Quality Management And Strategic Alliances In The Mango Supply Chain From Costa Rica
"This book develops an integrated research framework in which social science and natural science merge in the analysis of the relationships and transactions within the mango supply chain from Costa Rica. More specifically, behaviour economics, and institutional economics is combined with quality management and product development techniques. This book is also important because it uses an innovative gaming simulation for research and not only for training. The game develops a standard supply chain for a perishable product, which is used for simulating the bargaining power and revenue distribution of the agents in the chain and the governance structure preferred for doing business. This game simulation is played by the real producers in the field. Other important topics covered are quality management and quality variability. Studying quality management (intrinsic and extrinsic attributes) in relation to the farm household characteristics, production system and agreements, enables us to define some economic incentives to improve the quality of the produce. Studying the variability of the produce helps us understand and describe how the different management practices throughout the chain affects the quality of the produce. This relates to the market outlet choice the producers make and the strategic behaviour they have. This book is of interest for professionals and practitioners involved in the design, management and assessment of national and international supply chains for perishable produce."
Environmental Management In The Dutch Food And Beverage Industry
"Because of the growing societal concerns regarding industrial environmental pollution, it is essential to get a deeper understanding of the factors influencing firms to reduce their environmental impact. This book considers these concerns by evaluating the importance of these factors in reference to environmental management in the Dutch food and beverage industry. It develops an integrated research framework building on the inside-out and outside-in perspectives on environmental management. Empirical data were gathered in 2002 and 2005. This book provides interesting insights into the developments in this period showing that the impact of the business environment has extended from the traditionally important stakeholders, such as government and societal groups, to include commercial chain and network actors as well, including buyers and suppliers, but also bank and insurance firms. Furthermore, the analyses demonstrate that public-private voluntary agreements can be an effective policy instrument. Firms with a proactive business strategy appear to pay more attention to environmentally friendly product (re)design, which is crucial to reduce environmental impact from a cradle-to-cradle perspective. This book is of interest to environmental and general management in firms that want to reach environmental excellence. Policy implications are drawn for environmental policy-makers, environmental agencies and environmental interest groups that aim for stimulating firms to clean up."
Producer Organisations and Market Chains
"The role of producer organizations in market chains has received increasing attention in recent years, both from governments and donors. In order to lower transaction costs, markets demand that smallholder farmers operate in an organized manner. However, though the policy openings for support seem promising, smallholder market access through farmer-led economic organisations is not easy. This book presents various approaches to support producer organisations in terms of providing economic services to their members, with a focus on developing countries. Markets are increasingly fragmented in value chains that link farmers with specific processors, retailers and consumer segments. Several contributions in this book analyse these dynamics in specific value chains, such as the fair trade and organic agriculture and their potential to provide market outlets for smallholder farmers. This book is the result of a Dutch partnership between policy makers, researchers and practitioners designed to confront ideas with realities. Organized in a platform called Agri-ProFocus, members aim to provide more and better support to producer organisations in the South. Through so-called expert meetings, staff from donor organisations and knowledge centres, government officials, and business representatives, share their experiences and lessons learned. The experiences presented in this book are not recipes for instant success, but instead, highlight that support processes are often more fragile and slower moving than policy makers realise. This book is essential reading for scholars, practitioners and researchers interested in supporting and facilitating trajectories of change led by producer organisations in developing countries."
Biofuels
"Increasing bio-fuel production in the future will have a major impact on the feed industry. Not only will the competition for food, fuel and feed decrease the availability of feedstuffs for animal production but, also new feedstuffs will become available for which the nutritional quality needs to be reviewed. The nutritional value and usability of the by-products as feedstuffs will be the main focus of the book. In particular, rapeseed meal and glycerine from biodiesel production and DDGS from bioethanol production are discussed. For each product comprehensive research data summarising the variation in quality and production systems, the energy and protein value for each animal category and the effects on animal production are presented. Additionally, this book gives an overview of the current and future developments of the emerging bioenergy production. Broad topics which are addressed are: the global potential for bioenergy production, the enormous increase in bioethanol production in the U.S. against the backdrop of a developing bioethanol production in the EU and the future effects on supply and demand of the grain and feedstuff market. This book will update nutritionists, researchers, traders and those working in the allied industry on the current 'state of knowledge' of the usability of the different by products from biofuel production in specific animal feeds."
Development Economics Between Markets and Institutions
"This volume in the Mansholt series presents state of the art discussions on a wide variety of topics in the field of (agricultural) development. More than 20 chapters have been prepared by internationally known scholars and policy analysts, providing a concise overview of a variety of recent debates in development economics. While the background of most contributors is in economic science, the chapters are prepared so that they feed into ongoing policy discussions and are accessible to a wide readership. The contributions in this volume are organized around five themes: prospects for rural poverty alleviation, sustainable management of natural resources, strategies for enhancing food security, markets and the role of the state, and institutions and governance. It is obvious there are many links between these themes, and indeed the integration between them is emphasized in various chapters. This book is prepared as a festschrift or Liber Amicorum for professor Arie Kuyvenhoven. His retirement from the Development Economics Group at Wageningen University, The Netherlands is a good opportunity to take stock of recent developments in the area of agricultural development economics. Therefore, in addition to being a valuable source of information for readers with an interest in development, this volume is also intended as a farewell gift: to Arie, from friends and colleagues."
