Scottish Agricultural College Research Articles

A comparison of soil liming requirement methodologies in temperate, Northern European pedo‐climates

AbstractBackgroundLiming agricultural land is essential to optimise crop yield and soil nutrients. Despite the importance of pH management in agricultural soils, liming applications have been decreasing in the United Kingdom for decades. There is no comparison of contemporary and historical liming requirement (LR) methods for Northern European, temperate climate mineral soils high in organic matter (OM).AimsThe aims of this research were to thoroughly comparatively analyse current methodologies and to ascertain which soil characteristics contribute to LR reactions.MethodsAnalysis compared methods for determining liming values common in the United Kingdom (Scottish Agricultural College [SAC] look‐up chart, RothLime model), Europe and the United States (Shoemaker–McLean–Pratt, Sikora, Modified Mehlich buffers), and the 30‐min calcium hydroxide titration developed by the University of Georgia.ResultsRothLime and SAC highly underestimated the LR value in acidic soils. The buffers highly over or underestimated LRs. The UGA titration method is a cheap, easy and accurate method which could be utilised for high OM soils but requires further calculation development. The characteristics most associated with soil–lime reactions in this experiment were measures of exchangeability (cation exchange capacity and loss on ignition, and by proxy, lime buffering capacity).ConclusionsThere is an opportunity to create buffer calculators and titration equations adapted to high OM soils. These are suggested for further development, through a larger diversity of UK soil types grouped by buffering capacity ranges. Including soil exchangeability factors in lime management calculations may contribute to more accurate values and therefore better resource management. Increasing LR accuracy for site‐specific soil pH management, used in precision agriculture technologies, is a necessary tool for the conservation of natural resources like limestone, managing resource use efficiency, and for optimising yields.

10 year anniversary of the Journal APSTRACT: The history of an open access journal

The idea initiating the birth of the journal APSTRACT was initiated by András Nábrádi, during a 2005 AGRIMBA1 executive board meeting held in Aberdeen, UK. AGRIMBA is an open international network of academics and professionals from universities and related institutions dealing with education and research in agribusiness (Csapó et al., 2010). Currently, the Network is especially active in Central and Eastern Europe (Heijman, 2015). The main objective of the Network is to set standards based on best practices for programmes it oversees and to accredit them on the basis of these standards. The International MBA Network was established in 1995, by founding members from Wageningen University, Scottish Agricultural College, the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Warsaw Agricultural University, University College Cork and the University of Wolverhampton. Between 2000 and 2009, the following universities joined the Network: Humboldt University Berlin, the University of Debrecen, Arkansas State University, the Agricultural University of Ukraine, the Timiryazev Academy in Moscow, the University of Belgrade and the University of Zagreb (Heijman, 2015). The Universities of Belgorod (Russia) and Kazan (Russia) has also joined the network last year.
 JEL code: A10

Estimating the economic impact of the adoption of novel non-crate sow farrowing systems in the UK

The majority of indoor sows in the UK (around 95 per cent) farrow in conventional farrowing crates. There is pressure from a number of quarters – EU and national regulators, supermarket buyers and consumers – to improve the welfare of sows by adopting ‘‘free’’ farrowing systems. A DEFRA-funded project (under the acronym PigSAFE) conducted by Newcastle University and the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) has developed and tested such a non-crate farrowing system. The trial monitored the costs and pig performance of over 450 sows which farrowed in either PigSAFE pens or conventional farrowing crates. The data generated in this work were used to construct spreadsheet-based budgeting models and linear programming (LP) models to assess the comparative economic performance of the two systems and determine the likely uptake of the new system. The results suggest that the cost of production under the new farrowing system would be about 1.6% higher than the conventional farrowing crate while pig performance was comparable in the two systems. A survey showed that UK producers were prepared to consider the new systems when renewing their farrowing accommodation, although the modelling exercise suggests that a price premium would still be required to ensure the viability of the new systems.

When to inseminate: a dilemma for dairy farmers

Veterinary RecordVolume 171, Issue 1 p. 15-16 Research When to inseminate: a dilemma for dairy farmers B. Vosough Ahmadi DVM, MSc, PhD, Corresponding Author B. Vosough Ahmadi DVM, MSc, PhD...

Technical note: Prediction of liveweight from linear conformation traits in dairy cattle

The objectives of this study were to derive phenotypic and genetic prediction equations of liveweight from linear conformation traits, and estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters for these traits. Data pertained to 2,728 conformation and liveweight records of 613 cows in 1,529 lactations. Cows were raised at the Scottish Agricultural College research station and had calved between 2002 and 2010. Fifteen linear conformation traits were considered as predictors. To validate phenotypic predictions, the data set was randomly split into independent reference and validation subsets. Reference subsets were used to derive prediction equations with the use of a mixed model. Comparisons between predicted and actual liveweight in the validation subsets indicated that stature, chest width, body depth, and angularity could be used to derive phenotypic predictions of liveweight. Accuracy of these predictions was better for first-lactation than for all-lactation liveweight data. Significant genetic correlations between liveweight and the 4 predictor traits ranged from 0.49 to 0.76, and phenotypic correlations were 0.33 to 0.56. Estimated genetic (co)variances were used to develop prediction equations of animal genetic merit for liveweight from routinely calculated genetic evaluations for conformation traits.

