Nutritional research to meet future challenges

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 329 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. P. Poppi ◽  
S. R. McLennan
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Ecology ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Mineral Metabolism ◽  
Fibre Production ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
Animal Management ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Protein Diets ◽  
Weight For Age

Nutrition is a mature science with well established principles for energy, protein and mineral metabolism based on known metabolic pathways. The quantitative requirements are summarised within various international feeding standards and models. However, when these are applied to specific circumstances, especially in northern Australia, the response of the animal to nutrient supply does not always agree with that predicted from the feeding standards or the error of prediction is not sufficiently accurate for practical use. There is a need for the continual testing of these relationships within production systems. Molecular methods have the potential to discover new metabolic relationships within tissues and characterise the microbial ecology and its relationship to rumen function. Suitable problem models based on growth, meat quality, reproduction, milk and fibre production, and environmental consequences need to be identified. We suggest that production systems designed to meet market weight for age specifications, growth paths and compensatory growth, skeletal growth, parasites, fatty acid isomers, adaptation to low crude protein diets, rumen microbial ecology, epigenetics, remote data acquisition and animal management, greenhouse gas emission, and C balance of various production systems are important problem models, the research of which will benefit the future of the livestock industries in Australia.

scholarly journals The Italian Wine Sector: Evolution, Structure, Competitiveness and Future Challenges of an Enduring Leader

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugenio Pomarici ◽  
Alessandro Corsi ◽  
Simonetta Mazzarino ◽  
Roberta Sardone
Keyword(s):  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
International Markets ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Italian Wine ◽  
Diamond Model ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Wine Sector ◽  
European Policies ◽  
Average Size

AbstractThe Italian wine supply chain has performed well in recent decades both in terms of profitability and success on the domestic and international markets. This is despite the fact that it is fragmented in terms of products, prices and consumption context, and, in particular, despite the fact that it is characterised by an organisation that hinders the full exploitation of economies of scale. This paradox has not been investigated in literature. We propose several elements in support of the hypothesis that the Italian wine sector’s success is linked to favourable elements of the Porter Diamond Model (5 out of 6) but also to the “district” nature of a large part of the sector. The presence of numerous networks, some of which are formal and others informal, gives most Italian local production systems specialising in grapes and wine the characteristics of industrial districts, due to the local social capital that is stratified there. These networks include operators such as Cooperatives and Consorzi di Tutela, upstream and downstream industries and services, tourism, research and educational bodies. Such networks can overcome the weakness represented by the low concentration and small average size of the operators. To support this hypothesis, we analyse the historical evolution of the sector and its drivers, the structural features of the different phases of the wine chain (grape growing, winemaking, bottling and distribution), the market relationships within the chain and the national and European policies favouring the sector. This analysis also underlines the differences between the Italian sector and its competitors from the Old and New World.

Life cycle environmental consequences of grass-fed and dairy beef production systems in the Northeastern United States

2017 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 1619-1628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole E. Tichenor ◽  
Christian J. Peters ◽  
Gregory A. Norris ◽  
Greg Thoma ◽  
Timothy S. Griffin
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Northeastern United States ◽  
Environmental Consequences

scholarly journals A partial life cycle assessment approach to evaluate the energy intensity and related greenhouse gas emission in dairy farms

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (2s) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lelia Murgia ◽  
Giuseppe Todde ◽  
Maria Caria ◽  
Antonio Pazzona
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Dairy Farming ◽  
Feeding Management

