Agronomic performance of ten perennial ryegrass varieties on commercial grassland farms

Little information is available on the phenotypic performance of perennial ryegrass varieties when exposed to grazing conditions on commercial grassland farms. Grass varieties are classically evaluated in mechanically defoliated plot systems which, although designed to mimic grazing conditions, do not fully capture the range of stresses or interactions that a sward is subjected to under commercial settings or over any period longer than 4 years. The evolution of technology in the form of PastureBase Ireland has led to agronomic data of individual paddocks being made available for analysis over multiple years. Data used in the current study consisted of dry matter (DM) production and ground score data across a 7-year period from ten perennial ryegrass varieties grown as monocultures in 559 paddocks on 98 commercial farms. The results demonstrated how perennial ryegrass variety is associated with a range of agronomic performance traits on commercial farms; including total and seasonal DM production, grazing DM production and number of grazing events. Varieties with the highest total DM production also had the highest spring and mid-season DM production; autumn DM production was associated with the interaction between variety and year. The highest producing variety in the study, AberGain, produced 1342 kg DM/ha/year more than the mean of all other varieties. Variety differences manifested themselves as swards aged, with some varieties increasing in total DM production while others reduced in total DM production. The current work provides a basis for the consideration of on-farm variety assessment in the composition of future variety evaluation protocols.

Optimization of Operational Parameters of an Improved Maize Sheller Using Response Surface Methodology

The research was carried out to optimize parameters for evaluating an improved motorize maize sheller. Statistical analysis was performed using response surface methodology (RSM) with 3 by 3 factorial experiment with 3 replicates. The three parameters are speed (850 rpm, 950 rpm and 1100 rpm), moisture content (12, 15, and 17%) and feed rate (120 kg h-1, 130 kg h-1 and 140 kg h-1) used to illustrate the ability of the machine to shell maize (throughput capacity, shelling rate and machine efficiency). Results obtained showed that for optimum throughput capacity of 630.97 kg h-1; shelling rate 485.34 kg h-1 and machine efficiency 93.86% of the machine; is maximum for 129.6 kg h-1 feed rate and moisture content 16.49% and machine speed of 1026.9 rpm. The machine can be used on commercial farms with these operational results.

Optimization of Operational Parameters of an Improved Maize Sheller Using Response Surface Methodology

The research was carried out to optimize parameters for evaluating an improved motorize maize sheller. Statistical analysis was performed using response surface methodology (RSM) with 3 by 3 factorial experiment with 3 replicates. The three parameters are speed (850 rpm, 950 rpm and 1100 rpm), moisture content (12, 15, and 17%) and feed rate (120 kg h-1, 130 kg h-1 and 140 kg h-1) used to illustrate the ability of the machine to shell maize (throughput capacity, shelling rate and machine efficiency). Results obtained showed that for optimum throughput capacity of 630.97 kg h-1; shelling rate 485.34 kg h-1 and machine efficiency 93.86% of the machine; is maximum for 129.6 kg h-1 feed rate and moisture content 16.49% and machine speed of 1026.9 rpm. The machine can be used on commercial farms with these operational results.

Yields variability as a determinant of production risk in agriculture

Agricultural activity is exposed to a number of adverse external factors known as production risks, which affect the quantity and value of production. One of the measures of production risk assessment in crops production is yields variability. The aim of the study is to determine the scope of the variability of the yields of selected agricultural crops on the basis of various sources of data covering the years 2015–2019. The study uses aggregated official statistics data compiled by Statistics Poland, published in the Statistical Yearbook of Agriculture, and individual data from the Polish Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN), which takes into account commercial farms. The analysis of the differences in crops variability determined on the basis of different sources of information was carried out using basic statistical parameters: the arithmetic mean, standard deviation and the coefficient of variation. The research shows that the variability of yields in Poland depends not only on the type of crops, but also on the location of the production. Moreover, it indicates a greater stability of crops production among commercial farms when compared with farms in general. The comparison of the values of the coefficient of variation calculated from individual data with the values calculated on the basis of the average yields indicates fundamental differences which should be taken into account when applying the variation coefficient to assess production risk and, consequently, to optimise insurance tools.

Feed autonomy in organic cattle farming systems: a necessary but not sufficient lever to be activated for economic efficiency

Increasing the level of feed autonomy is usually considered as a prerequisite for conversion of cattle farms to organic management. This study is aimed at generating references for organic dairy and beef production through a technical and economic assessment of feed autonomy in commercial farms. Data were collected in 2014 and 2015 on 11 farms located in distinct agricultural regions of Wallonia, Belgium. Dry matter (DM) production, animal performance and all cash in- and outflows were recorded. Economic efficiency (EE) was computed as the share of the feed margin, i.e., the gross product minus the total feed and processing costs, in the gross product. The mean level of mass feed autonomy (FAm) was 94 ± 6%. Feed production costs (p < 0.05) and feed purchase costs (p < 0.001) were negatively correlated with FAm so that the total feed cost decreased with FAm (p < 0.001). All farms with EE > 65% had a level of FAm ≥ 90%; however, one farm with FAm ≥ 90% had a mean EE of 55% over both study years. This observation suggested that a 90% level of FAm is necessary, but not sufficient, to be economically efficient in organic cattle farming. Four production systems with EE > 65% and thus FAm ≥ 90% were finally characterized based on the observed crop rotations, overall DM yields, stocking rates and animal performances.

