Farm In Poland Research Articles

The Economic Efficiencies of Investment in Biogas Plants—A Case Study of a Biogas Plant Using Waste from a Dairy Farm in Poland

High investments and low economic efficiency of agricultural biogas plants operating on farms are two of the main barriers to the development of the biogas plant sector. Identification of economic and financial problems related to the operation of such facilities allows for the reduction of entry barriers for private investors, especially farmers. The aim of this research was to analyze the economic efficiency of investing in an agricultural biogas plant operating at a dairy farm. For the analysis, the case study method was applied. The economic efficiency of investment in a biogas plant was assessed using six different cash flow options. The NPV (net present value) and IRR (internal rate of return) methods were applied to assess the economic efficiency of the investment. It was found that the investment project for an agricultural biogas plant with a capacity of 0.499 MW located at a dairy farm required a subsidy of approximately 40–60% of the value of to ensure satisfactory economic efficiency. It has been shown that a particularly important aspect in assessing the economic efficiency of an investment in an agricultural biogas plant is the use of an economic calculation that takes into account the valuation and quantification of all positive external effects of such projects.

A newly identified IncY plasmid from multi-drug-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from dairy cattle feces in Poland.

This study reveals the identification of new strains of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli in cattle manure from a dairy farm in Poland, offering critical insights into the spread of drug resistance. Through whole-genome sequencing, researchers discovered novel plasmids within these bacteria, which carry genes resistant to multiple antibiotics. These findings are particularly alarming, as these plasmids can transfer between different bacterial species, potentially escalating the spread of antibiotic resistance. This research underscores the vital connection between the health of humans, animals, and the environment, emphasizing the concept of One Health. It points to the critical need for global vigilance and strategies to curb the proliferation of antibiotic resistance. By showcasing the presence of these strains and their advanced resistance mechanisms, the study calls for enhanced surveillance and preventive actions in both agricultural practices and healthcare settings to address the imminent challenge of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Suitability Analysis of Selected Methods for Modelling Infrasound and Low-Frequency Noise from Wind Turbines

Wind turbines emit infrasound and low-frequency noise (ILFN), which can be annoying for people living near wind farms. To assess the acoustic impact of wind turbines on the environment, it is essential to model ILFN propagation during the forecasting stage. This study assesses the effectiveness of three commonly used sound propagation models (ISO 9613-2, CNOSSOS-EU for favourable propagation conditions, Nord2000) in predicting ILFN generated by wind turbines. The performance of these models in modelling ILFN is generally not validated or guaranteed. The analysis covers octave frequency bands ranging from 4 Hz to 250 Hz, and comparisons are made against measurements conducted at a wind farm in Poland. Non-parametric statistical tests were used with a significance level of α=0.05 to determine significant differences between measured and predicted results. The results show that the Nord2000 method provides accurate calculations, while the ISO 9613-2 method can be used for simplified assessments of ILFN generated by wind turbines during the investment preparation phase.

Effect of composting and storage on the microbiome and resistome of cattle manure from a commercial dairy farm in Poland.

Manure from food-producing animals, rich in antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), poses significant environmental and healthcare risks. Despite global efforts, most manure is not adequately processed before use on fields, escalating the spread of antimicrobial resistance. This study examined how different cattle manure treatments, including composting and storage, affect its microbiome and resistome. The changes occurring in the microbiome and resistome of the treated manure samples were compared with those of raw samples by high-throughput qPCR for ARGs tracking and sequencing of the V3-V4 variable region of the 16S rRNA gene to indicate bacterial community composition. We identified 203 ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in raw manure. Post-treatment reduced these to 76 in composted and 51 in stored samples. Notably, beta-lactam, cross-resistance to macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramin B (MLSB), and vancomycin resistance genes decreased, while genes linked to MGEs, integrons, and sulfonamide resistance increased after composting. Overall, total resistance gene abundance significantly dropped with both treatments. During composting, the relative abundance of genes was lower midway than at the end. Moreover, higher biodiversity was observed in samples after composting than storage. Our current research shows that both composting and storage effectively reduce ARGs in cattle manure. However, it is challenging to determine which method is superior, as different groups of resistance genes react differently to each treatment, even though a notable overall reduction in ARGs is observed.

