Farm Types Research Articles

Drought adaptation in Austrian agriculture: empirically based farmer types

AbstractFarmers perceive and appraise climate change, related risks and opportunities as well as adaptation measures differently. Such differences are not well understood and rarely considered in extension services, outreach activities and agricultural policies. We aim to develop empirically based farmer types, who differ in their socio-cognitive and emotional processes towards droughts, their expected drought impacts, their appraisal of drought adaptation measures, and their previous and intended implementation of such measures. The Model of Private Pro-Active Adaptation to Climate Change provides the theoretical foundation for a three-phase procedure of semi-structured interviews, a standardized survey and a qualitative workshop. The principal component analysis reveals eight socio-cognitive and emotional processes of relevance for forming the famer types of drought adaptation: perceived opportunities resulting from droughts, perceived effectiveness of drought adaptation measures, negative affect towards droughts, perceived work effort and perceived social approval of drought adaptation measures, fatalism, trust in public measures, and perceived self-efficacy. Cluster analyses of these processes yield four types of Austrian farmers. The social implementers perceive themselves as capable, and drought adaptation measures as effective, socially approved, and effortless. The unaffected profiteers have hardly been affected by droughts and perceive beneficial impacts due to a decline in precipitation. The trusting fearfuls have already experienced severe drought impacts and express intense negative affect towards droughts. The passive fatalists focus on avoidance and do neither trust in important others nor in public measures. The identified farmer types of drought adaptation may support the design of climate and agricultural policy instruments and of tailor-made education and communication programs, for instance to increase self-efficacy and reduce fatalism.

Validation of the effectiveness of pig farm repopulation protocol following African swine fever outbreaks in the Philippines

The African swine fever (ASF) epidemic has severely challenged the Philippines’ swine industry since 2019. The National African Swine Fever Prevention and Control Program (NASFPCP), launched in 2021, aims to provide guidance for managing ASF through surveillance, monitoring, and swine repopulation. This study evaluates the effectiveness of post-outbreak disinfection protocols and government-mandated measures for repopulation standard. Surveillance data from three repopulation phases—(I) depopulation, cleaning, and disinfection; (II) downtime (20 days); and (III) sentinel animals (40 days)—were collected from February 2020 to December 2021 in the province of Batangas. Time-to-detection of positive events were analyzed for different farm types, seasons, or location using survival analysis modeling. Probability of detecting infected farms at different sampling times was estimated in terms of sensitivity of the sampling time. Data from 145 swine farms, including 99 backyard and 46 commercial farms, revealed positive rates of 10.1 and 8.7%, respectively. The failure rate during repopulation surveillance was 9.66%, whereas 90.34% farms remained ASF negative. Sensitivity estimate increased from 18–21 to 89% by day 27, with sentinel animals on that day exhibiting the highest estimated sensitivity. This highlights the importance of sentinel pigs in the NASFPCP for effective ASF control in the Philippines. Survival analysis showed no statistically significant differences in the results between either farm type, season, or municipality level. Geographic mapping of surveyed farms and those with positive detections identified high-risk locations including San Juan and Lipa City as key areas of concern. Enhancing targeted surveillance is critical for improving an early ASF detection and national response in the Philippines.

Contribution of goats to climate change: how and where?

This review examines the contribution of domestic goats (Capra hircus) to climate change, particularly through greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The review seeks to outline the global numerical importance and physical characteristics of domestic goats; Compare goats with other main livestock species in terms of their climate impacts; Assess the types of environments and farmers most likely to raise goats; Investigate the climate change impacts of raising goats, focusing on variables such as feed sources, management systems (intensive vs. extensive), and methodologies used to measure these impacts. The conclusion is that the negative reputation of goats needs to be re-evaluated, given their importance to poorer farm families and the potential overstatement or misunderstanding of their climate impact. Goats are the third most common ungulate livestock globally, with an estimated population of 1.1 billion. They are particularly suited to harsh environments due to their physiological advantages, such as efficient utilization of fibrous woody material and resilience to extreme climates. Goats are crucial for poorer farmers, especially in lower and middle-income countries in Africa and Asia. They provide milk, meat, and other products, are readily sold and have low labour requirements, making them ideal for families with limited resources. Goats emit less methane per unit body weight compared to other ruminants like cattle and sheep. However, the extent of their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions varies significantly based on their diet, management system (extensive vs. intensive), and environmental conditions. Extensive systems, where goats forage on natural pastures, may result in low GHG emissions per unit of land area due to carbon sequestration and minimal reliance on high-energy feed. Intensive systems, which use more cultivated energy feed, produce lower methane emissions per unit of product but incur carbon costs arising from feed production. In sum, this review suggests that the negative reputation of goats regarding climate change may be overstated or misunderstood. More research is needed to accurately measure the GHG impacts of goats, considering factors like feed quality, management practices, and carbon sequestration.

