Annual meeting keynote address: Animal agriculture and emerging social ethics for animals

Businesses and professions must stay in accord with social ethics, or risk losing their autonomy. A major social ethical issue that has emerged in the past three decades is the treatment of animals in various areas of human use. This point can be illustrated with numerous examples across all areas of animal use. These examples reflect society's moral concern having outgrown the traditional ethic of animal cruelty that began in biblical times and is encoded in the laws of all civilized societies. There are five major reasons for this new social concern, most importantly, the replacement of husbandry-based agriculture with industrial agriculture. This loss of husbandry to industry has threatened the traditional fair contract between humans and animals, and resulted in significant amounts of animal suffering arising on four different fronts. Because such suffering is not occasioned by cruelty, a new ethic for animals was required to express social concerns. Since ethics proceed from preexisting ethics rather than ex nihilo, society has looked to its ethic for humans, appropriately modified, to find moral categories applicable to animals. This concept of legally encoded rights for animals has emerged as a plausible vehicle for reform. The meaning of this ethical movement for animal agriculture is examined. Animal agriculture should explore ways to replace the animal husbandry lost to industrialization.     

The social impact of livestock: A developing country perspective

Agriculture in developing countries is influenced not only by available agricultural resources but also by a complex web of interactions based on social, economic, cultural and political factors. The relationship is two way – what happens in agricultural industries influences each of the factors just mentioned. This paper focuses on the social factors in relation to the livestock industries. Livestock are an increasingly important part of the agricultural sector of developing countries and social and cultural factors may be more important for livestock than for cropping industries.     

Knowledge in Practice: Documenting Rancher Local Knowledge in Northwest Colorado

For more than 150 years, ranchers in the West have gained insight about natural systems through daily interaction and management of landscapes, but this knowledge has never been systematically documented and analyzed. We interviewed 26 ranchers from a single watershed to understand how ranchers acquire their knowledge, document what they know about rangeland ecosystems, and explore how this knowledge varies within the ranching community. This exploratory study offers insight into the types of knowledge ranchers possess without attempting to survey all rancher knowledge or ascribe this set of knowledge to all ranchers. We identified three major knowledge categories in interviews: active knowledge applied to management decisions, embedded knowledge from living in place, and integrative knowledge that links ecological, economic, and social aspects of rangeland systems. We found rancher knowledge complemented scientific knowledge in its ability to provide site-specific information on management practices and ecological responses, and insight regarding potential indicators of rangeland health. Knowledge varies widely within the ranching community, and knowledgeable ranchers are readily identified through community referrals. Ranchers gained their knowledge primarily through experience and social interactions, and this knowledge is an untapped source of context-specific information. We did find that economic constraints, social norms, and proximity to the system might limit application of knowledge to practice. There is also a danger that this accumulated and dynamic knowledge base will be lost over the next generation, as many family ranches are sold to new ranchers or for nonranching uses. Based on our findings, we propose that more dialogue within ranching communities and between ranchers and scientists may lead to more sustainable land management practices and effective outreach efforts, and could expand and strengthen the informal social networks through which much rancher knowledge is shared and on which the social sustainability of ranching communities depends.     

The concentration of swine production. Effects on swine health, productivity, human health, and the environment.