Emergy analysis of pond fish farming – a case study for a large fish farm in Poland

The immediate goal of the article is an emergy analysis of fish production on an exemplary fish farm. Additionally, it was compared, in terms of environmental burden, with other exemplary agricultural productions. On the basis of the calculated emergy inflows, selected emergy indicators (ELR, EYR, REN) were calculated, showing the scale of use of renewable and non-renewable resources. The results show that the analysed fish production does not burden the environment and largely uses renewable resources, unlike other intensive agricultural productions. The ELR value was compared with its values for other exemplary agricultural production. In fish farming, this indicator is most often lower than 1. It is assumed that such activity does not burden the environment. Animal production requires the involvement of additional space for fodder production. Therefore the differences in the area necessary for the production of a food unit (GJ) of exemplary plant and animal products are also shown. Emergy analysis and its results can provide valuable information for decision-makers in terms of the direction of a given production.

Quality attributes of different marinated oven-grilled pork neck meat

ABSTRACT Whereas herbs/spices serve as natural preservatives, and thermal processing makes animal meat products edible, combining them should complement each other. Additionally, the application of oven grilling to meat products continues to increase in popularity. However, there is a paucity of relevant published information specific to different marinated oven-grilled pork neck meat. Therefore, the quality attributes of different marinated oven-grilled pork neck meat were investigated, which involved chemical (pH, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance [TBARS], 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiaziline-6-sulfonate) [ABTS], 1,1-diphenyl-2-pierylhydrazy [DPPH], ferric reducing antioxidant power [FRAP]), physical (cooking weight loss, L*a*b* color, and textural cutting force), as well as organoleptic (sensory: flavor, appearance, tenderness, taste, and off-flavor; texture: hardness, chewiness, gumminess, graininess, and greasiness) aspects. In particular, the pork neck meat was procured from a porcine farm in Poland. Different marinated variants comprised constituent 0.5, 1, and 1.5% quantities of cranberry pomace (CP), grape pomace (GP), and Baikal skullcap (BS) that subsequently incorporated either African spice (AS) or industrial marinade/pickle (IM). Results showed decreases in ABTS, DPPH, FRAP, and TBARS in some marinated oven-grilled pork neck meat samples, alongside pH variations by difference that seemingly associated with increasing concentrations of either CP, BS, or GP, which might not always coincide with L*a*b* color trends as AS and IM were incorporated. Despite the many resemblances (p > .05), the sensory aspects fluctuated as textural chewiness, gumminess, and hardness increased in some samples, more evident when incorporating AS compared to IM. Overall, oven-grilling promises to moderate the range values of key quality attributes of different marinated pork neck meat samples in this study.

A Comprehensive Study of the Microbiome, Resistome, and Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Chicken Waste from Intensive Farms.

The application of chicken waste to farmland could be detrimental to public health. It may contribute to the dissemination of antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) from feces and their subsequent entry into the food chain. The present study analyzes the metagenome and resistome of chicken manure and litter obtained from a commercial chicken farm in Poland. ARB were isolated, identified, and screened for antibiogram fingerprints using standard microbiological and molecular methods. The physicochemical properties of the chicken waste were also determined. ARGs, integrons, and mobile genetic elements (MGE) in chicken waste were analyzed using high-throughput SmartChip qPCR. The results confirm the presence of many ARGs, probably located in MGE, which can be transferred to other bacteria. Potentially pathogenic or opportunistic microorganisms and phytopathogens were isolated. More than 50% of the isolated strains were classified as being multi-drug resistant, and the remainder were resistant to at least one antibiotic class; these pose a real risk of entering the groundwater and contaminating the surrounding environment. Our results indicate that while chicken manure can be sufficient sources of the nutrients essential for plant growth, its microbiological aspects make this material highly dangerous to the environment.

Mink SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Poland - Short Communication.

