Small-scale Production Systems Research Articles

A methodological framework proposal for managing risk in small-scale farming through the integration of knowledge and data analytics

IntroductionClimate change and weather variability pose significant challenges to small-scale crop production systems, increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. In this context, data modeling becomes a crucial tool for risk management and promotes producer resilience during losses caused by adverse weather events, particularly within agricultural insurance. However, data modeling requires access to available data representing production system conditions and external risk factors. One of the main problems in the agricultural sector, especially in small-scale farming, is data scarcity, which acts as a barrier to effectively addressing these issues. Data scarcity limits understanding the local-level impacts of climate change and the design of adaptation or mitigation strategies to manage adverse events, directly impacting production system productivity. Integrating knowledge into data modeling is a proposed strategy to address the issue of data scarcity. However, despite different mechanisms for knowledge representation, a methodological framework to integrate knowledge into data modeling is lacking.MethodsThis paper proposes developing a methodological framework (MF) to guide the characterization, extraction, representation, and integration of knowledge into data modeling, supporting the application of data solutions for small farmers. The development of the MF encompasses three phases. The first phase involves identifying the information underlying the MF. To achieve this, elements such as the type of knowledge managed in agriculture, data structure types, knowledge extraction methods, and knowledge representation methods were identified using the systematic review framework proposed by Kitchemhan, considering their limitations and the tools employed. In the second phase of MF construction, the gathered information was utilized to design the process modeling of the MF using the Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN).Finally, in the third phase of MF development, an evaluation was conducted using the expert weighting method.ResultsAs a result, it was possible to theoretically verify that the proposed MF facilitates the integration of knowledge into data models. The MF serves as a foundation for establishing adaptation and mitigation strategies against adverse events stemming from climate variability and change in small-scale production systems, especially under conditions of data scarcity.DiscussionThe developed MF provides a structured approach to managing data scarcity in small-scale farming by effectively integrating knowledge into data modeling processes. This integration enhances the capacity to design and implement robust adaptation and mitigation strategies, thereby improving the resilience and productivity of small-scale crop production systems in the face of climate variability and change. Future research could focus on the practical application of this MF and its impact on small-scale farming practices, further validating its effectiveness and scalability.

Global Optimization and Quantitative Assessment of Large-Scale Renewables-Based Hydrogen System Considering Various Transportation Modes and Multi-Field Hydrogen Loads

In the past, hydrogen was mostly produced from fossil fuels, causing a certain degree of energy and environmental problems. With the development of low-carbon energy systems, renewable energy hydrogen production technology has developed rapidly and become one of the focuses of research in recent years. However, the existing work is still limited by small-scale hydrogen production systems, and there is a lack of comprehensive research on the whole production-storage-transportation-utilization hydrogen system (PSTUH2S), especially on the modeling of different hydrogen transportation modes and various hydrogen loads in different fields. To make up for these deficiencies, the specific physical and mathematical models of the PSTUH2S are firstly described in this paper, with a full account of large-scale water-electrolytic hydrogen production from renewable power curtailment and grid power, various hydrogen storage and transportation modes, and multi-field hydrogen consumption paths. Furthermore, to achieve the maximum economic, energy, and environmental benefits from the PSTUH2S, a multi-objective nonlinear optimization model is also presented herein and then solved by the hybrid method combining the nonlinear processing method, the CPLEX solver and the piecewise time series production simulation method. Lastly, case studies are conducted against the background of a region in northwest China, where hydrogen consumption capacity in various years is accurately assessed and the potential advantages of the PSTUH2S are demonstrated. As the simulation results show, the power curtailment of renewable energy generation can be reduced by 3.61/11.87/14.72 billion kW·h in 2025/2030/2035, respectively, thus contributing to a 4.98%~10.09% increase in the renewable energy consumption rate and millions of tons of carbon emission reduction in these years. In terms of the total equivalent economic benefits, the proposed method is able to bring about a cost saving of USD 190.44 million, USD 634.66 million, and USD 865.87 million for 2025, 2030, and 2035, respectively.