Sustainable food production and ethics
"Sustainability has become an issue widely debated in many countries. Given the central role of food supply and the emotional relationship that modern mankind still has to its food, sustainability is seen as a value which has to be maintained throughout food supply chains. The complexity of modern food systems invokes a variety of ethical implications which emerge from contrasts between ideals, perceptions and the conditions of technical processes within food systems, and the concerns connected to this. This book covers a broad range of aspects within the general issue of sustainable food production and ethics. Linking different academic disciplines, topics range from reflections about the roots of sustainability and the development of concepts and approaches to globalisation and resilience of food systems as well as specific ethical aspects of organic farming and animal welfare. Modern technologies which are intensely advocated by certain stakeholder groups and their societal challenges are addressed, as are many other specific cases of food production and processing, consumer perception and marketing."
Evaluation of Carcass and Meat Quality in Cattle and Sheep
"Livestock production systems will only be sustained in the long term if their products continue to meet the demand of consumers. The quality of ruminant carcasses, meat and meat products is of predominant importance in a competitive market where consumers tend to have a preconceived idea about the criteria that define meat quality such as flavour, tenderness, juiciness, smell, colour and texture. The carcass evaluation could be interesting as a precocious classification of the final quality of meat coming from each carcass. Today the quality characteristics of the meat must be different according to its utilisation (supermarket, butcher, catering, refectory, etc.) and so it is very important to choose very early the final destination of the carcass. Obviously, the carcass classification must correlate with meat quality characteristics required by final consumer. Other important factors that have to be taken into account in order to maintain a demand for ruminant meat are safety and traceability. This book reviews the historical and recent developments for carcass evaluation and grading for meat quality assessment in beef and sheep. It places special emphasis on new concepts and approaches to define carcass and meat quality and on the use of modern technologies for composition and quality evaluation. A range of technologies are presented such as ultrasounds and colour reflectance, X-ray computerised tomography, spectral and thermal imaging, image analysis and NIRS. The use of phenotypic markers such as the plasma hormones and genetic markers to predict carcass composition and meat quality are also presented."
Gaining The Edge In Ruminant Production
"Globally, dairy and meat production has become an extremely competitive industry. The world milk production is predicted to grow significantly by 2020 with the emergence of new consumers in developing countries. Yet, there is still intense competition for the industry to attract and retain consumers in the more established markets. Consumers continue to demand safe, high quality milk and meat products at competitive prices compared to other high protein food alternatives. To ensure the sustainability of both dairy and beef industries, producers must endeavour to seek new technologies to improve production efficiency whilst lowering the cost of production to produce a quality product. This edited collection of papers is taken from a seminar that brought together some of the world's leading authorities in the field of ruminant nutrition and production. The fundamental theme is to re-examine the current trends in productivity within the dairy and beef industries, and to identify nutritional and managerial means to improve competitiveness. The papers also consider the importance of animal health together with novel strategies for disease control. 'Gaining the edge in ruminant production: Nutritional strategies for optimal productivity and efficiency' is aimed at nutritionists, veterinarians and animal producers as well as students and researchers studying animal and applied biological sciences"
Applied Equine Nutrition And Training
"The content of this book arises from the Equine NUtrition COnference - Practice (ENUCO) 2007. The purpose of the conference is to supply scientifically validated practical hints and state of the art knowledge on equine nutrition and training. The topics dealt with in this publication are: - News on equine nutrition, training and medicine (2005-06). - Noteworthy changes to the Horse Nutrition Requirements by the National Research Council of USA. - Relevance and standardization of the terms Glycaemic Index and Glycaemic Response. - The role of nutrition in colic. - The use of herbs in the management of hyperadrenocorticism and other hormonal diseases of horses. - Diagnosis and management of insulin resistance and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) in horses. - Food-allergy in horses."
Reasserting the Rural Development Agenda
The agricultural sector's perceived importance in the international development circle waned dramatically after the 1980s, and investments in rural development and agricultural research and development declined sharply. This volume reasserts the role of agricultural and rural development in the economic development debate. By revisiting the evolution of ideas, paradigms and empirical evidence, and by drawing on Asian experiences, the book intends to set a reinvigorated agenda on agricultural and rural development both for research and policy discussions in the coming decades. Written by internationally acknowledged research scholars, this book is helpful to a wide range of audience, including researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and students interested in rural development in Asia and its future evolutions.
Ammonia
"In The Netherlands an intense growth in animal husbandry has taken place during the past decades. This growth induced major shifts in the national nitrogen and ammonia balance, with feedstuff being imported from abroad and animal waste being used in excess in Dutch agricultural areas. Growing environmental responsibility, which was triggered by scientific observations on field-scale early-on, resulted in putting animal waste and ammonia on the political agenda. Governmental regulations were put in effect and research programs were set-up to develop techniques to measure and reduce ammonia emissions based on a scientific approach. Meanwhile, an inventory was made of the size of the animal waste problem. Additionally, the impacts on the environment were studied, as well as technical solutions to minimize the animal waste production were developed. This book aims to provide a full overview of all ammonia emission related aspects of animal husbandry in the Netherlands. Besides the background information as described above, it includes a technical and practical inventory of emission sources from cattle, pig, and poultry housings, followed by a listing of government approved housing systems and manure application techniques that have been measured according to standard protocols to quantify the on-farm decrease of ammonia emissions. For both traditional and low emission systems a list of emission factors is included. By presenting common practices in the Netherlands, this book also informs other EU countries about our ongoing insights regarding Dutch regulations, measurement protocols, abatement techniques and interpretation of measured farm-scale data to national emission values. In this way it will contribute to directing the development of livestock production throughout the EU member states towards a healthy and more sustainable future."