The concern about environmental issues centering around CAFOs is appropriate. The veterinary profession can be an important force in meeting these challenges by broadening its scope of knowledge and practice into the broader environmental field. Although animal agriculture's contribution to environmental concerns is the focus of this article, it is only one of several sectors that contributes to environmental degradation. Crop production, as well as livestock production industries, contribute to pollution. Manufacturing industries, municipalities, private individuals, our consumptive lifestyles, and agriculture all contribute to the degradation of our environment. One must keep in mind the huge importance of our agricultural industry and not single it out to the detriment of its progress. We have an abundance of high-quality foods at the lowest cost to the individual of any industrialized nation. We export over 40 billion dollars in agricultural products yearly. Agriculture sustains our rural economies and provides opportunities for over 2 million private enterprises scattered across the country; however, there is a goal that we have a sustainable agriculture. A big part of that depends on development and enhancement of an agriculture that does not pollute, that sustains its farm operators and workers, and that does not make the area residents ill or degrade their quality of life; however, the current situation is not promising. Much remains to be learned about the actual acute and long-term health consequences of animal agricultural pollution. Many health concerns are speculative, even though based on sound facts. We know that many surface waters have excess N and P that leads to eutrophication and possibly enhanced growth of undesirable organisms such as Pfiesteria piscicida. We know that other animal pathogens, such as cryptosporidia, have caused large community outbreaks. There are other potential pathogens, such as Salmonella sp, for which we do not know the hazard. We know that our soils may become excessively laden with P, Cu, and Zn, which retard plant growth and create toxic conditions for grazing animals. There are concerns about air pollution. Odors have negative sensory and physical health consequences. H2S and dust may cause toxic effects on neighbors. NH3 vaporizing from manure sources may be carried with precipitation to cause eutrophication in lakes or altered ecosystems in natural areas. CH4 escaping from degrading manure contributes to greenhouse gases. Workers in confined livestock structures have high risk for a variety of chronic respiratory conditions. They also are at risk for acute poisoning from H2S in operations where liquid manure is stored in confined spaces. There have been numerous health complaints in recent years from community neighbors of large-scale livestock operations. One study showed adverse altered mood states, and another showed evidence of respiratory illness similar to what workers experience. Although it has not been possible to objectively measure conditions and know toxic levels of substances causing these illnesses, there are so-called extratoxic mechanisms, such as inherent aversion to putrefactive odors and exacerbation of preexisting conditions that lower the tolerance threshold. Environmental concerns regarding livestock production are not new. In the early and mid-1970s, there were many conferences and publications regarding odors and water contamination from livestock operations. Although most of what is known in this area has been known for 20 years, relatively little effective efforts have been made to correct the concerns. In fact, trends over this past decade have increased the concerns. This past decade has seen a tremendous acceleration in the concentration and consolidation of agriculture, capping a slow trend over the past 50 years toward larger, fewer, and more-specialized farms. This trend has gone against the old saying that "dilution is the solution to pollution.     

农业养殖经济管理问题研究

农业是我国实体经济第一大产业,农业养殖优势农业经济发展中的重要环节之一。因此,农业养殖经济发展健康与否关乎我国整个实体经济的发展状况。而农业养殖经济发展的重要内生动力在于农业养殖自身的经济管理水平,所以,加强农业养殖经济管理水平对我国农业农村经济发展具有十分重要的意义。但当前由于社会发展进程的速度大于农业养殖产业发展水平,使得农业养殖经济管理面临许多不可避免的发展困境。本文针对当前农业养殖经济管理发展所面临的的问题与风险进行了深入研究,并基于农业经济管理发展新型理念,找到帮助农业养殖经济管理摆脱困境的解决方法,从而更好的加强农业养殖经济管理水平。 [关键词]农业养殖|经济管理|健康发展     

非洲猪瘟疫情背景下我国生猪保险发展现状、功能作用及对策建议探讨

生猪产业是农业生产的重要组成部分，是农民收入的重要来源之一，猪肉也是我国城乡居民的主要副食品。2018年8月，我国暴发非洲猪瘟疫情，非洲猪瘟对我国生猪产业造成了较大影响，猪肉产能迅速下降，猪肉价格持续上涨。发展生猪保险，是落实国家扶持生猪生产政策的重要举措，有利于帮助农户分散转移风险，调动养猪积极性，推动农民增收；有利于提高生猪产业防灾防疫能力，稳定生猪市场供应，保障人民生活；有利于充分发挥保险的社会管理功能，助力国家乡村振兴战略。文章首先简要介绍了我国生猪保险业务发展现状，包括业务规模、保险产品情况及存在问题等，在此基础上结合生产实际情况，对非洲猪瘟背景下我国生猪保险对生猪稳产保供的功能作用进行了详细分析，包括经济补偿、价格稳定、风险管理、融资增信、社会治理和产业扶贫等六大方面。虽然我国生猪保险业务发展取得了较好成效，但仍面临着业务覆盖率偏低、道德风险高、市场化保费费率定价缺乏等难题，所以文章在最后提出了推进我国生猪保险稳定健康发展的相关建议。     

乡村振兴背景下饲料业供应链深入乡村对农村经济的促进作用

我国作为农业大国,农村经济发展的提升对我国整体社会发展水平的提升具有良好的推动作用。乡村振兴战略能为农村经济发展提供更强的保障、更集中的资源。当前,饲料产业作为农业农村经济发展中重要的一环,对提升农民收入、促进农村经济发展有重要作用。饲料业供应链深入乡村能提高农产品流通环节的效率,帮助农民走出农产品交易成本高、渠道不稳定的困境,对于完善我国农产品在饲料业中的供应链,建立农产品新型交易模式,减少不必要的中间环节,提高农产品质量,推动信息共享,提高农民收入,促进农村经济规模化发展具有重要意义。本文从饲料业供应链的角度出发,对饲料业供应链、农村经济发展现状进行阐述,同时就饲料业供应链深入乡村对农村的促进作用进行了深入探究。     

