Category: Industry information

Urban Agriculture: Why ‘One Size Fits All’ Approaches Do Not Work

22 July 2016

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EU – Global interest in urban agriculture is growing. However, the importance of local context is not reflected in current governance approaches, argues a new study which evaluated urban agriculture in Belgium and Poland. The authors say that considering city-specific factors can help urban agriculture achieve its full potential, and recommend a broader policymaking strategy that considers the benefits beyond food production.

Urban agriculture — the practice of growing food in a village, town or city — has a long history. Recently, urban agriculture has experienced a resurgence, driven in part by challenges to food security, urban sustainability and the economy, and is now practised by an estimated 800 million people — many of whom live in the Global South, where urban agriculture has been practised since the birth of cities.

However, according to the authors of the new study, recent discourse on urban agriculture is overwhelmingly positive, uncritical, and fails to place urban agriculture in context. The result of assuming that urban agriculture is inherently valuable is an ‘instrumental approach’ to government — in which the development of urban agriculture policies and projects take precedent over the nature, objectives and impacts of these initiatives, say the researchers.

Policy also tends to place urban agriculture in the area of food and agriculture, focusing on preservation of farmland and supply of food above other benefits, such as provision of green space, managing stormwater, improving food literacy, social benefits, and improving public health through consumption of fruit and vegetables. This singular approach threatens the diversity of urban agriculture, especially if the resources have to come from the policy area of agriculture alone, say the researchers.

Without seeking to discredit other research that focuses on the development of urban agriculture policies and other support for urban agriculture, this European-funded study critically reviewed the current view on urban agriculture, arguing that a more nuanced approach to governance is needed.

To back up their argument, the researchers used two city case studies, chosen for their different backgrounds (based, respectively, in social democratic and communist pasts) and differences in urban layout, political climate and public attitudes towards use of urban space: Ghent, Belgium and Warsaw, Poland.

Remarkably, urban agriculture is characterised by similar practices and advocated by similar stakeholders in both cities. However, developments look very different — which suggests that urban agriculture does not have a universal meaning (as the current narrative suggests), but depends on specific circumstances.

The researchers analysed the cases using interviews with key stakeholders from municipal government (e.g. policymakers), social and cultural institutions (e.g. NGOs, social workers), entrepreneurs (e.g. farmers, restaurants), as well as academics and ‘pioneers’ (students and volunteers).

They questioned interviewees about their perspectives on and involvement in urban agriculture developments; perspectives on the network of urban agriculture stakeholders in their city; understanding of factors that enable and constrain urban agriculture developments; and their views on the future of urban agriculture in their city. Data was collected during spring 2013 and 2014 in Ghent, and spring 2014 in Warsaw.

The authors describe some of the major differences between the two cities. They say urban agriculture in Warsaw is characterised by isolated, short-term projects, while in Ghent projects are better established. Ghent also has a growing and positive public dialogue on urban agriculture, while initiatives in Warsaw receive little support and are poorly recognised by both the public and government.

To explain these differences, the researchers analysed context-specific factors — grouped into categories of ‘urban layout’, ‘political climate’ and ‘public perceptions and attitudes towards use of urban space’.

In Warsaw, they found that society overall does not have a positive attitude towards urban food production. They also found that governments prioritise economic development, while aims for urban agriculture have been set aside. As a result, enthusiasm for urban agriculture has become subversive and lacks legitimacy, despite Warsaw having plenty of green space and a high number of community gardens.

In contrast, Ghent has much broader advocacy for urban agriculture, but little green space. Here, the development of a local food system is included in the political agenda on sustainability. This, combined with citizens’ receptiveness towards urban food innovations, makes urban agriculture increasingly popular in the city. However, space is tight, and initiatives that are successful generally use temporary spaces or are incorporated into existing organisations, where initiatives can be set up with limited investment.

As this article shows, each case has specific opportunities and barriers. In Warsaw, for example, urban agriculture is marginalised because it functions separately to existing food production activities, such as community gardens; while in Ghent, lack of space and investment could dampen enthusiasm for urban agriculture. It is important that strategies for urban agriculture are developed based on these differences.

As well as considering context-specific factors, the researchers say that urban agriculture should be considered in policy sectors beyond food and agriculture, for instance, in social, political, economic and cultural structures. They say such an approach could enable policymakers to make the most of the opportunities for urban agriculture and maximise societal value under specific local circumstances. These findings are broadly applicable, as cities everywhere are under pressure to participate in sustainable development.

Only Half of Consumers Aware of Food Waste Problem

22 July 2016

US – Even though American consumers throw away about 80 billion pounds of food a year, only about half are aware that food waste is a problem.

Researchers have also identified that most people perceive benefits to throwing food away, some of which have limited basis in fact.

A study published in PLOS ONE is just the second peer-reviewed large-scale consumer survey about food waste and is the first in the US to identify patterns regarding how Americans form attitudes on food waste.

The results provide the data required to develop targeted efforts to reduce the amount of food that US consumers throw away each year, said study co-author Brian Roe, the McCormick Professor of Agricultural Marketing and Policy at The Ohio State University.

The study found that only 53 per cent of respondents said they were aware that food waste is a problem.

Among other findings, the study identified general patterns that play a role in people’s attitudes regarding household food waste.

“Generally, we found that people consider three things regarding food waste,” said doctoral student Danyi Qi, who co-authored the study. “They perceive there are practical benefits, such as a reduced risk of foodborne illness, but at the same time they feel guilty about wasting food. They also know that their behaviours and how they manage their household influences how much food they waste.”

The researchers said more focus on producing better standards for “Sell by” and “Use by” dates is needed, as these labels are often not related to food safety. They are also developing a smart phone app to better measure household food waste.

What Does it Take to Create a Sustainable Farm in China?

12 May 2016

CHINA – Big Dutchman China, in collaboration with Alltech, capped off a successful week by hosting and conducting The 2016 Pig week in the Chinese cities Shenyang and Beijing. The event was held April 19 in Shenyang and April 21 in Beijing.

This global collaboration successfully brought forth swine industry leaders, experts and professionals from around the world to share their knowledge, skills and experience of the swine industry to the Chinese market. Involved in this event were the companies Big Dutchman, Betco and Alltech along with the United States Grains Council.

The primary focus on this event was the ongoing and ever changing swine industry in China. The speakers and representatives centered their topics on the key question of “What does it take to create a great and sustainable farm in China?”

Topics presented by companies speakers and representatives were focused around equipment, genetics, nutrition, building construction, farm technology, manure and nutrient management.

Pig Week started the event at the Sheraton in Shenyang, Liaoning, on Tuesday, May 19th. After a successful meeting, Pig Week and its hosting members then proceeded and concluded the event on Thursday, May 20th at the Crowne Plaza Lido in Beijing.

Big Dutchman, Alltech, Betco and the US Grains Council share their views of the dynamic swine industry is China

Each stop was highlighted by topics and speeches given by global professionals from each company. To kick off each meeting, Mr. Brian McCawley, President and General Manager of Big Dutchman China presented a welcoming and opening message for Pig Week.

“Big Dutchman has noted the rationalization of the Chinese Pig Industry away from small, backyard farms to larger facilities that offer improved technology with overall lower labor and production costs,” said Mr. McCawley on the future of the pig industry in China.

“BD is investing in the future with a strong belief that improving technology over labor, lowering production costs is the growth part of our industry.”

Dr. Mike Varley, a professional consultant from The Pig Technology Company, in collaboration with Alltech, delivered on the topic of Improving gut health for sows and piglets by nutritional management.

Dr. Varley topics focused on the importance of gut health microbial in the early stages of development for piglets and emphasized that these factors can have long term effects on a sows health in later stages of production. Examples of which are the importance of dedicated weaning ages, sow feeding, and balancing the right feed ingredients.

Following nutrition, Dr. Teng Teeh Lim, Associate Extension Professor at the University of Missouri, United States shared with the group nutrient management and the ever challenging landscape of manure management in China.

Dr. Lim’s topics often referenced methods and processes conducted in the United States and how China has a key opportunity to benefit from these practices if fully taken into account.

“Regulations also have played a key in changing how manure is management throughout the United States,” said Dr. Lim on the ever changing political landscape of nutrient management, “we at the Grains Council see many opportunities for both expansion and improvement in nutrient and manure management in China from both a regulatory and a commercial practice standpoint. It will be a challenge but a challenge worth facing.”

Big Dutchman’s goal in investing future technologies to improve production costs

As a special collaboration, Betco and Big Dutchman teamed up on topics to discuss the importance of building design, equipment and technology.

