Ecological and economic benefits of integrating sheep into viticulture production

The integration of crop and livestock systems has been recognized for its potential to reduce the environmental impacts associated with agriculture and improve farmer livelihoods. However, to date, most research has focused on the integration of cattle into crop and pasture systems. Here we examine the integration of sheep into vineyards and assess farmers’ perceived benefits and costs of the practice. Viticulture expansion has led to significant land use change in recent years and new environmental challenges, particularly with respect to herbicide use. Sheep integration into vineyards offers the potential to utilize the synergies of both systems to reduce external inputs, promote soil health, and increase farmer profit. Our study focuses in New Zealand, the world’s 15th largest wine producer, particularly in Marlborough, which produces 75% of the country’s wine. As a result, the case study is an excellent representation of New Zealand viticulture, while also providing unique insights into a novel practice. Using a semi-structured interview and survey, we interviewed fifteen farmers representing five percent of total New Zealand wine production to examine ecological and economic benefits of sheep integration in viticulture systems. We find that seasonal integration of sheep during vine dormancy is common, while integration during the growing season is rare. Overall, farmers perceive significantly more benefits than challenges with the integration of sheep into vineyards, particularly reduced mowing (100% of farmers) and herbicide use (66% of farmers). On average, farmers reported 1.3 fewer herbicide applications annually, saving US$$56 per hectare. As well, farmers indicated they were doing 2.2 fewer mows annually saving US$$64 per hectare. These results suggest that wide-scale adoption of seasonal integration of sheep and viticulture can provide large ecological benefits and higher profitability vis-à-vis conventional viticulture practices; however, further integration of the two systems may provide even greater benefits not currently realized

Youth and the future: effective youth services for the year 2015

This report provides an understanding of the services required by young people in the year 2015, based on a thorough analysis of recent trends and expert projections of those trends. The report analyses key social and economic changes for young people in Australia over the past 10 to 20 years including movements in population, education, employment/unemployment and the labour market, incomes, family and household structure, health, and crime and justice

Imaging-Based Prevalence of Superior Labral Anterior-Posterior Tears Significantly Increases in the Aging Shoulder.

BackgroundSuperior labral anterior-posterior (SLAP) tears can be associated with pain and shoulder dysfunction. Relatively little is known about the age-related prevalence of SLAP tears.PurposeTo investigate the age-related prevalence of imaging-diagnosed SLAP tears in a heterogeneous grouping of shoulder conditions in a large cohort at a single institution with multiple blinded reviewers.Study designCross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.MethodsA total of 281 shoulder magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans obtained over 8 months were reviewed by a musculoskeletal radiologist and an orthopaedic surgeon. The mean ± SD age of the group was 49.6 ± 15.5 years, and 107 of the patients were female (38.1%). Patients were divided into 4 age groups: 35 years or younger, 36 to 50 years, 51 to 65 years, and older than 65 years. Statistical analyses were completed by use of the Fisher exact test to compare proportions of SLAP tears between age groups, odds ratios to determine the likelihood of having a SLAP tear in each age group, and a logistic regression to control for associated abnormalities.ResultsThere was a significant diffference in the proportion of SLAP tears found on the MRIs for each age group (P < .001). Patients were significantly more likely to have SLAP tears if aged 51 to 65 years (66.7%; odds ratio [OR], 2.00; 95% CI, 1.27-3.15) and if older than 65 years (81.2%; OR, 4.31; 95% CI, 2.36-7.88). No increased prevalence was observed in patients aged 35 years or younger (47.5%; OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.55-1.50) or 36 to 50 years (51.8%; OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.70-1.67). Logistic regression demonstrated that age was the only significant predictor for having a SLAP tear (P < .001). Kappa values were 0.46 to 0.65 between reviewers, indicating moderate to substantial agreement.ConclusionAn increasing prevalence of MRI-based SLAP tears was observed with increasing patient age. Patients older than 50 years were significantly more likely to have superior labral abnormalities regardless of other shoulder injury or disease

Investigations of a Ground Stone Tool Workshop at Pacbitun, Belize

The Ancient Maya site of Pacbitun is centrally located between the two major ecozones of the Belize River Valley and the Mountain Pine Ridge in west-central Belize. In June 2012, investigations began on a group of mounds, known as the Tzib Group, located outside of Pacbitun’s site core in order to investigate the group\u27s potential as a locale for ground stone tool workshops. Excavations at the Tzib Group uncovered over 1000kg of granite debitage as well as mano and metate preforms at varying stages of production. In analyzing the possibility of a ground stone production center, this paper seeks to expand upon previous research at Pacbitun pertaining to resource acquisition, craft-specialization, and exchange as a result of the site’s central location in the valley during the Late Classic period (AD 600-900)

Use of ERTS-1 imagery to interpret wind-erosion hazard in the Sandhills of Nebraska

There are no author-identified significant results in this report

Communal reconciliation : corporate responsibility and opposition to systemic sin

Recent events have given rise to considerations of systemic sin and how the church should respond to it. This article looks at passages in the Hebrew Bible which demonstrate the communal character of sin and atonement. God holds the whole nation responsible despite righteous individuals, often for the sins of individuals. Paul develops this relation between individuals and groups in his ecclesiology. I argue from this development that responsibility for sins, individual or systemic, is placed on the whole community. Thus, there is for the church a corporate responsibility for reconciliation, demanding group agency in rectifying systemic sins like racism.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe