Intensive Livestock Production Research Articles

Influence of automated animal health monitoring and animal welfare label on consumer preferences and willingness-to-pay for filet mignon

Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) has the potential to address some of the societal concerns regarding intensive livestock production, such as those with regard to animal health and welfare. However, information on the attitudes of consumers towards PLF is scarce. An online survey with a Discrete Choice Experiment was conducted in Flanders, Belgium to determine whether type of animal health monitoring (visual assessment without PLF, PLF at group level, PLF at individual animal level), animal welfare label (4 levels) and price influence the preference for filet mignon of consumers. In total, 454 respondents participated in the survey, of which 250 purchased filet mignon themselves. The characteristics gender, frequency of buying filet mignon, attitude towards organic and attitude towards welfare labels affected the utility (or “preferences”) of the meat. The utility was highest for female respondents, for respondents who bought filet mignon less than once a month, for those who consciously bought organic meat and those with a positive attitude towards labels guaranteeing animal welfare and health. The utility of filet mignon was not affected by the type of animal health monitoring, whereas animal welfare label and price had a significant effect. Respondents were willing to pay more for filet mignon carrying a welfare label, ranging from 15.2 €/kg (Label 1) up to 18.1 €/kg (Label 3) compared to a reference price of 12 €/kg (No label). For the use of PLF for automated health monitoring, it should be further researched if consumers are neutral towards the use of PLF, or whether the technology might be relatively unknown.

Protein politics

Powerful actors associated with intensive livestock production are repositioning industrially produced meat and farmed fish as “sustainable protein.” This repositioning, we show, involves justifying the production of meat through a range of metrics, calculations, and valuations. These metrics and associated indicators underpin claims that sustainable protein is more efficient and less wasteful than conventional meat production. Our analysis questions the relationship between efficiency and sustainability in industrial meat production. We show, first, that the industrial meat sector has always focussed on efficiency and the reduction of waste. What is new is that metrics, calculations, and indicators on efficiency and waste reduction are being repurposed and made public to consumers and investors to underpin claims for sustainable and “climate friendly” meat. While this practice is apparent across the animal agriculture sector, it is especially evident in the production of farmed salmon. Our second argument frames sustainable protein metrics as a political logic. While these metrics have been justifiably criticized as a form of environmental “greenwashing” by environmental non-governmental organizations and others, our own critique builds on Cara Daggett’s recent analysis of energy and its political logic. Building on Daggett’s work, we aim to provide a more fundamental critique to the efficiency and waste metrics that are used to support claims for sustainable protein, while simultaneously providing the conceptual and political foundation for more progressive futures.

Enhancing swine manure treatment: A full-scale techno-economic assessment of nitrogen recovery, pure oxygen aeration and effluent polishing

In regions with intensive livestock production, managing the environmental impact of manure is a critical challenge. This study, set in Flanders (Belgium), evaluates the effectiveness of integrating process intensification measures into the treatment of piggery manure to mitigate nitrogen (N) surplus issues. The research investigates the techno-economic benefits of implementing three key interventions: pure oxygen (PO) aeration, ammonia (NH3) stripping-scrubbing (SS) pretreatment, and tertiary treatment using constructed wetlands (CW), within the conventional nitrification-denitrification (NDN) process.Conducted at a full-scale pig manure treatment facility, our analysis employs steady-state mass balances for N and phosphorus (P) to assess the impact of these process intensification strategies. Findings indicate that the incorporation of advanced treatment steps significantly enhances the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the manure management system. Specifically, the application of PO aeration is shown to reduce overall treatment costs by nearly 4%, while the addition of an NH3 SS unit further decreases expenses by 1–2%, depending on the counter acid utilized. Moreover, the implementation of a CW contributes an additional 4% in cost savings.Collectively, these measures offer substantial improvements in processing capacity, reduction of by-product disposal costs, and generation of additional revenue from high-quality fertilising products. The study highlights the potential of advanced treatment technologies to provide economically viable and environmentally sustainable solutions for manure management in livestock-dense regions, emphasizing the cumulative economic benefit of a holistic approach to process intensification (10%).