Dairy farming is constantly evolving towards more intensive levels of mechanization and automation which demand more energy consumption and result in higher economic and environmental costs. The usage of fossil energy in agricultural processes contributes to climate change both with on-farm emissions from the combustion of fuels, and by off-farm emissions due to the use of grid power. As a consequence, a more efficient use of fossil resources together with an increased use of renewable energies can play a key role for the development of more sustainable production systems. The aims of this study were to evaluate the energy requirements (fuels and electricity) in dairy farms, define the distribution of the energy demands among the different farm operations, identify the critical point of the process and estimate the amount of CO2 associated with the energy consumption. The inventory of the energy uses has been outlined by a partial Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach, setting the system boundaries at the farm level, from cradle to farm gate. All the flows of materials and energy associated to milk production process, including crops cultivation for fodder production, were investigated in 20 dairy commercial farms over a period of one year. Self-produced energy from renewable sources was also accounted as it influence the overall balance of emissions. Data analysis was focused on the calculation of energy and environmental sustainability indicators (EUI, CO2-eq) referred to the functional units. The production of 1 kg of Fat and Protein Corrected Milk (FPCM) required on average 0.044 kWhel and 0.251 kWhth, corresponding to a total emission of 0.085 kg CO2-eq). The farm activities that contribute most to the electricity requirements were milk cooling, milking and slurry management, while feeding management and crop cultivation were the greatest diesel fuel consuming operation and the largest in terms of environmental impact of milk production (73% of energy CO2-eq emissions). The results of the study can assist in the development of dairy farming models based on a more efficient and profitable use of the energy resources.

Principles of integrated agricultural systems: Introduction to processes and definition

2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (04) ◽  
pp. 265-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Hendrickson ◽  
J.D. Hanson ◽  
Donald L. Tanaka ◽  
Gretchen Sassenrath
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
World Population ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Hierarchical Systems ◽  
Management Philosophy ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Systems Framework ◽  
Integrated Agricultural Systems

AbstractAgriculture has been very successful in addressing the food and fiber needs of today's world population. However, there are increasing concerns about the economic, environmental and social costs of this success. Integrated agricultural systems may provide a means to address these concerns while increasing sustainability. This paper reviews the potential for and challenges to integrated agricultural systems, evaluates different agricultural systems in a hierarchical systems framework, and provides definitions and examples for each of the systems. This paper also describes the concept of dynamic-integrated agricultural systems and calls for the development of principles to use in developing and researching integrated agricultural systems. The concepts in this paper have arisen from the first in a series of planned workshops to organize common principles, criteria and indicators across physiographic regions in integrated agricultural systems. Integrated agricultural systems have multiple enterprises that interact in space and time, resulting in a synergistic resource transfer among enterprises. Dynamic-integrated agricultural systems have multiple enterprises managed in a dynamic manner. The key difference between dynamic-integrated agricultural systems and integrated agricultural systems is in management philosophy. In an integrated agricultural system, management decisions, such as type and amount of commodities to produce, are predetermined. In a dynamic-integrated system, decisions are made at the most opportune time using the best available knowledge. We developed a hierarchical scheme for agricultural systems ranging from basic agricultural production systems, which are the simplest system with no resource flow between enterprises, to dynamic-integrated agricultural systems. As agricultural systems move up in the hierarchy, their complexity, amount of management needed, and sustainability also increases. A key aspect of sustainability is the ability to adapt to future challenges. We argue that sustainable systems need built-in flexibility to achieve this goal.

Commercial equine production in New Zealand. 2. Growth and development of the equine athlete

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (18) ◽  
pp. 2155
Author(s):  
Chris W. Rogers ◽  
Erica K. Gee ◽  
Charlotte F. Bolwell ◽  
Sarah M. Rosanowski
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Musculoskeletal System ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Energy Requirement ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Young Stock ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Commercial Farms

