Optimising production systems for organic pig production (OF0169)

This is the final report of Defra project OF0169. There is a more comprehensive Executive Summary at the start of the attached main report. The overall objective of this project was to generate the scientific and financial information necessary to facilitate increased production of pigmeat on existing organic farms, and the conversion of conventional farms to this organic production. Information was collected through a series of experiments focusing on the effects of genotype, management and nutrition. The study was conducted on commercial organic pig farms, supported by literature searches, financial appraisal, and survey data collection. Organic production standards favour traditional breeds of livestock in preference to ‘improved’ genotypes, which may be less suited to the more extensive production systems. An experiment was carried out to compare performance, health and welfare of three different genotypes managed organically. These genotypes were chosen to represent different breeding strategies - British Saddleback (S), a pure-bred, traditional genotype; PIC Camborough 12 (C12), an improved modern genotype; and Saddleback x Duroc (SD) sow, suitable for ‘criss-cross breeding’ system by smaller organic farms. The modern improved genotypes of sows produced higher litter sizes than their more traditional counterparts, although the numbers of pigs weaned were similar across the genotypes studied. The results indicated that all three breeding strategies can be successfully adopted in organic production systems, and that choice of sow breed should depend on the ability of the farm to manage prolific sows, the implications for slaughter pig performance, and market requirements. A factorially designed experiment was carried out to investigate the effects on performance and carcass quality of three different genotypes of growing pig, three feeding systems and two housing systems. Overall, there were few significant treatment effects on product quality. In a further experiment, the herbage intake of growing pigs maintained at pasture was quantified. The results showed that, when offered a cereal- based concentrate ad libitum, the herbage intake of growing pigs from a good quality grass/clover sward contributed <5% to daily organic matter consumption. In these circumstances, modification of concentrate composition would not be appropriate. To facilitate efficient feed use in organic pig production, a ‘Feed Handbook’ (publication C3) was compiled, printed and made available to UK organic farmers. The effect of paddock management on the ranging behaviour of sows was also studied in a two by three factorial design, involving three sow genotypes. Two commercially applicable paddock management strategies were established: a) ‘Rotational’ (R) where a group of up to 6 sows was relocated to clean ground every four months, and b) ‘Set stocked’ (SS) where a group of up to 6 sows was relocated to clean ground every twelve months. Results suggest that during wet periods, the R paddocks may be advantageous as the pigs are moved off damaged pasture, whereas in drier periods, the SS paddocks maintain grass cover for longer than R and therefore incur less labour for moving without significant pollution risk. Pigs in the SS paddocks do use the further portions of the field, but this may require management manipulations to achieve satisfactory grass usage and distribution of excreted nutrients. In a survey conducted between August 1999 and April 2002 on the commercial organic farms, the main welfare issues reported related to keeping stock clean and dry in periods of high rainfall, managing Porcine Dermatitis and Nephropathy Syndrome and Postweaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PDNS/PMWS) within their herd, and recruiting and retaining good quality personnel. Mange and lice were the highest-ranking current health concerns, and post-mortem reports of endo-parasitism was the highest-ranking historical health concern. Two of the five farms surveyed reported problems with scouring in young pigs probably due to Coccidia, which may pose a significant risk in organic systems. Data collected on physical performance, capital investment and operating costs were used to establish bench-mark production levels for organic pig herds, the cashflow implications of establishing an organic pig herd, profitability, and sensitivity to movements in productivity, costs and prices. This showed the potential for profitability, which was vulnerable to price fluctuations. Information was disseminated widely through farmer conferences and talks at national conferences, scientific papers, conference proceedings, technical and press reports

Electrode Design for Tunable Microlenses

15th May 199

Microlenses immersed in nematic liquid crystal with electrically controllable focal length

