Pastoral Farming Research Articles

Challenges and opportunities impacting New Zealand’s economic foundation – pastoral agriculture

Challenges and opportunities impacting New Zealand’s economic foundation – pastoral agriculture

Effect of a pre-calving injectable trace mineral supplement on white blood cell function in seasonally calving pastoral dairy cows

ABSTRACT Aims To investigate the effect of injection of trace mineral supplement (TMS) 14–28 days before calving on white blood cell count (WBCC) and function, serum antioxidant capacity (SAC) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in pasture-fed cattle after calving. Methods On each of two South Island, seasonally calving, pastoral dairy farms,1 month before dry-off, a random sample of 150 multiparous cows predicted to calve within 7 days of the herd’s planned start of calving (PSC) were stratified on individual somatic cell count, age, breed and expected calving date. On each farm, 14–24 days before PSC, 60 selected cows were randomly assigned for TMS (Zn, Mn, Se, Cu) injection, and 60 were controls. All 240 cows were contemporaneously injected with hydroxocobalamin, and controls with Se. Blood samples were collected pre-injection and 3, 12 and 40 days after calving. Phagocytic activity, count and proportion of neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes, WBCC, ROS, SAC were measured. Plasma concentrations of Se, Cu and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were monitored from a random subset of animals. Differences attributable to TMS were estimated using mixed-multivariable Bayesian analysis, expressed as mean and highest density interval (HDI). Results Three and 40 days after calving, TMS-treated cows had 0.36 (90% HDI = 0.00–0.77) x 109 and 0.25 (90% HDI = 0.00–0.55) x 109 fewer neutrophils/L. Neutrophils comprised 6 (90% HDI = 0–11)% and 4 (90% HDI = 0–8)% less of the WBCC, and the neutrophil count was 14 (90% HDI = 0–27)% and 9 (90% HDI = 0–18)% less than controls. However, 3 days after calving, there were 7 (95% HDI = 2–12)% more cells phagocytosing and 2,900 (95% HDI = 2,600–3,200) more bacteria ingested/cell. Twelve and 40 days after calving, TMS-treated cows had 0.65 (95% HDI = 0.17–1.17) x 109 and 0.28 (95% HDI = 0.00–0.59) x 109 more lymphocytes/L. Lymphocytes comprised 10 (95% HDI = 3–18)% and 5 (95% HDI = 0–9)% more of the WBCC, and the lymphocyte count was 30 (95% HDI = 11–51)% and 9 (95% HDI = 0–9)% more than controls. There were no meaningful differences in ROS, SAC, ROS/SAC, other white blood cells, or WBCC. Plasma Cu, Se and GPx concentrations were above recommended thresholds. Conclusions Pre-calving TMS injection was associated with differences in white blood cell population and function that may reduce the risk of disease. Abbreviations BHOB: Beta-hydroxybutyrate; GPx: Glutathione peroxidase; HDI: Highest density interval; MESF: Molecules of equivalent soluble fluorophore; OSi: Oxidative stress index; PSC: Planned start of calving; ROPE: Region of probable equivalence; ROS: Reactive oxygen species; SAC: Serum antioxidant capacity; THI: Temperature humidity index; TMS: Trace mineral supplement; WAIC: Widely applicable information criterion; WBCC: White blood cell count.

Оптимизация пастбищной нагрузки на степные экосистемы аридной территории Ставропольского края

Abstract. The article considers the issues of rational use of grass of steppe phytocenoses in their pasture use; the correspondence of pasture capacity and the number of grazed livestock. The purpose of the study is to assess the current state of steppe communities used as pasture lands for grazing existing livestock of large and small cattle and to propose ways to optimize pasture livestock breeding in the arid territory of the Stavropol Territory. Methods. A statistical analysis of the number of cattle and small cattle in the study area was carried out. The expeditionary study of natural herbages was carried out in 2021–2023 on accounting sites (100 m2) according to the requirements of methods generally accepted in phytocenology. The results of the study. Statistical analysis showed that by the beginning of 2000, the number of sheep in the territory under consideration had decreased by 2.6 times, and cattle by 1.6 times. In subsequent years, with the gradual recovery of the livestock industry from the crisis, a steady increase in the number of small and large cattle was noted in this zone to 1306.1 and 74.8 thousand heads, respectively. It was revealed that the vegetation of natural lands used in pasture farming in the arid zone of the Stavropol Territory is secondary, stunted and monotonous in terms of flora composition and plant associations. The capacity of the pasture lands does not correspond to the feed needs of the grazed livestock. At the moment, the shortage of pasture feed is 323.7 thousand tons of feed units. On such pasture lands, animals do not receive food in sufficient quantities. It is recommended to optimize pasture management by limiting the pasture load and bringing the number of grazed livestock in line with the feed capacity of pasture lands. This will help to provide the existing livestock with food that meets their regulatory needs. Scientific novelty. New data have been obtained on the current state of steppe communities in the arid territory of the Stavropol Territory and the correspondence of the number of grazed livestock to the pasture capacity.