Patterns and drivers of antibiotic use in small-scale broiler production systems in Lilongwe District, Malawi

Reducing the inappropriate use of antibiotics in food animals is a global priority to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We investigated practices and factors associated with antibiotic use in small-scale commercial broiler farms in Lilongwe district, Malawi. We used structured questionnaires to collect data on recent antibiotic use practices among 128 broiler farmers, who kept between 50 and 1 000 birds, from December 2022 to March 2023. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors associated with antibiotic use. Over half (53.1 %, n=68) of the farms reported using antibiotics at least once in the previous production cycle. Overall, 11 different types of antibiotics were used either for treatment and/or preventive purposes, with oxytetracycline (88.2 %), erythromycin (29.4 %), and enrofloxacin (26.5 %) reported as the frequently used. One-third of all antibiotic formulations contained multiple active antibiotic ingredients, with 12 % containing four antibiotics. Covariates associated with an increased likelihood of antibiotic use include disease incidence (OR=13.8, 95 % CI 5.27–42.50, p<0.001) and entry of wild birds into poultry houses (OR=3.56, 95 % CI =1.44–9.61, p=0.008). Our study highlights inappropriate usage of antibiotics, largely associated with reduced biosecurity and disease incidence. These findings underscore the need to strengthen veterinary services, reinforce regulations on antibiotic access and use, and farmer education programs promoting proper husbandry, biosecurity, and responsible antibiotic use.

Performance of Chara Chambelli Duck in Backyard System of Rearing at Adopted Village under NICRA at Darrang District of Assam

The Chara Chambelli duck, indigenous to the foothills of the Himalayas, has been gaining attention for its potential as a valuable genetic resource in small-scale poultry production systems. This research paper aims to evaluate the performance of Chara Chambelli ducks in backyard rearing systems under agro-climatic condition of Darrang district of Assam. In the context of the NICRA project, the study was carried out on 400 Chara Chambelli ducks that were raised in backyard systems at the NICRA adopted village of Darrang district of Assam to look into their environmental suitability, productivity, and financial viability. By the time the ducks reached their fifth month of life, the overall weight of the male and female was measured at 1480.02 ± 18.14 grams and 1365.46 ± 14.90 grams respectively. The duck was 155.03± 9.18 days old on average when it laid its first egg. The data showed that the annual production of eggs was 169.12± 6.04 numbers and the weight of eggs at 63.98 ± 2.84 grams. For ducks and drakes, the corresponding benefit-cost ratios were 2.26 and 1.80. It was found that rearing Chara Chambelli ducks in backyard systems with low input traditional systems is more cost-effective than raising Assamese native ducks. Results indicate that Chara Chambelli ducks exhibit promising performance characteristics suitable for backyard rearing, contributing to sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity conservation efforts.

Evaluation and use of recently introduced sheep breeds to Uruguay

Sheep numbers in Uruguay have declined over the last 30 years. In the north and northeast there are extensive wool and dual-purpose systems, respectively, where both wool and meat impact on income. In the south, small-scale family sheep meat production systems have flourished. In this thesis I report work pertaning to production systems in the south (1) and northeast (2) regions. Corriedale (C) is the predominant breed in the country. Milchschaf (M) has been disseminated in the south but C still prevails in the northeast. There is a paucity of rigorous evaluations of these breeds or alternatives that could be more profitable, such as Highlander (H) for the south and Dohne Merino (DM) for the northeast. I experimentally assessed: in 1), wool production, reproduction and growth in C, H and M, and in 2), wool quality and body traits in ewe hoggets from rotational crossbreeding between C and DM. In 1), wool production was better in C, but H and M outperformed C in live weight and reproductive performance. In 2), genotypes with greater proportions of DM produced lower fleece weight, and those with greater proportions of C produced coarser fibre diameter, with no differences in wool quality or morphological traits related to meat aptitude. Gross margins (GM) integrate physical performance with product values and costs, allowing monetary comparison between genotypes. I calculated GMs for a number of production and market scenarios. In 1), most often GM was greatest for H, followed by M. The differences in favor of H and M over C decreased when I considered higher feed requirements for H and M. The GM of H and M increased by assuming they were wool-less (the cost of harvesting exceeds the value of the wool produced). In 2), I considered low and high prices for wool of different fibre diameter. GM was greatest for ¾DM and ⅝DM at low prices, and for ¾DM and ½DM at high prices. C had the lowest GM in all scenarios. I recommend H for southern systems and research on hair sheep breeds. In extensive dual-purpose systems, rotational crossbreeding between C and DM allows for improved wool income without losing meat potential. I formulate recommendations about future genotype evaluations, integrating them with current within breed genetic evaluations.