Improving the Farmland Biodiversity Value of Riparian Buffer Strips: Conflicts and Compromises

The intensity of management of lowland grassland fields in the United Kingdom, coupled with the fact that such grasslands dominate much of the lowland landscape, means that there are now few opportunities for many plants, invertebrates, birds, or mammals to survive. The Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) has investigated whether fencing off the margins of such fields next to watercourses to control diffuse pollution has any positive impacts on biodiversity, based on assessments of vegetation composition and condition and structure of assemblages of invertebrates of importance as foodstuffs to farmland birds. Fencing watercourses increased the abundance of key groups of invertebrates. However, the invertebrate species diversity was not increased unless the margins were ≥ 5.4 m in width. Margins established in the study area to prevent access by livestock to watercourses or to enhance biodiversity are generally ≤ 2.6 m wide and are therefore unlikely to provide conditions for additional invertebrate species to use. The dense, tall swards within such margins are also unlikely to provide foraging opportunities for farmland birds. Management (such as low-intensity grazing by livestock in the margins) is essential to provide the conditions required for these groups, but this could conflict with the diffuse pollution mitigation aims. A compromise is proposed whereby limited autumn/winter grazing by livestock could be used to open the vegetation structure in the margins. Grazing by livestock at that time may be acceptable since it is not occurring in the period of main diffuse pollution concern (i.e., the fecal contamination of watercourses and bathing waters in the spring and summer). It is also essential that a landscape-scale approach is taken, driven by knowledge of the full needs of the species concerned, when deciding where best to target agri-environmental actions aimed at farmland bird conservation.

Guidelines for harvesting forest biomass for energy: A synthesis of environmental considerations

Abstract Interest in the utilization of forest biomass for energy is growing. A search into existing forest biomass harvesting and regeneration guidelines was carried out to identify how biomass energy can be environmentally sustainable. Findings have shown that there are only a few guidelines that specifically address harvesting and regenerating biomass for bioenergy or other bio-based products. Of these few, there are guidelines developed for dedicated energy plantations such as the Scottish Agricultural College guidelines, as well as some Finnish and Swedish guidelines recommending management practices for both timber and biomass extraction. Most of the existing small woody material guidelines emphasize the retention, disposal, redistribution, burning and mulching of biomass material on-site in a more detailed manner than forest and timber management guidelines. This study synthesizes and classifies existing biomass-related guidelines based on an in-depth literature review of existing guidelines in Europe and North America involved with biomass energy harvesting. Biomass guidelines are classified according to those applicable to systems producing biomass commercially for energy versus those that are applicable to systems managing this material for non-commercial purposes. Biomass guidelines are analyzed with respect to how they address issues of sustainability related to soil, water and habitat. Recommendations are offered for developing guidelines for biomass harvesting.

Eradication programme for bovine viral diarrhoea virus in Orkney 2001 to 2008

The strategies used and the results obtained in Orkney's bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) eradication programme over eight years (2001 to 2008) are presented and discussed. The venture was undertaken...

NovelChlamydia-like Organisms as Cause of Bovine Abortions, UK

Novel<i>Chlamydia</i>-like Organisms as Cause of Bovine Abortions, UK

Improvements and validation of milk fatty acid predictions using mid-infrared spectrometry

Improvements and validation of milk fatty acid predictions using mid-infrared spectrometry H Soyeurt, S McParland, D Berry, E Wall, N Gengler, F Dehareng, P Dardenne Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech University of Liege, Animal Science Unit, Gembloux, Belgium, National Funds for Scientific Research, Brussels, Belgium, Walloon Agricultural Research Centre, Valorisation of Agricultural Products, Gembloux, Belgium, Teagasc, Moorepark Dairy Production Research Centre, Fermoy, Cork, Ireland, Scottish Agricultural College, Sustainable Livestock Systems, Penicuik, Midlothian, United Kingdom Email: hsoyeurt@ulg.ac.be

Induced resistance: destined to remain on the sidelines of crop protection?