IntroductionSince April 2020, when the first SARS-CoV-2 infection was reported in mink and subsequently in mink farm workers in the Netherlands, it has been confirmed that human-to-mink and mink-to-human transmission can occur. Later, SARS-CoV-2 infections in mink were reported in many European and North American countries.Material and methodsSamples from 590 mink from a total of 28 farms were tested by real-time RT-PCR. Whole genome sequences from one positive farm were generated and genetic relatedness was established.ResultsSARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected on a breeder farm with stock of 5,850 mink. Active viraemia was confirmed in individually tested samples with Ct values respectively between 19.4 and 29.6 for E and N gene fragments. Further testing of samples from culled animals revealed 70% positivity in throat swabs and 30% seropositivity in blood samples. Phylogenetic analysis of full-length nucleotide sequences of two SARS-CoV-2 isolates revealed that they belong to the 20B Nextstrain clade. Several nucleotide mutations were found in analysed samples compared to the reference Wuhan HU-1 strain and some of them were nonsynonymous.ConclusionWe report the infection of mink with SARS-CoV-2 on one farm in Poland and the results of subsequent analysis of virus sequences from two isolates. These data can be useful for assessment of the epidemiological situation of SARS-CoV-2 in Poland and how it endangers public health.

Recombinant turkey coronavirus: are some S gene structures of gammacoronaviruses especially prone to exchange?

The objective of the present study was to characterize the atypical turkey coronavirus strain detected in a commercial meat turkey farm in Poland. Using the viral metagenomics approach, we obtained a complete genome sequence of coronavirus, isolated from duodenum samples of animals suffering from acute enteritis. The nearly full-length genome consisted of 27,614 nucleotides and presented a typical genetic organization similar to that of Polish infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) or French turkey coronavirus/guinea fowl coronavirus strains. Phylogenetic analysis based on both the full-length genome and the whole S gene suggested that gCoV/Tk/Poland/G160/2016 is related to turkey and guinea fowl coronavirus and not IBV strains. Sequence analysis of the genome revealed unique genetic characteristics of the present strain, demonstrating that the virus emerged as a result of the exchange of the S gene of IBV GI-19 lineage with the S gene related to the North American turkey coronaviruses and French guinea fowl coronaviruses. Analysis of earlier, similar recombinations suggests that both the S gene structures may be particularly mobile, willingly switching between different gammacoronavirus genomic backbones. The identified recombinant caused a severe course of the disease, which may imply that it is in the first phase of breaking the barriers between different bird species.

Biogas Plant Exploitation in a Middle-Sized Dairy Farm in Poland: Energetic and Economic Aspects

Although cow manure is a valuable natural fertilizer, it is also a source of extreme greenhouse gas emissions, mainly methane. For this reason, this study aims to determine the impact of investments in a biogas plant on the energy and economic aspects of the operation of a dairy farm. A farm with a breeding size of 600 livestock units (LSU) was adopted for the analysis. In order to reach the paper’s aim, the analysis of two different scenarios of dairy farm functioning (conventional–only milk production, and modern–with biogas plant exploitation) was conducted. The analysis showed that the investment in biogas plant operations at a dairy farm and in using cow manure as one of the main substrates is a more profitable scenario compared to traditional dairy farming. Taking into account the actual Polish subsidies for electricity produced by small biogas plants, the scenario with a functioning biogas plant with a capacity of 500 kW brings €332,000/a more profit compared to the conventional scenario, even when taking into account additional costs, including the purchase of straw to ensure a continuous operation of the installation. Besides, in the traditional scenario, building a biogas plant allows for an almost complete reduction of greenhouse gas emissions during manure storage.

Determinants of the Socio-Economic Situation of Living Standards in Areas Previously Occupied by State Farms in Poland: A Case Study

Purpose: The research objective was to diagnose the socio-economic situation in areas formerly occupied by a state-owned farm in Poland, using the Province of Warmia and Mazury as an example. Design/Methodology/Approach: Both a quantitative method and a qualitative one was employed. The research was conducted among residents of areas previously occupied by state-owned farms using a poll approach and a questionnaire designed by the research authors. Findings: A combination of factors, individual, cultural, and macrosocial ones, contributed to the situation when former state-owned agricultural farms in Poland are now an area where many negative, interconnected issues, such as unemployment, poverty, marginalization, lack of prospects and hope for the future, are concentrated. One of the major problems in these territories' labor market is the low occupational activity level among residents. Despite the high unemployment rate, nearly ¾ of the surveyed persons were not interested in improving their labor market position. Practical Implication: The practical implication arising from the research is the possibility of using the results in creating a regional policy in areas affected by the negative consequences of the operation and subsequent dissolution of state-owned agricultural farms. Originality/Value: It is still necessary to conduct studies in the areas formerly dominated by state farms in agriculture and search for new system-scale solutions, especially because the current interest in residents' situation in these areas is now waning. Rural areas, with their specific characteristics, for example, the occurrence of hidden unemployment, are distinguished by a large untapped human potential.