From typology to criteria considered by farmers: what explains agroecological practice implementation in North-Sudanian Burkina Faso?

Cropping systems in the North-Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso face significant challenges related to poor yields, declining soil fertility and harsh climatic conditions. Together these necessitate a shift toward more sustainable farming practices. Agroecology aims to enhance yields while minimizing environmental harm through the use of ecological functions and has been promoted by researchers and farmers’ organizations as a solution. However, its implementation remains limited. This study investigated the criteria farmers consider when implementing agroecological practices at the farm level and how these criteria and their implementation are influenced by farm characteristics. Data collection methods included the serious game TAKIT, together with baseline and complementary household surveys (108 farmers each). Farm diversity was analyzed using a statistical typology. The influence of farm types, farm structural variables and the village location on (1) whether or not agroecological practices were implemented and (2) the criteria considered by farmers was explored. Four distinct farm types were identified: low resource endowed farms relying on off-farm income, low resource endowed farms relying on livestock income, medium resource endowed farms relying on agricultural and livestock income, and high resource endowed farms with diverse sources of income. There were no significant differences in the implementation of agroecological practices across farm types. Crop rotations were the most frequently implemented practice (by 91% of the study farmers), while the 2-by-2 line intercropping of sorghum-cowpea was the least implemented (9% of farmers). Implementation of zai pits varied significantly between villages, with farmers in Nagreonkoudogo more likely to use them than those in Tanvousse, due to differing soil characteristics. Farmers considered several criteria when deciding whether to implement agroecological practices, including the ability to improve yield and preserve soil. Constraints to their implementation included a lack of knowledge and their high labor requirements. These criteria did not differ across farm types, likely because they stem from shared environmental constraints or conditions. The study highlights the complexity of agroecological transitions in sub-Saharan Africa, and illustrates the need to adequately consider contextual conditions. The co-design of new practices, and the redesign of existing ones, should align with criteria considered by farmers.

Exploring the role of a social carrier in advancing agroecology and territorial autonomy

ABSTRACT The practice of agroecology has been promoted as a promising pathway to improve environmental and human well-being. Previous research has shown that farm size is often related to factors that can help or hinder agroecological practice use, but context is key. Here, we examine the relationship between farm size and the use of agroecological practices by assessing 596 management plans for farms associated with the Brazilian participatory agroecology network Rede Ecovida. In contrast to other studies, we found that the probability of using agroecological practices generally did not differ by farm size. We draw on interviews with agroecological actors to contextualize these findings and characterize the relationship between farm size and agroecology, both as a set of practices and a social movement. We suggest that, in this case, the lack of a relationship between farm size and agroecological practices might be explained by Rede Ecovida’s role as a “social carrier” that advances agroecological principles and practices in the pursuit of territorial, or actual, autonomy. This study highlights the importance of the socio-organizational dimensions of agroecological transitions and suggests that increased support should be directed to social networks and participatory certification models to encourage scaling agroecology across diverse farm types and sizes.

Associations of bulk tank milk free fatty acid concentration with farm type and time of year

Associations of bulk tank milk free fatty acid concentration with farm type and time of year

Psychosocial risks faced by olive workers in Spain: evaluated using the ‘Mini Psychosocial Factors’ questionnaire

BackgroundSpain has the largest olive-growing area in Europe. The goal of the present research is to evaluate the psychosocial risks faced by workers in the olive groves of Jaén (the...