During the past 20 years, there has been a contraction in the New Zealand Thoroughbred industry and, to a lesser extent, within the Standardbred industry. These changes have seen an increasing proportion of the market being associated with fewer larger commercial farms. Many of these farms manage their own mares, and the mares and foals of several clients. This, in turn, has increased the similarity of the management of breeding and young stock within New Zealand. The temperate climate allows the majority of the management of breeding and young stock to be pasture based. The predominant pasture is ryegrass–clover mix that has been demonstrated to provide adequate nutrition for growth and development. The temperate climate also permits management of horses at pasture year round, which is proposed to stimulate development of the musculoskeletal system. Apart from a brief period during weaning, most young stock remain at pasture from birth until the start of yearling preparation. Free access to pasture exercise provides the opportunity to stimulate the musculoskeletal system for the future challenges as a racehorse. The export focus of many of the equine industries heavily influences the management decisions. Despite the availability of good-quality pasture post-weaning, many foals receive up to 50% of the daily dietary energy requirement as concentrates, possibly reflecting the emphasis on early sales as yearlings and the drive to optimise growth. The observations of drench resistance of common internal parasites presents an emerging problem for pasture-based production systems. A large proportion of the Thoroughbred foal crop is exported as yearlings or ready to run 2-year-olds. There is an increasing trend for Standardbreds to be sold as yearlings and this has resulted in changes in the management of Standardbred young stock.

scholarly journals Application of gene expression studies in livestock production systems: a European perspective

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 701 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Cassar-Malek ◽  
B. Picard ◽  
C. Bernard ◽  
J.-F. Hocquette
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Animal Physiology ◽  
Animal Management ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Expression Studies ◽  
Gene Expression Studies

In the context of sustainable agriculture and animal husbandry, understanding animal physiology remains a major challenge in the breeding and production of livestock, especially to develop animal farming systems that respond to the new and diversified consumer demand. Physiological processes depend on the expression of many genes acting in concert. Considerable effort has been expended in recent years on examining the mechanisms controlling gene expression and their regulation by biological and external factors (e.g. genetic determinants, nutritional factors, and animal management). Two main strategies have been developed to identify important genes. The first one has focussed on the expression of candidate genes for key physiological pathways at the level of both the transcripts and proteins. An original strategy has emerged with the advent of genomics that addresses the same issues through the examination of the molecular signatures of all genes and proteins using high-throughput techniques (e.g. transcriptomics and proteomics). In this review, the application of the gene expression studies in livestock production systems is discussed. Some practical examples of genomics applied to livestock production systems (e.g. to optimise animal nutrition, meat quality or animal management) are presented, and their outcomes are considered. In the future, integration of the knowledge gained from these studies will finally result in optimising livestock production systems through detection of desirable animals and their integration into accurate breeding programs or innovative management systems.

scholarly journals A review of Brazilian agro-industrial pig farming systems: environmental impacts and applied anaerobic digestion processes with mineral additives

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e6811121720
Author(s):  
Hellen Luisa de Castro e Silva ◽  
Regina Mambeli Barros ◽  
Ivan Felipe Silva dos Santos ◽  
Electo Eduardo Silva Lora ◽  
Marco Aurélio Kondracki de Alcântara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Organic Load ◽  
Polluted Water ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
Pig Farming ◽  
Mineral Additives

The agro-industrial systems comprise activities which transform raw materials of agricultural, aquacultural, livestock and forestry industries from primary production stages to consumption. Pig farming stands out in national and international markets for agro-industrial processes such as slaughtering and meat processing. Although this sector positively contributes to the economies of several countries, the high flow of waste resulting from implementing integrated production systems has led to serious environmental consequences (e.g.,  polluted water bodies and Greenhouse Gases - GHGs emissions). Among the treatment methods, anaerobic digestion reduces the organic load of biomass in the absence of oxygen, generating biogas and organic fertilizer. However, there are limitations associated with high CH4 variability and low yield, resulting a minimal and slow implementation in Brazil. Some research has reported the use of mineral additives to optimize the digestion process. This study comprises a bibliographic review of pig farming systems and production models, followed by an analysis on a global scale and environmental consequences. It is also discussed the use of additive minerals which have been applied in anaerobic digestion of swine manure as well as some prospects for global advances with opportunities to mitigate GHGs and bottlenecks. Despite being a promising technology, detailed evaluations of the use of these additives and their implementation in treatment plants must still be carried out in such a way to understand the optimization of such process.

scholarly journals Land Concentration, Land Grabbing and Sustainable Development of Agriculture in Romania