Crystallisation Dynamics in Large-Scale Extrusion Additive Manufacturing: An Analysis with and without Temperature Modification.

Large-Scale Material Extrusion (LS-MEX) is increasingly being used in small-scale production and prototyping due to its ability to create components in new temporal and spatial dimensions. However, the use of this manufacturing process poses microscopic and macroscopic challenges not encountered in previous small-scale production systems. These challenges arise primarily from the prolonged retention of heat in the material, which leads to insufficient strength in the extruded strands at the macrostructural level. As a result, the component can collapse, a phenomenon known as 'slumping'. Thermal energy also influences microstructural changes, such as crystallisation kinetics, which affect properties such as the strength and stiffness of the final product. The duration and dynamics of thermal energy are influenced by manufacturing parameters and the possible use of additional peripheral equipment, which affects component quality. In this study, the influence of thermal energy on structural processes through simulations of polyamide 6 with 40% carbon fibres (PA6 wt.%40 CF) is investigated. The results show that by adjusting the process parameters and using modification units, the thermal profile of the material can be accurately controlled, which allows the microstructural processes to be precisely controlled. This leads to the targeted modification of the macroscopic material properties. The focus of this work is on the combination of numerical simulations of the LS-MEX process with semi-empirical methods for the analysis of crystallisation processes. The application of the Nakamura model, which is used throughout similar investigations, allows a detailed description and prediction of the crystallisation kinetics during the manufacturing process. The study shows that the absolute degree of crystallisation can be determined with simplified assumptions using a combination of thermal simulations and semi-empirical approaches. It was found that the absolute degree of crystallisation increases from the outer interface of the strand to the print bed across the cross-section. This can be attributed to the specific thermal boundary conditions and the resulting temperature profiles at different points.

In vitro nutritional assessment and estimation of methane emissions from Kikuyu grass pastures overseeded with rye

Objective: To determine the in vitro digestibility and gas production, and to estimate the methane emissions from Kikuyu grass pastures, and Kikuyu grass overseeded with rye. Design/methodology/approach: Two pastures were assessed. One was the subtropical grass Kikuyu Cenchrus clandestinus) (KY), and the other was Kikuyu grass plus overseeding with rye (Secale cereale) (KYCEN), both associated with white clover (Trifolium repens cv. Ladino). Sample collection was in June and July 2021. In vitro digestibility of dry matter (MS), organic matter (MO), and Neutral Detergent Fibre (FDN), as well as the methane emissions were estimated. The in vitro digestibility and gas production variables were analysed with a split-plot experimental design, and the methane emission variables were analysed with a doble cross-over design. Results: There were no significant differences between treatments for dry matter (MS), organic matter (MO) or Neutral Detergent Fibre (FDN) in vitro digestibility, nor in methane emissions (P&gt;0.05). Limitations on study/implications: The in vitro assessment of digestibility, gas production and the estimation of methane emissions of Kikuyu grass pastures and Kikuyu plus rye enable the implementation of feeding strategies for small-scale livestock production systems that do not only benefit the farmers but also the environment. Findings/conclusions: It is concluded that Kikuyu grass pastures and Kikuyu with rye are a viable feeding option for small-scale dairy systems.