Stepping-Stones to Improve upon Functioning of Participatory Agricultural Extention Progra
"The Farmer Field School (FFS) originated in the 1980s in the context of integrated pest management in Indonesian rice farming. With the hope that it is the remedy for agricultural extension system, FFS has been promoted as a tool for participatory learning and experimentation all over the world. This work results from a critical analysis of the introduction of the FFS concept into the agricultural innovation system in Uganda. Ideally, an FFS produces new technical knowledge in the context of application through the input of local human resources. The analysis, framed as a technography, shows that implementation and operation of an FFS is hugely complex. This detailed study of institutional factors, from the level of international donor organizations down to the level of local leadership and gender relations, and analysis of technical factors in different rural areas of Uganda makes clear that and FFS is more than a local tool for farmer participation in agricultural improvement. Implementation of a FFS requires adjustment of the agricultural innovation system at all levels and an integrated tackling of agricultural problems in order to meet its objectives. Isubikalu shows that it is imperative to 'demolish' existing organizational structures and create new ones, which align scientific with local structures to produce an appropriate people-centered system that is more responsive to agricultural and rural development. She provides stepping stones in redesigning FFS to fit the specific conditions in Uganda."
Dirt Hog
In today's market, range-rearing of swine provides the family farm with a key venture for diversification and cash flow-perhaps no other large animal enterprise offers as fast a turnaround on investment. Range-produced pork is now sought out by the informed consumer concerned with the issues of production and willing to pay a premium to get it. This comprehensive manual on raising hogs the natural way includes sections on housing and fencing, selection and breeding, herd maintenance, feeds and feeding, marketing and more.
Five Acres and Independence
"Five Acres" can be looked at as a gardening book or a mystical piece about living in harmony with nature.Everyone who has ever dreamed of getting back to the soil will derive from Maurice Grenville Kains' practical and easy-to-understand discussions a more complete view of what small-scale farming means. Countless readers of Five Acres and Independence have come away with specific projects to begin and moved closer to the fulfillment of their dreams of independence on a small farm.Whether you already own a suitable place or are still looking, Five Acres and Independence will help you learn to evaluate land for both its total economic and its specific agricultural possibilities. There are methods of calculating costs of permanent improvements-draining the land, improving soil, planting wind breaks, putting in septic tanks, cellars, irrigation systems, greenhouses, etc.-and methods of carrying out those improvements. There are suggestions for specific crops-strawberries, grapes, vegetables, orchards, spring, summer, and fall crops, transplanting, timing, repairing what already exists-with methods of deciding what is best for your land and purposes and techniques for making each of them pay. There are suggestions for animals for the small-scale farmer-goats, chickens, bees-and means of working them into your overall farm design. And there are suggestions for keeping your small farm in top production condition, methods of continually increasing the value of your farm, methods of marketing your produce and of accurately investing in improvements-virtually everything a small-scale farmer needs to know to make his venture economically sound.Some things, of course, have changed since 1940 when M. G. Kains revised Five Acres and Independence. But the basic down-to-earth advice of one of the most prominent men in American agriculture and the methods of farming the small-scale, pre-DDT farm are still essentially the same. Much of the information in this book was built on USDA and state farm bureau reports; almost all of it was personally tested by M. G. Kains, either on his own farms or on farms of the people who trusted him as an experienced consultant. His book went through more than 30 editions in the first 10 years after its original publication. It has helped countless small farmers attain their dreams, and it continues today as an exceptional resource for those who want to make their first farming attempt.
Roots of Change
Among the vast corporate and smaller family-sized farms and agribusinesses of Nebraska, the old pioneering spirit of entrepreneurship is rising again, this time in the form of sustainable and organic growers, cooperatives, artisans, and visionaries--those who seek to enhance the quality of life and ensure its future on the farm, in the community, and throughout the world. Mary Ridder profiles these enterprises in Roots of Change, a project that took her down Nebraska's highways and byways for more than two years as she sought out, interviewed, and photographed producers of meats and wines, makers of wood products, ethanol visionaries, the patrons of a community-owned grocery story, the folks behind the state's first year-round, locally produced food market, and the owners of a sheep's milk dairy turned soap business. The result is a map of the future for those who wish to regain control of, and add profit to, the products of their land and their labor.
Contracting For Sustainability
This publication explores how the international Nile perch fish chain should or can be organised to improve both welfare of local communities, sustainability of the fisheries and quality of the fish. Primary producers face a number of bottlenecks such as poor access to production facilities, ineffective enforcement of sustainable practices, lack of market (price) information, competition with international markets and degradation of the fisheries that lead to increasing food insecurity problems. In order to improve sustainability and quality, primary producers are open to contracts that enable them better access to production facilities and price information, and also to better integrate them into international channels. Sustainable practices can or should be part of these contracts. Although the downstream channel members and other stakeholders were not fully aware of the complexity and gravity of the upstream problems, they appeared to be willing to help to improve the situation at Lake Victoria. It is therefore a corporate social responsibility for the downstream channel members, as well as nature conservation organizations and the donor community, to empower the primary producers and local communities in developing countries to implement welfare, sustainability and quality-enhancing practices. This publication outlines several mechanisms to achieves these goals.