Mr. Mark Doyle, Vice President International, BETCO, an international construction and building company specializing in housing, focused on the importance of building design. In Mr. Doyle’s presentation, an emphasis on how even the smallest of details, such as airtightness and seems, can make a dramatic impact on performance. Mr. Doyle also emphasized ventilation techniques on how it’s important to take many factors into consideration when choosing a building type. These factors include location, weather patterns, climate, and local animal populations.

To compliment Mr. Doyle’s topic, Mr. Ron Lane, Director of Sales for the Pig Business unit, shared with the crowd Impact of Facilities on New Genetic Parameters. One of Mr. Lane’s focuses was the development of gilts and how crucial the early stages are.

“Pressure on gilts can overall have large effects on performance,” said Mr. Lane pointed out on guilt impacts.

“Certain pressures include larger pools of replacements, increasing the size of the gilt pool, and breeding at lower target weights. Good gilts lead to good sows which lead to good performance – simple!”

As a key specialist in a dynamic technology in the swine industry, Mr. Alex Liu, Senior Electrician and BFN specialist introduced The Big Farm Network and how it can impact and revolutionize data management within farms. The Big Farm Network is a service and product offered by Big Dutchman as a way to better manage data on farms. The network includes a system that allows users to control and management all inflowing data presented, giving overall more control to the farmer.

Dr. Mark Lyons, the Vice President of Alltech, concluded the meeting by bringing forth all thoughts from the day together. Dr. Lyons challenged the audience to think about the presentations given and how the knowledge shared can create better overall organization to the Chinese swine industry.

Big Dutchman wants to thank its partners for helping organize this event and all to those involved and participated. We look forward to next year’s event, the 2017 Pig Week!

EU Pig Production Levels Up in April

22 July 2016

EU – Provisional figures from the EU Commission show that EU pig meat production increased year-on-year in April, up 5 per cent to 1,950 thousand tonnes.

However, when adjusted to the same working days, production levels were broadly similar to 2015 levels.

Similarly, clean pig slaughterings were also up in April on the year earlier, by 4 per cent to 21.4 million head, but slightly down when adjusted to the same number of working days.

EU production levels were forecast to rise slightly in the first half of 2016, so production levels were largely in line with expectations. These production movements may suggest that member states are capitalising on the strong export demand created by the Chinese and Far East markets.

The EU pig price started to increase significantly from May onwards, so these production levels would not yet take into account this market movement.

There were fluctuations in production levels from the member states. German production increased 7 per cent year-on-year, while Spanish production increased by 14 per cent over the same period.

The Netherlands recorded a more modest increase in production, at 3 per cent, while Denmark posted falls in production levels, of 2 per cent.

Quality Based Pork Grading System Would Benefit Canada’s Pork Market

22 July 2016

CANADA – Canada Pork International says creation of a pork quality based grading system, modeled after what already exists in the beef industry, will ensure the right product is selected for right market and give Canadian pork an edge with international buyers, writes Bruce Cochrane.

Canada is a leader in the export pork world, accounting for about 17 percent of all global pork exports.

Canada Pork International, in partnership with Swine Innovation Porc, is working on the development of new tools designed to improve Canada’s competitiveness in the global pork market.

Michael Young, the Vice President Technical Programs and Marketing Services with Canada Pork International, recalls 2012 saw the creation of a Canadian Pork Quality Standard, which includes standards for meat color, marbling ratios and fat color and the next step will be to develop a quality based grading system that would reduce inconsistencies in quality selection and move the right product into the right market.

Michael Young-Canada Pork International:

Fundamentally what we’re seeing is the segments now are becoming a little more pronounced.

Further processors, they want lean products that don’t have as much marbling so to speak.

Retailers would like something that has a little more marbling so that there’s more flavor and the food service operators, of course, they would like more heavily marbled products because that’s where the flavor is.

We’re seeing an opportunity for different grades of pork for different markets, similar to the way the beef industry has gone with their grading system.

These are the concepts that we’re talking about for future tools so that we can differentiate our products in all markets.

Young says consistency of the quality is critical for our end user partners.

He says he is not aware of any meat quality based grading system for pork anywhere in the world, so creating such as system would allow Canada to take the lead as an innovator, be first with a meat quality based selection system and allow packers to move the right products into the right markets.