Diversification strategies have a stabilizing effect for income and food availability during livelihood shocks: Evidence from small-scale aquaculture-agriculture systems in Myanmar during the COVID-19 pandemic

CONTEXTDiversification is an important strategy used by millions of small-scale food producers globally to improve yields, farm profitability, and food security. Diversification can also enable small-scale producers to cope better with livelihood shocks. However, it is not always clear through which pathways diversification practices can stabilize livelihoods and food security in small-scale production systems, especially in the context of the recent COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVEIn this study we examined whether and how diversification practices stabilized income and food availability in small-scale food production systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. The diversification practices explored in this study included fish polyculture and integrated aquaculture-agriculture (IAA), and their combination. We compared small-scale systems employing different combinations of these diversification strategies, with systems that did not contain them. METHODSWe analyzed 300 surveys of small-scale aquaculture producers in Myanmar. Structural equation modeling was applied to examine the multivariate relationships between the adoption of diversification practices among the small-scale producers, and whether and how the adoption stabilized their livelihoods during the COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSWe find that the integration of diversification practices in different small-scale aquaculture-agriculture (SSAA) production systems had generally positive effects for the stabilization of income, food availability or both during the COVID-19 pandemic. The novelty of the study is the unraveling of the differentiated pathways between production models that enabled these stabilization processes emerge. We find major divergences in the stabilization potential between polyculture and IAA, both in terms of the magnitudes of the stabilization effects and the pathways. Polyculture generally offered more significant stabilizing effects than IAA. Surprisingly the highest and more significant positive effects for the stabilization of food availability came through the purchase of food items from extra fish/crop income, rather than their increased self-consumption. SIGNIFICANCEOverall, the SSAA production systems combining different diversification practices could form proactive strategies to help small-scale food producers cope with livelihood shocks.

Genetic evaluations of dairy goats with few pedigree data: different approaches to use molecular information.

One of the limitations of implementing animal breeding programs in small-scale or extensive production systems is the lack of production records and genealogical records. In this context, molecular markers could help to gain information for the breeding program. This study addresses the inclusion of molecular data into traditional genetic evaluation models as a random effect by molecular pedigree reconstruction and as a fixed effect by Bayesian clustering. The methods were tested for lactation curve traits in 14 dairy goat herds with incomplete phenotypic data and pedigree information. The results showed an increment of 37.3% of the relationships regarding the originals with MOLCOAN and clustering into five genetic groups. Data leads to estimating additive variance, error variance, and heritability with four different models, including pedigree and molecular information. Deviance Information Criterion (DIC) values demonstrate a greater fitting of the models that include molecular information either as fixed (genetic clusters) or as random (molecular matrix) effects. The molecular information of simple markers can complement genetic improvement strategies in populations with little information.

PRODUCCIÓN Y ESTIMACIÓN DE LA EMISIÓN DE METANO DE VACAS ALIMENTADAS CON CEREALES DE GRANO PEQUEÑO EN EL ALTIPLANO CENTRAL DE MÉXICO