Deodorizing bacterial consortium: community analysis of biofilms and leachate water collected from an air biofiltration system in a piggery.

Intensive livestock production is a source of water, soil, and air contamination. The first aspect that negatively affects the quality of life of residents in the vicinity of piggeries is malodorous aerosols, which are not only responsible for discomfort but can be an etiological factor in the development of various diseases during prolonged exposure. One of the proven and efficient ways to counteract odor emissions is the usage of air biofiltration. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively analyze the bacterial community colonizing the biofilm of a biofilter operating at an industrial piggery in Switzerland. The study material consisted of biofilm and leachate water samples. The microbiological analysis consisted of DNA isolation, amplification of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene fragment (V3-V4), preparation of a library for high-throughput sequencing, high-throughput NGS sequencing, filtering of the obtained sequencing reads, and evaluation of the species composition in the studied samples. The investigation revealed the presence of the following bacterial genera: Pseudochelatococcus, Methyloversatilis, Flexilinea, Deviosia, Chryseobacterium, Kribbia, Leadbetterella, Corynebacterium, Flavobacterium, Xantobacter, Tessaracoccus, Staphylococcus, Thiobacillus, Enhydrobacter, Proteiniclasticum, and Giesbergeria. Analysis of the microbial composition of biofilters provides the opportunity to improve the biofiltration process.

Animal trypanosomosis eliminated in a major livestock production region in Senegal following the eradication of a tsetse population.

African animal trypanosomosis (AAT) was one of the main disease-related constraints to the development of intensive livestock production systems in the Niayes region of Senegal, a 30km wide strip of land along the coast between Dakar and Saint-Louis. To overcome this constraint, the Government of Senegal initiated an area-wide integrated pest management programme combining chemical control tactics with the sterile insect technique to eradicate a population of the tsetse fly Glossina palpalis gambiensis Vanderplank, 1949 (Diptera, Glossinidae) in this area. The project was implemented following a phased conditional approach, and the target area was divided into three blocks treated sequentially. This study aims to assess the temporal dynamics of the prevalence of Trypanosoma spp. during the implementation of this programme. Between 2009 and 2022, 4,359 blood samples were collected from cattle and screened for trypanosomes using both the buffy coat and ELISA techniques, and PCR tests since 2020. The seroprevalence decreased from 18.9% (95%CI: 11.2-26.5) in 2009 to 0% in 2017-2022 in block 1, and from 92.9% (95%CI: 88.2-97) in 2010 to 0% in 2021 in block 2. The parasitological and serological data confirm the entomological monitoring results, i.e., that there is a high probability that the population of G. p. gambiensis has been eradicated from the Niayes and that the transmission of AAT has been interrupted in the treated area. These results indicate the effectiveness of the adopted approach and show that AAT can be sustainably removed through the creation of a zone free of G. p. gambiensis.

Spatial Distribution of Ammonia Concentrations and Modeled Dry Deposition in an Intensive Dairy Production Region

Agriculture generates ~83% of total US ammonia (NH3) emissions, potentially adversely impacting sensitive ecosystems through wet and dry deposition. Regions with intense livestock production, such as the dairy region of south-central Idaho, generate hotspots of NH3 emissions. Our objective was to measure the spatial and temporal variability of NH3 across this region and estimate its dry deposition. Ambient NH3 was measured using diffusive passive samplers at 8 sites in two transects across the region from 2018–2020. NH3 fluxes were estimated using the Surface Tiled Aerosol and Gaseous Exchange (STAGE) model. Peak NH3 concentrations were 4–5 times greater at a high-density dairy site compared to mixed agriculture/dairy or agricultural sites, and 26 times greater than non-agricultural sites with prominent seasonal trends driven by temperature. Annual estimated dry deposition rates in areas of intensive dairy production can approach 45 kg N ha−1 y−1, compared to <1 kg N ha−1 y−1 in natural landscapes. Our results suggest that the natural sagebrush steppe landscapes interspersed within and surrounding agricultural areas in southern Idaho receive NH3 dry deposition rates within and above the range of nitrogen critical loads for North American deserts. Finally, our results highlight a need for improved understanding of the role of soil processes in NH3 dry deposition to arid and sparsely vegetated natural ecosystems across the western US.