An Assessment of the Level of Infrastructural Provisions in the Existing Farmhouses in Greater Yola

Farmhouses are integral component of agricultural practice all across Nigeria. This is owing to the fact that most of these activities are carries out in semi urban or rural areas. The quality of farmhouses and the level of infrastructural provisions available in farm settlements are factors that will enhance or inhibit effective agricultural practice in Greater Yola. This paper seeks to assess the level of infrastructural provision in the study area in order to proffer suggestions that would promote the practice agriculture thereto. Ten farmhouses were randomly selected from the study area, seven of which were found to be Large Plantation Farm Type and three were Small Owners or Latent Farm settlements. Check list was used in generating data about the availability of infrastructural provisions in each of the farmhouses, and the study reveals that most of the farmhouses were not built in line the standards and quality of modern farmhouses, while some large plantation farm type have considerable infrastructural provisions, the small owner or latent farm type do not have them, this is likely affecting agricultural practice negatively. It is therefore recommended among others that efforts should be geared towards improving the quality of farmhouses as well as increasing infrastructural provision in order to encourage agricultural practice in Greater Yola.

Single pass saltwater disinfection using low voltage electrolysis: Potential implications for aquaculture systems

Open net pen saltwater aquaculture faces criticism due to the potential transmission of pathogens between fish farms and to wild stocks. To address this issue and improve the sustainability and growth of net pen farming, closed containment farms have been suggested, but the cost and feasibility of disinfecting large volumes of water in these types of farms is problematic. We explored the potential for using electrolysis to disinfect saltwater in a flow-through system with water flow velocities between 47 and 105 cm/s. This was the first step to investigating whether this technology could be applied to saltwater flow-through closed containment systems. Various voltage levels (3.3–9.0 V) were applied to generate chlorine from saltwater. We found the disinfection properties of the system varied with wattage (i.e., voltage × ampere), velocity of water flow over the electrodes, salinity of water, and residual chlorine contact time. Wattage was highly correlated with the production of chlorine, and this relationship was dependent on water flow (p = 0.0398). A slower flow velocity led to higher chlorine concentration, and the effect was more pronounced at higher wattages. Using a zero-inflated negative binomial regression model, we found the probability of full disinfection was increased by increasing wattage (p < 0.001) and the residual chlorine contact time (p < 0.001). The level of disinfection (count model) suggested the number of bacteria in the treated samples was determined by the interaction between wattage and flow (p = 0.0056) and the interaction between wattage and salinity (p < 0.001). The bacterial count was also associated with residual chlorine contact time (p < 0.001). The results of this study, although preliminary and limited in their scale, offering a potential solution for disinfecting large volumes of seawater, which could make closed containment fish farming in the ocean viable for reducing bacterial transmission within a farm and to wild fish stocks.

Quantification of biosecurity measures in Mediterranean European seabass and gilthead sea bream farms

In the Mediterranean region, aquaculture drives economic growth and food supply through the production of seabass and sea bream. However, the region faces disease risks attributable to aquaculture intensification. Biosecurity is crucial for maintaining fish health and sustaining the aquaculture industry. This study adopted a novel risk-based scoring tool, originally developed for terrestrial animals, to benchmark biosecurity levels in seabass and sea bream. The tool considers all relevant aspects of aquaculture biosecurity, subdivided into external and internal biosecurity, with an accompanying questionnaire subjected to expert scoring. Land-based hatcheries and pre-growing facilities exhibited higher preventative measures, achieving overall biosecurity scores of 73.0 % and 75.0 %, respectively. These scores stem from stringent external and internal preventative measures, contrasting with lower overall biosecurity scores in land-based on-growing (50.0 %) and sea-based on-growing (59.0 %) facilities. Maintaining biosecurity during on-growing phases seems demanding due to uncontrolled interactions with the seawater environment and potential water quality issues. This benchmarking tool allows farmers to audit their biosecurity programs and pinpoint areas for improvement. These include vaccination, establishing biosecurity programs and keeping records, given the low scores across farm types. Improving vaccination practices, enhancing record keeping for traceability, and implementing robust biosecurity programs are crucial for improvement. Ultimately, the study emphasizes the need for tailored measures that foster synergy between external and internal components and enhance overall biosecurity in Mediterranean aquaculture.

