A novel framework to study the evolution of crop rotation diversity reveals changes towards regional crop type specialisation in Sweden

Diversification of cropping systems can help decrease the negative environmental impacts of agriculture while increasing ecosystem service benefits to crop production. The crop diversification measure introduced by the 2013 CAP reform aimed to trigger the diversification of cropping systems. There is currently no framework to show how policies that aim to trigger diversification of cropping systems, affect crop rotation diversity at the field scale. In this study, we propose a framework to study the evolution of cropping system diversity, which comprises (1) building crop sequences for two periods using the Geo-spatial Application (GSA) database of the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS), (2) calculating two indicators of diversity of crop sequences, (3) creating a typology of crop sequences, and (4) determining the significance of change and highlighting drivers of change by using mixed models. Our framework was tested on 1100,760 ha in Sweden, focusing on the periods 2005–2010 and 2011–2016, with four ways of categorizing crops (i.e., crop species, crop types, winter crops vs spring crops, botanical family) in five homogeneous production regions. Using different crop categorization is a way of expressing the robustness of the trends in diversity which account for various relationships among crops. We showed that the value of all diversity indicators in all regions decreased significantly between the two periods, except for the estimated agronomic quality of the crop sequence in the most productive regions where it increased. This general decrease could be explained by longer duration of rotational perennial leys and reduced cultivation of minor cereals, such as rye and oats in the later period. Overall, there was an 8 % increase in ley area, which was particularly evident in regions with less productive land, where the high proportion of ley often became permanent grassland. We found that the trend towards longer duration leys was strong in livestock farms, while regions with productive land favoured the inclusion of more annual cash crops in the rotation, especially oilseed rape, which contributed to the agronomic quality of the sequences. The framework could be widely adopted across Europe using the GSA database of the IACS to track diversification changes at a country and regional level and design appropriate policies to increase the diversity of crop rotations using the potential local drivers highlighted

Assessing attribute trade-offs and implicit biases driving consumers’ preference for tilapia

Consumer preferences shape demand for fish. However, empirical evidence on non-nutritional drivers of choice is scarce. This paper examines consumer preferences for intrinsic attributes of tilapia through a survey of 449 Nigerian consumers focused on red and black tilapia. The Implicit Association Test (IAT) was used to examine subconscious biases, and conjoint analysis to determine the relative importance of various fish attributes in consumer decision-making. Results from the IAT show a strong implicit preference for black tilapia, which was more closely linked to positive attributes such as freshness and taste. Color was the most influential factor in consumer decision-making, followed by production source and price. Preference patterns varied slightly by age, but not by gender or education. This paper highlights how visual biases and attribute prioritization can shape consumer demand in emerging markets. The finding insights for product positioning, species diversification and marketing strategies across similar contexts.</p

Does mixed farming benefit moths? Exploring how different farming systems shape both local features and the wider landscape

Moths are important pollinators and provide an essential food source for higher taxa, yet many species that were once widespread are in decline across Europe. This is largely due to practices associated with intensive farming, such as pesticide and fertiliser applications and habitat loss. There is increasing interest in finding ways of farming that are beneficial to both humans and biodiversity. ‘Mixed’ farming, where livestock are integrated into the crop rotation, is thought to provide benefits to biodiversity by reducing synthetic inputs and by increasing habitat and crop diversity. However, at commercial stocking levels, livestock can have detrimental impacts on grassland Lepidoptera. We investigate the different pathways through which mixed farming could benefit moths in comparison to arable farming (where livestock are absent). Between June and August 2022, twenty-six farms in Scotland were surveyed for moths using light-trapping. Woodland edge density, which was higher on mixed farms, increased micro moth abundance and species richness. Positive effects of woodland were also observed for ‘farmland’ micro moths that do not feed on woody plants. However, for micro moth species richness this positive effect of woodland edge was outweighed by a direct negative effect of mixed farming, highlighting the need for more research to find livestock management practices that are beneficial for moths.</p

Temporal social network structures based on snout contact during group integration in pigs

