate change adaptation and its impact on agrifood production. We employ the propensity score matching (PSM) model to address the selection bias issue of climate change adaptation and estimate the survey data collected from 415 rice-producing households in rural China. Both Kernal-based matching and nearest-neighbor matching techniques are employed to ensure the validity of estimated results. We also estimate the inverse probability weighted regression adjustment (IPWRA) model for robustness check. The empirical results show that farmers’ decisions on climate change adaptation are influenced by household heads’ age, education level and life satisfaction, family size, access to extension, and transportation condition. The treatment effect estimations of the PSM model reveal that climate change adaptation significantly increases land productivity by 42.82-46.13% and labor productivity by 53.62-61.76% in rice production. The IPWRA model estimation largely confirms the robustness of the PSM model estimation. We also find that climate change adaptation significantly increases the net returns of rice production
Varying tolerance to diesel toxicity revealed by growth response evaluation of Petunia grandiflora shoot lines regenerated after diesel fuel treatment
No full textContinuous efforts are required to find ways to protect crop production against the toxicity of petroleum hydrocarbons, such as diesel, and contamination of soils. There is a need for identification of candidate plants that are tolerant to diesel toxicity that might also have the potential for remediation of diesel-contaminated soils. In this study, petunia, a popular ornamental plant and a model experimental plant in research on phytoremediation of environmental pollutants, was used to evaluate a novel method for rapidly assessing diesel toxicity based on the tolerance of shoots generated through in vitro plant cell culture selection. Petunia shoot lines (L1 to L4) regenerated from diesel-treated callus were compared with those from non-diesel-treated callus (control). Significant morphological differences were observed among the tested lines and control, notably with L1 and L4 showing superior growth. In particular, L4 exhibited remarkable adaptability, with increased root development and microbial counts in a diesel-contaminated potting mix, suggesting that the shoots exhibited enhanced tolerance to diesel exposure. Here, this rapid bioassay has been shown to effectively identify plants with varying levels of tolerance to diesel toxicity and could therefore assist accelerated selection of superior plants for phytoremediation. Further research is needed to understand the genetic and physiological mechanisms underlying tolerance traits, with potential applications beyond petunias to other environmentally significant plants
Linking farmers to markets: Barriers, solutions, and policy options
No full textThe 15 studies highlighted in this special issue collectively underscore the significant impacts of market participation on farmers’ well-being, income, poverty reduction, dietary diversity, and rural economic growth. They also delve into the importance of marketing channel choice and the role of e-commerce in enhancing farmers’ market linkages. In addition, they address farmers’ preferences for market access interventions and the examination of market power within the agricultural industry, especially in low-income countries. The key findings include: (1) Market participation is critical for improving farmers’ subjective and objective well-being, with studies demonstrating positive impacts on income, poverty reduction, and dietary diversity; (2) The choice of marketing channels significantly influences income, with evidence suggesting online sales can substantially increase farmers’ earnings; (3) E-commerce plays a pivotal role in connecting farmers to broader markets, leading to income growth and enhanced market visibility; (4) Understanding and addressing farmers’ preferences for market access through interventions like systematization policies and joint ventures can facilitate better market integration and support inclusive business models; (5) Analysis of market power within the primary foods industry reveals rising markups, particularly affecting low-income countries. These findings suggest that policies and interventions aiming to improve market access, promote e-commerce, and consider farmers’ preferences and market power dynamics can significantly impact farmers’ incomes, poverty levels, and overall rural economic development
Lamb pH and meat quality: studies on biochemical changes in high pH meat associated with pre-slaughter farmyard stress : A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Food Innovation at Lincoln University
No full textProducing meat of the highest quality is of the utmost importance to the red meat industry. This study
looked at how energy metabolic changes and protein profiles in sheep were affected by stress before
post-mortem, this gave critical insights into lamb meat quality. A study of biochemical shifts related to
high-pH lamb meat with pre-slaughter stress was conducted. This study was conducted using a sample
of 20, six-month-old ram lambs of the Coopworth breed (two individuals were of mixed
Coopworth/Hampshire breeds) that were grazed on pasture until culling. Two treatments of control
and stress were applied. The control treatment was minimal stress applied before slaughter, sheep
were brought straight through the yards to the slaughterhouse. In the stress treatment, stressful
conditions were applied via the use of heading dogs moving the sheep around in the yards for 10
minutes, at 30-minute intervals for 3 hours before slaughter. This caused an elevated metabolic rate
in these individuals pre-slaughter. Animals were harvested immediately and tissue samples were snap
frozen at -80 °C. Energy metabolic changes of the two intermediate twitch muscles Gracilis (G) and
Semimembranosus (SM) were studied through the use of a D-Glucose and L-Lactic acid assay. A non-
significant difference was seen in the muscles G and SM for their total glycogen levels between the
stress and control treatment. In the lactic acid assay, a non-significant difference was seen in the total
lactic acid levels between the two muscle fibres between the stress and control treatment. For the
protein profile analysis, it was decided to study four muscles, the previous two mentioned, as well as
the fast-twitch muscle Longissimus lumborum (LL) and the slow-twitch muscle Supraspinatus (SS). The
protein profiles of these muscles were studied through the use of a Bradford protein determination
assay and gel electrophoresis imaging. The Bradford assay revealed that there was no relationship
between the total soluble protein concentrations and the stress treatment in all four of the muscle
fibres. The gel electrophoresis images when analysed showed a significant difference in the relative
frequency of two protein bands at around 100 and 16 kDa in the two muscles SM (P-values 0.05 and
0.01) and LL (P-values 0.03 and 0.05). These results show the potential effect of stress on protein
profiles, however further protein sequencing is needed before further conclusions can be made. An
analysis of post-mortem pH values was also conducted from measurements after 90 minutes and 24
hours post-mortem (ultimate pH). A non-significant difference was seen after 90 minutes but, a
significant difference was seen after 24 hours between all four muscle fibres and stress. Stressed
carcasses had significantly higher pH values. Notably the slow twitch muscle SS exhibited higher
ultimate pH values while the fast twitch LL muscle exhibited lower ultimate pH values. This indicated
a fibre-type-specific response to the stress treatment in the muscle samples studied. Overall this study
provided valuable insights into biochemical shifts occurring in sheep muscles under stress conditions.