Circularity and livestock diversity: Pathways to sustainability in intensive pig farming regions

CONTEXTIntensive pig farming is challenged by high environmental impacts and dependence on outsourced inputs. Circular feeding strategies to improve nutrient cycling and livestock diversity have emerged as pathways to improve the sustainability. OBJECTIVEThis study explored the potential of increasing feed circularity and introducing sheep to improve the sustainability of a typical pig fattening region in the semiarid zone of Spain. METHODSThree alternative circular scenarios were designed to relocate pig feed production while reintroducing sheep production. These scenarios were then compared to a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario. The feeding strategies scenarios differed in crude protein (CP) and in-feed amino acid (AA) supplementation for pigs (CircHigh, high CP with low AA; CircLow, low CP with high AA; CircNoAA, low CP without AA) and included grazing sheep to use crop residues, alfalfa and temporary vetch-oat pastures on fallow land. Yearly feed requirements for pigs were planned, and were met with cereal grains, oilseeds, legumes, rice bran and chopped alfalfa hay. Sheep carrying capacity was estimated from available forage sources. Indicators in five sustainability dimensions were considered: economic performance, landscape mosaic, livestock diversity, nitrogen (N) cycling, and feed-food competition. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSOutsourced (BAU) pig feeding without sheep had low scores for indicators in all five dimensions. The feeding strategy for pigs strongly influenced the land area required to produce feed as well as N cycling. Only the CircLow scenario could feed the current pig stocks in the region with the arable land available. The CircHigh strategy combined with grazing sheep scored highest for most of the dimensions, except for feed-food competition indicators. The CircLow strategy had good scores for most of the dimensions, except for N cycling indicators, whose scores decreased due to the lower N content of slurry. The CircNoAA strategy increased the use of rice bran as a food coproduct and decreased N surplus, but also impaired the economic performance (land productivity and feeding costs). Although the CircLow strategy required less land area to grow legumes, it resulted in a slightly higher crop diversity and a higher sheep carrying capacity when sowing temporary pastures. SIGNIFICANCEN cycling and overall sustainability of regions with intensive livestock production was improved through feed circularity, that included reducing CP with high in-feed AA, and livestock diversity, by reintroducing sheep as complementary livestock that can graze crop residues and temporary pastures. These results may help to inform future rural policies to help upscale more sustainable practices in intensive pig farming regions.

Assessing the energy trap of industrial agriculture in North America and Europe: 82 balances from 1830 to 2012

Early energy analyses of agriculture revealed that behind higher labor and land productivity of industrial farming, there was a decrease in energy returns on energy (EROI) invested, in comparison to more traditional organic agricultural systems. Studies on recent trends show that efficiency gains in production and use of inputs have again somewhat improved energy returns. However, most of these agricultural energy studies have focused only on external inputs at the crop level, concealing the important role of internal biomass flows that livestock and forestry recirculate within agroecosystems. Here, we synthesize the results of 82 farm systems in North America and Europe from 1830 to 2012 that for the first time show the changing energy profiles of agroecosystems, including livestock and forestry, with a multi-EROI approach that accounts for the energy returns on external inputs, on internal biomass reuses, and on all inputs invested. With this historical circular bioeconomic approach, we found a general trend towards much lower external returns, little or no increases in internal returns, and almost no improvement in total returns. This “energy trap” was driven by shifts towards a growing dependence of crop production on fossil-fueled external inputs, much more intensive livestock production based on feed grains, less forestry, and a structural disintegration of agroecosystem components by increasingly linear industrial farm managements. We conclude that overcoming the energy trap requires nature-based solutions to reduce current dependence on fossil-fueled external industrial inputs and increase the circularity and complexity of agroecosystems to provide healthier diets with less animal products.