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; Given the demand for meat and milk, it is necessary to increase the productivity of ruminant animals, nevertheless livestock also contributes to climate change due to annual methane (CH&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt;) emissions, having a detrimental effect on the atmosphere, due to its effect greenhouse and also represents a loss of dietary energy for ruminant animals. &lt;strong&gt;Objective:&lt;/strong&gt; The objective was to evaluate the nutritional quality &lt;em&gt;in vitro&lt;/em&gt;, as well as the production and estimation of methane of small grain cereals in small-scale milk production systems, through two experiments. &lt;strong&gt;Methodology:&lt;/strong&gt; In experiment 1, twelve dairy cows were compared through continuous grazing (6 h/d) in a 3x3 Latin square design, replicated three times with three 14-d experimental periods and three small-grain cereals: rye (&lt;em&gt;Secale cereale&lt;/em&gt;) (CEN), wheat (&lt;em&gt;Triticum aestivum&lt;/em&gt;) (TRG) and triticale (&lt;em&gt;Triticosecale&lt;/em&gt; Witt.) (TRT), in addition the cows were supplemented with 4.5 kg DM/cow/d of commercial concentrate. In experiment 2, six cows grazing continuously (8 h/d) on a kikuyu grass (&lt;em&gt;Cenchrus clandestinus&lt;/em&gt;) pasture were used in a double reversible design with the inclusion of 10 kg DM of rye silage (ECE) or rye silage. triticale (ETR), in addition the cows were supplemented with 3.6 kg DM/cow/d of commercial concentrate; this experiment also had three 14-d experimental periods. Forage (for chemical composition) and milk samples were taken at the end of each experimental period. &lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; In experiment 1, the nutritional composition presented a high quality (mean of 145 and 740 g/kg DM, for CP and IVDMD, respectively), on the other hand, for experiment 2 the quality was medium-low (mean of 76 and 653 g/kg DM, for CP and IVDMD, respectively) regarding the fermentation parameters obtained through the &lt;em&gt;in vitro&lt;/em&gt; gas production technique, as well as the methane production of the forages and the estimation of enteric CH&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt; production. No significant differences (P&amp;gt;0.05) were detected between the evaluated treatments. &lt;strong&gt;Implications:&lt;/strong&gt; The results of this work provide information on the role that small grain cereals can play in methane emissions, in these production systems according to their nutritional value. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; in Experiment 1, it is concluded that rye, wheat and triticale are viable options to obtain medium-quality forage suitable for grazing, presenting enteric methane emissions, as well as moderate emission intensity, similar to those produced by quality pasture grazing. Regarding Experiment 2, both rye silage and triticale silage are presented as options to be used in these milk production systems in winter, without greatly increasing enteric methane emissions.&lt;/p&gt;

Parasites burden in peri-urban free-roaming pigs in Gert Sibande District Municipality, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.

Parasite infections, unlike regulated animal diseases, do not often receive attention. In fact, parasites are major sources of financial losses in pig enterprises, particularly in subsistence and small-scale pig production systems. To identify and quantify the prevalence of ecto- and endo-parasites among peri-urban free-roaming pigs (FRP) in Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM), Mpumalanga. Pig owners were identified using the snowball sampling method since no sampling frame for FRP farmers exists. Stratified sampling was used to select pigs for sampling for ecto- and endo-parasites. A form was used to record the observations. Pairwise correlation analysis was performed using Stata 15.0. The SPSS V28.0 statistical package was used to perform the chi-square test (X2) to assess the distribution of parasites in different age groups. The prevalence of parasites was assessed in different age groups of pigs using multi-response crosstabs. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to estimate the marginal mean of parasites according to municipality. Statistical significance was assessed at α ≤ 0.05. Over 90% (91.2%) of the pigs examined were infested with at least one parasite, including Haematopinus suis, Sarcoptes scabiei, Ascaris suum, Fasciola hepatica, Trichuris suis, Strongylids, Coccidia spp, Moniezia expansa, and Siphonaptera spp. The correlation between Ascaris suum and body condition was weak but statistically significant (r = 0.24; p < 0.05). Policy makers, animal researchers and veterinary services must focus on developing policies, risk communication and community engagement materials, which target pig farmers in peri-urban areas such as Gert Sibande District Municipality, Mpumalanga Province.

Digital twin-based reinforcement learning framework: application to autonomous mobile robot dispatching

ABSTRACT This paper proposes a new framework for embedding an Intelligent Digital Twin (DT) in a production system with the objective of achieving more efficient real-time production planning and control. For that purpose, the Intelligence Layer is based on Reinforcement Leaning (RL) and Deep RL (DRL) algorithms. The use of this control instead of parametric simulation-based optimization approach allows to benefit from the separation between the training and execution phase. To ensure consistency and reusability, this work presents a standardized framework, based on a formal methodology, that specifies how the various components of the DT-based RL architecture interact over time to achieve essential real-time concurrency and synchronization aspects. Experiments are conducted in a small-scale production system where material handling operations are performed by an Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) in an Industry 4.0 Laboratory. Results showed how synchronized state updates between the Physical and Cyber World are used within the Decision Layer to ensure real-time response for the AMR dispatching requests. Finally, to deal with continuous and high-dimensional state spaces, the Deep Q-Network is implemented. The findings of an extensive computational study reveal that implementing the DT-based DRL solution leads to improved efficiency and robustness when compared to conventional dispatching rules.