Dale Ronald Walters was born in Tenby in the United Kingdom in 1957 and spent his childhood in Trinidad, West Indies, attending Queen’s Royal College from 1969–1975. He obtained a BSc in Plant Science from Wye College, University of London in 1978 and studied for a PhD at Lancaster University from 1978–1981, under the supervision of Peter Ayres. The PhD (on root function in powdery mildew-infected barley) was followed by a postdoctoral period at Lancaster working on photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism in mildew-infected barley. Walters moved to the West of Scotland Agricultural College (later to become part of the Scottish Agricultural College) in August 1982 as a lecturer in plant physiology and immediately started research on physiological responses of diseased plants. This research included much work on polyamine metabolism, as well as work, starting in 1987, on induced resistance. Promotion to senior lecturer in 1990 was followed by appointment as Head of the Department of Plant Biology in 1997. He was elected to a Fellowship of the Institute of Biology in 1998, was awarded a DSc by Lancaster University for his work on host–pathogen physiology in 1999, and was awarded a personal professorship in 2000. He is currently leader of the Plant Pathology Team at the Scottish Agricultural College in Edinburgh, where he is also Manager for Research Postgraduate Studies. Walters has been an Honorary Lecturer at the University of Glasgow since 1985. Publications: 116 refereed publications, plus 136 other publications, edited three books, currently writing a textbook; Senior Editor of Physiological & Molecular Plant Pathology since 1992, on the Editorial Board of the UK Institute of Biology journal Biologist, and has been on the Editorial Board of Mycological Research and the Italian journal Plant Biosystems. Current research: Induced resistance to plant disease, especially in relation to field implementation; fitness and ecological costs associated with induced resistance; novel approaches to control of plant disease; physiological responses of plants to pathogens. Phytoparasitica (2010) 38:1–4 DOI 10.1007/s12600-009-0067-y

Comparison of two methods of assessing dairy cow body condition score

Two body condition scoring systems were compared for assessing body condition of cows at the Scottish Agricultural College's Crichton Royal Farm. The weekly body condition scores (BCS) were collected for a period of 12 weeks (5 September-21 November). Scores were obtained using the primary systems utilized within the UK and USA. The USBCS were obtained by the same evaluator each week, while the UKBCS were obtained by two different evaluators alternating between weeks. Paired scores (n=2088) between the two systems within week were moderately correlated (r=0.75, P<0.0001). Regression equations to convert scores between the two systems were created using the GLM procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary NC, USA). The simple GLM models to convert from UK to US scores and US to UK scores were USBCS=1.182+0.816 * UKBCS (R2=0.56) and UKBCS=0.131+0.681 (R2=0.56), respectively. These equations may be used to interpret scores within the literature obtained using these two BCS systems, although they must be used with caution.

Causes of abortion in Scottish sheep in 2009

Review of infectious causes of abortion outbreaks in sheepProduction disease in dairy heifers and cows due to ostertagiosisEwe deaths due to louping ill after returning from winter grazingDifferential diagnosis of...

Outbreaks of idiopathic haemorrhagic diathesis syndrome in young calves

Eight outbreaks of idiopathic haemorrhagic diathesis syndrome diagnosed in springborn suckled calvesThree yearling cattle die from severe thromboembolic meningoencephalitis due to Histophilus somni infectionOutbreaks of lamb dysentery in lambs three...

Deaths of neonatal calves common in Scotland in March

Neonatal calf deaths due to septicaemia and poor colostrum absorptionIncrease in bovine fetal submissionsReview of outbreaks and control of nematodirosis in lambsAbortions and ewe deaths due to Salmonella MontevideoInvestigations on...

Unusual cases of illthrift associated with PGE in Scottish cattle

Illthrift related to parasitic gastroenteritis in cattlePlant poisoning due to Pieris species in sheepPenile and vulval lesions in sheep associated with ovine herpesvirus type 2Necrotising epidermitis in pigs due to...

Incidents of coccidiosis and fasciolosis common in Scottish cattle and sheep

Increasing diagnoses of coccidiosis in cattle over the past 16 yearsRecord numbers of fasciolosis incidents in cattle and sheep in 2008Deaths in sheep following nitroxynil overdoseContinuing problems of neonatal anaemia...

Johne's disease commonly diagnosed in cattle in southwest Scotland

Twenty cases of Johne's disease in cattle confirmed by DumfriesReview of clostridial and metabolic diseases in sheepDisease in pigs due to various serotypes of Streptococcus suisSpironucleosis in gamebirds in Great...

Trends in disease caused by BVDV in Scotland, 1998 to 2008

Review of bovine viral diarrhoea virus infections in Scottish cattleScour and abortions due to Salmonella Dublin in cattle in south-west ScotlandOutbreaks of pneumonia in dairy and beef calves and adult...

Cases of traumatic reticulitis in Scottish cattle following ingestion of wires

Traumatic reticulitis and death in dairy cows due to wire from reinforced concreteInvestigation of lameness in cattle housed on slatsFour incidents of louping ill infection in sheepVisna suspected in an...