Nitrogen use efficiencies, flows, and losses of typical dairy farming systems in Inner Mongolia

Dairy farming is a notable source of nitrogen (N) emissions, impacting both atmospheric and aquatic ecosystems, thus necessitating a detailed analysis of nutrient dynamics to curtail nutrient wastage. However, N flow variability and its environmental ramifications differ markedly among dairy farms, and a holistic understanding of these differences is lacking in Inner Mongolia, the biggest dairy production province in China. Utilizing data from 187 dairy farms and employing the NUFER-farm model, this study assessed N flows, N use efficiency (NUE), and N losses across four predominant dairy farming systems in Inner Mongolia. These systems include traditional pastoral dairy farms (PF), smallholder dairy farms with croplands (SF), industrial landless farms (IDF), and coupled dairy cattle and cropland-intensive farms (CDF). Our findings indicate considerable differences in N flows, NUE, and losses among the systems. On average, N deposition and N fertilizer were the primary N sources for PF and SF, respectively, whereas IDF and CDF derived over 90% of their N inputs from purchased feeds. PF and SF recycled all available manure N on-farm, whereas IDF and CDF recycled only approximately 36% of the total available manure N. N losses constituted 39–72% of total N outputs, with ammonia emissions accounting for 68–73% of total N losses across all farm types. In particular, PF had a higher N loss per kilogram of dairy product than other systems. Farm-level NUE ranged from 17 to 35%, with manure management practices showing significant variability, underscoring the potential for enhanced strategies to reduce N losses through improved manure treatment.

Late-glacial and Holocene shifts in the mountain landscapes of the Cantabrian range (northern Spain) in response to changing climate, fire occurrence and land use

A new well-dated (18 14C dates on short-lived terrestrial plant macrofossils, 210Pb and 137Cs dating) fine-resolution palaeoecological sequence (pollen, coprophilous fungi, conifer stomata, macrofossils, charcoal) from Lago de Isoba (1400 m a.s.l.) spanning the past c. 17,000 years provides novel insights into the long-term dynamics of the high-elevation Cantabrian landscape in response to climate variability and human activities. Vegetation changes were mainly climate-driven during the Late-glacial and the Early Holocene. Thus, steppe-like environments prevailed during the Greenland Stadial 2.1a (GS-2.1a ≈ ‘Oldest Dryas’). Warmer and moister conditions during the Greenland Interstadial 1 (GI-1 ≈ ’Bølling-Allerød’) enabled successive expansions of Juniperus, Betula and Pinus. Steppe-like vegetation re-expanded during the cooler and drier Greenland Stadial 1 (GS-1 ≈ ‘Younger Dryas’). Afterwards, the Early Holocene warming triggered the rapid spread of mixed pine-broad-leaved deciduous mountain forests. Pollen, stomata and macrofossils indicate continuous, long-lasting (c. 10,850–1250 cal yr BP) local occurrence of Pinus sylvestris stands. The records of Cerealia and Plantago lanceolata pollen types (first Holocene occurrences dated at c. 5100 cal yr BP) evidence increased land use during the Late Holocene, which triggered substantial changes in forest ecosystems. Following a phase of intensified arable and pastoral farming, which involved the use of fire to create and maintain forest clearings, pinewoods expanded and reached their maximum development between c. 3600 and 3300 cal yr BP. Pinus probably outcompeted temporarily other woody taxa thanks to its resilience to low-intensity disturbances. Later, pinewoods underwent a stepwise, human-induced decline ending in their final massive collapse after c. 1150 cal yr BP. The highest intensity of agricultural and pastoral farming took place during the Middle Ages, following maximum fire occurrence. We conclude that the present-day open landscape has been shaped by millennia of land use that partly blurred the impact of climate variability.