Further understanding of these processes is vital for the meat industry especially for the correct
grading of meat before export/ sale. Future studies should look at sequencing the specific proteins
that affect the stress treatment to see if they are related to meat quality parameters such as colouring,
tenderness and the water-holding capacity (WHC) of meat
Reductionist science in agriculture and horticulture
No full textScience ensures that explanations and predictions about the biological and physical worlds are verifiable, while also providing an approach that enables improved understanding to develop and be permanently recorded. There are several terms in common usage that describe the approaches used in scientific research, but at the extremes, words such as ‘reductionism’ and ‘holism’ are now frequently encountered. While singular reductionism can result in key relationships and linkages being missed, holism appears to ignore the need to identify how confounding factors can affect the quality of understanding derived from complex systems. Here we suggest that science is not a simple dichotomy of reductionism versus holism. Instead, it comprises a more fluid and complex mission. However, within multidisciplinary agricultural and horticultural science one regularly finds words like ‘systems’, ‘integration’, and ‘unifying’. Reductionist science is certainly part of the pursuit of holistic solutions to problems, not least in transdisciplinary research
437 EP077 – How much is too much? Stress in young elite is a precursor for illness and injury
No full textBackground: Appropriate physical stress in training and adequate recovery are essential in gaining maximal adaptation in athletes. Tired athletes can be under increased physical and mental stressors that result in maladaptation. Little is known if additional academic and psychosocial stressors faced by university athletes leads to a counterproductive adaptation.
Objective: To determine if subjective stressors (e.g. academic pressures, psychosocial stressors) are associated with counterproductive training adaptations in elite athletes as well as the period in the academic year where such stressors are most harmful.
Design: Longitudinal cross-sectional retrospective study undertaken in university semesters between 2014 -2017.
Setting: Study was carried out at Lincoln University, a tertiary education institute that is host to the largest elite sports scholarship program in New Zealand.
Participants: A 182 sports scholarship students aged 18–22 years.
Intervention: Individualized training programs were developed for each athlete based on training status and competitive season.
A commercially available software system was used to collect training data and subjective feelings of stress, fatigue, academic pressure, mood, sleep as well as injury or illness incidences.
Results: The highest injury and illness rate are during the examination period of the academic year where stress levels were elevated.
Subjective measures and academic pressure were the strongest contributors to injury.
Decreased levels of perceived mood, sleep duration and energy levels as well increased academic stress were able to predict injury in these athletes.
Conclusions Athletes are vulnerable at certain periods of the academic year due to increased stress resulting in an increase in injury and illness rate.
This study highlighted the need for the implementation of stress reduction and resilience development protocols foy young elite athlete
Farm-level cost-effectiveness analysis of in-paddock feeding of methane inhibitors in pasture-based dairy
No full textVarious approaches have been proposed to reduce methane emissions from ruminant livestock systems. While methane-inhibiting feed-additives are not yet commercially available in New Zealand, it has been reported that they can reduce enteric methane emissions by 30-90% when fed to ruminant livestock regularly and precisely in total mixed ration systems. This study aims to determine the primary economic performance drivers of using In-Paddock Smart-Feeders (IPSF) for delivering methane inhibitors in pasture-based dairy to understand the conditions in which they are viable. A farm-level financial model is developed, drawing on the Economic Farm Survey produced by DairyNZ. Both a scenario and sensitivity analysis are conducted on the cost-effectiveness of the approach for methane mitigation. The main finding is that the largest cost associated with the approach is the cost of additional supplement, which would acts as a carrier for the methane inhibitor. Therefore, the quantity of additional supplement used prior to adoption is a key determinant of viability. There is a large range in breakeven methane prices depending on the value of assumptions used. More certainty in these assumptions is required to fully understand the potential use of IPSFs to deliver methane-inhibiting feed-additives in-paddock
A systematic literature review of factors influencing the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices
No full textAdopting climate-smart agricultural (CSA) practices is a long-term solution for enhancing agricultural sustainability and food security under the changing climate. However, the penetration rate of CSA practices remains low worldwide. Understanding the key factors driving the adoption of CSA practices is key to increasing its penetration. This study provides a systematic review of the literature comprising 190 studies published between 2013 and 2023. Based on the reviewed literature, we provide comprehensive definitions of CSA practices from broad and narrow perspectives. We also discuss the factors influencing farmers’ decisions to adopt CSA practices from four categories: socio-demographic factors, institutional factors, resource endowment factors, and socio-economic factors. Our literature review reveals that most of the factors (e.g., age, gender, education, risk perception and preference, access to credit, farm size, production conditions, off-farm income, and labor allocation) discussed in the literature have a dual (either positive or negative) impact on CSA practice adoption. The variables such as labor endowment, land tenure security, access to extension services, access to agricultural training, membership in farmers’ organizations, non-governmental organization (NGO) support, climate conditions, and access to information consistently and positively impact CSA practice adoption. These findings provide solid evidence for designing appropriate policy instruments that help accelerate CSA diffusion and transmission. We also find gaps in CSA practice measurements, influencing factor identification, and econometric methods used for empirical analysis, which should be explored by future research