Organic food attributes determing consumer choices

The aim of the research was to identify the factors influencing consumption of organic food. In our research an attempt was made to find a method for identifying organic food and assessing the features ascribed to it by consumers. These features were then analyzed in terms of their technical and market attributes. The paper presents results of research conducted in 2005, 2010 and 2013 on the organic food market with special emphasis placed on pricing, distribution systems and consumers in the north-eastern Poland. Respondents’ answers indicate their increasing interest, knowledge and commitment to the environment. They also indicate that the most important technological attribute of organic food is its way of production, which ensures that the food is healthy, contains no chemical additives and has good, natural taste. Market attributes include the food’s high nutritious value and naturalness, the producer’s logo and price. Consumers buying organic food believe that the production and processing of food does not destroy the natural environment. Emphasizing the health and taste attributes of organic food is not enough, however, and it has to coincide with the consumer’s behavior and pro-environmental bias, which become explicit in his choice of food.peer-reviewe

Milk recording as a factor influencing the performance of the dairy sector in Poland

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the economic situation of dairy farms enrolled in milk recording and determine the impact of milk recording on the Polish dairy sector's productivity. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study involved agricultural holdings which specialized in dairy cattle farming in 2011-2013, kept continuous milk production records, conducted the required number of milk tests, were within the field of observation of the Polish Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN), and kept continuous accounts during the investigated period. Findings: The article analyzes the Polish milk market and the size and milk performance of the dairy cow population in Poland relative to selected EU countries. Milk recording was defined, and its objectives, the relevant laws, and methods were presented. The resources, organizational structure, output, financial performance, production value, sales, costs, and income of dairy farms enrolled in milk recording (listed in SYMLEK and FADN databases), and dairy farms listed in the FADN database only were compared. The costs associated with milk recording and the share of recording costs in the evaluated dairy farms' total costs were estimated. Practical implications: The results will fill in the gap concerning factors influencing the dairy sector's performance in Poland. Originality/Value: The new information about the potential effects of milk recording in the entire population of dairy cows in Poland in 2012-2017 was analyzed.peer-reviewe

Economic sustainability of dairy farms in the EU

Purpose: The objective of this research is to evaluate changes in the economic sustainability of dairy farms in the European Union (EU) countries during 2007-2016 when dairy quotas were being removed in the EU. We wanted to answer the question what is the economic sustainability of dairy farms in the EU, and how has the economic sustainability in the EU countries changed after the accession of new member states in 2004 and 2017. Design/Approach/Methodology: An economic sustainability assessment of farms was conducted using the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) census data with several economic efficiency indicators. We analyzed variables using the Hellwig method. Findings: Results indicate that milk production increased in almost all the countries of the EU, as did their economies. The largest annual increase in standard output (SO) was in Denmark, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Sweden and United Kingdom. In turn, the smallest annual increase in SO was in Lithuania, Bulgaria, Latvia and Poland. Dairy farms in the Czech Republic and Denmark had the highest economic sustainability, while dairy farms in Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, Romania and Slovenia had the lowest economic sustainability. Practical Implications: While not providing a comprehensive assessment, the indicators used do provide important information about economic impacts related to the scale and distribution of production, difference in labor cost, sources of income and maintenance of farms. Originality/Value: Modern dairy farms must have production efficiency and environmental compliance to achieve sustainability. Much of the current literature focuses on the efficiency and environmental aspects of sustainability and there is a lack of data that assesses economic sustainability.peer-reviewe

Impact of new member accession to the European Union on food trade

Purpose: The main focus is on the export and import of agricultural products in the EU in the years 2002-2017 outside the EU (extra-EU). Design/Methodology/Approach: This paper investigates the impact of EU (European Union) enlargement on food trade using descriptive statistics. First, EU-28 exports, imports, and trade balance of agricultural products outside the EU (extra-EU) are presented for 2002-2017. Findings: The trade balance between EU countries for food, beverages, and tobacco are also presented. Accession has led to the elimination of trade tariffs and accelerated improvements in trade. The most exported products by EU countries were alcoholic beverages (spirits and liquors, wine, and vermouth), bakery products, and wheat. Most of the export of agri-food products is directed to other EU countries, Russia, China, and various countries in South America, Africa, and Asia. Imports to EU countries comprised mostly of vegetables and fruits, coffee, tea, cocoa, and various fish products. Practical implications: The results will fill in the gap concerning the food trade of agricultural products in the EU. Originality/Value: The new information about extra EU trade of agricultural products and a GARCH (Generalized Autoregressive Conditionally Heteroscedastic) model was presented.peer-reviewe

Laparoscopic assisted percutaneous herniorrhapy in dogs using PIRS technique.

BackgroundIn the literature, no studies describe the use of laparoscopic techniques for inguinal hernia repair in canine clinical patients. The surgical technique-Percutaneous Internal Ring Suturing (PIRS) presented in this article is the world's first minimally invasive laparoscopic surgical technique for inguinal canal closure in dogs.AimThe aim of the presented study is to evaluate the possibility of employment of the laparoscopic PIRS technique in clinical practice as well as to technically evaluate its usefulness in the treatment of the inguinal hernia in dogs. The presented study describes the procedure and the results of laparoscopic treatment of 11 inguinal hernias in nine dogs (two bilateral).MethodsThe whole procedure is performed under camera control introduced through one umbilical trocar. The very closure of the inner inguinal ring is done with the injection needle by a small puncture over the inguinal canal with the help of which the suture material is inserted, and the canal of the operated inguinal hernia is closed. Each operated dog underwent a thorough clinical examination before surgery which was combined with ultrasound examination of the inguinal canals before, immediately after and three months after surgery.ResultsThere was no hernia recurrence in the study period in the operated dogs and all individuals returned to full mobility immediately after recovery from anesthesia.ConclusionsDue to the low invasiveness and simplicity of performance, the PIRS technique described in the study should be taken into account when choosing a treatment method for non-traumatic inguinal hernia in dogs. At the same time, the possibility of using the described technique in other types of inguinal hernia in dogs requires further research

Expression Profiles of Dopamine-Related Genes and miRNAs Regulating Their Expression in Breast Cancer

This study aimed to assess the expression profile of messenger RNA (mRNA) and microRNA (miRNA) related to the dopaminergic system in five types of breast cancer in Polish women. Patients with five breast cancer subtypes were included in the study: luminal A (n = 130), luminal B (n = 196, including HER2−, n = 100; HER2+, n = 96), HER2+ (n = 36), and TNBC (n = 43); they underwent surgery, during which tumor tissue was removed along with a margin of healthy tissue (control material). The molecular analysis included a microarray profile of mRNAs and miRNAs associated with the dopaminergic system, a real-time polymerase chain reaction preceded by reverse transcription for selected genes, and determinations of their concentration using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The conducted statistical analysis showed that five mRNAs statistically significantly differentiated breast cancer sections regardless of subtype compared to control samples; these were dopamine receptor 2 (DRD2), dopamine receptor 3 (DRD3), dopamine receptor 25 (DRD5), transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF-β-2), and caveolin 2 (CAV2). The predicted analysis showed that hsa-miR-141-3p can regulate the expression of DRD2 and TGF-β-2, whereas hsa-miR-4441 is potentially engaged in the expression regulation of DRD3 and DRD5. In addition, the expression pattern of DRD5 mRNA can also be regulated by has-miR-16-5p. The overexpression of DRD2 and DRD3, with concomitant silencing of DRD5 expression, confirms the presence of dopaminergic abnormalities in breast cancer patients. Moreover, these abnormalities may be the result of miR-141-3P, miR-16-5p, and miR-4441 activity, regulating proliferation or metastasis