The future of food production research in the rangelands: challenges and prospects for research investment, organisation and human resources

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 125 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. W. Roxburgh ◽  
J. E. Pratley
Keyword(s):  
Food Production ◽  
Market Failure ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Global Food Security ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Research Investment ◽  
Production Research ◽  
Development Outcomes ◽  
Future Outcomes

Food production research in rangelands depends heavily on the National Agricultural Research System for its research and development outcomes. Future outcomes are uncertain as funding sources are limited and much of the expertise is entering the retirement phase without a succession plan. Private research investment has contributed to some extent but there remains a need for governments to continue to support those aspects that deliver public good or address market failure. This review considers the varying contexts in funding and research organisation globally while using Australia as a case study for more detailed analyses of trends in livestock production research capacity in the rangelands. The major concern expressed is that the availability of a well educated and trained workforce is uncertain and this may hamper rangelands from contributing sufficiently to global food security and national conservation goals.

scholarly journals Foresight for agriculture: Past ghosts, present challenges, and future opportunities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Prager ◽  
Keith Wiebe
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Investment Planning ◽  
Global Food Security ◽  
Agricultural Futures ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Strategic Foresight ◽  
Future Outcomes

Strategic foresight is a systematic means to explore plausible futures. In the agricultural context, strategic foresight allows decision-makers to explore how alternative investments in agriculture research may function given anticipated futures associated with a variety of drivers ranging from climate change to increasing wealth to a changing policy environment. This paper presents an overview and context for six recently published articles in Global Food Security that comprise a virtual special issue on agricultural futures. Each of the papers takes a distinct perspective and addresses key issues from how past trends drive future outcomes to specific commodity systems to issues around employment and rural transformation. While each of the included papers stands on its own merits, the collection presents a unique opportunity to unpack the role of investment in agriculture research from a variety of perspectives. Collectively, the special issue offers insights to support current and future investment planning to better target desired outcomes associated with long-term agricultural research.

scholarly journals Paternal High Fat Diet and Exercise Differentially Regulate Placental Development and Inflammation in a Sex-Specific Manner in C57BL6/J Mice (P19-003-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Larson ◽  
Amy Bundy ◽  
Travis Alvine ◽  
James Roemmich
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Wheel Running ◽  
Fetal Weight ◽  
High Fat ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Service Project ◽  
Diet And Exercise ◽  
Placental Inflammation

Abstract Objectives We have shown that increases in T2D risk in male offspring when the father consumes a high-fat (HF) diet can be normalized when the father also exercises during preconception, and that this protection may occur by epigenetic increases in insulin signaling within offspring skeletal muscle. In our current study, we investigated to determine how paternal HF diet and exercise conditions alter sperm miRNA, fetal weight and placental inflammation. Methods Three-week old male C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal-fat (NF) diet (16% fat) or a HF diet (45% fat) and assigned to either voluntary wheel running exercise or cage activity for 3 months prior to mating with NF diet fed dams. Sperm samples were collected to determine changes in miRNA that may account for the enhanced offspring skeletal muscle responses that helped normalize paternal HF-induced glucose intolerance. Placentae were collected to determine whether changes in sperm miRNA expression differed by amount of placental inflammation. Results Sperm expression of miRNA 193b increased with paternal HF and exercise. In F1 males, placental and fetal weight decreased with HF diet while, in F1 female, paternal HF and exercise had no effect on placental and fetal weights. Paternal HF diet decreased placental IL-6 and TNF-alpha mRNA expression in F1 females, while no effects were observed in F1 male placenta. Conclusions Taken together these data suggest that paternal HF diet has a greater impact on placental development of male fetuses while paternal exercise has greater impact on placental inflammation of female fetuses. For both female and male fetuses, these paternal influences are mediated via sperm miRNA 193b. miR-193b is involved in regulation of the cell cycle and adipogenesis but may have additional functions. Thus, the exact role of sperm miRNA 193b in sex-specific epigenetic transmission of paternal HF diet and exercise on placental and fetal development needs further evaluation. Funding Sources USDA Agricultural Research Service Project #3062-51000-052-00D.