Agricultural Production Planning Using a Multicriteria Optimization Model

Purpose: This study aims to plan agricultural production on a real farm in Poland using an optimization model. Design/Methodology/Approach: Factors, especially variable ones (the weather, economic conditions), make it difficult to plan production on a farm. It is not uncommon for a decision-maker to attempt at achieving several goals simultaneously. Solving such a problem is enabled by a linear-dynamic, multicriteria optimization model. In this study, the optimization criteria related to agricultural income are agricultural production, and organic matter losses in the soil. The empirical material consists of real data on a farm located in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship (Poland). Findings: The solution of a multicriteria, linear-dynamic model has indicated a production structure that ensures correct crop rotation, timely performance of agrotechnical works, and meets the conditions for receiving EU subsidies. It also allowed the highest agricultural income and the largest production under given conditions to be obtained. In contrast, a positive balance of organic matter shows that the environment is not degraded. Practical Implications: Linear-dynamic, multicriteria optimization models can be an effective tool supporting farm production planning. Originality/Value: The model applied for this paper's needs is of high application value. It can be used for crop cultivation farms or mixed production farms for determining alternative plans.

The Polyphenol Content in Three Edible Potato Cultivars Depending on the Biostimulants Used

The aim of the study was to assess the polyphenol content in tubers of three edible potato cultivars depending on the biostimulants used. Field research was carried out in the years 2016–2018 with an application of biostimulants in individual farm in Poland. The experiment was led by means of a split-plot method. The impact of two factors was tested. The first-order factor were the three cultivars of edible potato: Jelly, Honorata, Tajfun, while of the second–order four variants of applying biostimulants: Kelpak SL, Titanit, GreenOk, BrunatneBio Złoto. Potato plants were treated with biostimulators three times (beginning of flowering, full flowering and after plant flowering). The polyphenol content was determined by spectrophotometric method with Folin–Ciocâlteu reagent in fresh potato tuber mass. The content of polyphenols in tubers depended on the cultivars and biostimulants. Among the studied cultivars, Jelly accumulated the most polyphenols and Tajfun the least. Biostimulants increased the concentration of phenolic compounds compared to tubers from the control treatment.

Biomass yield and energy balance of fodder galega in different production technologies: An 11-year field experiment in a large-area farm in Poland

This article presents the results of an 11-year field experiment (2008–2018) conducted in Poland to investigate the biomass yield and energy efficiency of fodder galega (Galega orientalis Lam.) in high-input and low-input production technologies. The demand for energy in the production of fodder galega biomass ranged from 13.0 to 14.2 (year of plantation establishment) to 6.4–8.2 GJ ha−1 (years 2–11). Agricultural intensification increased energy inputs by 11% on average. Dry matter yield (DMY) and energy output peaked in years 4 and 5 (14.7–15.3 Mg ha−1 and 122.4–131.1 GJ ha−1, respectively). In the high-input production technology, DMY was 0.62 Mg ha−1 y−1 higher, energy output was 4.9 GJ ha−1 y−1 higher, the maximum DMY was achieved one year later, and the rate of decrease in biomass yield and energy output in the last years of the experiment (years 9–11) was 30% lower in comparison with the low-input system. The energy efficiency ratio of fodder galega ranged from 2.28 to 2.42 (year 1) to 8.04–16.53 (years 2–11). Productivity was 4% higher in the low-input than in the high-input technology. Fodder galega biomass was characterized by higher energy efficiency in the high-input technology (by approx. 2–12%) only in the last years of the experiment (years ≥10).