During the formation of new social groups, temporal variations in behavioural associations between individuals can provide insight into the role of behaviours during group formation. While social behaviour during the establishment of new groups has been studied, there is a lack of knowledge on how non-agonistic social patterns change across time. The aim of this study was, therefore, to examine temporal variation in behavioural associations between individuals during the formation and maintenance of social relationships between conspecifics. This was studied in 15 mixed-sex groups of commercial pigs (n = 118 pigs; 8 pigs per group), which were regrouped at the start of the experiment (at weaning). They were studied between 4 and 11 weeks of age to capture variation in group stability. We focused exclusively on snout-directed behaviour given its role in conspecific recognition and affiliative interactions, whereby particularly snout-to-snout contact may contribute to the development of social relationships. Social network analysis (SNA) was used to investigate temporal associations. The results show that pigs made frequent snout contact (avg. 33 times / 15 min.) and that interactions were relatively more affiliative than aggressive (tenor range: 0.52 – 0.61), and were more affiliative in the high as compared to medium social stability phase (p = 0.02). As group integration progressed, the number of social partners involved in snout contact decreased, while the frequency of snout contact per individual increased. There was no evidence of non-random social preferences and no evidence of centralised associations (degree centralisation range: 0–0.3). Pigs showed more snout contact with non-littermates than littermates (i.e. a heterophilic association based on litter origin; assortativity range: −0.34 to −0.08) and between individuals with different early social experiences (assortativity range: −0.45 to −0.07) across all integration phases. Additionally, males initiated contact more frequently than females, whereas females occupied more central positions within the social network. These behavioural processes, which support the formation and maintenance of social relationships, show that non-agonistic behaviours such as snout contact have a prominent role in the social dynamics of pigs.</p

The antimicrobial alternative precursor-derived peracetic acid and zinc oxide lead to a sex dependent microbial modulation in weaning piglets

Several authors described the sexual dimorphism of the gut microbiota in pigs and other animals in relation to sex-specific modulation following interventions such as diet or prebiotics and probiotics. These differences can also influence the host phenotype through the bi-directional pathways of the microbiota-gut-brain axis and could ultimately impact an animal's welfare and well−being. Postweaning diarrhoea is a multifactorial disease that occurs in piglets and is characterised by the sudden diet change from the sow milk to solid feedstuff, with moderate to heavy diarrhoea, accompanied by decreased performance, usually BW gain. In our previous work, we described that the broad-spectrum antimicrobial-alternative peracetic acid ameliorated the diarrhetic symptoms in piglets similarly to what was observed for zinc oxide. Here, we present a further analysis of this data set, assessing the interactions between interventions and sex. A 14-day animal study was carried out, during which 28-day−old, weaned piglets were allocated to 24-floor pens with four treatments, six pens and 12 piglets per treatment, six males and six females. The four treatments were a negative control, supra-nutritional in-feed zinc oxide, and either 50 or 150 mg/kg of in-water peracetic acid. Performance and postweaning diarrhoea were assessed throughout the study, whereas at day 14, gastrointestinal content samples were collected from all the pigs to allow downstream total bacterial quantification and 16S rRNA sequencing analysis. We found that the BW gain was greater in females compared to males given zinc oxide or peracetic acid. Moreover, apart from sex-specific differences in the microbial composition, we observed that both peracetic acid and zinc oxide led to different microbial modulation in males and females. Indeed, in the stomach, Sarcina, Actinobacillus and unclassified Neisseriaceae were depleted only in males given the high peracetic acid concentration, whilst the same treatment led to the reduction of Moraxella in females. Escherichia-Shigella was reduced after zinc oxide administration, but only in females. Finally, although Lactobacillus was less abundant in males in the caecum, both zinc oxide and peracetic acid led to its increase, but only in males.</p

Role of Modern Technologies for Sustainable Genetic Improvement of African Livestock