Fishponds in Farming Systems
"Throughout the last century, specialisation and intensification were buzz words for farmers in the Western world. However, this approach has not resulted in sustainable development as evidenced by the fact that scientists now need to create technologies to reduce negative impacts. In this book we demonstrate that an alternative exists. Case studies from Bangladesh, Thailand, and Vietnam show that integration and diversification increase both farm productivity and farmers' incomes. By adopting a participatory approach, farmers and scientists identified a range of technologies that strengthen the positive impacts of integrated aquaculture-agriculture systems for the environment. This book is a collection of refereed papers on a controversial subject in agricultural development. Arguing that sustainability of fish culture in ponds needs a new paradigm - feed the pond to grow fish - two chapters focus on nutrient cycling in such systems. Another chapter makes the case for breeding Nile tilapia for resource poor farmers and presents practical options to avoid the pitfalls that arise from natural tilapia mating in low-input ponds. The book contains chapters on livelihood and development aspects and ends with a general discussion completing the picture of the integrated aquaculture-agriculture systems. Overall it composes a review which addresses one of the key issues of the new century: how to sustainably produce food without compromising environmental integrity."
Utilisation And Conservation Of Farm Animal Genetic Resources
"The genetic diversity comprised in farm animal species and breeds is an important resource in livestock systems. For several reasons, within the different species used for food production, only a few breeds are developed towards high-output breeds fitting in high-input systems. In this process many breeds are set aside from the food producing livestock systems. These breeds will be faced with extinction unless new functions for these breeds are found. This is a real threat for the genetic diversity within species. This book is intended to give insight into the issues of the utilisation and conservation of farm animal genetic resources towards a broad group of readers interested in these subjects. The insight is presented as applications of population, molecular and quantitative genetics that can be used to take appropriate decisions in utilisation and conservation programmes. A previous edition of this book is a key resource in courses worldwide and cited in many scientific publications. The first two chapters discuss the decisions to be made in utilisation and conservation. Chapter 3 surveys the different ways in which the diversity we observe within a species can be characterised. Chapter 4 illustrates recent results using this theory for utilisation and conservation purposes. Chapters 5, 6 and 7 give theoretical backgrounds necessary to make decisions and chapters 8 and 9 present the operation and practical implications of selection and conservation schemes."
Nutrition And Feeding Of The Broodmare
"This publication deals with the broodmare, which is the key animal in the Equine chain. In the new competitive context of Equine Industry, the mare should foal a healthy offspring yearly at an optimum cost. The foal should be born and weaned at the accurate months of the year to fit the particular goals of production, i.e. races, sports or leisure horses. The improvement of knowledge of the biology of pregnancy and lactation on the one hand and of the nutrition and the interaction between nutrition and physiology of reproduction on the other hand is of major concern to the equine industry. The book is divided in six parts: - Pregnancy - Lactation - The foal - Feeding practices and pasture management - Nutrition and reproductive performances - Advances in reproductive biotechnologies Each part contains peer-reviewed contributions by well known experts. These materials are the second step of further discussion on the evaluation and prediction of the requirements of the different types of horses covered in the scope of the working group of the Horse commission of the European Association for Animal Production. All those concerned with husbandry and feeding systems in the equine industry will find this book a valuable resource. It serves as a reference point for scientists, veterinarians, adviser officers, and practioneers in the equine industry, as well as for teachers and students in equine science."
South American Camelids Research
"South American Camelids are receiving increased interest not only in South America but also on a worldwide scale. They possess some unique features such as their fine fibre and their high adaptivity to many climatic regions across the world. Apart from the important productive aspects, their physical attractiveness also makes them popular as pet animals. However there are still many gaps in the scientific literature with regard to South American Camelids. This collection of papers brings experience of both South American and European experts together. It considers current trends in reproduction, nutrition, health, fibre morphology and genetics and discusses as new topic aspects of the potential of meat production and commercialization in South America. The particular advantages of South American Camelids for the sustainable use of fragile ecosystems with native pastures are outlined. Round tables discussions focus on the interaction between wild and domestic species, the management of alpaca populations outside of South America and health aspects under European conditions. South American Research is aimed at scientists and animal breeders as well as students studying veterinary, animal and applied biological sciences."
Grass-Fed Cattle
Successfully raise grass-fed cattle and enjoy the benefits of great-tasting beef and a financially stable enterprise. In this comprehensive guide, Julius Ruechel covers every aspect of raising healthy and thriving grass-fed cattle, offering advice on herd selection, pasture management, medical care, necessary equipment, winter grazing, slaughtering procedures, and more. With tips on creating a viable business plan and identifying niche markets for your beef, Ruechel provides everything you need to know to develop a profitable and environmentally sustainable grass-fed cattle operation.
Farm Management And Extension Needs In Central And Eastern European Countries Under The EU
"The introduction of a quota system has a large impact on the development of the agricultural sector, the agro-business and individual farms. In April 2004 the Central and Eastern European (CEE) Countries entering the EU had to implement a quota system for milk. It requires institution building, setting up administrative procedures, choices of the system, choice of priority groups, handling of butterfat reference, dealing with a national reserve, control aspects, quota transfer, farm management aspects and communication to farmers. All early attention at national levels has been given to the administrative aspects of milk quota systems. Communication to farmers about the system and the effects on farm management is often neglected. This publication hopes to fill this gap and wants to stimulate attention on farm management and extension efforts. It presents an overview of papers from ""old"" countries and country reports from new EU countries. They all contain information about expected structural changes due to the quota system, effects on farm management, extension needs in this area and challenges in years ahead. Impressions from 7 other CEE non EU countries are also included. This book gives an extensive and unique overview of the dairy situation in the Central and Eastern European countries in the year of the enlargement of the EU and a view into the future in this regard."