Assessing Post-Vaccination Seroprevalence and Enhancing Strategies for Lumpy Skin Disease Vaccination in Korean Cattle.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD), caused by the LSD virus (LSDV), a dsDNA virus of the genus Capripoxvirus, represents a significant cross-border infectious threat, particularly impacting cattle and water buffaloes through transmission by blood-feeding insects. Traditionally endemic to Southern Africa, LSD has rapidly spread over the past decade through the Middle East to Eastern Europe and China, reaching Korea in October 2023. This outbreak prompted a nationwide vaccination campaign, addressing both the disease's severe economic impact and its status as a notifiable disease under the World Organisation for Animal Health. This study assesses the seropositivity of the LSD vaccine in cattle across four Korean provinces 2-3 months post-vaccination, aiming to inform improvements in biosecurity and vaccination strategies. Overall, 30.59% of the cattle tested (1196 out of 3910) exhibited positive antibody responses, comparable to international post-vaccination findings. Analysis further revealed differences in the antibody positivity between farm types and management practices. Specifically, farms where vaccines were administered by veterinarians showed no significant difference in antibody positivity between Korean native cattle and dairy cattle, regardless of the presence of restraint facilities. However, on farms where vaccinations were conducted by the owners, dairy cattle demonstrated a higher seropositivity (43.30 ± 33.39%) compared to Korean native cattle (21.97 ± 20.79%) in the absence of restraint facilities. Further comparisons underscored the impact of restraint facilities on vaccination efficacy, with dairy farms generally achieving higher antibody positivity (29.43 ± 30.61%) than farms with Korean native cattle (23.02 ± 23.33%) (p < 0.05), suggesting that consistent vaccine delivery methods enhance immunogenic responses. Contrarily, no significant difference was noted in antibody positivity between large- and small-scale farms, indicating that farm size did not notably impact the effectiveness of the vaccinator. These findings emphasize that while current vaccines are sufficiently inducing immunity, enhancing vaccination strategies, particularly through trained personnel and improved restraint facilities, is crucial. This study's insights into the impact of vaccination and farm management practices provide valuable guidance for refining LSD control measures in Korea and potentially other affected regions.

Serological and Molecular Investigation of Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus in Chickens from Robe Town, Southeastern Ethiopia.

Infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) is responsible for avian infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT), a highly contagious acute respiratory disease affecting chickens. However, there is limited information on ILTV and its distribution in Ethiopia, particularly in the southeastern region. The aim of this study was to establish the serological prevalence and molecular evidence in commercial and backyard chickens from Robe town, Southeastern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2021 and June 2022, collecting 240 serum samples from randomly selected chickens belonging to eight kebeles (farms) using systematic random sampling. ILTV-specific antibodies were detected using a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). From 240 serum samples, 26.7% were positive for ILTV antibodies. Logistic regression analysis identified the type of poultry farm (backyard) and the introduction of chickens from other farms as potential risk factors associated with ILTV exposure. Tracheal tissue and oropharyngeal and tracheal swabs were collected from suspected chickens for isolation and molecular detection. A total of six samples were successfully isolated in embryonated eggs (40%), with four of them verified with a specific PCR. These findings documented the presence of ILTV in the study area, which needs further insight to fully understand the actual spread of ILTV and quantify the damage caused to the poultry sector.

Endoparasite infestation of red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) in relation to water quality and fish farm types

Endoparasite infestation of red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) in relation to water quality and fish farm types

Bacterial Communities of House Flies from Beef and Dairy Cattle Operations are Diverse and Contain Pathogens of Medical and Veterinary Importance.