Evidence of the impact of advanced technologies in genetics, nutrition and health management in the last seven decades has led to a twofold increase in the milk produced by a Holstein cow and a fourfold increase in the size of a broiler chicken in Western countries. Therefore, harnessing breakthrough technologies of genomicGenomics breeding, reproductionReproduction, management practices (health and environment), etc., with supporting infrastructure, funding and technical know-how is key to solving current problems and achieving rapid developments in the African livestock sector. This chapter presents an overview of some modern technologiesModern technologies that have played and continue to play significant roles in advancing sustainable genetic improvementSustainable genetic improvement in the livestock sector. Firstly, Section 20.2 presents the key issues impeding sustainable livestock improvement within Africa’s complex livestock production systems. Then the phenomicsPhenomics technologies used for data capture to support genetic selectionSelections are presented in Section 20.3 followed by the breakthrough genomicsGenomics technologies responsible for sustained genetic improvementsGenetic improvements in livestock traits (Section 20.4). The emerging technologies of genome editing (Section 20.4.3) and cellular agriculture (Section 20.4.4) are also presented. Breakthrough reproductive technologies that have been responsible for the spread of high-merit genetics are examined in Section 20.5. This chapter concludes with future perspectives (Section 20.6) on how the adoption and implementation of modern genomicGenomics technologies can accelerate desired improvements in the African livestock sector.</p

Examining mental shortcuts in consumer use of food package information for purchase decision. Is it a case of health, habit or haste?

This study examines how consumers use heuristics in food decision-making. Three research questions motivated the study. What types of food choice heuristics are most commonly used? How does reliance on heuristics vary by consumers' label-reading behaviour? To what extent do attitudes and personal characteristics influence heuristic use? Using a survey-based experiment, 508 Taiwanese participants were presented with five milk product profiles, each designed to trigger a specific heuristic (Take-the-best, Recognition, Emotional or Attribute Substitution). Choices were triangulated with data on label-use behaviour and food-related attitudes. Chi-square tests assessed associations between consumer attitudes and product choices, while multinomial logistic regression predicted drivers of heuristic use. The results show that most consumers do not consistently apply a single decision rule. Only 16.1 % demonstrated behaviour aligned with their stated preferences. Chi-square tests showed that decision patterns were strongly associated with whether participants prioritized health versus price/taste (χ 2 = 39.8, p &lt; .001) and, to a lesser extent, with habitual versus conscious shopping (χ 2 = 16.3, p = .038). Multinomial regression showed that label-readers were over five times more likely to choose emotionally framed options and three times more likely to choose cognitively framed ones, compared to price-driven (Take-the-best) choices. These findings show that price alone does not drive food decisions, even when it represents a clear monetary advantage. The study underscores the bounded rationality of consumers and suggests that label simplification, emotional salience and contextual framing may be more effective than information density in guiding healthier food choices.</p

Assessing methane production and feed efficiency in both growing and mature ovine animals in six countries across Europe, South America and Oceania

Understanding key animal performance and nuisance factors associated with methane (CH4) output and feed intake is crucial in developing greenhouse gas mitigation strategies and incorporating these traits into international sheep breeding goals. The objectives of the current study were to: 1) investigate animal and nuisance (environmental + management) factors associated with CH4 output and feed intake; and 2) determine relationships between CH4 output and feed efficiency in sheep and whether or not they differ by country. Methane output was measured in sheep in Ireland, Norway, New Zealand (NZ) and Uruguay using portable accumulation chambers (PAC), and in France using GreenFeed technology. Individual feed intake was quantified using various techniques across six countries (Ireland, United Kingdom, Norway, France, Uruguay, NZ), on sheep housed indoors, grazing outdoors, and consuming forage or a total mixed ration. Studies varied by sheep breed and age, as well as feed types and measurement methods; factors associated with the variability in CH4 output and feed intake therefore differed by country. Despite variation between studies, phenotypic relationships among CH4, carbon dioxide (CO2), feed intake, feed efficiency, and live weight, were broadly similar across countries. Correlations with CH4 output (g/d) were consistent and moderate with live weight (r = 0.41–0.55); variable with dry matter intake (DMI), ranging from 0.24 (France) to 0.88 (Norway); and consistently weak with residual feed intake (RFI). Correlations with CO2 output (g/d) were consistent with live weight gain (r = 0.57) where estimated (France, Uruguay); variable with DMI, from moderate (r = 0.48 for France to r = 0.54 for NZ) to high (r = 0.71, Uruguay); and weak (r = 0.12, Uruguay) to moderately weak (r = 0.21, France) with RFI. Despite disparate datasets, combining data facilitates comparison and discussion on methodologies and interpretation of results. Results support the hypothesis that specific biological processes govern some trait relationships, being independent of factors like breed, age and feed, but that other relationships (e.g. between CO2 and feed intake) are potentially strongly influenced by methodology and warrant further investigation. This is pertinent as we seek feed intake proxies to allow the estimation of CH4 yield, an important metric in international CH4 accounting