The Oysters of Locmariaquer
Winner of the National Book Award"What an elegant book this is, starting with that most elegant of creatures, the Belon oyster. . . . [Clark's] fantastic blending of science and art, history and journalism, brings the appetite back for life and literature both." -- Los Angeles Times Book ReviewOn the northwest coast of France, just around the corner from the English Channel, is the little town of Locmariaquer (pronounced "loc-maria-care"). The inhabitants of this town have a special relationship to the world, for it is their efforts that maintain the supply of the famous Belon oysters, called les plates ("the flat ones"). A vivid account of the cultivation of Belon oysters and an excursion into the myths, legends, and rich, vibrant history of Brittany and its extraordinary people, The Oysters of Locmariaquer is also an unforgettable journey to the heart of a fascinating culture and the enthralling, accumulating drama of a unique devotion.
NOLS Wilderness Ethics
New edition of a NOLS classic; the definitive book on environmental ethics and their relation to managing wildlands An excellent introduction to all relevant federal agencies and legislation Objectively examines various perspectives on difficult ethical questions Originally published in 1992 as An Introduction to Wildland Ethics and Management, this fully revised and updated edition is a powerful tool for understanding the challenges facing wilderness in the United States today. Beginning with the premise that land management must be informed by a well-developed wilderness ethic, the authors delve into some of the thorniest problems in environmental ethics, exploring them in clear, straightforward language: What is wilderness? Why should it be protected? Do animals have rights? Do trees? When should wilderness concerns trump individual priorities? The book also provides a fascinating history of the wilderness movement in America and gives a comprehensive survey of the legislation and agency structures that define wildlands management today. Essential reading for land managers, activists, policymakers, or anyone else who cares about the future of wilderness in the United States.
The Meat You Eat
We may be gambling with our lives whenever we purchase meat, milk, or eggs in a supermarket and every time we order a burger at a fast-food restaurant, because agribusinesses have allowed unsafe and unhealthy products to be sold and consumed by an unsuspecting public. The Meat You Eat explains what you should know about how the quality of our food has been greatly compromised in the name of productivity and profit. With large corporations controlling the food supply not only has our health been put at risk but the practices these companies undertake to mass-produce foods has lead to inhumane treatment of animals, lack of diversity in the food supply, as well as put a strain on the environment. Ken Midkiff argues that there are actions consumers can take. While eating a vegan or vegetarian diet is an option there are ways to keep meat, fish, eggs and more on our plates. We can use and support local farmers and sustainable farming, and demand that our supermarkets and restaurants sell organically grown, free-range, and local products. Featuring a resource guide to sustainable producers of meat, milk, and eggs across the country, The Meat You Eat is a call to arms to change the way we eat.
Fertility from the Ocean Deep
With the recent republication of Dr. Maynard Murray's Sea Energy Agriculture, readers rediscovered the forgotten legacy of an eco-ag pioneer. Murray's idea - that ocean water contains a concentrated, perfect balance of trace minerals in bioavailable form - seems almost as revolutionary today as when he introduced it 30 years ago. In this fascinating book, Charles Walters examines Murray's career and the amazing successes that growers have experienced with his methods, as well as further developments in this technology by creative experimenters.Using hard data obtained in the field, Walters demonstrates that sea-solids fertilizers produce stress-resistant plants and food with naturally extended shelf life and vastly increased nutrient levels. Both an amazing narrative and a practical guide for improving soil and crop health, Fertility from the Ocean Deep is a must-read for everyone interested in the cutting edge of agriculture.
Knowledge Transfer in Cattle Husbandry
"This book addresses the principles of knowledge transfer and presents a wide scale of applications. Effective knowledge utilization requires that insights developed in the animal sciences are combined with social science approaches. That is accomplished in this book. The applications focus on the adoption of new management practices in cattle husbandry. In animal sciences the emphasis is generally on the technical and zoological know-how. The organizational and personal dimensions are too often neglected as critical factors to success. Organizational aspects deserve credit, because the results of research must often be implemented in a complex chain of producer and consumer oriented organisations. Personal aspects such as attitudes and views towards the future significantly determine the chance of adopting innovations. In this book these dimensions also receive some attention. Some more theoretical papers are followed by practical examples of implementations in the field and by descriptions of extension networks and services. A large variety of papers is presented: from the power of the researcher and consultant through the power of data banks to the power of the client and producer in the dissemination process; thus from input driven to demand driven. This book is of importance to all who deal in some way with knowledge exchange and transfer."
Pastoral Systems In Marginal Environments
Pastoral systems are some of the most fragile human ecosystems that exist and are under threat from the expansion of cultivation, changes in social patterns and climate change. These ecosystems are of major importance since they contain a rich biological and cultural diversity. The aim of the book is to take a holistic view of pastoral systems by bringing together papers written by specialists in plant and animal ecology with an interest in the application of their research with papers taking an economic and social perspective. The focus is on marginal environments where the issues are in greatest relief with the papers tackling key issues in semi-arid and disadvantaged temperate areas. The key issues relate to identifying the biological constraints of these pastoral systems, understanding soil/plant/animal relationships, exploring biodiversity, landscape and social issues in multi-functional systems and providing solutions to constraints through a number of case studies. By comparing and contrasting these two environments, the book will be taking a completely new approach to understanding how pastoral systems function and how they will evolve in the future. The book is of value to all those with an interest in pastoral systems by providing an up-to-date account of current understanding of these multi-functional systems and new insights into how they function and how they will develop in the future.
