The effect of different paddock rotation strategies for organic sows on behaviour, welfare and the environment

This report was presented at the UK Organic Research 2002 Conference. Two alternative paddock rotations for dry sows were established on an organic farm: Rotational (40 x 40m moved three times per year) and Set Stocked (120 x 40m in place for one year). Sows showed distinct preferences in the location of dunging and urination within the paddocks (p<0.001), but no differences between the paddocks. Vegetation cover under the sows was similar overall in the two paddock systems, but showed differences over the year. Work to model the potential for nutrient leaching in the two paddock systems is ongoing

State-Level Individual Development Account (IDA) Policy: Opportunities and Challenges for Rural Areas

State-Level Individual Development Account (IDA) Policy: Opportunities and Challenges for Rural Area

Evaluation of the CRACK approach for the control of drench resistance in sheep worms

The Department of Agriculture launched the CRACK approach to worm control in September 1985 in response to finding that anthelmintic (drench) resistant worms were present on 68 per cent of a random selection of Western Australian sheep farms. The high cost of internal parasites in terms of lost production and drench costs, together with the high prevalence of resistant worms of farms, confirmed that changes were needed to existing parasite control measures in sheep.

Journalists at risk: News media perspectives

On 22 May 2009, Massey University’s Wellington campus hosted many speakers addressing the conference on war reporting jointly organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross. Media speakers included Television New Zealand’s&nbsp;Sunday&nbsp;programme reporter Cameron Bennett; Radio NZ political editor Brent Edwards; Fairfax NZ reporter Michael Field; Fairfax Media editorial development manager Clive Lind; Pacific Media Centre director and AUT University associate professor Dr David Robie; freelance foreign correspondent Jon Stephenson; and Radio NZ International news editor Walter Zweifel. Commentaries, in some cases transcribed from recordings of proceedings, have been abridged. This transcript was compiled by Massey journalism programme lecturer Alan Samson

The Maturation of Public Relations Degree Programs--Ten Years in Retrospect: Struggles; Experiences and Analyses of a Communication-Based PR Program.

This paper reviews the historical experience of a new public relations program housed in a speech communication department (rather than in a journalism department; which is traditional); discusses some of the internal and external struggles experienced in the implementation and administration of the program; and reports on the placement of its graduates. The program; at the University of Northern Iowa\u27s (UNI) department of Communication and Theatre Arts; was implemented in 1978 after five years of planning. The program received support from the administration but faced problems because of its phenomenal growth. The paper describes this support and a number of attempted solutions to the problems of growth. Surveys of alumni indicate UNI\u27s communication-based public relations degree program satisfies the felt need among students and is successful in preparing students for the marketplace. (Appendixes include degree requirements and admission requirements.) (RS

A rapid review of innovations for attraction, recruitment and retention of social care workers, and exploration of factors influencing turnover within the UK context

Context: The UK social care sector has come under increased pressure to combat workforce shortages. With international recruitment of professionals impacted by Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic, social care is in need of innovations to attract, recruit and retain staff. Objectives: This review aimed to identify (1) innovations to attract, recruit, and retain social workers (professionals working with children and adults to protect them from harm, often as case managers) and the wider social care workforce (workers providing direct practical support to children and adults with their daily activities) and (2) factors influencing staff turnover in the UK context. Method: Pre-defined inclusion criteria were developed using the SPIDER (Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, Research type) framework. Searches were conducted across three databases and 32 key United Kingdom third sector and government organisations from 2001. In total, 1,835 citations were retrieved and 40 met the eligibility criteria (13 for social workers and 28 for social care workforce). Thematic analysis was used to explore the data and presented across two evidence maps. Findings: Evaluation evidence was only available for a small portion of innovations identified. Practice learning, fast-track graduate programmes, and apprenticeships may support the retention of social workers, while pre-employment training, national recruitment campaigns, care work ambassadors, and values-based recruitment could help attraction, recruitment, and retention of the wider social care workforce. Limitations: Most of the included studies were conducted pre-pandemic and mainly relied on descriptive and explorative methodologies. Implications: Future policy initiatives should include an evaluation strategy from the outset to develop a more extensive evidence base. Funding bodies should offer schemes supporting research in this area