Sero-Prevalence, Epidemiology, and Public Health Significance of Small Ruminant Brucellosis

Brucellosis is a widespread zoonosis mainly transmitted from cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and camels through direct contact with blood, placenta fetuses, or uterine secretion or through consumption of the contaminated raw animal product (especially unpasteurized milk and soft cheeses) in endemic areas. Therefore, the objective of this paper are to explain the Current Epidemiological Aspects of Brucellosis and the Importance of Small ruminant Brucellosis for Public Health and briefly illustrate the Economic Importance of Small ruminant Brucellosis. Sources of infection include aborted fetuses, fetal membranes, vaginal discharges and milk from infected sheep and goat. Brucellosis is caused by facultative, intracellular and Gram- negative bacteria called Brucella. Small ruminant brucellosis is caused by B. ovis (for sheep) and B. melitensis (mainly for goats), the latter one is the most virulent species of the Brucella genus. The disease in naturally infected sheep and goats is characterized by abortion in the last trimester of pregnancy, stillbirth and birth of weak offspring in females, and acute orchitis and epididymitis in males. Brucellosis occurs worldwide in domestic animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, camels and pigs and creates a high economic problem for both the intensive and extensive livestock production system in the tropics and a threat to public health. Diagnostic tests fall into two categories: those that demonstrate the presence of the organisms and those that detect an immune response to its antigens. As a general rule, treatment of infected livestock is not attempted because of the high treatment failure rate, cost, and potential problems related to maintaining infected animals in the face of ongoing eradication programs. To control the disease in human, prevention of the disease in reservoir host is important, so test and slaughter followed by proper disposal of seropositive animals to decrease the incidence of infection and effective vaccination and hygienic practices would reduce the disease spreading in/from endemic regions and to lessen the economic and zoonotic effects of brucellosis, the government, public health officials, and veterinarians must collaborate.

UHPLC-ToF-MS as a High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry Tool for Veterinary Drug Quantification in Milk

Milk is one of the most widely consumed foods in the world, despite the increasing consumption of plant-based alternatives. Although rich in nutrients and believed by consumers to be free of undesirable contaminants, milk, whether of animal or plant origin, is not always free from residues of chemical substances, including veterinary medicines. For instance, in intensive livestock production, antibiotics are often used to treat animals or, illicitly, to improve their growth performance, which can lead to their presence in the final food. Additionally, the continuous use of veterinary drugs in intensive animal production can lead to their occurrence in agricultural soils and therefore are absorbed by plants as another source of entering the food chain. An effective and accurate multi-detection quantitative screening method to analyze 89 antibiotics in milk was optimized by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a time-of-flight detector (UHPLC-ToF-MS) and further validated in accordance with the Commission Implementing Regulation (CIR) 808/2021 and the International Council for Harmonization (ICH) guidelines on the validation of analytical procedures. Apart from the specific parameters required by CIR 808/2021, the aim was to access the lower limits of the method, limits of detection (LoD) and quantification (LoQ), regardless of the maximum residue limits (MRLs) defined in the legislation. The method was then applied in the analysis of 32 supermarket samples, resulting in four positive findings, including one plant-based sample. The antibiotics found were from the macrolides and sulphonamides families. Nevertheless, the concentrations detected were below the established maximum residue level (MRL).

Links between industrial livestock production, disease including zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance

AbstractA range of studies indicates that keeping farm animals in crowded, stressful conditions leads to an increased risk of the emergence, transmission, and amplification of pathogens including zoonoses. Some such zoonoses could lead to a pandemic. Biosecurity, though essential, is not on its own sufficient to prevent the entry of disease into large, intensive livestock housing. To minimize disease risks, both biosecurity measures and the keeping of animals in conditions that are supportive of good health and effective immunocompetence are necessary. A further threat to human health arises from the routine use of antimicrobials in intensive livestock production to prevent disease. This high use of antimicrobials contributes significantly to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in animals, which can then be transferred to people, thereby undermining the efficacy of the antimicrobials that are so important in human medicine. If we want to save our antimicrobials and minimize the risk of future zoonoses and pandemics, we need to move to “health‐oriented systems” for the rearing of animals, systems in which good health is inherent in the farming methods rather than being dependent on the routine use of antimicrobials. Health‐oriented systems should avoid high stocking densities and large group size, should minimize stress and mixing of animals, and ensure that animals can perform their natural behaviors as the inability to do so is highly stressful. They should avoid the use of animals selected for excessive production levels as these appear to involve an increased risk of immunological problems and pathologies.

Making animal welfare labelling more transparent – The potential of different information types from simple text to highly immersive stable tours via VR glasses

Intensive livestock production has been subject to increasing public criticism, including a demand for more animal-friendly housing systems and transparency. Since animal welfare is a credence attribute which cannot be evaluated on the product itself, recently various labels have been introduced to help consumers make purchasing decisions according to their animal welfare concerns. However, such labels need to be accompanied by adequate information to reveal full market power. Research on how animal welfare labels should be communicated to improve efficiency is scarce. The aim of our study is therefore to investigate the impact of different information types on the understanding and evaluation, willingness to buy (WTB) and willingness to pay (WTP) for an animal-friendly product. We used a quantitative research approach with four experimental groups (n = 200). Each group (n = 50) was presented with one of four information types that differed regarding their immersive and innovative character and all provided information about the main label criteria: group 1 received text only, group 2 text and stable pictures, group 3 text and a 360° stable video via tablet, group 4 text and a 360° stable video via virtual reality (VR) glasses. Regardless of information type, participants’ understanding of the label as well as their evaluation of animal welfare and acceptability of an exemplary stable presented improved after information was given. Furthermore, providing information positively influenced the WTB and WTP. Regarding user experience, stable insights via VR glasses were particularly appreciated, even though more simpler types were considered more favourable in terms of the usage at the point of sale (POS). We conclude that various information types can be promising to communicate certain label criteria. Both higher immersive and innovative as well as more simple information types help to make animal welfare efforts more appreciated and support consumers in decision making.

Evaluation of Automated Portable Vermicomposting Bin

Abstract: The gradual increase in world population and Intensive livestock production, all produce large amounts of organic waste. There is a serious disposal problem all over the world and it is a major cause of environmental pollution. An IoT based portable vermicomposting bin is a modern solution for efficient and convenient composting. This innovative approach utilizes the Internet of Things (IoT) technology to connect the vermicomposting bin to a network and unable real time monitoring and control of various parameters, such as temperature, moisture and pH level. The IoT based vermicomposting bin provide a user friendly and easy to operate level. The IoT based vermicomposting bin provides a user friendly and easy to operate interface making it accessible to a wider range of user, including those who are new to vermicomposting. With automated controls and real time monitoring, the IoT based vermicomposting bin can simplify the composting process and reduce waste, minimizing the environmental impact. It can also help reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, which can be harmful to the environment. The type of worm which is mostly used for vermicomposting is Red Wiggler (Eisenia Fetida). Overall, the IoT based vermicomposting bin is smart and efficient way to recycle organic waste and produce high- quality compost.

The Significant Effects of Agricultural Systems on The Environment

The sustainability of our world and the ecological balance are significantly shaped by agricultural systems. The main environmental implications of agricultural practices are highlighted in this research with an emphasis on both the detrimental effects and proposed remedies to lessen these effects. By supplying food, fiber, and different raw materials, agricultural systems are essential for maintaining human populations. These systems, though, have the potential to have a significant negative or positive impact on the environment. An overview of the main environmental impacts of agricultural systems is given in this research First, agricultural systems play a significant role in the production of greenhouse gases. The release of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and element oxide (N2O), all of which are powerful greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, is influenced using synthetic fertilizers, intensive livestock production, and changes in land use. Second, agricultural practices have an impact on water resources. The overuse of irrigation water can cause groundwater aquifers to be depleted and rivers and lakes to dry up. Additionally, the fertilizer and pesticide-contaminated runoff from agricultural fields can contaminate water sources, leading to eutrophication and harming aquatic ecosystems. Adopting sustainable agricultural practices is necessary to meet rising food demands while reducing adverse effects. These methods include organic farming, agroforestry, precision agriculture, and improved water management strategies. By putting such practices into practice, one can encourage a more resilient and sustainable food production system while also reducing the negative environmental effects of agriculture.

High-resolution maps of intensive and extensive livestock production in China

High-resolution maps of intensive and extensive livestock production in China

Automated Vermicomposting using Portable Bin

Abstract: The gradual increase in world population and Intensive livestock production, all produce large amounts of organic waste. There is a serious disposal problem all over the world and it is a major cause of environmental pollution. An IoT based portable vermicomposting bin is a modern solution for efficient and convenient composting. This innovative approach utilizes the Internet of Things (IoT) technology to connect the vermicomposting bin to a network and unable real time monitoring and control of various parameters, such as temperature, moisture and pH level. The IoT based vermicomposting bin provide a user friendly and easy to operate level.

Trade-offs between passive and trophic rewilding for biodiversity and ecosystem functioning

Trophic rewilding that reintroduces large animals into landscapes to re-establish food web interactions and restore biodiverse ecosystems has gained widespread attention. Despite this attention, few empirical studies have assessed the effectiveness of trophic rewilding for promoting biodiversity and its wider ecological benefits. Here we tested if trophic rewilding that introduced functional analogues for extinct large herbivores into former farmland of lowland England delivered additional benefits to biodiversity and ecosystems functioning. We predicted that these benefits would exceed those achieved through passive rewilding, that is, unassisted habitat succession after the cessation of agricultural activity. Using a 9-year exclosure experiment, we found trophic rewilding reduced woody plant diversity and total carbon storage by 73% and 23%, respectively, compared to passive rewilding plots that excluded mammalian herbivores. However, trophic rewilding likely increased plant diversity and carbon storage compared to if land was left under continued agricultural production, e.g. artificial pastures associated with intensive livestock production. The vegetation changes accompanying trophic rewilding were further linked to a greater diversity and biomass of ground-dwelling arthropods by 21% and 167%, respectively, relative to passive rewilding, partly by creating more structurally complex vegetation. Given the trade-offs in biodiversity and ecosystem functions between trophic and passive rewilding, our study highlights that trophic rewilding will need to be applied alongside other interventions to tackle biodiversity loss while combatting climate change. Ultimately, the utility of trophic rewilding as a restoration tool will depend on the conservation outcomes valued by society.

Evaluation of a new approach for swine wastewater valorisation and treatment: A combined system of ammonium recovery and aerated constructed wetland