The Pathway Analysis on Benefit of Agricultural Science and Technology Projects (ASTP) Based on Logical Framework Approach

2014 ◽  
Vol 998-999 ◽  
pp. 1642-1648
Author(s):  
Chun Mei Wang ◽  
Bao Feng Chen
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Social Benefit ◽  
Agricultural Science ◽  
Logical Framework ◽  
Ecological Benefit ◽  
Research Investment ◽  
Framework Approach ◽  
Research Achievement

Research achievements of the ASTP Policy-Oriented cannot generate directly economic benefit, social benefit and ecological benefit. It would realize benefit of ASTP only if the outputs can be transformed practical productive forces. In this paper, the mechanism and pathway of achieving benefit of ASTP is analyzed deeply based on the logical framework model. Then the empirical studies shows that the inputs (research investment) have positive correlation with outputs (research achievement), extension and outcomes (changes in productivity). Although the inputs have a certain influence to agricultural economics, it mainly affects indirectly agricultural development by research achievements and extension. Therefore, the benefits of ASTP should not be evaluated according by inputs/outputs methods. We must analyze and assess the anticipated chain of cause/effect relationships of ASTP based on the program “theory-driven” approach. It can promote agricultural research and extension projects to integrated closely, at the same time the benefit of ASTP can be improved greatly.

Evaluation of the Dry Bean Model BEANGRO V1.01 for Crop Production Research in a Tropical Environment

1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. White ◽  
G. Hoogenboom ◽  
J. W. Jones ◽  
K. J. Boote
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Cultivar Differences ◽  
Oriented Growth ◽  
Dry Bean ◽  
Qualitative Response ◽  
Tropical Environments ◽  
Production Research

SUMMARYMicrocomputer-based simulation models are increasingly being recommended as multipurpose tools for agricultural research. Use of a model should be conditioned by an evaluation of its performance and understanding of its limitations. This paper evaluates the responses of the process-oriented growth model for dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), BEANGRO V1.01, with an emphasis on the factors related to cultivar differences for production in tropical environments. Simulations of seed yield from beans grown under conditions of a known water deficit showed good agreement with observed data. The qualitative response to plant population resembled that of a field trial, and the model showed the expected linear relation between days to maturity and seed yield. Overall, the results suggest that BEANGRO has utility for certain types of agronomic studies, but that improvements are possible, particularly with respect to prediction of phenology.

scholarly journals Automated Weed Detection Systems: A Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saraswathi Shanmugam ◽  
Eduardo Assunção ◽  
Ricardo Mesquita ◽  
André Veiros ◽  
Pedro D. Gaspar
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Control Methods ◽  
Weed Detection ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
Detection Systems ◽  
Efficient Reduction ◽  
Production Research ◽  
And Control

A weed plant can be described as a plant that is unwanted at a specific location at a given time. Farmers have fought against the weed populations for as long as land has been used for food production. In conventional agriculture this weed control contributes a considerable amount to the overall cost of the produce. Automatic weed detection is one of the viable solutions for efficient reduction or exclusion of chemicals in crop production. Research studies have been focusing and combining modern approaches and proposed techniques which automatically analyze and evaluate segmented weed images. This study discusses and compares the weed control methods and gives special attention in describing the current research in automating the weed detection and control. Keywords: Detection, Weed, Agriculture 4.0, Computational vision, Robotics

The life cycle of alternative agricultural research

1995 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly D. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Food System ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Social Effects ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Agricultural Technologies ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
The Social

AbstractThe acceptance and utility of alternative agricultural research can be enhanced by better incorporating social sciences and issues and by broadening its scope to the entire food system rather than focusing only on food production. Researchers have made strong contributions in developing and evaluating alternative agricultural technologies, but research attention also is needed to articulate strategies for synthesizing those technologies into coherent strategies, to examine the social effects of different scenarios, and to create better decisionmaking processes for ensuring broad-based knowledgeable participation in the choices among alternative strategies. Research that addresses human needs beyond food and fiber will help build truly alternative and desirable agricultural systems.

Biotechnology - The possibilities

1993 ◽  
Vol 1993 ◽  
pp. 24-24
Author(s):  
J.J. Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Research Funding ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Research Development ◽  
Current Production ◽  
Production Research ◽  
Modern Biotechnology ◽  
Research Budget

An increasing proportion of Agricultural Research funding is being directed to biotechnology and to cell and molecular biology. This shift in funding has two effects on animal production research. First it provides a certain amount of novel information and technology with which to improve current production systems. Second, it leaves less of the research budget for whole animal experiments. It behoves us therefore to keep abreast of the achievements and aspirations of the molecular and cellular biologists. The diverse interests and expertise of the BSAP membership in research, development, advisory work and teaching make the Society a unique forum for conducting the open and on-going debate that is needed to ensure that the results of modern biotechnology are examined critically and applied to the animal production industries in an efficient and acceptable manner.

