Interrupting the social amplification of risk process: a case study in collective emissions reduction

One of the main approaches we have for studying the progressive divergence of understandings around a risk issue is that of social risk amplification. This article describes a case study of a particular environmental contaminant, a chemical flame retardant that could be interpreted as having produced a risk amplifying process. It describes in particular how a group of industrial organizations acted collectively to reduce emissions of this contaminant, in an apparent attempt to avert regulation and boycotts—that is, to intercept the social amplification process and avoid its secondary effects. The aim of the study was to investigate the constitutive qualities of this collective action: the qualities that defined it and made it effective in the eyes of those involved. These include institutionalisation and independence, the ability to confer individual as well as collective benefit, the capacity to attract (rather than avoid) criticism, and the ‘branding’ that helps communicate what otherwise appear to be a set of unconnected, local actions. Although the risk amplification framework has been criticised for implying that there is some externally given risk level that is subsequently amplified, it does appear to capture the mentality of actors involved in issues of this kind. They talk and act as though they believe they are participants in a risk amplification process

A Seven Year Summary of Feeding Cull Market Cows

Nine groups totaling 457 culled market cows were fed high concentrate rations at two locations in SW Iowa to demonstrate the possibilities of finishing for the “White Fat Cow” market. Average profit per head was $16.54 with a range$174.36 to -$91.45. Adjusted final weights ranged from 1484 to 1646 pounds, while average daily gains ranged from 2.88 to 4.55 pounds daily during a 70 to 91 day feeding program. Dry matter feed conversions on a shrunk basis ranged from 8.70 to 12.78 pounds per pound of gain with an average of 10.91. From 78.4 to 98.8 percent of the cows within the fed groups qualified in the “Premium White Fat” grades with an average of 85.5$98.03 with a range of $70.81 to$156.85. Delivery weight had a significant impact on average daily gain, feed cost of gain and total cost of gain; however body condition score had no significant impact on performance traits or cost of gain

Does Carcass Value Gain per Day on Feed Used in the 4-H Program Relate to Cattle Feeding Profitability?

Data from 410 feedout groups representing 29,389 head from the Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity Cooperative were analyzed to test the validity of using carcass value per day on feed (CVDOF) as a ranking tool in 4-H beef performance carcass contests. All feedout groups were calculated for feedlot profit using standardized feed and yardage costs, yet using their actual health treatment costs and miscellaneous costs. CVDOF is calculated using carcass weight gain per day during the feeding period and adjusting that for red meat yield using the percent retail product equation. This result is then put on a monetary basis by using a carcass price adjusted for carcass quality and yield grade. CVDOF when tested for its relationship to feedlot profitability was highly significant and accounted for 74 percent of the variation in profit. If one desires a ranking equation in the 4-H beef performance carcass program that relates well to feedlot profitability then CVDOF proves to be quite effective

Hemoglobin genotype has minimal influence on the physiological response of juvenile atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) to environmental challenges

Hemoglobin (Hb) polymorphism in cod is associated with temperature‐related differences in biogeographical distribution, and several authors have suggested that functional characteristics of the various hemoglobin isoforms (HbIs) directly influence phenotypic traits such as growth rate. However, no study has directly examined whether Hb genotype translates into physiological differences at the whole animal level. Thus, we generated a family of juvenile Atlantic cod consisting of all three main Hb genotypes (HbI‐1/1, HbI‐2/2, and HbI‐1/2) by crossing a single pair of heterozygous parents, and we compared their metabolic and cortisol responses to an acute thermal challenge (10&deg;C to their critical thermal maximum [CTM] or 22&deg;C, respectively) and tolerance of graded hypoxia. There were no differences in routine metabolism (at 10&deg;C), maximum metabolic rate, metabolic scope, CTM (overall mean 22.9&deg; &plusmn; 0.2&deg;C), or resting and poststress plasma cortisol levels among Hb genotypes. Further, although the HbI‐1/1 fish grew more (by 15%&ndash;30% during the first 9 mo) when reared at 10&deg; &plusmn; 1&deg;C and had a slightly enhanced hypoxia tolerance at 10&deg;C (e.g., the critical O2 levels for HbI‐1/1, HbI‐2/2, and HbI‐1/2 cod were 35.56% &plusmn; 1.24%, and 40.20% &plusmn; 1.99% air saturation, respectively), these results are contradictory to expectations based on HbI functional properties. Thus, our findings (1) do not support previous assumptions that growth rate differences among cod Hb genotypes result from a more efficient use of the oxygen supply&mdash;that is, reduced standard metabolic rates and/or increased metabolic capacity&mdash;and (2) suggest that in juvenile cod, there is no selective advantage to having a particular Hb genotype with regards to the capacity to withstand ecologically relevant environmental challenges.<br /

Evaluation and Observation of Testing Feed Efficiency in Angus Seedstock Heifers

A total of 38 Angus heifers in four contemporary groups over two years were evaluated for pelleted feed intakes, feed conversions and residual feed intake (RFI) using a PinPointer feeding system at Wardens Farms, Council Bluffs, Iowa. Daily pellet intakes (.47 mcal/lb of NEg) averaged 18.6 lbs during the first week and peaked at week nine with 26 lbs. Individual heifer variation on a percent of body weight basis was from 2.1% to 3.3%, but during week 2 the range was 1.7%. Adjusted feed conversions calculated using BIF guidelines averaged 8.11 and 13.24 for 2005 and 2006, respectively. RFIs by methodology averaged zero, but had a standard deviation of 1.24 and 1.18 for both years, respectively, which is similar to evaluations looking at bulls for efficiency. RFIs calculated at 56 days on test were compared to end of test RFIs and were found to be significantly (P\u3c.0001) correlated at .85. RFI was found to be significantly (P\u3c.0001) correlated to average daily feed intake at .61, but not correlated to any other measures of performance including ultrasound traits

The Significance of Finished Cattle Sorting Methodology on Grid Market Performance and Enhanced Revenue for Calf-Fed Beef Cattle

During the past 15 years there has been a major change in the way finished cattle are marketed. Live bids on complete pens of cattle are less prevalent with the advent of value-based marketing where there is an increased emphasis placed on carcass quality and red meat yield. Value-based marketing establishes value based on the animal’s own individual carcass merit. Various grid markets have specifications for important carcass traits that include quality grade, yield grade, and carcass weight. Carcasses that exceed the criteria receive premiums while those that fall short of the specifications receive discounts that in some cases are quite severe. Because of this newer pricing system there may be economic advantages to sort cattle at the end of the feeding period. Past research has demonstrated that sorting cattle by specific traits results in reducing the variation of the traits being evaluated. Feedlots and producers need a sort system that can be performed in a minimal amount of time and expense and is accurate in identifying animals that meet the specifications for a particular market

Determination of Carcass and Live Body Weight of Finishing Cattle from Front Body Weights Taken at a Scale—Electronic Identification Equipped Water Fountain

A water fountain oriented cattle weight monitoring system was designed to automatically identify cattle and weigh cattle when they approached the in-pen water fountain to drink. This system provides a labor free means to monitor cattle in terms of daily weight gain and also provides an objective method to evaluate the health of cattle based on frequency of drinking and deviations from their normal pattern