Composting leaflet – Agroecological approach at your farm

This leaflet will help organic farmers to overcome barriers and get started with on-farm composting. With minimal additional work, vegetable and arable farmers can upgrade crop residues to compost. Compost application can be integrated in the crop rotation and combined with reduced tillage. Also on livestock farms composting can offer added value. Composted manure is more stable, because the decomposition process has already partly taken place. By mixing other materials in the manure, the N/P ratio in the compost can be adjusted. Moreover, composting kills off the pathogens in manure. This leaflet gives an overview of the characteristics of good quality compost and the different steps of making compost. It provides an update of recent compost research in Flanders (Belgium) and examples of real farmers. There is also a section about the legal requirements of making and using compost in Flanders

Controlled traffic farming: A new track for soil and weed control in organic farming (OK-Net Arable Practice abstract)

The soil between the tracks remains undisturbed. Its structure is crumbly and thus optimal for plant growth. Practical information • Controlled traffic farming is a system approach that has an effect on the entire farm. Good preparation is necessary, e.g., by getting informed from colleagues who already use CTF. • Depending on the farm and the available mechanization (esp. working width), there are several ways to work with tramlines. Examples are bed-cultivation with a 1.5 to 3.2 m track width or a default track-width (often 1.5 m) with standardized, often wide machines (3 to 9 m in width). • Use standard equipment and standard working widths that are used on your own and on neighbouring operations (e.g. farmer-colleagues, agricultural contractors) as much as possible. Also, bear future developments of your own operation in mind. • Provide tramlines that are 10 to 20 cm wider to minimize the impact on the crop. Light equipment is still required. • Ensure proper preparation in the field: How do you configure the parcels? Which driving direction will you use? Which side of the parcel will you choose as a reference? Choose AB lines with correct distances to the parcel border. • It also provides new possibilities for diversity in the plot e.g., strip cultivation/flowers strip that result in more resilient farming systems

Which harrow is suitable for weed control in organic cereals? (OK-Net Arable Practice abstract)

The precision tined harrow had the best impact on soil and weeds, as each tine leaves its own trace. The rotary hoe just created small holes, but broke up the soil crust. Two successive treatments doubled the efficiency against weeds. Practical recommendations • Weed management in organic farming requires an integrated approach, taking into account rotation, soil, available tools, prevalent weeds, etc. • The smaller the weeds, the more sensitive they are to mechanical treatment with the harrow. The best results are achieved between the ‘sprout’ and ‘first leaf’ stage of the weeds. However, for mechanical weed management, the crop must be well established. Therefore, between the rising of the crop and the 3-leaves growth stage, mechanical control is not recommended. • Soil conditions are crucial, especially in case of crust (e.g., after winter). An early harrowing or hoeing, when soil is ‘drying white’, is needed to break up the crust. The rotary hoe has proved to be the most effective tool for this. • Do not be afraid of damaging your cereal crop from the 3-leaves stage onwards. Cereals are capable of recovering. Adjust speed and drive rather slowly in young crops. The rotary hoe and the precision tine harrow allow earlier treatments than the traditional tined harrow. • If the results are not sufficient over the years, it is recommended to sow cereals with a row spacing of 30 cm. This allows the combination of hoeing and harrowing for better weed control. • If you intend to buy a new harrow, inform yourself about the different devices available. Ask colleagues and advisors about their experiences

Studienamiddag ‘Uitgangsmateriaal in de biologische akkerbouw en groenteteelt vandaag en in de toekomst'

Elk jaar nemen we nieuw zaaizaad in de hand. Vaak staan we er niet bij stil welke genetische rijkdom hierin vervat zit en op welke manier dit tot stand gekomen is. Ruim 35 aanwezigen vanuit diverse schakels in de biologische keten discussieerden over dit thema vanuit hun eigen leefwereld tijdens de studienamiddag ‘Uitgangsmateriaal in de biologische akkerbouw en groenteteelt vandaag en in de toekomst’ die op 11 maart door BioForum en Inagro georganiseerd werd

The Flemish Organic Research & Knowledge Network: bridging research and practice for organic food and farming in Flanders

The Flemish Organic Research & Knowledge Network (FORK-Network) forms since 2012 the heart of research and knowledge exchange for the organic sector in Flanders. The Fork-Network involves CCBT, NOBL and BBN. Drivers of the network are participatory research and knowledge exchange and dissemination of knowledge tailored to farmers

Staphylococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome 2000–2006: Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Molecular Characteristics