Welfare in Swiss dairy heifers: Comparative assessment of skin lesions in two housing systems

During summer, dairy heifers are often managed extensively in Switzerland. This applies to 2 different types of husbandry systems across the country, i.e., to heifers on alpine transhumance pastures and to heifers on pastures belonging to a year-round lowland farm. In contrast to heifers, dairy cows are more intensively farmed and spend more time in confinement. The prevalence of skin lesions (e.g., hock injuries) in dairy cows is high. The aim of this study was to record the prevalence of skin lesions in heifers and to possibly determine the time of occurrence of these lesions. To this end, heifers from both husbandry systems (alpine pastures vs. year-round lowland farm pastures) were inspected both visually and through palpation, and findings were compared. Inspection took place in fall, i.e., at the end of the alpine pasturing season before descent to the lowlands. Of the 480 heifers included on a total of 28 farms, skin lesions were found in 13.1% of individuals. Skin lesions commonly associated with barn design (e.g., injuries on the dewlap or hock injuries) and skin lesions on the pelvis were most frequently detected, equally distributed among husbandry systems. In conclusion, the prevalence of skin lesions among Swiss dairy heifers appears to be lower for compared with dairy cows, at least as measured in the fall before heifers transition to the main dairy herd. Accordingly, deploying measures to reduce skin lesions is more efficient on dairy farms than in heifer raising systems.

Conservation of Threatened Grassland Birds in the Mediterranean Region: Going up or Giving Up?

Grassland bird populations in the Mediterranean lowlands have declined dramatically over the past few decades. This decline is due to a combination of factors, including changes in land use and farming practices as well as the impacts of climate change. In particular, more intensive agricultural methods have played a significant role in this reduction. However, in the higher-altitude uplands of the region, traditional practices like pastoralism and rotational low-intensity farming are still common, and these areas continue to support substantial populations of several threatened grassland bird species. In this viewpoint, we discuss the challenges that the uplands are facing and suggest rethinking regional development to better balance the needs of people and nature.

WITHDRAWN: Reconstructing the environmental impact of mining on mountain lakes

Mountain lakes are particularly fragile ecosystems undergoing important transformations associated with ongoing global change. However, the history of anthropogenic impacts on mountain lakes and their catchments is much longer, in many cases featuring millennia of summer pastoral farming. More recently, the growing demand for raw materials and energy linked to industrialization, particularly accelerated since the 19th century CE, meant a further increase in human impact on mountain areas. The Cantabrian Range (northern Spain) constitutes a paradigmatic case of southern European mountain range experiencing intense human impact during the past few millennia and particularly the past two centuries. Here, we have reconstructed the environmental dynamics of this area during the last millennium, with a particular focus on the impact of mining, based on the multidisciplinary analysis (sedimentology, biogeochemistry, magnetic susceptibility, diatoms, pollen, charcoal and dung fungal spores) of sediment cores from Lago de La Cueva (43°03′N, 6°06′W, 1550 m a.s.l.). Changing land use and climate have driven lake dynamics during the last centuries. A major fire-caused deforestation event dated to the late 15th century CE increased erosion and the frequency of intense runoff episodes, in the context of the wetter and colder Little Ice Age. The onset of iron mining activities in the catchment ca. 200 years ago had a strong impact on the lake. Sedimentation rates notably raised and mining waste containing hematite and potentially toxic elements (e.g. Fe, Co, As) was washed into the lake. Additionally, diatom assemblages showed that lake regulation since the early 20th century CE severely altered the natural hydrological regime introducing rapid seasonal lake-level oscillations and increased lakeshore erosion, water turbidity and nutrient loads. The recent environmental restoration, finished in 2006, has involved the re-deposition of large volumes of mine tailing. Although some mining wastewater still arrives into the lake because mine drainage is still active, restoration works have succeeded in reducing erosion rates and nutrient loads. Lower land-use intensity has also contributed to natural vegetation recovery, further diminishing erosion. This study illustrates the complex interactions between human activities (grazing, mining, hydropower) and climate change in defining mountain landscape shifts through time. Moreover, our results highlight the usefulness of paleolimnological research to quantitatively assess the effectiveness of lake restoration programs.