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) are faced with a surplus of animal manure due to intensive livestock production, and the high use of mineral nitrogen (N) fertilisers in crop production. Recovery of N from animal manure to replace synthetic mineral fertilisers is considered a key strategy to close the N loop for more sustainable agriculture and to meet strict legal frameworks. In this study, N recovery from swine wastewater by an ammonia (NH3) stripping process followed by purification via an aerated constructed wetland (ACW) was proposed as an alternative approach to conventional systems based on biological nitrification-denitrification (NDN) treatment. The performance of the NH3 stripping pilot as well as the ACW was monitored in 2019–2020 over three periods, to evaluate the quality of recovered ammonium nitrate (AN) solution and the effluent of the ACW. Results showed that the NH3 stripping unit recovered 21% of total-N (32% of mineral-N) in the form of AN solution. This could be used as a mineral fertiliser according to the criteria of the European Fertilising Products Regulation 2019/1009 and the technical proposal of manure-derived RENURE (REcovered Nitrogen from manURE) products by the European Joint Research Centre. As a RENURE product, AN solution would reach an end-of-manure status and could be used as a synthetic N fertiliser replacement. The tested ACW achieved a high removal efficiency with respect to suspended solids (96%), biological oxygen demand (96%), chemical oxygen demand (90%), total-N (80%), and total phosphorus (97%). The quality of ACW effluent was comparable to that of NDN treatment. Though the overall cost of the proposed pilot-scale process consisting of NH3 stripping (5.1 € t−1) and ACW (12 € t−1) was calculated slightly higher than conventional NDN treatment (16 € t−1), it is foreseen to outcompete at a higher loading rate (over 45 m3 ha−1 d−1). Furthermore, post-purification will be needed for the ACW effluent to meet the requirements for discharge to surface water.

Prevalence of neonicotinoid insecticides in paired private-well tap water and human urine samples in a region of intense agriculture overlying vulnerable aquifers in eastern Iowa

A pilot study among farming households in eastern Iowa was conducted to assess human exposure to neonicotinoids (NEOs). The study was in a region with intense crop and livestock production and where groundwater is vulnerable to surface-applied contaminants. In addition to paired outdoor (hydrant) water and indoor (tap) water samples from private wells, urine samples were collected from 47 adult male pesticide applicators along with the completions of dietary and occupational surveys. Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) were then calculated to examine exposures for different aged family members. NEOs were detected in 53% of outdoor and 55% of indoor samples, with two or more NEOs in 13% of samples. Clothianidin was the most frequently detected NEO in water samples. Human exposure was ubiquitous in urine samples. A median of 10 different NEOs and/or metabolites were detected in urine, with clothianidin, nitenpyram, thiamethoxam, 6-chloronicotinic acid, and thiacloprid amide detected in every urine samples analyzed. Dinotefuran, imidaclothiz, acetamiprid-N-desmethyl, and N-desmethyl thiamethoxam were found in ≥70% of urine samples. Observed water intake for study participants and EDIs were below the chronic reference doses (CRfD) and acceptable daily intake (ADI) standards for all NEOs indicating minimal risk from ingestion of tap water. The study results indicate that while the consumption of private well tap water provides a human exposure pathway, the companion urine results provide evidence that diet and/or other exposure pathways (e.g., occupational, house dust) may contribute to exposure more than water contamination. Further biomonitoring research is needed to better understand the scale of human exposure from different sources.

How Much Complexity Is Required for Modelling Grassland Production at Regional Scales?

Studies evaluating the complexity of models, which are suitable to simulate grass growth at regional scales in intensive grassland production systems are scarce. Therefore, two different grass growth models (GrasProg1.0 and APSIM) with different complexity and input requirements were compared against long-term observations from variety trials with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) in Germany and Denmark. The trial sites covered a large range of environmental conditions, with annual average temperatures ranging from 5.9 to 10.3 °C, and annual rainfall from 536 to 1154 mm. The sites also varied regarding soil type, which were for modelling categorised into three different groups according to their plant available water (PAW) content: light soils with a PAW of 60 mm, medium soils with a PAW of 80 mm, and heavy soils with a PAW of 100 mm. The objective was to investigate whether the simple model performed equally well with the given low number of inputs, namely climate and PAW group. Evaluation statistics showed that both models provided satisfactory results, with root mean square errors for individual cuts ranging from 0.59 to 1.28 t dry matter ha−1. The model efficiency (Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency) for the separate cuts were also good for both models, with 81% of the sites having a positive Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency value with GrasProg1.0, and 72% with APSIM. These results reveal that without detailed site-specific descriptions, the less complex GrasProg1.0 model can be incorporated into a simple decision support tool for optimising grassland management in intensive livestock production systems.