MAJOR IDEAS IN THE HISTORY OF AGRICULTURAL FINANCE AND FARM MANAGEMENT

This paper contains two articles that discuss major ideas from the history of agricultural finance and farm management. The agricultural finance article focuses on ideas that emerged prior to 1960. These ideas are classified into those emerging from action and scientific-framing eras. The second article characterizes the evolution of farm management and production economics from its beginnings in about 1900 to the start of the 21st century. Emphasis is placed on the melding of ideas from agriculturalists and economists.Agricultural finance, farm management, production economics, Agricultural Finance,

A public health framework for legalized retail marijuana based on the US experience:Avoiding a new tobacco industry

Rachel Barry and Stanton Glantz argue that a public health framework that prioritizes public health over business interests should be used by US states and countries that legalize retail marijuana

The processing performance of Western Australian wools

The wool trade generally regards Western Australian wools as good blending wools, but unsuitable for making up complete processing batches. This reputation is reflected by the lower prices that our wools receive compared with the same wool types sold in the eastern States. With the assistance of the Australian Wool Corporation (A WC), we have reviewed the potential factors contributing to the differences in prices paid for Western Australia\u27s wools and their processing performance. Where possible, we have predicted the processing performance of Western Australian wools using an equation developed by CSIRO\u27s Division of Wool Technology

The Effects of Freezing on Faecal Microbiota as Determined Using MiSeq Sequencing and Culture-Based Investigations

peer-reviewedBackground High-throughput sequencing has enabled detailed insights into complex microbial environments, including the human gut microbiota. The accuracy of the sequencing data however, is reliant upon appropriate storage of the samples prior to DNA extraction. The aim of this study was to conduct the first MiSeq sequencing investigation into the effects of faecal storage on the microbiota, compared to fresh samples. Culture-based analysis was also completed. Methods Seven faecal samples were collected from healthy adults. Samples were separated into fresh (DNA extracted immediately), snap frozen on dry ice and frozen for 7 days at -80°C prior to DNA extraction or samples frozen at -80°C for 7 days before DNA extraction. Sequencing was completed on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Culturing of total aerobes, anaerobes and bifidobacteria was also completed. Results No significant differences at phylum or family levels between the treatment groups occurred. At genus level only Faecalibacterium and Leuconostoc were significantly different in the fresh samples compared to the snap frozen group (p = 0.0298; p = 0.0330 respectively). Diversity analysis indicated that samples clustered based on the individual donor, rather than by storage group. No significant differences occurred in the culture-based analysis between the fresh, snap or -80°C frozen samples. Conclusions Using the MiSeq platform coupled with culture-based analysis, this study highlighted that limited significant changes in microbiota occur following rapid freezing of faecal samples prior to DNA extraction. Thus, rapid freezing of samples prior to DNA extraction and culturing, preserves the integrity of the microbiota.Jennifer Deane is in receipt of a Teagasc Walsh Fellowship. The authors and their work were supported by the Science Foundation Ireland and funded by the Centre for Science, Engineering and Technology (SFI-CSET) grant 02/CE/B124 and by FP7 funded CFMATTERS (Cystic Fibrosis Microbiome-determined Antibiotic Therapy Trial in Exacerbations: Results Stratified, Grant Agreement no. 603038). The Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre is a research centre funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). This publication has emanated from research supported in part by a research grant from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) under Grant Number SFI/12/RC/2273

Bifidobacterium breve with α-Linolenic Acid and Linoleic Acid Alters Fatty Acid Metabolism in the Maternal Separation Model of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

peer-reviewedThe aim of this study was to compare the impact of dietary supplementation with a Bifidobacterium breve strain together with linoleic acid & α-linolenic acid, for 7 weeks, on colonic sensitivity and fatty acid metabolism in rats. Maternally separated and non-maternally separated Sprague Dawley rats (n = 15) were orally gavaged with either B. breve DPC6330 (109 microorganisms/day) alone or in combination with 0.5% (w/w) linoleic acid & 0.5% (w/w) α-linolenic acid, daily for 7 weeks and compared with trehalose and bovine serum albumin. Tissue fatty acid composition was assessed by gas-liquid chromatography and visceral hypersensitivity was assessed by colorectal distension. Significant differences in the fatty acid profiles of the non-separated controls and maternally separated controls were observed for α-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid in the liver, oleic acid and eicosenoic acid (c11) in adipose tissue, and for palmitoleic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in serum (p<0.05). Administration of B. breve DPC6330 to MS rats significantly increased palmitoleic acid, arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in the liver, eicosenoic acid (c11) in adipose tissue and palmitoleic acid in the prefrontal cortex (p<0.05), whereas feeding B. breve DPC6330 to non separated rats significantly increased eicosapentaenoic acid and docosapentaenoic acid in serum (p<0.05) compared with the NS un-supplemented controls. Administration of B. breve DPC6330 in combination with linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid to maternally separated rats significantly increased docosapentaenoic acid in the serum (p<0.01) and α-linolenic acid in adipose tissue (p<0.001), whereas feeding B. breve DPC6330 with fatty acid supplementation to non-separated rats significantly increased liver and serum docosapentaenoic acid (p<0.05), and α-linolenic acid in adipose tissue (p<0.001). B. breve DPC6330 influenced host fatty acid metabolism. Administration of B. breve DPC6330 to maternally separated rats significantly modified the palmitoleic acid, arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid contents in tissues. The effect was not observed in non-separated animals.This work was supported by the Science Foundation of Ireland – funded Centre for Science, Engineering and Technology, the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre

Book Reviews

Reviews of the following books: Hardliners: A History of the Emery-Waterhouse Company by Edgar Allen Beem and Charles L. Hildreth, Jr.; L.L. Bean: The Making of an American Icon by Leon Gorman; Eminent Mainers: Succinct Biographies of Thousands of Amazing Mainers, Mostly Dead and a Few People from Away Who Have Done Something Useful Within the State Maine; Compiled by Arthur Douglas Stover and Maine: Downeast and Different: An Illustrated History by Neil Rolde; ; The Rangeley and Its Region: The Famous Boat and Lakes of Western Maine by Stephen A. Cole; Voyages: A Maine Franco-American Reader, edited by Nelson Madore and Barry Rodrigu