Adult house flies (Musca domestica L.) are important reservoirs and mechanical vectors of bacteria in livestock operations. House fly bacterial communities are influenced by their local environment, yet a comprehensive understanding of bacterial diversity, pathogen prevalence, and bacterial source is not fully understood. We characterized bacterial communities from adult female house flies and associated manure samples from beef and dairy cattle farms in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas over four months (July-October). Bacterial community composition in flies and manure reflected the local environment, and house flies shared the majority (≥ 99%) of bacterial taxa with manure. The variability of bacterial diversity was greater among individual fly (species richness range: 48-1747) samples than manure (species richness range: 345-1162). Temporal variability of fly bacterial diversity was observed within each farm type. Bacterial taxa of veterinary and medical importance such as Corynebacterium, Turicibacter, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Acinetobacter were highly prevalent in flies, constituting core bacterial communities. The prevalence of bacterial taxa associated with bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) and bovine respiratory disease (BRD) was higher in flies than in manure and prevalence varied monthly. This study underscores the crucial role house flies play as carriers of cattle pathogens, contributing to their dissemination among animals and to off-site locations, where they pose a threat to surrounding communities and agricultural operations.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus variant emergence: Example and considerations for prospective monitoring

New PRRSV variants are constantly emerging due to the rapid evolution of this virus. We aimed to describe the emergence of a new PRRSV variant within sub-lineage 1 C, its space-time distribution, and its impact on affected herds. Additionally, we discuss considerations on how to monitor emerging PRRSV variants. This newly emerging variant was first detected in June 2022 on a sow herd undergoing a mild PRRS outbreak. Cases were defined by ORF5 nucleotide identity of ≥98 % between samples using the first detected case as a seed. A total of 382 case sequences were identified in sixteen production systems. Although most sequences originated from breeding sites (58.4 %) compared to grow-finishing sites (33.3 %), they corresponded to 118 individual sites (73 grow-finishing, 37 breeding, and 8 with no farm type information). Two spatial-temporal clusters in the Midwest were detected, but only when system was not accounted for. 63.6 % (21/33) of breeding herds reached stability in a median of 87 weeks (57 weeks in herds in which only the studied variant was detected, and 91 weeks when multiple PRRSV variants were involved). The average mortality in growing pig sites affected by this variant was not statistically different from the one found in L1C1–4–4 variant-affected sites. Altogether, these results pinpoint this as a variant of interest for continued surveillance due to increased time to stability than previously reported in the literature. Prospective monitoring of emerging variants should acknowledge the complex relationship between data limitations and multi-variant outbreaks, amongst other factors.

Effects of gender and agricultural cooperatives on biodiversity conservation farming practices: evidence from an emerging economy

PurposeThis study explores the effects of gender and participation in agricultural cooperatives on biodiversity conservation farming practices in vegetable production.Design/methodology/approachThis study used data collected from a survey of 627 vegetable farmers in Viet Nam and employed the Ordered Probit regression model to examine the effects of gender and participation in agricultural cooperatives on biodiversity conservation farming practices.FindingsWe find that female vegetable farmers are more likely to conduct biodiversity conservation farming practices than male farmers. This gender difference is, however, removed when participation in agricultural cooperatives is controlled, suggesting that agricultural cooperatives effectively facilitate biodiversity conservation farming practices.Research limitations/implicationsIt is noted that our study is not free from some limitations. First, we conducted our study on vegetable farmers only. The biodiversity conservation practices in vegetable cultivation might be different from other types of farming. Future studies should be conducted with other types of agricultural cultivation. Second, we do not have enough data to explain why female farmers are more likely to adopt biodiversity conservation practices than male farmers. Future studies should capture biological and social aspects of gender differences to address this limitation.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature on biodiversity conservation by presenting empirical evidence on the effects of gender and agricultural cooperatives. Participation in agricultural cooperatives is revealed to facilitate the adoption of biodiversity conservation practices. In addition, we find that the education of farmers, the number of years that farmers have been living in the local area and the quality of land and water are positively related to the adoption of biodiversity conservation practices in vegetable production.