Holding on or heading up? The roosting preferences of brown- and white-feathered laying hen pullets

Although laying hens are known to be motivated to roost as high as possible and to use a perch that allows them to grasp, little is known about how these behaviours develop in young birds. We investigated relative preferences of laying hen pullets for roosting on round perches versus platforms and whether elevation affected their preference using three strain groups and two treatments over four periods of time. 120 DeKalb White and 120 Bovans Brown chicks were housed in groups of 10 in 24 floor pens, grouped as only white pullets (n = 8), only brown pullets (n = 8) or mixed strains (n = 8). Each pen was fitted with round metal perches (PERCH) and wire platforms (PLAT) installed on opposite sides of the pen, all accessible by wire ramps (RAMP). Over four 4-week long periods from 3 to 19WOA, platforms and perches were systematically offered in a manner such that the pullets were required to choose between type of structure versus elevation. In HiPlat treatment, PLAT was the highest available structure, and in HiPerch treatment, PERCH was the highest. Video recordings were used to count the number of birds on PERCH, PLAT, and RAMP. Images were taken of the pullets’ feet grasping a perch starting at 6WOA to measure the average length of the pullet’s foot wrapped around the perch. Overall, more birds chose to roost on PLAT than PERCH, and both were used more than RAMP. Brown-only pullets used the structures less than white. Structure use increased with age, with PLAT use highest at 12-14WOA, and PERCH use increasing at 16-18WOA. In HiPlat treatment more birds roosted on PLAT than PERCH whereas in HiPerch, birds were more evenly distributed between PLAT and PERCH. White birds had significantly longer feet than browns across all ages. Foot size was associated with the use of perches but not with use of platforms. Overall, pullets’ preference for roosting on the platform outweighed their preference for elevation and for grasping a round perch. This suggests that elevated platforms are important structural elements for growing pullets

By Leaves We Live: Entanglements with the 30 × 30 Biodiversity Challenge on Veterinary Campuses

Addressing the nature emergency on veterinary campuses will challenge us to embrace the 30 × 30 Biodiversity Challenge and explore the life-giving processes that sustain life in our bio-regional home areas. In this case study, a group of transdisciplinary collaborators explore three entanglements that profoundly represent this key aspect of the metacrisis of the Anthropocene, doing so through a series of experiential workshops. By focusing on specific entangled features of the Easter Bush campus, at the University of Edinburgh, we are able to explore boundary making practices and to develop some sense of the relational whole and our place in the whole. The features that called for our attention included the river flowing through the campus and a local badger sett, dug into the refuse tip that past generations of humans have created beside the river. This work allows a series of recommendations about outdoor learning for eco-literacy, multispecies dialogue and justice to be proposed. The inter- and intra-connections between nature restoration and human restoration uncovered through this work, highlight that there are One Health justice issues here that we would do well to pay attention to in seeking to nurture more sustainable futures. This has implications for habitat restoration on veterinary campuses, for pedagogical practice and curriculum reform. Such reforms will need to recognise the damage caused by reductive science, the absence of systems thinking and process philosophy in teaching and the failure to promote spaces and opportunities for nature connection and outdoor learning. Information © The Authors 202