From Ponds to Pine Plantations in 9000 Years: The Environmental Archaeology of Beck Burn, Solway Moss, Cumbria

ABSTRACT This article explores the evidence for environmental change at Beck Burn, Solway Moss, on the English/Scottish border. The analysed pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs (NPP) and microscopic charcoal particles permit several palaeoenvironmental events to be interpreted, supported by radiocarbon dating. These and previously published data suggest the presence of very early Mesolithic water-edge activity, later Mesolithic woodland management, clearance and small-scale cultivation during the early Neolithic period, followed by low-level disturbance for pastoral farming in the early Bronze Age. Woodland clearance and cereal cultivation are dated to the middle Bronze Age, with significant clearance and cultivation identified during the late Iron Age or early Roman period. The medieval period is characterised by evidence for a mixed subsistence economy, with reduced activity possibly coincident with the Wars of Scottish Independence, famines and the Black Death of the fourteenth century, as well as the Little Ice Age. Renewed activity, with evidence for both arable and pastoral farming, is dated to the late medieval to early post-medieval period. Pine plantations were then created, possibly in the eighteenth century or later. The data reveal the importance of palaeoenvironmental archaeology, in the absence of significant finds or features, in creating a link with the past.

A review of grass species yields and growth rates in Northland, New Zealand

ABSTRACT Pastoral farming is a major land use in New Zealand's Northland region, with 3,171 farm holdings and a total area of 637,500 hectares in 2022. The region's pasture grasses include temperate (C3) and subtropical and tropical (C4) grasses which support dairy, and sheep and beef production from grazing. In lowland areas, C3 and some annual C4 grasses are prevalent where cultivation occurs, while perennial C4 grasses dominate areas with low soil fertility and summer dry conditions. Grass-based pasture growth rates (kg dry matter/ha/day) from published and unpublished sources were assembled into the AgYields database. Among the resident and sown grasses tested in Kaitaia, Kaikohe, Whangarei and Dargaville, perennial ryegrass represented ∼60% of the total data points. Dominant kikuyu pastures represented 23% and the remaining species represented 17%. Rates of growth ranged from 5 to 120 kg DM/ha/day, being lowest in late autumn-winter and highest in early summer. Data were compared and agronomic traits (i.e. drought tolerance, biomass production and tillering) are discussed to assess species suitability for the Northland environment. The medium-term prospect suggests an urgent need to improve research into management of cocksfoot and tall fescue-based pastures to provide viable alternatives to overcome the decreasing persistence of perennial ryegrass.

Typology analysis of cattle farms in Northeast Algeria: Potential for sustainable development

CONTEXTCurrently, local cattle breeds are facing numerous challenges, and their disappearance could have social, economic, and environmental consequences. OBJECTIVEThis study was conducted in the northeast of Algeria to understand the characteristics, constraints of production systems and examine the specific strategies implemented in farms to ensure their viability. METHODA total of 175 smallholder farmers who practice Algerian local cattle breeding were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Typology construction was carried out through factor analysis of mixed data, followed by sequential agglomerative hierarchical and K-means clustering, to define distinct farmer types with common characteristics. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONResults highlight three farm types. The first group, representing 54.9% (96/175Farms) of the farms studied, is characterized by low-resource breeders who raise small herds of local breeds in association with small ruminants. Type 2 (25.7%) (45/175) consists of crossbred, diversified, supported breeding with better technical performance. The intensification strategies adopted by breeders of this type have relegated local cattle to the background. The third type (19.4%) (34/175) includes cattle pastoral farms, with the predominance of the local cattle breed characterized by limited productivity. SIGNIFICANCEThis study highlights farm diversity, the necessity of government support, and specific policies to ensure the sustainability of local cattle breeding, with particular emphasis on pastoral breeding, which has the largest number of local cattle breeds.

Determining future scenarios of urban areas with cellular automata/Markov Chain Model method; example of Ereğli District Konya-Türkiye (2030–2040)