Biosecurity – Bio-Exclusion

15 July 2016

GLOBAL – There are three types of biosecurity in pork production: bio-exclusion – avoiding the entry of a new pathogen; bio-management – controlling the level of pathogens already on the farm; and bio-containment – preventing the spread of pathogens to other farms. The focus of this report is bio-exclusion, writes Dr Joe Rogowsky, Director of Health and Biosecurity at Genesus.

When explaining bio-exclusion to producers, I keep it simple – bear in mind that there needs to be a real or virtual line of separation (preferably real and visible) between the outside world and the inner sanctum of the barn, the “dirty” and “clean” zones, and everything that passes through the line into the barn needs to be considered a bio-threat and managed as best you can.

Don’t forget to include your outside loadout and trailers, and decide whether the mechanical room(s) and any other non-production room(s) are clean or dirty and treat them accordingly. It’s tempting to disregard that line at times, but discipline pays off.

Incoming on a 24/7/365 basis are air and water. Managing bio-threats in incoming air has driven the development of air treatment technology, but “location, location, location” is still the ultimate solution.

While ground water is usually safe, surface water can be contaminated by birds and wildlife and the treatment of incoming surface water should not be overlooked.

Incoming on a 7/365 basis are people. Bio-threats can be carried on, and in, a person entering a barn.

Measures should be considered to minimise your exposure to new pathogens, limiting traffic from other farms onto your site, arranging for any deadstock and garbage pickup, semen and supply deliveries and contract nutrient management traffic to be well away from your barn, discussing biosecurity practices with the feed, pig and fuel truck drivers and visitors, and removing anything that attracts wildlife around the barn.

All good practices, but the critical control point is removing your outside footwear and clothes, showering in and wearing clothing dedicated to the barn in a manner that prevents backtracking.

If you have to go outside after showering in, have a clear line of separation for inside and outside footwear. Unless managed properly, footbaths to disinfect footwear between clean and dirty zones are unreliable. People that may be suffering from flu (cough and fever) should avoid entering if possible.

Incoming less often are feed, supplies, equipment and pigs. Bio-threats in feed can be managed by considering the ingredients used, heat treatment, feed mill and truck biosecurity, and downtime in the bins.

All incoming supplies should be disinfected as they pass through your line of separation. Unless you can disinfect all the surfaces, boxes should be unpacked and left outside, and bagged feed should be transferred into carts and the bags left outside. Disinfecting incoming tools is a challenge, so consider having basic tools and supplies in each barn.

Last, but not least, is the incoming genetics – semen and pigs. Consult with your vet if a change in the source of genetics is a consideration and don’t hesitate to be informed about the health status of your source(s), how that health status is being monitored and how biosecure the transport is to your farm.

Switching sources is a risk but based on our extensive, world-wide customer experience, switching to Genesus genetics or from one Genesus source to another has consistently been a success.

Genesus has intensive veterinary oversight of our nucleus and multiplication sites, all groups of selected Genesus pigs are tested for PRRSV, PEDV and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae within 10 days of shipping and all groups are transported under the highest available standards.

In our world, bio-exclusion is critical to our mutual success.

Fibre from Straw Could Improve Gestating Sow Diets

15 July 2016

CANADA – Scientists working on behalf of Swine Innovation Porc are assessing the potential of using straw as a source of fibre in the diets of gestating sows, writes Bruce Cochrane.

As part of research being conducted on behalf of Swine innovation Porc, a multi-institutional team of scientists is working to increase sow milk yield and piglet growth through the use of low-cost feeding and management strategies.

Among the ingredients being assessed is fibre derived from wheat and oat straw.

Dr Denise Beaulieu, an Assistant Professor in Monogastric Nutrition with the University of Saskatchewan, explains the inclusion of fibre in the diet will assist in maintaining the proper body condition of the sow during gestation.

Dr Denise Beaulieu-University of Saskatchewan:

One of the big influences is is not to have the sows too fat during gestation and that is why they’re limit fed.

If we give them all the food they want to eat when they’re pregnant they will actually consume more than they need and they’ll get fat.

If they are overweight when they farrow, when they have their piglets, that causes problems with feed intake right after farrowing.

What is really important is the feed and maintaining the proper body condition during gestation, that has a major effect on milk production during lactation.

Some fibre in the diet during gestation has been shown to have a beneficial effect because it improves this feeling of fullness.