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 2137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasile Burja ◽  
Attila Tamas-Szora ◽  
Iulian Bogdan Dobra
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Land Grabbing ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
Sustainable Performance ◽  
Political Concern

Land grabbing has become a priority topic in academic research and a political concern, due to interests in the dynamics of the phenomenon and its negative impact on the sustainable development of agriculture in rural areas. This phenomenon generates changes in production systems of agriculture with adverse environmental consequences, adversely affects socio-economic and cultural conditions and leads to lower overall efficiency in agriculture. This article analyses the links between land concentration, land grabbing and sustainable development of agriculture in Romania compared to other old and new EU-28 countries. The results of the research show that the land grabbing in Romania has a significant dimension compared to the other countries analyzed, which has led to an inadequate agrarian structure and adverse effects on the sustainable performance of agricultural holdings and the sustainable development of rural areas.

Starch and protein digestive dynamics in low-protein diets supplemented with crystalline amino acids

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (11) ◽  
pp. 2250 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Y. Liu ◽  
P. H. Selle
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Commercial Chicken ◽  
Crystalline Amino Acids ◽  
Protein Diets

Digestive dynamics of starch and protein is defined as digestion of starch and protein, absorption of glucose and amino acids from the gut lumen and their transition across enterocytes to enter the portal circulation. Digestive dynamics consider the extent, rate and site of nutrient digestion along the small intestine and the bilateral, post-enteral bioavailability of glucose and amino acids. The underlying premise is that glucose and amino acids should be made available in appropriately balanced quantities at the sites of protein synthesis for efficient protein deposition and growth performance. Previous studies have suggested that feed conversion efficiency may be enhanced by rapidly digestible protein and that crystalline amino acids could be considered sources of ‘rapid protein’. At present, crystalline lysine, methionine and threonine are routinely included in broiler diets; moreover, an increasing array of both essential and non-essential crystalline amino acids is becoming commercially available. Despite unrestricted feed access in commercial chicken-meat production systems during the period of illumination, it appears that the intermittent feed consumption patterns of broiler chickens still provide scope for asynchronies in digestion and absorption of nutrients, which affects broiler performance. A better understanding of the post-enteral, bilateral bioavailability of glucose and amino acids in low-protein diets containing high levels of synthetic amino acids is clearly desirable and this applies equally to the relationship between crystalline and protein-bound amino acids.

scholarly journals Herd dynamics reflect constraints for pig production and farmer attitudes in smallholder systems in Lao PDR

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (11) ◽  
pp. 2158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tassilo T. Tiemann ◽  
Ammaly Phengvilaysouk ◽  
Soukanh Keonouchanh
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Pig Production ◽  
Animal Management ◽  
Herd Dynamics ◽  
Market Opportunities ◽  
Pig Management ◽  
Pass Through

A field intervention and 17 months’ monitoring of pig herd dynamics in seven villages in Northern Laos was conducted. The collected data show for the first time herd dynamics based on quantitative data. They show that dynamics follow a regular cyclic pattern based on the general farm management approach applied by farmers, which lacks a specific pig management focus. Interventions aimed at improving animal management and nutrition were far less successful than envisioned but revealed major conflicts in perception between implementers and farmers. Farmers did not shift their focus to pig production as major income-generating activity as envisioned by implementers. Nevertheless, despite only partially improved systems, farrowing and animal growth rates were increased among committed farmers, whereas death rates have decreased. However, our quantitative data show a significant number of constraints reflected in the way how animals enter, pass through and leave smallholder production systems. Disease and disease prevention, as well as animal feeding are the two dominant hindrances to improved production. Both these obstacles are rather related to a lack of focus on animal production and therefore animal requirements than to an inherent lack of understanding. To increase interest though, poor income opportunities due to lacking market opportunities will have to be tackled. However, even with an incomplete transition from a traditional to an improved system, overall production increased by 600% in committed farmers with an about equivalent increase in income from this activity, showing that current systems leave massive scope for improvement if perceptions and other external obstacles such as access to inputs and markets can be overcome.

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