A microlens immersed in a nematic liquid crystal cell has been constructed with avariable focal length which can be controlled by applying an analogue voltage to thenematic liquid crystal. The focal length is -910 ± 30 ? m with no electric field appliedand with an applied field the focal length can be varied from 380 ± 50 to 560 ± 20 ? malthough at present the lens performance is limited by aberrations. A microlens immersed in a nematic liquid crystal cell has been constructed with avariable focal length which can be controlled by applying an analogue voltage to thenematic liquid crystal. The focal length is -910 ± 30 ? m with no electric field appliedand with an applied field the focal length can be varied from 380 ± 50 to 560 ± 20 ? malthough at present the lens performance is limited by aberrations. 12 May 199

Marketing and Sustainable Tourism: A Rapid Systematized literature review

The role of marketing in promoting sustainability in tourism has been a topic of debate, with some researchers viewing it as a hindrance to sustainability due to its focus on increasing tourist numbers and commodifying tourism. However, others believe that marketing can positively promote sustainability. A more holistic view of marketing is needed in the tourism literature to address this issue. This study aims to identify how marketing can effectively communicate a destination\u27s sustainable attributes to attract an environmentally conscious traveler. The authors conducted a rapid literature review of empirical evidence from the last two decades and evaluated important domains of study in tourism and marketing for sustainable tourism practices. The study proposes a future research agenda to address identified empirical gaps from three perspectives - Communication, Consumer, and Stakeholder. The authors advocate for a more holistic approach to marketing that prioritizes creating sustainable tourism experiences. This research encourages the involvement of marketing practices to achieve ESG goals of caring for the environment, creating a positive impact on society, and upholding good governance. Overall, critical views and further research are necessary to improve sustainable tourism marketing

Destination Brand Equity and value creation for Internal stakeholders

Destination-based brand equity (DBBE) is a crucial aspect of destination marketing, adding value to products or services beyond their functional benefits. However, the impact of increased brand equity on the behavior of internal stakeholders in a destination is not well understood, even though they play a crucial role in influencing tourist behavior and improving the perceived value of a destination. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the equity created for internal stakeholders by destinations and assessing the perception of the destination\u27s attraction through the customer-based brand equity (CBBE) model. Using the theory of shared value and the CBBE model\u27s four dimensions, this qualitative study will conduct in-depth interviews with key stakeholders to investigate how internal stakeholders perceive the value of their destination brand in terms of brand equity and sustainability, assess the level of awareness of destination branding efforts among destination managers and other stakeholders, and explore how internal stakeholders perceive the impact of the destination brand on their community or business. The study\u27s results could contribute to the understanding of the impact of destination branding efforts on internal stakeholders, provide information on how sustainable tourism management practices can create value for these stakeholders, and provide recommendations for destination managers on how to effectively engage and communicate with stakeholders to create value for them and improve the perceived value of the destination

A systematic literature review on the responsible travel behavior of tourists in destination tourism

Responsible travel can be referenced in a variety of ways in academic literature due to similar terms and synonyms. Responsible travel does not have a formal definition although, it is being researched in a wide range of contexts. This study is a systematic literature review on the responsible travel behavior of tourisms in destination tourism. This study aims to identify what literature exists currently that investigates or aims to promote responsible travel behavior of tourists at a destination. This study is also interested in identifying if there is any literature that measures the responsible travel behavior of tourists. This will specifically address whether scales, measurements, tests, assessments, or instruments have been developed to measure responsible travel behavior. This study will be one of the first studies to consolidate the vast information regarding responsible travel, while recognizing that responsible travel can be referenced in a variety of ways. This study may also identify current gaps in responsible travel research and identify whether there is a lack of instruments to measure responsible travel behavior while traveling to a destination

Moderate Effects of Brand Awareness on eWOM Intention: Perspectives in Community-based Festival Tourism

This study aim to understand how tourists’ festival experience influence destination/place brand equity building as well as moderate effect of brand awareness on eWOM intention. A web-based survey is prepared and is supposed to be performed in order to explore how tourists response eWOM dissemination. Based on customer-based brand equity (CBBE), moderate effect of brand awareness on eWOM intention is examined through second order structural equation modeling. Expected results provide insightful information about the importance of brand awareness in consumers\u27 brand knowledge transaction and marketing performance. Expected results will clarify festival tourists’ psychological characteristics in destination branding setting