Land and Agrarian Development in South Africa

Land ownership and control historically underpinned patterns of unequal development in South Africa, with dispossession and the migrant labour economy being the basis for agrarian dualism and economic inequality. Yet land reform – the redistribution of white-owned commercial farms to black smallholders – has been a largely unfulfilled political promise during the first 25 years of democratic rule. South Africa’s negotiated transition produced a constitution that provides certain protections to property rights while simultaneously mandating land reforms through land redistribution, tenure reform and restitution, including via expropriation. Initially conceived as a pro-poor programme, land reform was reinvented over time, reflecting wider economic policy shifts, towards the creation of a small prosperous segment of black commercial farmers, thereby deracializing the dominant sector without restructuring landholdings and the agrarian economy. The shortcomings of land reform not only perpetuate inequalities inherited from colonialism and apartheid, but have also led to the production of new problems. We point to three recent and ongoing dynamics driving new and aggravated forms of land inequality: financialization, with the entry of new financial sector actors into corporate landholding, property portfolios and speculation; land concentration driven both by market forces and elite capture of public resources and corruption in land reforms; and land commodification driven by powerful corporate, political and traditional elites combining to expand large agricultural and mining investments in communal areas.

Evaluation of Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality of Shaziling Pigs and its Hybrids Crossbred with Berkshire Pigs

Background: The Chinese Shaziling pig is representative of good meat quality but has been scarcely utilized on commercial farms because of the unpleasing growth and carcass traits. Methods: The growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and fatty acids profile were analyzed among (Berkshire × Shaziling) × (Berkshire × Shaziling) (BS × BS), BS × S, Shaziling (S × S) and S × BS pigs. Result: BS × BS pigs exhibited higher growth rate and superior carcass performance. Each breed possessed desirable meat quality, as evidenced by moderate pH, color score, IMF content and shear force value, among which the performance of S × BS pigs was prominent. Take account of the contents of SFAs, MUFAs, PUFAs and PUFAs/SFAs value, the eating quality of S × BS pigs was favorable and the meat of BS × BS pigs, by contrast, was helpful for human health with advanced nutritional value. In summary, BS × BS pigs is more effective for commercial development of Shaziling pigs and providing healthy pork products.

Genetic Variability of Methane Production and Concentration Measured in the Breath of Polish Holstein-Friesian Cattle

The genetic architecture of methane (CH4) production remains largely unknown. We aimed to estimate its heritability and to perform genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for the identification of candidate genes associated with two phenotypes: CH4 in parts per million/day (CH4 ppm/d) and CH4 in grams/day (CH4 g/d). We studied 483 Polish Holstein-Friesian cows kept on two commercial farms in Poland. Measurements of CH4 and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations exhaled by cows during milking were obtained using gas analyzers installed in the automated milking system on the farms. Genomic analyses were performed using a single-step BLUP approach. The percentage of genetic variance explained by SNPs was calculated for each SNP separately and then for the windows of neighbouring SNPs. The heritability of CH4 ppm/d ranged from 0 to 0.14, with an average of 0.085. The heritability of CH4 g/d ranged from 0.13 to 0.26, with an average of 0.22. The GWAS detected potential candidate SNPs on BTA 14 which explained ~0.9% of genetic variance for CH4 ppm/d and ~1% of genetic variance for CH4 g/d. All identified SNPs were located in the TRPS1 gene. We showed that methane traits are partially controlled by genes; however, the detected SNPs explained only a small part of genetic variation—implying that both CH4 ppm/d and CH4 g/d are highly polygenic traits.

Asian Rust Severity in Soybean Sown in December and February in Mato Grosso State

The objective of this work was to assess the effect of December sowing time with February on the Asian soybean rust severity. In on-farm trials two soybean treatments sowing in December (2020) (DSS.) and February (2021) (FSS) were assessed for Asian soybean rust severity in 24 sites, in three regions of Mato Grosso state. The DSS treatment was established in the growers commercial farms and the FSS in a 5 ha area sown specifically for this treatment. The DSS treatment was conducted in 16 sites and the FSS in eigth. For rust control fungicides with efficacy higher than 60% were sprayed consisting of DMIs, QoIs and SDHIs in double or triple mixtures, always added by multisites (chlorothalonil, mancozeb, or copper oxychloride). About eighty soybean leaflets from four plots repetitiond, demarcated at random in each field, were taken in each smpling. In laboratory leaflet severity was appraised and area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) calculated. Related to DSS, the AUDPC overall mean was 174 units and receiving 6.9 fungicide spraying and for FSS 26 units with 4.8 fungicide sprayings. Our results reinforce that the sowing time can be changed from the end of December to February to maintain soybean crop sustainability.

Animal Welfare Consequences of Organic Boar Fattening and Occurrence of Boar Taint on Five Commercial Farms

The welfare of male fattening pigs may be improved by refraining from castration, but may be compromised, in turn, by harmful social behaviour in groups of boars. In addition, boar taint may be problematic. This study aimed to evaluate these potential problems in boar fattening under commercial organic conditions. In total, 625 boars were compared with 433 barrows and 83 gilts regarding their social behaviour, lesions and lameness at 80 kg, before and after split marketing. The mixed-model analysis showed that significantly more short agonistic interactions, fights and mounting behaviours were observed in groups of boars. Agonistic interactions were reduced in spring/summer and when boars grew older. Fights and mounts were increased when boars had contact to female pigs in the neighbouring pen. No effect of split marketing, growth rate, homogeneity of groups, group size, feeding space and illumination hours could be detected. Increased interaction frequencies did not result in significantly more skin lesions, lameness, treatments or mortality. Increased space allowance reduced skin lesions. On 9.8% of the dissected boars’ penises, wounds were detected; they were absent on two farms with generous litter provision. Boar taint prevalence, as detected by human nose method, was 1.44%. Under the studied organic husbandry conditions, boar fattening appears to be practicable, although penile injuries should be monitored at slaughter.