Circulating strains of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) have changed in the last 30 years including the emergence of community-associated methicillin-resistant SA (MRSA). A report suggested staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) was increasing over 2000-2003. The last population-based assessment of TSS was 1986.Population-based active surveillance for TSS meeting the CDC definition using ICD-9 codes was conducted in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area (population 2,642,056) from 2000-2006. Medical records of potential cases were reviewed for case criteria, antimicrobial susceptibility, risk factors, and outcome. Superantigen PCR testing and PFGE were performed on available isolates from probable and confirmed cases.Of 7,491 hospitalizations that received one of the ICD-9 study codes, 61 TSS cases (33 menstrual, 28 non-menstrual) were identified. The average annual incidence per 100,000 of all, menstrual, and non-menstrual TSS was 0.52 (95% CI, 0.32-0.77), 0.69 (0.39-1.16), and 0.32 (0.12-0.67), respectively. Women 13-24 years had the highest incidence at 1.41 (0.63-2.61). No increase in incidence was observed from 2000-2006. MRSA was isolated in 1 menstrual and 3 non-menstrual cases (7% of TSS cases); 1 isolate was USA400. The superantigen gene tst-1 was identified in 20 (80%) of isolates and was more common in menstrual compared to non-menstrual isolates (89% vs. 50%, p = 0.07). Superantigen genes sea, seb and sec were found more frequently among non-menstrual compared to menstrual isolates [100% vs 25% (p = 0.4), 60% vs 0% (p<0.01), and 25% vs 13% (p = 0.5), respectively].TSS incidence remained stable across our surveillance period of 2000-2006 and compared to past population-based estimates in the 1980s. MRSA accounted for a small percentage of TSS cases. tst-1 continues to be the superantigen associated with the majority of menstrual cases. The CDC case definition identifies the most severe cases and has been consistently used but likely results in a substantial underestimation of the total TSS disease burden

Vooruit met de geit!

https://issuu.com/bioforumvlaanderen/docs/bioactief-36-webstatus: publishe

EFFECT OF PROTEASOME INHIBITOR MG-132 ON MUSCLE DISUSE ATROPHY

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether administration of a proteasome inhibitor (MG-132) in vivo is able to prevent muscle atrophy caused by hindlimb unloading (HU). Twenty-seven NMRI mice were assigned to a weight-bearing control, a 6-day HU or a 6-day HU+MG-132 (1mg/kg/48h) treatment group. Soleus (SOL), gastrocnemius (GAS) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were removed and weighed. After HU muscle wasting was 20% in SOL, 7% in TA and 13% in GAS (P<0.05). MG-132 treatment prevented 50% of atrophy induced by HU in GAS only (P<0.05). In this muscle, HU was associated with an increased expression of MuRF-1 (P<0.05), Atrogin-1 (P<0.05) and myostatin mRNA (P<0.055), whereas E3α, Nedd-4 and IL-6 remained unchanged. A 19% increase in chymotrypsin-like proteasomal activity was observed in HU (P<0.05) but not in HU+MG-132 GAS. Interestingly, a repression of MurF-1 and myostatin mRNA was also observed with MG-132. In TA, pro-caspase-3 cytosolic expression was decreased by 60% with HU (P<0.05) and only by 20% with HU+MG-132 (P<0.05). These results suggest that in vivo administration of MG-132 can prevent partially muscle atrophy associated with disuse, but that this effect is not specific of a proteasome activity inhibition

Prevention of muscle disuse atrophy by MG132 proteasome inhibitor

INTRODUCTION: Our goal was to determine whether in vivo administration of the proteasome inhibitor MG132 can prevent muscle atrophy caused by hindlimb unloading (HU). METHODS: Twenty-seven NMRI mice were assigned to a weight-bearing control, a 6-day HU, or a HU+MG132 (1 mg/kg/48 h) treatment group. RESULTS: Gastrocnemius wasting was significantly less in HU+MG132 mice (-6.7 ± 2.0%) compared with HU animals (-12.6 ± 1.1%, P = 0.011). HU was also associated with an increased expression of MuRF-1 (P = 0.006), MAFbx (P = 0.001), and USP28 (P = 0.027) mRNA, whereas Nedd4, E3α, USP19, and UBP45 mRNA did not change significantly. Increases in MuRF-1, MAFbx, and USP28 mRNA were largely repressed after MG132 administration. β5 proteasome activity tended to increase in HU (+16.7 ± 6.1%, P = 0.086). Neither β1 and β2 proteasome activities nor ubiquitin-conjugated proteins were changed by HU. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that in vivo administration of MG132 partially prevents muscle atrophy associated with disuse and highlight an unexpected regulation of MG132 proteasome inhibitor on ubiquitin-ligases.status: publishe

Prevention of muscle disuse atrophy by MG132 proteasome inhibitor.

Introduction: Our goal was to determine whether in vivo administration of the proteasome inhibitor MG132 can prevent muscle atrophy caused by hindlimb unloading (HU). Methods: Twenty-seven NMRI mice were assigned to a weight-bearing control, a 6-day HU, or a HU+MG132 (1 mg/kg/48 h) treatment group. Results: Gastrocnemius wasting was significantly less in HU+MG132 mice (-6.7 ± 2.0%) compared with HU animals (-12.6 ± 1.1%, P = 0.011). HU was also associated with an increased expression of MuRF-1 (P = 0.006), MAFbx (P = 0.001), and USP28 (P = 0.027) mRNA, whereas Nedd4, E3α, USP19, and UBP45 mRNA did not change significantly. Increases in MuRF-1, MAFbx, and USP28 mRNA were largely repressed after MG132 administration. β5 proteasome activity tended to increase in HU (+16.7 ± 6.1%, P = 0.086). Neither β1 and β2 proteasome activities nor ubiquitin-conjugated proteins were changed by HU. Conclusions: Our results indicate that in vivo administration of MG132 partially prevents muscle atrophy associated with disuse and highlight an unexpected regulation of MG132 proteasome inhibitor on ubiquitin-ligases. Muscle Nerve, 2011