Investigating the Profitability of Government-Funded Small-Scale Broiler Projects in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The frequent failures of government-funded broiler enterprises raise concerns about the viability and wisdom of government funding for smallholders. This study therefore investigates the scope for the profitability of the small-scale broiler production and the range of socio-demographic and production issues that are implicated. The study area was the Northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province of South Africa, where smallholder broiler production is popular. A total of 75 randomly selected, small-scale broiler producers from three districts in Northern KZN, namely, King Cetshwayo, uMkhanyakude, and Zululand, participated in the survey out of the 134 small-scale broiler producers supported by the government. The analyses employed diverse descriptive analysis and included the calculation of the gross margin to proxy broiler chicken profitability. Three models were fitted for the empirical analysis, namely, the OLS, the Two-Stage Least Squares, and the Stochastic Frontier models, to determine the factors influencing profitability, correcting for endogeneity, and computing the technical efficiency and inefficiency of the small-scale broiler production system. The results show that the primary production and marketing challenges were the lack of infrastructure (abattoirs and refrigeration) and the lack of formal markets, including the lack of market information and high transport costs. On average, the sampled government-funded small-scale broiler enterprises achieved a positive gross profit margin of 31 percent, which is relatively low when compared to the small-scale farmers that work for a large-scale enterprise—the Commercial Chicken Farm, near Pietermaritzburg. It was revealed that the profits are significantly influenced by gender, farmgate price, access to market information, and access to extension services. The production system was also shown to be operating at a reasonably high technical efficiency, which is strongly influenced by flock size, feeds, and labour input, while age, gender, and educational level contributed to technical inefficiency. The recent crisis that was experienced by the poultry industry in South Africa linked to the outbreak of the Avian Flu and its devastating consequences point up the urgency for more investment in infrastructure to enhance bird safety at affordable costs. Although the government-funded small-scale broiler enterprises in Northern KZN were found to be viable, it is evident that they can be better, possibly through more capacity building and collective action to take full advantage of the economies of scale.

Farm Labour Preferences among Small-scale Arable Crop Farmers in Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria

Human labour is critical in the survival and sustainability of the small-scale farm production system in developing countries. Following the imperfection in the rural labour market and the mounting rural poverty, labour demand among resource-poor small-scale farmers has shifted from its traditional surplus supply market pattern to a more competitive labour market. In Nigeria for instance, human labour is not readily available to farmers in most rural farming communities compared to the previous decades. Considering the fact that more than 60% of agricultural production is done by small-scale farmers in the country; there is an overwhelming need to identify ways of increasing labour utilization by the small-scale farmers in the southern region of Nigeria. Premised on these facts, the study primarily examined the prominent labour sources available to small-scale cassava-based farmers and identified determinants of their demand or adoption. The study was conducted in Akwa Ibom State in the southern region of Nigeria. A total of two hundred (200) cassava-based farmers were randomly sampled using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and multinomial Logit models were employed to analyse the data and objectives of the study. The findings revealed hired labour, family labour and group labour as the major human labour sources for the small-scale farmers in the region. Also, farmers’ age, educational attainment, farm income, farming experience, non-farm income, farm size and social capital formation were identified as factors that increase the probability of adopting hired labour relative to the family labour in the region. Similarly, farmers’ age, education attainment, social capital formation, farmers’ sex and non-farm income were found to increase the probability of using group labour relative to the family labour source. However, household size impacted negatively on the probability of using both hired and group labour relative to family labour. It is recommended that farmers’ formal education, farm income and social capital formation should be enhanced to help them in making efficient choices on labour demand in the rural labour market.

