Dioxins in organic eggs: a review

Eggs contribute for about 4% to the daily dioxin intake of humans. Research among layer farms in the Netherlands and other EU countries has shown that organic eggs contain more dioxin than conventional ones and that a significant number of organic farms produce eggs with a dioxin content that exceeds the EU standard. The hens’ intake of dioxins from various sources leads to an increase in the dioxin content of organic eggs. These sources include plants, feed, soil, worms and insects, and compared with hens on conventional and free-range farms, organic hens make more use of these sources due to better access to the outdoor run. Plants appear to be relatively unimportant as a source of dioxins. Also commercial organic feed generally has very low dioxin contents, but not much is known about non-commercial feed. Consumption of worms and insects and particularly ingestion of soil are important causes of high dioxin levels in eggs. Management interventions, like a reduction of the time the hens spend outside, may decrease the dioxin levels in organic eggs but at the same time may interfere with the image of the organic production system

Effects of introducing balanced rations on greenhouse gas emissions from small scale Indonesian dairy farms

Poster by Marion de Vries presented at the 5th Global Science Conference on Climate-Smart Agriculture in Bali in October 2019

Vulnerability and adaptation strategies of dairy farming systems to extreme climate events in southwest Uganda : results of CSA-PRA workshops

Prolonged droughts and excess rainfall are expected to increase in frequency and intensity in southwest Uganda as a result of climate change. The aim of this study was to identify vulnerability and adaptation strategies of dairy farming systems in southwest Uganda to extreme climate events. Results showed dairy farming systems have been affected by extreme weather mainly through reduced quantity and quality of feed and water resources, and increased disease incidence. This impacted production and reproductive performance of herds, and increased disease incidence and mortality. Adaptation strategies of farmers included management of feed and water resources, migration of cattle, and reduction of the herd size

Effects of feeding and manure management interventions on technical and environmental performance of Indonesian dairy farms : Results of a pilot study in Lembang Sub-District, West Java

The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate effects of feeding and manure management interventions on the technical, economic, and environmental performance of Indonesian dairy farms, and to assess the adoption potential of these interventions. Various interventions were tested on 18 practical dairy farms in Lembang Sub-District in West Java, Indonesia. Results showed that ration balancing, mineral supplementation, feeding high quality compound concentrate feed, and (vermi-) composting have potential to improve the profitability of dairy farming, health of dairy cows, and/or reduce environmental pollution of dairy farming

Potential of reducing greenhouse gas emissions through improved nutrient circularity in agriculture in West Java

The discharging of cattle manure into the environment by dairy farmers in West Java, Indonesia, is causing environmental pollution and social issues. The objective of this study was to explore effects of increased utilization of cattle manure and good agricultural practices (GAP) on GHG emissions from the dairy and horticultural sector in Lembang Sub- District in West Java. Environmental consequences of various scenarios to avoid discharging of cattle manure were explored, including different manure processing methods, utilization of manure in either the dairy sector or the horticultural sector, and different levels of GAP in horticulture. Results showed that, compared to discharging, utilizing cattle manure on land for forage production and in horticulture lead to reduced GHG emissions, but only when cattle manure replaced currently used fertilizers. In a similar vein, results showed that implementing good agricultural practices (GAP) in horticultural production led to significant reduction of GHG emissions from the dairy and horticultural sectors in Lembang Sub-District

Environmental impacts of dairy farming in Lembang, West Java

The demand for milk and dairy products is growing in Indonesia. At the same time, Indonesia has committed itself to substantially reduce national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Low- emission strategies are required to sustainably increase milk production of the Indonesian dairy sector. Objectives of this study were to estimate the current level of GHG emissions and land use of dairy farms in Lembang District, West Java, and evaluate the potential effects of feeding and manure management interventions on GHG emissions and land use. A life cycle assessment was used to estimate cradle-to-farm gate GHG emissions and land use of an average dairy farm in Lembang District, using data from a survey of 300 dairy farmers in Lembang in 2016. Total GHG emissions were 33 ton CO2e. per farm/year, and emission intensity was 1.9 kg CO2e per kg of fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM) and 8.8 kg CO2e per kg live weight. Total estimated land use was 2.1 ha per dairy farm, which was equal to 1.2 m2 per kg FPCM and 5.6 m2 per kg live weight. Hotspots of GHG emissions were rumen enteric fermentation (CH4), manure management (CH4 and N2O; especially discharged manure), and off-farm feed production (CH4, N2O and CO2; especially rice straw). Feeding and manure management interventions evaluated in a scenario analysis in this study changed total GHG emissions by -12 to +24%, and GHG emission intensity by -1 to -14%. Total land use changed by -6 to +22%, and land use intensity (i.e., land use per kg FPCM or life weight) by 0 to -11%. Largest reductions in GHG emission intensity were found in the scenarios with maize silage feeding, improved manure management, and an increased amount of roughage in the diet. We concluded that improvement of feeding and manure management can reduce GHG emissions and land use of dairy farms in Lembang District. As results were based on scenario analysis, the mitigation potential of interventions should be validated in practice

The burden of cutaneous melanoma and status of preventive measures in Central and South America

Rationale and objective Very little is known about the burden of cutaneous melanoma in Central and South America, despite the existence of a reasonable amount of population-based data. We present data on melanoma incidence calculated in a standardized way for Central and South America, as well as an overview of primary and secondary prevention issues in the region. Methods Cancer registry data on all incident cases reported in the different registries present in Central and South America were combined to provide registry-based country estimates of age-standardized, sex-specific cutaneous melanoma incidence overall, and by histological subtype and anatomical site. A literature search provided additional information. Results Age-standardized incidence rates were between 1 and 5 per 100,000 and tended to be higher further away from the equator. Cutaneous melanomas of the acral type, mostly occurring on the lower limbs, are a distinguishing feature of melanoma in Central and South America in comparison with high-incidence areas. Several preventive measures, both primary and secondary, are in place, albeit largely without evaluation. Conclusion Due to incomplete registration and different registration practices, reliable and comparable data on melanoma were difficult to obtain; thus it is likely that the true burden of melanoma in Central and South America has been underestimated. The different characteristics of the cutaneous melanoma patient population in terms of anatomical site and histological type distribution imply a need for adapted primary and secondary prevention measures. The generally high ambient ultraviolet radiation levels require sufficient sun protection measures

The economics of improving global infectious disease surveillance

With the global increase in population density, urbanisation, and global travel and trade, the threat of widespread outbreaks of infectious diseases has increased relentlessly,1 as evidenced by recent examples of COVID-19 and Ebola. Further, although the most important causes of death shifted to non-communicable diseases, in some poorer parts of the world, communicable diseases remain the most important cause of death.2 Crucial in the prevention of and reaction to these threats is early detection, which demands an infectious disease surveillance system that can signal unusual events. How to set up and improve surveillance and how to prioritise investments are questions that need input from different scientific disciplines. Here, we focus on some economic considerations

Sustainable fertilization of vegetable crops in the highland of Lembang, West Java, Indonesia: Findings from a pilot with vegetable farmers using dairy cattle manure

Sustainable fertilization can increase income of farmers and reduce environmental pollution. Farmers should learn to align fertilizer use with crop requirements and soil fertility. Organic manures should be applied first, whereafter chemical nitrogen and potassium fertilizers should be used to complement nutrient requirements. Phosphate levels in soils in Lembang are high and limit the use of manure. Cow manure is a good source of nutrients and organic matter in vegetable crops and can lower environmental pollution in case of weight-based replacement of chicken manure