As a result of the rapid increase in the world population, the earth surface has started to be damaged due to natural and artificial effects. The extent of the damage to nature can be determined by examining the temporal changes of land use and land cover (LULC). In order to offer healthier and more sustainable living spaces, scientists have produced many studies on the changes in nature. Within the scope of this study, 5 basic training classes were created with the help of Landsat satellite images and CORINE data, covering the period of 1985–2018 for Ereğli-Bor Sub-Basin, which is one of the 9 sub-basins of Konya Closed Basin located in the Central Anatolian Region of Türkiye. Landsat Satellite images, Google Earth Program and CORINE data were overlaid to create a basic training class as artificial areas, agricultural areas—pasture areas—forest areas and wetlands and these areas were classified by supervised classification method. The study was carried out on an area of approximately 331057 ha in and around Ereğli district. Modeling was carried out with the Cellular Automata (CA) Markov Chain Model to determine the urban development potential in the region. In order to estimate the modeling accuracy, the 2018 prediction model was created according to the 2018 reference map, and the validation between the two data was analyzed with the kappa statistics. According to kappa statistics values, it was determined that K_location and K_standard values were 0.9301 and 0.8935, respectively. As a result of the validation in sufficient standards, future prediction models were applied; future models and result maps were prepared for the years 2030–2040. According to the modeling results, it is estimated that the artificial area class in Ereğli district will reach 122.74 km2 by 2030 and 142.24 km2 in 2040. In addition, it was expressed in detail with the prediction results and maps that there will be a decrease in pasture, forest and agricultural areas in the region until 2030 and 2040. As a result, it is predicted that the ecological balance in the region will change and agricultural production may decrease as a result of the decline in agricultural pasture and forest areas. For this reason, it has been revealed that it is important for the future of humanity that plans such as environmental layout and master development plans to be made by regional manager in the region for the future should be planned in line with the results to be obtained as a result of future prediction models.

Flood Impacts on Agriculture under Climate Change: The case of the Awanui Catchment, New Zealand

We assess the economic and environmental impacts on agriculture of flooding under projected climate change, including land-use change as an adaption response to floods. Our case study area is the Awanui catchment located in the far north of New Zealand, where flooding is a significant hazard. The study uses an integrated approach and combines spatial information on agricultural exposure and damage from flooding, economic land-use modelling, and valuation approaches. We analyse direct tangible and direct intangible flood impacts under various extents, frequencies, and water depth levels. Our results show areas with flood exposure and damage costs increase with projected climate change. As an adaptation measure to reduce flood damage costs, pastoral farms convert to other land uses, mainly to unfarmed land. Flooding reduces the net revenue for the catchment, while it can result in some reduction of environmental pollution. When the probability of all possible flood events are considered, the value of the changes in greenhouse gas emissions are equivalent to approximately 18% of the change in total net revenue, while the value of changes in other environmental outputs is equivalent to less than 1% of the change in total net revenue. Based on this study, the assessment of various flood impacts and adaptation responses to them can help to develop resilience strategies for the agricultural sector to future climate-induced flooding.

From Field to Feed trough: Examining the Drivers of Feed and Fodder Technologies Uptake among Pastoral Beef Farmers in Kenya

Adoption of technologies and effective management practices in the pastoral beef systems are necessary for improved productivity and resilient agricultural systems. This study examined the factors influencing the adoption of Technology Innovations and Management Practices (TIMPs) among pastoral beef farmers in Isiolo and Kajiado counties. Employing a cross-sectional approach and utilizing the Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SURe) model, the research explores the intricate dynamics that shape farmers' decisions regarding three key TIMPs; planted fodder, feed supplementation, and fodder conservation. Using a systematic sampling technique, a sample size of 619 pastoral farmers was adopted. This research seeks to uncover the underlying motivations and barriers, understanding the complex relationships between resource accessibility, socio-economic considerations, and the role of extension services in facilitating technology adoption. The research underscores the importance of addressing specific barriers, including limited access to resources and socio-economic constraints faced by these farmers. The evidence-based strategies derived from this research paves the way for scientifically informed interventions to propel the livestock sector in Kenya towards a sustainable future. The study's recommendations emphasize the need for targeted policies that prioritize market accessibility, technology awareness and information access, thus effectively supporting the adoption of TIMPs among pastoral beef farmers. Implementing these recommendations contributes to strengthening of resilience of the livestock sector and the advancement of sustainable agricultural practices in Kenya.