Small-Scale Food Production in the Pandemic: Perspectives from Mexico and Guatemala / Producción de alimentos en pequeña escala durante la pandemia: perspectivas desde México y Guatemala

In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content: As researchers conducting fieldwork in the era of COVID-19 in Mexico and Guatemala, we observed how the pandemic dramatically altered small-scale food production systems. Given the differentiated impacts of COVID-19 on agri-food systems and the diversity of strategies implemented across scales in Mexico and Central America (Lopez-Ridaura et al., 2021), we present three perspectives to highlight the variability in socioeconomic disruptions, local market alterations, and responses among (a) smallholder members of Guatemalan farmer organizations involved in agroecology from A.M. Rice, (b) agroecological producers in Oaxaca, Mexico from L.M. Choi, and (c) small-scale fishers in Baja California Sur (BCS), Mexico from J.W. Dean. We find variability in the effects of supply chain disruptions and the spectrum of shifts to alternative products or markets, as mediated through localized producer networks. We focus on the immediate impacts and responses to the pandemic (reporting primarily on fieldwork between 2020–2022).

EVALUACIÓN DE ENSILADO DE ARVENSES EN LA ALIMENTACIÓN DE GANADO LECHERO EN SISTEMAS DE PRODUCCIÓN DE LECHE EN PEQUEÑA ESCALA

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; The use of weeds in animal feed is a common practice in Mexico. &lt;strong&gt;Objective:&lt;/strong&gt; To evaluate the ensilage of grasses as forage alternatives in the feeding of cows in small-scale milk production systems. &lt;strong&gt;Methodology:&lt;/strong&gt; Two grass silages were evaluated: Slg-40 with 40% mirasol and 30% barley, and Slg-60 with 60% mirasol and 40% grasses and other grasses, with corn silage (Slg-Mz), supplemented with 4.1 kg MS of commercial concentrate. In a 3X3 Latin square repeated twice with 6 cows and 14-day periods. Forage chemical composition and productive response were evaluated. &lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; An average content of Neutral Detergent Fibre of 650 g/kg MS, Acid Detergent Fibre of 479 g/kg MS, and Crude Protein of 62 g/kg DM were reported in the grass silages; estimated metabolizable energy levels of 7 and 8 MJ/kg DM were reported for the SLG-40 and Slg-Mz silages, respectively. In the productive response a higher fat content is reported for the Slg-40 treatment, with respect to Slg-60, for milk yield, protein, lactose, milk urea nitrogen, dry matter intake, live weight and body condition no differences were reported (p˃0.05). &lt;strong&gt;Implications:&lt;/strong&gt; This work raises the use of vetch as silage in animal feeding. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/strong&gt; Silage of weed proved to be a feeding alternative in the face of forage shortage scenarios.&lt;/p&gt;

Pilot Study of Diet Supplemented with Sold-Out Substrate of Pleurotus ostreatus in the Feeding of Backyard Broilers

There are several by-products obtained in agricultural systems that can contribute to small-scale production systems within backyards, in this sense, the production of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) has been integrated into the rural family economy in Mexico. After harvesting the fruiting bodies, the remainder is known as sold-out substrate, this by-product has been destined for other agricultural uses such as: medium for seedlings, vermiculture or fertilizer; however, there are studies where it has been used in the diet of bovine cattle. In this study, the effects of sold-out substrate (corn stubble) of P. ostreatus in the diet of broilers with different percentages of protein, on feed conversion ratio, carcass yield, and broiler meat quality were evaluated. A total of 120 broilers Ross 308 were randomly assigned in 12 pens with concrete floor and curly shaving with an area of 3 m2. During the initial period (1 to 28 days), all broilers were fed commercial feed® mixture. On day 29, the broilers were weighed and divided into four treatment groups and fed diets with different percentages of protein until the end of the experiment. Feed conversion ratio was significantly higher in treatment control (TC) compared to the other treatments; however, the performance parameters were not affected by the diet supplemented with sold-out substrate, likewise, the color and quality of the meat were in a normal range (48 &lt; L* &lt; 51) and with a good amount of crude protein. Sold-out substrate of P. ostreatus from corn stubble presented a high mineral content of Mg, Na, K, Fe, Cu, and Mn suitable to be considered in diets for feeding backyard broilers.