scholarly journals Intestinal, Hepatic, Muscle, and Renal Xenometabolite Release and Uptake in Healthy Conscious Pigs

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1579-1579
Author(s):  
Brian Piccolo ◽  
Kelly Mercer ◽  
Gabriella Ten Have ◽  
Nicolaas Deutz ◽  
Sean Adams
Keyword(s):  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Bile Acids ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Conscious State ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Flow Measurements ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Signed Rank Test ◽  
Dodecanedioic Acid ◽  
Net Release

Abstract Objectives To characterize the intestinal, hepatic, muscle, and renal release and uptake of xenometabolites (non-host derived metabolites) and endogenously modified xenometabolites by measuring their across-organ net release and uptake in a post-absorptive conscious pig model. Methods Twelve 2–3 months old female pigs (25.6 ± 2.2 kg) had surgically-implanted catheters across portal drained viscera (PDV), splanchnic area (SPL), liver, kidney, and hindquarter muscle. Ten days after catheter implantation, overnight fasted arterial and venous plasma was collected in a conscious state and stored at -80°C. Thawed samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Xenometabolites were identified by retention time and MS2 spectra from in-house authentic standards and expressed as peak areas. Plasma flow measurements determined with para-aminohippuric acid dilution technology. Net organ balance rate (peak area/kg body weight/min) was calculated. Significant (P < 0.05) release or uptake was determined if tissue net balance differed from zero, using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. Results Forty-eight xenometabolites were structurally identified in this model. Of these, 31 had at least one tissue with a significant net release or uptake. Metabolites suggestive of intestinal origin (i.e., significant PDV net release) included 2-hydroxybenzoic acid, 4-hydroxyphenyllactic acid, acetic acid, atrolactic acid, dodecanedioic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid, p-cresol sulfate, p-cresol glucuronide, stercobilin, and several bile acids and indole derivatives. Of these, atrolactic acid, hydrocinnamic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, stercobilin, and all of the bile acids were taken up by the liver; p-cresol glucuronide was taken up by the kidneys. No xenometabolite released from the gut was taken up by muscle, but 4-hydroxyphenyllactic acid, dodecanedioic acid, and indole-3-carboxaldehyde were also released by muscle tissue. Conclusions Our study confirm gastrointestinal origins for a number of known xenometabolites. Liver and kidney are key organs for xenometabolite uptake. Other putative xenometabolites appear to have either non-gut origins or released by other tissues. Funding Sources Funding provided by the US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service.

scholarly journals Rates of Return to Agricultural Research and Extension in the Southern Region

1979 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred C. White ◽  
Joseph Havlicek
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
State Level ◽  
The State ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Economic Study ◽  
Rates Of Return ◽  
Research Results ◽  
Interregional Transfers ◽  
Research Investment ◽  
Research Expenditures

The interregional transfer of agricultural research results has long been recognized by sociologists and economists [10, pp. 524–526]. The first major economic study in this area was reported in 1957 by Griliches [7]. However, many economists have failed to account for this type of transfer in estimating rates of return for agricultural research investment at the state level. A possible explanation for the failure to account for this transfer is that many analyses at the state level are modeled after national studies. Though researchers estimating a national rate of return may not feel a need to account for interregional transfers, these transfers clearly cannot be ignored at the state or regional levels. Latimer and Paarlberg [9] and Bauer and Hancock [2] estimated aggregate production functions for states and had difficulty finding a statistically significant relationship between research expenditures within the state and agricultural output. Bauer and Hancock finally estimated a lagged relationship that is in conflict with other conceptual and empirical models. Latimer and Paarlberg concluded that research is so pervasive that there are no measurable differences in levels of farm income attributable to differences in research inputs by states [9, p. 239]. More recently, Bredahl and Peterson [3] examined the differences in rates of return to cash crops, dairy, poultry, and livestock research among states. These estimates are appropriate if agricultural research results are limited by state boundaries. The interregional transfer of agricultural research results needs to be taken into account in estimating the returns to agricultural research at a regional level.

Agricultural research and Third World food production

Science ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 217 (4556) ◽  
pp. 215-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Plucknett ◽  
N. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Food Production ◽  
Third World ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
World Food
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