Credibility in crisis: Determining the availability and credibility of online food supply chain resources during the COVID-19 pandemic

Disruptions from COVID-19 forced agricultural business owners to navigate the uncertainty of market disruptions with limited information. As an effect, the quality of information available for agricultural businesses to adapt to changes was a concern. The purpose of this study was to determine the availability and credibility of resources for agricultural businesses to make informed decisions about food markets during COVID-19. Source credibility was the guiding framework to achieve the research objectives of 1) Describe resources available related to impacts of COVID-19 on the food supply chain, 2) Determine the credibility of available resources. A quantitative content and textual analyses were employed. Results revealed 401 terms used to describe resources (n = 779). Eleven of the top 36 terms were used over 100 times. These were: farmer, resources, farm, market, business, local, health, safe, supply, agriculture, and chain. The majority of resources (66%, f = 514) were mid-level credible sources (industry/business organization, online/print news source, nonprofit), and 32.2% (f = 251) were of the highest credibility (university scientists, USDA scientist, Extension). Implications of this work show an opportunity for university and Extension systems to publish resources and serve as credible sources related to this particular crisis.

The Context of Application of Biosecurity for Control of African Swine Fever in Smallholder Pig Systems: Current Gaps and Recommendations

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly fatal disease of pigs. It is a threat to the pig industry as it lowers production and significantly impacts on livelihoods. ASF has no cure and a vaccine against it is yet to be developed. Outbreaks continue to be reported in Africa and Asia, where the setting of the pig value chain (farm, market, and slaughter practices) coupled with the risky behaviors of actors, contribute to persistence of the virus in pig populations. The role of these factors in the epidemiology of the disease is reviewed with a focus on smallholder pig systems in Africa. Biosecurity at the farm level is particularly emphasized, and factors influencing its adoption highlighted. Socio-cultural factors and weaknesses at the disease control policy level are critical and should not be ignored. Gender and equity are important aspects and ought to be considered in discussions to improve the sector. The findings are expected to define priorities for interventions to improve pig productivity (as these regions wait for the vaccine to be developed).

Features of the application of ZigBee technologies in monitoring systems for agricultural objects

The article discusses the possibilities of using wireless technologies of the Internet of Things at agricultural facilities using the example of ZigBee technologies. This topic seems to be relevant, since the smart farm market is growing very quickly. This is due to the fact that the use of automated control systems for humidity, temperature, acidity, electrical conductivity of the soil, etc. allows you to increase productivity, reduce costs. The aim of the research is to assess the potential communication range between ZigBee devices, and to analyze the factors affecting the quality of the radio channel. As the results of the work, it should be noted a mathematical study of radio channels at frequencies of 868 and 2400 MHz, analysis of factors affecting signal propagation. The article also provides practical recommendations for choosing a network topology and ZigBee equipment..

A framework for the socio-economic evaluation of rearing systems of dairy calves with or without cow contact

Interest in dairy calf rearing systems with cow-calf contact during the milk feeding period is increasing among farmers, advisors and researchers, but socio-economic consequences have only scarcely been investigated yet. In this research reflection we develop a suggestion for a socio-economic methodical framework that is suitable for the wide variation of cow calf rearing systems, farm, market and societal conditions. Based on a literature based, system-theoretical structuring of involved elements, and on full cost accounting in an exemplary case study concerning two model farms, we itemize monetary factors, and additionally important non-monetary factors, that should be included in a socio-economic evaluation. This process also revealed further research needs. We propose as a next research step to gather a greater number of real farm data including different rearing systems and to perform individual full cost accountings, in order to identify input and output patterns on this basis. This might not only help to provide a robust basis for economic decision making, but also help to fill research gaps concerning long-term effects of calf rearing with cow contact. In addition, ways should be explored on how to take non-monetary effects into account.