Creating value from intangible cultural heritage—the role of innovation for sustainable tourism and regional rural development

Based on evidence from two exploratory case studies, the article examines how intangible cultural heritage can promote sustainable rural development by creating value for rural communities. The studied communities in Bavaria, Germany, and Le Marche, Italy, are closely tied to traditional agricultural practices and their historical legacies. In the German case study, alpine pasture farming has sustained its cultural landscape and tourism for generations, while in the Italian case, the rural sharecropping legacy evolved into a culinary heritage project. Bad Hindelang (Germany) stands out as a mature destination with a long history of sustainable tourism, achieved through collaboration between farmers, conservationists, and the local community. The region balances tourism, conservation, and ecological farming through community participation and collective action. In contrast, Le Marche region (Italy) has only recently experienced increasing numbers of international tourists, but seems well-situated to exploit opportunities for cultural and culinary tourism development. The Marche Food and Wine Memories project has preserved the oral memories and the culinary heritage of former sharecroppers, yet economic value for the region has so far been limited. Post-COVID-19, the region may benefit from increased demand for tourism in culturally appealing, authentic and less crowded destinations. The article emphasises that intangible cultural heritage can enrich the quality of life of local residents and enhance visitors’ experiential value. Innovative approaches like storytelling and participatory engagement make these cultural expressions accessible to wider audiences, including tourists, thus benefiting heritage communities in various ways. Both cases highlight the role of innovation, with Bad Hindelang’s eco-model promoting ecological farming and Le Marche’s project preserving sharecroppers’ heritage through corporate heritage marketing. Collaboration among various stakeholders has been a key to success in both cases. The article also illustrates the range of functions fulfilled by intangible cultural heritage, from restoring social dignity to maintaining landscape aesthetics and ecological integrity.

Local and regional-scale effects of hedgerows on grassland- and forest-associated bird populations within agroecosystems.

Linear woody features (LWFs), like hedgerows along field edges, provide wildlife habitat and support biodiversity in agroecosystems. Assessments of LWFs usually focus on community-level indices, such as species richness. However, effective conservation actions need to balance the contrasting habitat preferences of different wildlife species, necessitating a focus on population-level effects in working landscapes. We assessed associations between LWFs and abundance for 45 bird species within an intensive agroecosystem in eastern Ontario, Canada. We used distance- and removal-sampling methods across 4 years (2016-2019) to estimate local bird abundance in habitats representing a range of LWF densities. We also predicted abundance across a subset of the study region with and without LWFs to understand their contribution to regional population density. Associations between local bird abundance and LWFs were variable among species, but overall community effects were clearly positive, particularly for forest and shrubland species. At the site level, 20/45 species (44%) had higher densities associated with greater LWF presence on average, compared to 5/45 (11%) with negative associations. At the regional scale, LWFs had predicted benefits on total abundance for 31 species (69%), contributing to an estimated 20% increase on average. Positive effects were most pronounced in areas with greater agricultural land use (primarily field crops), suggesting LWFs may provide crucial habitat in heavily modified landscapes but have little to no additional benefit for the avian community in areas with greater existing heterogeneity and habitat retention. Species that responded negatively tended to be at risk with strong habitat preferences for intact forests or large, open grasslands and, thus, greater sensitivity to potential edge effects. With rapidly declining songbird populations and a global need for food security, conservation strategies that amplify biodiversity and enhance agricultural productivity through ecosystem services such as pest control, pollination, and water regulation are vital. We demonstrate the benefits of habitat heterogeneity in agroecosystems on songbird densities and highlight the need to integrate local and landscape-level assessments in conservation planning. An effective, balanced strategy includes concentrating LWFs in areas of extensive arable crops, with habitat retention patches where possible, while maintaining heterogeneity through mixtures of natural habitats and pastoral farming in less intensive regions.

Impact of climate change and land cover dynamics on nitrate transport to surface waters.

The study investigated the impact of climate and land cover change on water quality. The novel contribution of the study was to investigate the individual and combined impacts of climate and land cover change on water quality with high spatial and temporal resolution in a basin in Turkey. The global circulation model MPI-ESM-MR was dynamically downscaled to 10-km resolution under the RCP8.5 emission scenario. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used to model stream flow and nitrate loads. The land cover model outputs that were produced by the Land Change Modeler (LCM) were used for these simulation studies. Results revealed that decreasing precipitation intensity driven by climate change could significantly reduce nitrate transport to surface waters. In the 2075-2100 period, nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) loads transported to surface water decreased by more than 75%. Furthermore, the transition predominantly from forestry to pastoral farming systems increased loads by about 6%. The study results indicated that fine-resolution land use and climate data lead to better model performance. Environmental managers can also benefit greatly from the LCM-based forecast of land use changes and the SWAT model's attribution of changes in water quality to land use changes.