Productivity and energy balance of maize and sorghum grown for biogas in a large-area farm in Poland: An 11-year field experiment

The biomass yield and energy efficiency of maize and sweet sorghum were evaluated based on the results of an 11-year experiment conducted in a large-area farm in north-eastern Poland. The demand for energy in the production of maize biomass was estimated at 24.4–25.5 GJ ha−1. Energy consumption in the production of sweet sorghum biomass was 2.8 GJ ha−1 lower on average. Mineral fertilization was the major energy input (72–73 %) in the cultivation of both crops, mainly due to the high energy value of mineral fertilizers (66–71 %) and, to a lesser extent, the demand for energy during fertilizer application. The average maize yields in north-eastern Poland reached 21.7 Mg ha−1 dry matter (DM). The biomass yield of sweet sorghum was 4.0 Mg ha−1 DM lower on average. The variability in sweet sorghum biomass yields was nearly 1.5- to 2-fold higher relative to maize. The energy output of maize biomass ranged from 197 to 290 GJ ha−1 y−1, whereas the average energy output of sorghum biomass was 61 GJ ha−1 lower. The energy gain and the energy efficiency ratio of maize biomass were determined at 172−265 GJ ha−1 and 7.7–11.3, respectively. The above parameters were 58 GJ ha−1 and 14 % lower in sweet sorghum biomass, respectively. In north-eastern Poland, sweet sorghum yields exceeded maize yields, and sweet sorghum was characterized by a more favorable energy balance only in years with above-average precipitation.

Supporting Crop and Different Row Spacing as Factors Influencing Weed Infestation in Lentil Crop and Seed Yield under Organic Farming Conditions

A field study was conducted at the Certified Organic Farm in Poland over the period 2014–2016. This study evaluated weed infestation and seed yield of the lentil varieties ‘Tina’ and ‘Anita’, as well as of a mixture of these two varieties, sole cropped and row intercropped with naked oats as a supporting crop. Additionally, lentil was sown at a different row spacing of 20 and 25 cm. The lentil variety ‘Anita’ produced 25.3% higher yields than var. ‘Tina’. Weight of 1000 seed, number of pods per plant, and first pod height did not differ significantly in the treatments with the lentil varieties. The lentil seed yield obtained in the treatments with a supporting crop was lower by 9.4% compared with the sole cropped plots. In turn, the 1000 seed weight was 3.9% higher in the treatment where a supporting crop was used. The presence of oats as a supporting crop in lentil crop allowed crop competitiveness against weeds to be increased significantly, thus reducing their total number and dry weight by 5.3% and 30.5%, respectively. Sowing lentil at different row spacings did not have a significant effect on seed yield and weed infestation in crop. The greatest diversity of weed species was found in the treatments where the mixture of the lentil varieties was sown and in the treatment with the smaller row spacing. Intercropping of lentil with oats resulted in reduced occurrence of monocotyledonous weeds such as Echinochloa crus-galli and Elymus repens. The presence of oat as a supporting crop can effectively reduce the pressure from weeds without significantly reducing lentil cultivar yield in organic farming.

STRATEGIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AVERAGE POLISH DAIRY FARMS IN THE CONDITIONS OF A SINGLE EUROPEAN MARKET

The paper aims to achieve two objectives: 1) To determine the competitive potential of Polish dairy farms and assess the economic results they achieved compared to other European Union entities, 2) To determine and assess the economic effects of possible development directions (strategies) for average Polish dairy farms. The analyses show that the production and economic potential of dairy farms from the European Union countries, characterized by the largest increase in milk production in years 2005–2015, was very diverse. On average, in 2016, the total value of the fixed assets of a Danish agricultural holding was 16 times higher than the value of the fixed assets of a farm in Poland and the average net value added generated by a Polish farm in 2016 was over thirteen times lower compared to Danish farms. However, if we take into account the costs of engaging external factors of production (land, labour and capital), it turns out that Danish farms are losing their advantages. The simulations of three possible variants of development for an average Polish dairy farm showed that good economic results were generated by the variant in which the land was leased and farm holders got employment outside the farm. The variant, which assumed an increase in the number of dairy cows (from 15 to 30) and the resulting growth in milk production could potentially give a slightly higher total net income for the farm family in the first two years, but it was certainly more risky.