Life Cycle Assessment and Cost–Benefit Analysis as Combined Economic–Environmental Assessment Tools: Application to an Anaerobic Digestion Plant

In the present study, using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Cost–Benefit Analysis (CBA), we assess the economic–environmental performance of an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant, fed by cultured crops (i.e., maize and wheat), in Italy. The biogas generated by the AD plant is used for the production of electricity, imputed into the Italian energy grid. The LCA evaluated potential greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, measured via Carbon Footprint (CF), while the CBA analysed the financial and economic profiles via the Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) indicators. The strength of combining these methodologies is the joint examination of the financial and social–environmental performance of the plant. The results of the CBA are complemented with the GHG emissions avoided by producing electricity from biogas. The CF of 0.28 kg CO2eq·kWh−1 of electricity produced is mainly due to the nitrogen fertilizers involved in the production of the additional feedstock matrix (i.e., maize flour). In the CBA, the negative financial NPV and the financial IRR, which is lower than the discount rate applied, highlight the inability of the net revenue to repay the initial investment. Regarding the social desirability, the economic analysis, enriched by the LCA outcomes, shows a positive economic performance, demonstrating that the combination of information from different methodologies enables wider consideration for the anaerobic digestion plant. In line with the Italian Recovery and Resilience Plan’s aim to strongly increase the exploitation of renewable resources, an AD plant fed by dedicated crops could valorise the marginal uncultivated land, obtaining energy without consuming land for food production. Moreover, this AD plant could contribute to the creation of repeatable small-scale energy production systems able to sustain the demand of local communities.

Evaluation of the botanical composition of kikuyu and fescue grasslands associated with white clover during two seasons in the high valleys of Mexico

Objective. To evaluate the botanical composition of grasslands of kikuyu (Cenchrus clandestinus) compared to tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum cv. Cajun II), each one in association with white clover (Trifolium repens cv. Ladino), in two independent experiments conducted during two seasons, autumn 2018 and winter 2019. Methodology. Two independent experiments under small-scale milk production system (SMPS) were established in the municipality of Aculco, State of Mexico, during autumn 2018 and winter 2019. The botanical composition of grasslands under intensive continuous grazing by breeding cows was evaluated. One grassland planted with tall fescue cv. Cajun II and the other invaded by kikuyu; each grassland was associated with white clover cv. Ladino. The botanical composition of both experiments was analyzed using a complete randomized experimental design. Results. The kikuyu grassland recorded significant differences (p&lt;0.05) with a higher proportion of forage during the winter 2018. Whereas the tall fescue cv. Cajun II grassland recorded a proportion of forage (p&lt;0.05) higher than its proportion of dead tissue during autumn 2019. Study Implications: The study of the botanical composition of mixed grasslands destined for livestock grazing allows to identify, propose and define strategies for forage production facing agroclimatic and management conditions in order to generate a better and higher forage yield. Conclusions: The proportion of kikuyu was higher than that of tall fescue cv. Cajun II during the two seasons and years evaluated. This highlights the adaptability of kikuyu grass under agroecological conditions such as the absence of rains and high temperatures, coupled with the high stocking densities of the milk production systems in the study region.

SCADA System for Online Electrical Engineering Education

Renewable energy sources are increasingly being integrated into small-scale production systems, so plants with multiple supply sources are becoming more common. This improvement in technology added to a greater social awareness of energy saving and resource usage, which makes flexible systems to manage these facilities necessary. Modern energy management can be more accessible to the interested public if it is located in universities, making it available to teachers and students alike. Furthermore, as it is a developing field of study, its location on campus facilitates research, maintenance, and financing. In this scenario, a SCADA system is proposed, capable of monitoring and centrally storing the values of the most important production and consumption parameters. In addition, by using this system, it is possible to control the state of the different energy sources in a centralized way, as well as their distribution in the plant where it is implemented. This study focuses on the management of a flexible, modern, and accessible solution to the advances in electrical systems because of technological development in this field, which broadens the experience of university teachers and students in their engineering careers. The systems have been put into practice in the facilities of a research and teaching laboratory at the University of Almeria, which integrates renewable and conventional energy resources.