Navigating Social, Environmental, and Economic Complexities of Insect Farming to Contribute to Sustainable Agrifood Systems

Abstract Insect farming is increasingly recognized as an important component of sustainable agrifood systems that provide a variety of social, environmental, and economic benefits. This text explores the complexities of insect farming which must be considered to maximize its potential and thereby contribute to global sustainability goals. It explores diverse strategies for evaluating and optimizing the socio-economic and environmental benefits of insect farming and addresses insects’ diverse roles in circular food systems and their potential contributions to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. By exploring the particularities of insect farming which vary according to the particular context of each region, this text highlights the ways in which local ecological, socio-economic, and cultural factors influence the outcomes of insect farming initiatives. The case exercises included are aimed at providing readers with an understanding of the role of insect farming in sustainable agriculture. Combining theoretical insights with practical examples, it provides a framework for developing locally adapted insect farming practices that maximize the benefits while minimizing the risks of this type of farming. The case exercises presented are aimed at providing students with experience in developing plans for insect farming scenarios that consider key social, environmental, and economic aspects related to sustainable insect production. Information © The Author 2024

Metabolomic Fingerprints: Seasonal and Farm-Specific Differences in Heterotrigona itama Bee Bread

Stingless bees’ products such as honey and bee bread are beneficial to human health. However, the metabolite composition within the products may differ according to spatial and temporal factors. This study aims to investigate the impact of spatial and temporal factors on the significant metabolite composition present in Heterotrigona itama bee bread collected from different seasons and types of bee farms. Thus, tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS) based metabolomics analysis was used to achieve the said goal, focusing on H. itama bee bread samples, followed by multivariate analysis using the MetaboAnalyst platform. Our findings revealed significant metabolites that set bee bread samples apart. In terms of temporal factors, the analysis highlights specific metabolites exclusive to the wet season, such as flavones and flavonoids. However, in contrast, during the wet season, there are no significant metabolites in herbal farm samples. The results also underscore the significance of phenolic compounds in wet season samples and as vital metabolites distinguishing the groups. This study highlights a total of 24 annotated significant metabolites identified in different bee bread samples, as well as their capacity to differentiate between seasons and bee farms. Notably, these results suggest a wide variety of potential plant families as a source of bee bread. These findings shed light on the impact of seasons and diverse plant families contributing to bee bread composition, which may impact the growing meliponiculture industry greatly.

Typology of Mixed Sheep and Goat Production System in the Regional Unit of Larissa, Greece

The study was carried out using a structured questionnaire in 162 sheep and goat farms of mixed production system in the Regional Unit of Larissa during February 2020 - February 2021. The Hierarchical Cluster Analysis application has shown three basic production systems. Cluster 1 consists of medium size holdings (233.02 livestock units), which earn additional income from other activities. Cluster 2 consists of rather large size farms (1,825.66 livestock units) with a net profit per female 2.61 euros. This type of farms breed livestock based on the semi-intensive and intensive production system, have large rented areas for the cultivation of feed, while the contribution of subsidies is especially high to the shaping of their gross income. The largest percentage (59.88%) of the holdings falls under the third cluster. These are specialized types of livestock farming, which present the largest net profit per livestock animal. 4% of this type of holdings breeds animals based on the semi-nomadic system while 100% uses common pastures as feed source.

Characterization of dairy goat production systems in coastal valleys of the Lima region

Goat farming in Peru is a husbandry activity that, although it is considered secondary in the country, has a great economic and social impact on the rural population, that is why government efforts to develop is so important. The objective of this study was to characterize dairy goat rearing systems in the coastal valleys of the Lima region to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement. This cross-sectional research was conducted in four provinces located in the Lima region, Peru. A total of 62 goat farmers participated in the trial. For data collection, a standard survey was prepared with open and closed questions distributed across two components (socioeconomic and productive). The surveys were processed for qualitative variables using a multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) followed by a hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) to differentiate the types of farming systems prevalent based on the survey population. The hierarchical cluster analysis resulted in the formation of three separate groups of goat farmers, which can be classified as extensive systems differentiated by management practices and their production and marketing objectives. The test showed a significant difference; therefore, it can be affirmed that they are associated with the groups or clusters formed. These results will allow actors related to goat farming, such as state and regional entities, to focus efforts on addressing specific demands of the different types of goat farmers found in this study.