Biomass production and energy balance of Miscanthus over a period of 11 years: A case study in a large‐scale farm in Poland

AbstractGiant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus Greef and Deuter) and Amur silver grass (Miscanthus sacchariflorus Maxim./Hack) are rhizomatous grasses with a C4 photosynthetic pathway that are widely cultivated as energy crops. For those species to be successfully used in bioenergy generation, their yields have to be maintained at a high level in the long term. The biomass yield (fresh and dry matter [DM] yield) and energy efficiency (energy inputs, energy output, energy gain, and energy efficiency ratio) of giant miscanthus and Amur silver grass were compared in a field experiment conducted in 2007–2017 in North‐Eastern Poland. Both species were characterized by high above‐ground biomass yields, and the productive performance of M. × giganteus was higher in comparison with M. sacchariflorus (15.5 vs. 9.3 Mg DM ha−1 year−1 averaged for 1–11 years of growth). In the first year of the experiment, the energy inputs associated with the production of M. × giganteus and M. sacchariflorus were determined at 70.5 and 71.5 GJ/ha, respectively, and rhizomes accounted for around 78%–79% of total energy inputs. In the remaining years of cultivation, the total energy inputs associated with the production of both perennial rhizomatous grasses reached 13.6–15.7 (M. × giganteus) and 16.9–17.5 GJ ha−1 year−1 (M. sacchariflorus). Beginning from the second year of cultivation, mineral fertilizers were the predominant energy inputs in the production of M. × giganteus (78%–86%) and M. sacchariflorus (80%–82%). In years 2–11, the energy gain of M. × giganteus reached 50 (year 2) and 264–350 GJ ha−1 year−1 (years 3–11), and its energy efficiency ratio was determined at 4.7 (year 2) and 18.6–23.3 (years 3–11). The energy gain and the energy efficiency ratio of M. sacchariflorus biomass in the corresponding periods were determined at 87–234 GJ ha−1 year−1 and 6.1–14.3, respectively. Both grasses are significant and environmentally compatible sources of bioenergy, and they can be regarded as potential energy crops for Central‐Eastern Europe.

Green grain of spelt (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta) harvested at the stage of milk-dough as a rich source of valuable nutrients

The aim of this study was to compare the chemical composition of three spelt wheat cultivars harvested at the milk-dough stage (MDS) and at the fully ripe stage (FRS) in the organic farm in Poland. Green grain of cv. ‘Oberkulmer Rotkorn’ harvested at MDS showed a significantly higher content of P, K, Ca, Zn, Fe, Na and B, compared to grain harvested at FRS. In unripe grain of cv. ‘Rokosz’, the content of N, K, Zn, Mn and Na was significantly higher than in ripe grain at FRS. In the case of cv. ‘Wirtas’, the P, K, Mg, Ca, Zn, Mn and B content determined at MDS was higher than that found in ripe grain at FRS. The content of Lys, Met, Ala and Tyr in green grain of all the cultivars evaluated was higher than that determined at FRS. However, when the grain was harvested at the fully ripe stage, the increase of Arg, His, Leu, Phe, Val, Glu, Pro and Ser was found. The content of fat and α-linolenic fatty acid in green grain of spelt was higher than in ripe grain. The presence of cinnamic and dicarboxylic acids was only found in spelt harvested at MDS. Unripe grain was also characterized by a higher content of hydroxy and phenolic acids.

Wpływ wieku samic, oraz kolejności miotów na liczbę urodzonych i odchowanych szczeniąt szynszyli odmiany standard (Chinchilla lanigera)

The objective of this study was to prove how the number of kits born and reared is affected by female’s age and the subsequent number of whelping during a given year. Our research was carried out on a farm in Poland, with the use of 532 chinchilla females of the standard variety. Significant influence of the year and the females’ age on the number of kits born and reared, as well as the subsequent number of litter in a given year on the number of chinchillas born was established. It was found that the largest litters occur with two-year old females; while there is a gradual decrease of prolificacy in older females. It was also observed that in females of any age the number of chinchilla kits born and reared was the highest in the first litter of a given year. The least numerous litters were found in mothers giving birth the third time in a given year.