Implementing plantain (Plantago lanceolata) to mitigate the impact of grazing ruminants on nitrogen losses to the environment: A review

AbstractUrine patches from grazing ruminants contain high concentrations of nitrogen (N) and are the main source of N leaching from grazed pastoral farming systems. While there have been various options identified to substantially reduce N leaching, in general these practices increase the cost of production or reduce production per hectare. In New Zealand, multi‐species pastures were evaluated as a cheaper option that would potentially retain productivity. Early research showed these pastures had lower urinary N excretion from grazing animals and increased plant N uptake, compared with standard New Zealand perennial ryegrass/white clover (PR‐WC) pastures. Further research highlighted the beneficial attributes of the pasture herb narrow‐leaved plantain (Plantago lanceolata; PL), specifically: reduced urine N concentration, reduced urine N excretion, and reduced rate of soil nitrification. Significant reductions (14%–89%) in N leaching were found from cow urine applied to lysimeters with pastures including PL, compared with PR‐WC pasture. Paddock‐scale measurements confirmed the effects of PL, with 20%–60% lower N leaching when PL comprised 30%–40% of the dry matter (DM) of PL‐PR‐WC grazed pastures. There were no negative effects on milk production and composition when feeding PL to dairy cows, but small positive effects on fatty acid profiles. However, weed and pest management, palatability and persistence remain challenging in pastures containing PL on commercial farms. Management options need to be clarified to ensure successful establishment and maintenance of PL. Additionally, the cultivar differences in secondary compounds and their impact on nitrification rate and N leaching need to be better understood.

The Bronze Age occupation of the Black Sea coast of Georgia—New insights from settlement mounds of the Colchian plain

AbstractAlong the lower course of the Rioni and several minor rivers, more than 70 settlement mounds (local name: Dikhagudzuba) have been identified by field surveys and remote sensing techniques. They give evidence of a formerly densely populated landscape in the coastal lowlands on the Colchian plain (western Georgia) and have been dated to the Bronze Age. As yet, limited information is available on their internal architecture, the chronology of the different layers and their palaeoenvironmental context. Based on archaeological sources, remote sensing measurements of three mounds and sediment cores from one mound and its closer surroundings, our study presents a review of the relevant literature and reveals the internal structure, distribution and spatial extent of the mounds. Geochemical and sedimentological analyses of element contents (X‐ray fluorescence) and granulometry helped to identify different stratigraphical layers and differentiate between natural facies and anthropogenic deposits; using the Structure‐from‐Motion technique the mounds' dimensions were calculated. The studied settlement mounds had relatively small dimension (varying from 30 to 100 m in diameter) and were similar in their stratigraphy. Measurement of elements that can identify types of human activity, notably metals and phosphorus, suggest changing intensities of human occupation, pastoral agriculture and metalworking through the occupation sequence. According to the 14C chronology, the formation of the settlements occurred during the first half of the second millennium B.C., which confirms the archaeological interpretation of their Bronze Age origin. The narrow age difference between the lowermost and uppermost anthropogenic layers indicates an intentional construction of the mounds, rather than a successive accumulation of construction debris due to the disintegration of loam bricks by weathering. Therefore, they are indeed mounds and not tells. It is most likely that the characteristic circular moats that surround them were the source of their construction material. Fluvial and alluvial processes in a warm and humid climate dominated the environment of the mounds.

Influence of Animal Nutrition on Milk Quality With Special Reference to the Fatty Acid Composition of Milk Fat

The aim of this study was to compare the composition of fatty acids (FA) present in raw milk. The variable factor that was used was the type of food that was fed to the cows from which milk was collected and time of year. Special attention was paid to the FA factor important in human nutrition. The animals from which the raw material was collected were kept in a traditional system. i.e. in an alcove-pasture system (farm A) and in an alcove system with the use of food delivered by a mixer feeder wagon (farm B). The study material consisted of collected milk, which was tested in 12 replications at each farm during the winter as summer season in 2019. The FA content showed variability for cows grazed on a pasture farm in the summer compared to little changes in the FA obtained from cows fed on the TMR feeding system. The FA content showed variability for cows grazed on a pasture farm in the summer compared to little changes in the FA obtained from cows fed on the TMR feeding system. In general, the study showed that the choice of feed and the season in which the animals are fed are important, as these factors affect milk fat (fatty acid) and, more specifically, have an impact on the overall quality of the milk.