Nutrient Management In Agricultural Watersheds
Nutrient enrichment of water resources by inputs of nitrogen and phosphorus, which can lead to eutrophication is still a water quality problem in agriculturally dominated watersheds around the world. Internationally, wetlands both constructed and natural are increasingly being used to help reduce both point and non-point source nutrient and contaminant loss from agricultural practices. This publication contains papers presented at the international symposium on "Nutrient Management in Agricultural Watersheds: A Wetlands Solution," which was held during May, 2004 in Wexford, Ireland. The symposium was the result of an international collaboration between the Teagasc Research Centre, Johnstown Castle, Ireland, National Parks and Wildlife, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Ireland and the Soil and Water Science Department at the University of Florida, Gainesville, USA. These proceedings cover aspects of water quality within agricultural watersheds; management practices to mitigate contaminant and nutrient loss from agriculture; wetland biogeochemistry; wetland functions and values within agricultural dominated landscapes; case studies of wetlands used to retain nutrient and contaminant loss from agriculture; and finally some management and policy issues concerning wetlands are presented. This book provides a good interdisciplinary synthesis of international experiences both in Europe and the USA on the use of wetlands within agricultural watersheds.
Crop Systems Dynamics
"This book presents a generic process-based crop growth model, GECROS (Genotype-by-Environment interaction on CROp growth Simulator), recently developed in Wageningen. The model uses robust yet simple algorithms to summarize the current knowledge of individual physiological processes and their interactions and feedback mechanisms. It was structured from the basics of whole-crop systems dynamics to embody the physiological causes rather than descriptive algorithms of the emergent consequences. It also attempts to model each process at a consistent level of detail, so that no area is overemphasized and similarly no area is treated in a trivial manner. Main attention has been paid to interactive aspects in crop growth such as photosynthesis-transpiration coupling via stomatal conductance, carbon-nitrogen interaction on leaf area index, functional balance between shoot and root activities, and interplay between source supply and sink demand on reserve formation and remobilization. GECROS combines robust model algorithm, high computational efficiency, and accurate model output with minimum number of input parameters that require periodical destructive sampling to estimate."
Optimisation Of Nutrient Cycling And Soil Quality For Sustainable Grasslands
This book brings together two aspects of grassland soil management which, by and large, have hitherto been considered separately. Issues related to nutrient cycling and soil quality have dominated research directed towards aiding broad and local scale policy issues for improving land use. Protecting the environment and maintaining/preserving natural habitats and biodiversity, tend to be considered separately. In this book we attempt to bring what are, in reality, inseparable aspects of grassland soil characteristics together and consider physical, chemical and biological components of soils, their interrelations and the way that they influence nutrient transformations and flows and soil quality. Keynote discussions will be lead by the following experts: Physical constraints and drivers: Professor Iain Young, Abertay University, Scotland Biological aspects: Professor Tim Seastedt, University of Colorado at Boulder, USA Chemical aspects: Dr Mike Beare from Crop and Food, Research, Lincoln New Zealand Over-arching synopsis of these issues: Professor Richard Bardgett, Lancaster University, UK. Bringing together international expertise and experience does much to progress understanding and points ways forward to maintain what is a base resource, our soils, whether it be for production targets, environmental benefit or for maintenance of natural ecosystems for future generations. This volume is useful to all those interested in soils and their function, and all grassland managers, whether their aims are directed at producing food, forage or fibre of sustainable quantity and quality or at maintaining, restoring or encouraging above and below ground biodiversity. The international perspective on this is very important so that experiences in wide ranging circumstances can be cross-referenced and used to the advantage of all.
Molecular breeding for the genetic improvement of forage crops and Turf
Grassland covers 26% of the world's total land area. It produces feed for livestock; maintains soil fertility; protects and conserves soil and water resources; creates a habitat for wildlife; provides recreational space for sport and leisure and contributes to the general landscape. This book provides an up-to-date account of progress and potential in the genetic improvement of grassland to meet all needs. It encompasses work on a wide range of temperate and tropical grassland species (including grasses, clovers and other forage legumes) and will interest all those concerned with grassland use in livestock-based agriculture, recreation, environmental protection, bio-industry etc. Specifically, it demonstrates how recent advances in molecular techniques are being used to develop breeding objectives and strategies with key-note papers on: Objectives and benefits of molecular breeding, Linkage/physical mapping and map-based cloning, QTL analysis and trait dissection, Genomics, model species, gene discovery and functional analysis, Use of molecular markers and bioinformatics for breeding, Molecular genetics and breeding of endosymbiont and grass/legume associations, Transgenics, Genetic diversity, breeding systems and resources Future directions for research and breeding. State-of-the-art molecular techniques and resources are described that encompass a unique range of expertise in genetic mapping, trait dissection, comparative genomics, bioinformatics, gene discovery and risk assessment. Examples of work in progress or recently completed are provided from across the world. The book has broad educational value and will interest plant geneticists and breeders as well as grassland users and policy makers.