We can get fibre from all ingredients and previously we’ve looked at fibre, for example, from oat hulls or wheat screenings.

Specifically in this experiment we’re actually going back and looking at straw.

Straw, a sow normally wouldn’t be able to use straw.

She’s not designed to digest straw so we’re looking at ways of processing the straw.

For example, if we apply some heat and some moisture can we break down some of that fibre so it can become a useful ingredient for the sow.

Dr Beaulieu is confident information gathered through this work will benefit gestating sows in either group housing or stall housing systems.

 

Rabobank: Opportunities in China as Pork Imports Increase to Fill Supply Gap

15 July 2016

CHINA – China’s rising pork prices are again the centre of attention in the global pork market.

China’s pork prices skyrocketed at the start of 2016, reaching an all-time high of over RMB 20 per kilogram.

A combination of farmers’ losses and government measures to close down unsuitable farms led to destocking over the past two years, which also drove the Chinese sow herd size to a historic low, according to Rabobank report ‘What’s Happening in China’s Pork Market’.

“China plays an increasingly important role in the global pork market,” says Chenjun Pan, Senior Animal Protein Analyst at Rabobank.

“China needs to increase imports to cover the supply gap in 2016. In total, we expect China to increase pork imports by 30 per cent.

“The EU, the US and Canada are well-positioned to increase exports to China given their availability of product and the adaption of production systems in response to China’s ractopamine-free policy.”

Beyond 2016, China will likely maintain its level of imports, even when local production recovers in 2017. Rabobank said its analysis is that local users of imported pork will continue to rely on imported pork due to its consistent quality and lower price, compared with local production.

Leading pork processors and packers are already responding to this significant new trade opportunity, by adjusting production systems and taking advantage of current currency dynamics, Rabobank reported.

Competition to export to China is expected to grow as production expands and demand remains relatively stable. This means exporters will need to keep improving their productivity and investing in trade partnerships that can help secure their future access to the Chinese market.

GMO Labelling Bill Passed in US

18 July 2016

US – New legislation designed to offer consumers more information about genetically engineered ingredients in their food passed in the US House of Representatives yesterday on a vote of 306-117.

The new legislation was crafted by US Senators Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.).

Mr Roberts commented: “I’m pleased that Members of the House today sided with sound science and the American farmer.” He added his praise for the unity of over 1000 organisations that supported the bill.

The bill says that bioengineered foods will not be treated as safer or less safe than non-bioengineered foods. It stated that an animal would not be “considered a bioengineered food solely because the animal consumed feed produced from, containing, or consisting of a bioengineered substance”.

Companies will also be allowed to give information about foods containing GMO ingredients using a telephone number or website link instead of on-pack labelling.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented: “Today’s House passage of GMO disclosure legislation means we now begin the work of putting in place a uniform, national labelling system that will provide balanced, accurate information to consumers.

“Genetically engineered crops have a decades-long track record of safety and benefits for agricultural productivity and our environment. This legislation helps to continue those benefits by avoiding the confusion of differing and potentially misleading labelling standards from state to state. The next stop is the president’s desk.”

However, many others were not so happy with the bill, suggesting it does not offer true clarity to consumers. US Representative Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) voted against the legislation and called it a “sham”.

“Food labelling needs to be simple and clear,” Mr Buchanan said. “QR codes and telephone numbers do not meet that definition. What mother shopping with her children is going to stop in the middle of the food aisle to call a company or go on a website to check the content of every product they would like to buy?”

EU Launches Meat Observatory to Provide More Market Information

18 July 2016

EU – EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan has launched a new Meat Market Observatory aimed at improving market transparency for the beef & veal and the pigmeat sectors.

The Commission hopes it will help operators to read market signals and to cope better with market volatility.

The Observatory takes the form of a website with different sections which will provide regular and timely reporting of prices, production and trade, with some short-term analysis, complemented by an Economic Board comprising representatives from different parts of the chain that will meet a few times a year.

First announced by Commissioner Hogan at the March 2016 Agriculture Council meeting, the Meat Market Observatory follows the model of the Milk Market Observatory which was established in April 2014.

In a speech to the first meeting of the MeatMO Economic Board on Friday, Commissioner Hogan welcomed this new Observatory, stating: “It’s no secret that I am a believer in markets, and their central role in creating exports, jobs and profits for our European farmers and agri-businesses. But markets only function if all the players have access to the right information at the right time.”