The interplay of production commercialisation and specialization

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the endogenous relationship between production specialisation and market commercialisation with an empirical study of farmers in Northwest China. Design/methodology/approach The three-stage least squares were used to address simultaneity and over-identification problems in comparison with two-stage least squares (2SLS). The Durbin-Wu-Hausman test was employed to identify the endogeneity of the commercialisation and specialisation variables. The validity, relevance, and strength of the instruments were tested using the Stock-Yogo weak instrument diagnostics test. Findings A two-way interrelationship between specialisation and commercialisation were confirmed, and suggest that farmers’ decisions on farm commercialisation and production specialisation are actually separate and interacting. Social implications By demonstrating that a virtuous cycle exists between agricultural commercialisation and on-farm specialisation, policies can be formulated to complement these two effects that may help increase small holders’ income. Farmers’ market participation can be indirectly improved by combining market improvement and risk management tools to encourage production specialisation. Originality/value The insights of this study cast further light onto the farm market participation theory by emphasising that higher asset endowments enable small farmers to specialise in production with comparative advantage.

Solar farm development in the United Kingdom

Purpose – Solar energy is the most abundant of all renewable energy sources and the development pressures for solar farms have grown rapidly in the last five years within the UK. With this in mind the purpose of this paper is to offer a general review of solar farm development in the UK. Design/methodology/approach – The paper begins with a description of the characteristics of solar farms, outlines the solar farm market in the UK and discusses the planning policies and issues associated with solar farm development. Findings – The paper reveals that solar farms have been developed on both agricultural land and brownfield sites and that the development pressures are greatest in the southwest and southeast of England. While national and local authority planning policies generally promote renewable energy schemes, proposals for the development of solar farms have raised a wide range of planning issues. These include impacts on land, landscape and visual amenity; ecology and nature conservation: cultural heritage and historic environment; construction traffic and highways; security; economic benefits; and potential economic and social impacts within the community. Originality/value – This paper provides an accessible review of the development of solar farms within the UK and as such it will be of value to developers, land and property professionals and students.

Local French Food Initiatives in Practice: The Emergence of a Social Movement

This article analyses the development of local food systems from a social movement perspective. It examines the case study of a farm market located in France and considers whether and how local initiatives in food distribution can be viewed as a social movement, using social theory as the conceptual framework.

Effects of 1-Methylcyclopropene on Firmness Loss and the Development of Rots in Apple Fruit Kept in Farm Markets or at Elevated Temperatures

Many of the apples (Malus ×domestica) grown in the southeastern United States are sold to consumers through direct farm markets and roadside stands. Fruit in these markets may be exposed to high temperatures (>68 °F), which cause the fruit to ripen quickly, limiting their shelf life and consumer appeal and increasing their susceptibility to decay pathogens. Studies were undertaken in 2009 and 2010 to determine the effects of a 1-μL·L−1 postharvest 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment on the maintenance of flesh firmness and the incidence of rots in fruit held at elevated temperatures for up to 8 weeks. 1-MCP-treated fruit of three apple cultivars (Ginger Gold, Gala, and Golden Delicious) held in three retail farm markets in the southeastern United States maintained their firmness for 3 to 5 weeks. The firmness of non-treated ‘Ginger Gold’ fruit declined to less than 12 lbf after 1 week in each market, whereas the firmness of treated fruit remained greater than 16 lbf after 3 weeks. Treated ‘Gala’ fruit maintained their firmness at 14 lbf during 4 weeks in each farm market, whereas the firmness of non-treated fruit declined to less than 12 lbf after 2 weeks. The firmness of non-treated ‘Golden Delicious’ fruit declined to less than 12 lbf after 1 week in each farm market, whereas treated fruit maintained their firmness for up to 4 weeks. ‘Golden Delicious’ fruit treated with 1-MCP exhibited almost no loss of firmness during 4 weeks at 32, 50, or 70 °F, or even up to 8 weeks at 32 or 50 °F. The incidence of fruit rots increased with temperature, and 1-MCP reduced the incidence of fruit rots after 4 weeks at 70 °F in 2009 or after 8 weeks at 70 °F in 2010. These data show that 1-MCP may be of great benefit to producers who sell their fruit directly to the consumer by delaying the loss in firmness and reducing the incidence of rots in fruit kept at elevated temperatures.