Silage Production And Utilisation
"This book is essential reading for all those involved in forage conservation and provides a fascinating insight into current practices and the science underpinning forage conservation. Key subject areas include opportunities to enhance the fermentation process through crop manipulation prior to ensiling and the use of bacterial additives applied during ensiling. Latest developments in techniques for chemical and biological characterisation of silages are reviewed, including grass silage, alternative forages (whole crop wheat and maize silage) and tropical forages. The book also focuses on current developments in feeding of beef and dairy cattle with conserved forage with particular emphasis on factors influencing intake, digestion and animal performance. Overall this is an important reference book, which provides an excellent overview of current developments in forage conservation and utilization of conserved forage in animal production systems."
Innovation in agri-food Systems
This is a fully rewritten and extended version of the successful first edition of a textbook which focuses on consumer-driven food product innovation using a systems-oriented approach. It integrates marketing and consumer sciences with technological aspects such as processing, logistics and information technology, and presents an integrated view of how new food product development is to be situated in a chain-oriented approach. Attention is also paid to the impact of changes in the environment of the agri-food system on food innovation, such as the changing consumer, the growing concern about food safety and new insights in human nutrition. Topics covered include changing markets, consumer perception of product quality, quality function deployment, the use of new and improved technology in food production, logistics and information technology, the role of regulation and legislation, quality management and control systems such as HACCP and TQM. The chapters of the first edition have been updated and extended. New chapters have been added, on consumer behaviour, corporate strategy, food safety and nutritional aspects of food innovation. Researchers and professionals in the food industry as well as students of food science, food technology and management will find this publication provides valuable information on the latest developments in the product innovation by agri-food systems.
Foot And Mouth Disease
"A Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak is not by definition similar to a Foot and Mouth Disease crisis. Why then did the 2001 outbreak result in a crisis situation in the Netherlands? It was not because nobody was prepared for it. The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries had a scenario in stock. The scenario was applied as intended. The scenario did what it was supposed to do: it prevented the spreading of the disease, it resulted in a relatively soon eradication of the disease and it minimised damage to agricultural exports. Nevertheless, the crisis was there. ""Foot and Mouth Disease: new values, innovative research agenda's and policies"" reports a process in which individuals and groups involved in the crisis participated in a joint analysis of what caused the crisis, and in the making of a policy and research agenda. The conclusion was that ignorance of the societal function of animals and countryside was the cause of the crisis: the scenario focussed on Foot and Mouth Disease control in a production-oriented environment. In reality many people perceived that the scenario and its rigid application threatened nonproduction values such as the companion role of animals and the recreation function of the landscape. Inevitably a next outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease will occur. However, research and policy makers should seriously take up this perception of animals and countryside to prevent an outbreak of becoming a deep crisis again."
Nutrition Of The Performance Horse
This publication contains the proceedings of the 1st biannual European Workshop on Equine Nutrition. It includes outlines of the recommended allowances for equines for energy and nitrogen nutrition intake in various European countries (France, Germany, Nordic countries and The Netherlands), where INRA or NRC systems are used. These outlines are given as main reports. Secondly, the book includes a synthesis on intake regulations, which is also given as a main report. Finally, the book contains the minutes of the different round tables conducted on energy, nitrogen and intake. All these materials provide a very good basis for further discussion of the scope of the working group on Equine Nutrition of the horse commission of the European Association for Animal Production.
Decision Support Systems in Potato Production
Models of crop growth and development were conceived originally for scientific purposes. Typically, they describe the mechanisms of crop production, development from emergence through tuber initiation to senescence determined by temperature and day-length. Growth is driven by solar radiation intercepted by the foliage. Yields are enhanced by the availability of water and nutrients and may be reduced by pests, diseases and weeds. The scientific models describing the processes involved are leaving the research institutes and increasingly are becoming a means of knowledge transfer for students, and most importantly, to growers and their intermediaries such as extensionists and consultants. Many decision support systems (DSS) have a mechanistic model core that assures their robustness and reliability. This book gives an overview of model-based DSS in potato production. Decision support systems are used by the processing industry to guide them to promising production areas and by breeders to identify the ideal genotype for such environments. Consultants and soil laboratories use them as well as farmers to optimize the use of nitrogen, water and chemicals to control insects, nematodes, late blight and weeds. The systems, making use of models and sensing techniques, improve yield and quality while allowing their users to improve the efficiency of use of resources, thus generating positive effects for profits and for the environment. The book also gives examples of new introductions of DSS and farmers responses. The book is intended for researchers wanting to bring their models to practice, students to learn bout DSS, intermediaries and growers to improve the performance of the potato industry or of other commodities for which potato serves as an example.
Citrus
Citrus is a very ancient crop known to have existed for over 4000 years. This book is an effort to present Citrus comprehensively. It aims at the holistic way-integrating Production and Utilization of Citrus.
ABIOTIC DISORDERS OF LANDSCAPE PLANTS
This book contains a wealth of information to help you diagnose disorders caused by environmental, physiological, or other nonbiological factors such as injury, water or nutrient deficiencies, salinty, pH, and more. A must-have for every serious gardener and landscape pro!
The Soy Zone: 101 Delicious and Easy-to-Prepare Recipes
As America is finding out, soy is the most complete and versatile protein in existence. It has no cholesterol or saturated fat but plenty of vitamins and fiber and offers amazing health benefits for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Based on the simple idea that food is your best medicine, The Soy Zone shows you how to maintain peak mental alertness, increase your energy, and reduce the likelihood of chronic disease -- all while losing excess body fat. Dr. Barry Sears brings all the life-enhancing benefits of the Zone to a mouthwatering collection of delicious soy-based Zone meals, featuring: Soy Zone-perfect breakfasts, lunches, appetizers, dinners, and snacksAppetizing new recipes from top chefs, such as Red Bean Chill, Hong Kong Burger, and Soy Zone-friendly Vegetarian Pad ThaiThe ultimate healthful food plan, with quick and easy fat-burning alternatives to dangerous high-carb dietsAn exercise and longevity plan for men and womenHelpful recommendations for Soy Zoning your kitchenA scientifically proven plan for achieving perfect hormonal balance while losing weight
Some More Horse Tradin'
From the same corral that produced the widely loved Horse Tradin', Ben K. Green has rounded up fifteen new yarns filled with the ornery yet irresistible style that has earned his books a place in classic Western Americana.Some More Horse Tradin' recounts the dealings of a whole slew of craggy old-timers and rangy characters. See them match wits as they trade well-bred mares, snorty-like range colts, and used-to-be-bad horses from the tumbleweed plains. Admire the old-time knavery, skill, and salesmanship in such tales as "Gittin' Even," "Brethren Horse Traders," "Mule Schoolin'," and "Water Treatment and the Sore-Tailed Bronc." Ride along with Green, and he'll tell you what he knows about horseflesh--but keep your wits about you, and hang on to your wallet.
R.F.D.
"This book," the author tells us in his preface, "is intended to be a picture of life on a farm in Southern Ohio in the 1930s." It is a faithful portrait of farm life as thousands of men and women experienced it from one end of the country to the other and from pioneering times to the present century. Originally published in 1938 to enthusiastic reviews and commercial success, RFD is the story of one couple's trials with leaving the comforts of city life for a chance to get back to the land. From his farm near Chillicothe, Ohio, Charles Allen Smart gives a realistic rendering of what it meant to farm in the 1930s. It is part of the book's intrinsic honesty that it could not be as good as Walden. Thoreau had worked out a philosophy that suited him and that he was ready to recommend to others. Mr. Smart had no prescription for the general ailments, beyond a belief that creating things is important and that owning, buying, and selling things are unimportant. What he tells us throughout this unusual book is that for him life on this particular farm, in this particular house, with this particular set-up of friends, neighbors, dogs, sheep, hens, cattle, trees, corn, vegetables, grass, and weather, costs less in human values than life in New York City-or in Chillicothe. Ohio University Press is especially pleased to reissue this midwestern classic with a new foreword by noted farm writer Gene Logsdon.
Cato
Cato wrote the earliest surviving complete work of Latin prose literature and it was this treatise, De agricultura a book of instruction about the cultivation of vines, olives and fruit, the management of slaves and contract labour, the rituals consequent on ownership and even cookery for humans and the pharmacy. Because of its date, the 2nd century BC, it is a particularly important resource for students of Latin and of early Roman society as well as, of course, enthusiasts of cookery, for these are the first recipes to have survived in the Latin language. Andrew Dalby has provided an intelligent, accurate, modern translation of the Latin, which is here printed as a parallel text. The English is fully annotated to enable better understanding of the terms and references in Cato's writing. Many comparisons are drawn with later Roman authors to elucidate this difficult, yet important text. The introduction places the man and his work in context and discusses specific problems of textural arrangement and organization and agricultural practice. There are several drawings to aid appreciation of Cato's descriptions of buildings and equipment.
Field Guide to Cows: How to Identify and Appreciate America's 52 Breeds
In A Field Guide to Cows, John Pukite provides all the facts-so even the novice can identify and get to know America's fifty-two breeds of cattle. Every entry in this entertaining yet completely usable book features an illustration that highlights each breed's most easily identifiable traits, such as coloration pattern and body shape. The book includes a checklist of breeds so the die-hard cow watcher can keep track of sightings, a list of essential garb and gear for cow watching, a glossary of terms, a listing of breeder associations, and more. Fascinating cow trivia is interspersed throughout. Informative, amazing, and amusing, A Field Guide to Cows is the indispensable companion for would-be cow tippers, farmers, city folk, agriculturalists, interstate drivers, 4-H'ers, vacationing families, and everyone who likes to moo at cows.Cow FactsThere are approximately 350 squirts in a gallon of milkOld cows in India have their own nursing homesFrom 1866 to 1895 cowboys drove about 10,000,000 cattle out of Texas
Salad Bar Beef
In a day when beef is assailed by many environmental organizations and lauded by fast-food chains, a new paradigm to bring reason to this confusion is in order. With farmers leaving the land in droves and plows poised to "reclaim" set-aside acres, it is time to offer an alternative that is both land and farmer friendly. Beyond that, the salad bar beef production model offers hope to rural communities, to struggling row-crop farmers, and to frustrated beef eaters who do not want to encourage desertification, air and water pollution, environmental degradation and inhumane animal treatment. Because this is a program weighted toward creativity, management, entrepreneurism and observation, it breathes fresh air into farm economics.
Beyond Farmer First
The purpose of this book is to reveal how agricultural research and extension, far from being discrete, rational acts, are in fact part of a process of coming to terms with conflicting interests and viewpoints, a process in which choices are made, alliances formed, exclusions effected, and worldviews imposed.