试论图像化时代视觉文化对于社会生态和当代文化的影响

图像化时代，网络、电视等各种以图像化作为表达和传播特征的媒介占领了人类生活的各个领域，技术革命相应地也引发了一系列社会生产和生活的的重大变革（包括文学革命）。笔者试图就图像化时代视觉文化对于人类生存图景和文化生态，尤其是对于文学创作所带来的影响和挑战，作一概貌式的透析和探讨。     

美国公民道德教育核心问题的探讨及其启示

美国公民道德教育对于维护美国的社会制度和促进社会发展具有重要作用。美国公民道德教育是建立在“美德可教”和“德育主导”理论基础之上的，它充分肯定了具有达到资格要求的德育教师的重要作用，提出了具有自己特色的教育内容和方法。对其进行借鉴对于改进和完善我国的思想政治教育具有重要的促进作用。     

Worms in smallholder livestock systems: technologies and practices that make a difference

Australian scientists, in partnership with Asian, African and Pacific nations have longstanding interests in applied research on helminth parasite control. Many technologies and practices have been successfully developed to control the parasite problems of smallholder and emerging farmers. This wide range extends from simple herbal remedies to complex, integrated use of chemicals, feeding and breeding. In many cases widespread adoption has been limited by lack of technical support, poor access to input markets and lack of incentives for poorer farmers to seek out and pay for innovations. A further new approach may be required that encompasses the wider production and market environment. The biological, social and economic context of each 'emerging farming system' is different and the matching of technologies to each system requires sound understanding of farmer needs and requirements. Thus, it is essential that farmers, extension workers, and scientists jointly decide what technologies to try, what results mean and, if successful, how to sustain their use. In one Asian example a range of technologies were considered for pig, large ruminant and goat production and parasite control through a participatory process which was also used to agree on what determines sustainability beyond testing. The criteria use to screen technologies and practices were (a) continued availability of inputs including dewormers, (b) dependence on related innovations (e.g. weaning or fencing) and (c) degree of community organisation required (e.g. control of breeding or communal grazing). On this basis deworming with chemicals, especially for Toxacara infection in cattle and buffalo calves following on from supplementary feeding with forages were the most feasible entry points. Further interventions were dependent on changes to the production system, including the introduction of weaning and controlled breeding. Further, the incentives for these production changes could not exist without improved market access and market signals for improved weight and condition. Examples such as this point to the need for stronger multidisciplinary and participatory approaches to parasite control.     

Ethical issues in the ownership of companion animals: An empirical and normative analysis

Summary

This article deals with the ethical aspects of companion animal ownership. Research was done by means of interviews (n=40) and questionnaires (n=871). Respondents were randomly chosen from Dutch telephone directories. Euthanasia, docking tails, ear clipping and sterilisation are discussed on the basis of the opinions of respondents.

Owners of companion animals very often seem to have insufficient knowledge about animal behaviour. Companion animal owners as a group differ rather strongly in their moral opinions about the acceptability of certain actions towards animals. At the individual level also people are not always consequent in their reasoning as was illustrated by their opinions about ear clipping and the stopping of tail docking and vice versa. Respondents live in a community with animals and usually use a utilitarian balancing model. The different outcomes of the uses of this balancing model indicate how far the respondents are willing to adapt their life style to the needs of an animal; in other words to what extent intrinsic values and integrity are taken into account within the process of (re)creating a living community.     

论农业新技术革命：生态农业与可持续发展战略

以影响农业生态系统的人口,资源,环境为主导要素,提出了我国生态农业建设的主要内涵应该是结合有机农业和现代农业的合理内核,以人和环境的协调发展,因地制宜,资源的永续利用为原则,运用先进的科学技术,大力发展农业的商品生产为手段,以提高经济效益,生态效益,社会效益为目的的集约化综合经营和有效管理的农业体系。     

Ethical issues in the ownership of companion animals: an empirical and normative analysis.

This article deals with the ethical aspects of companion animal ownership. Research was done by means of interviews (n = 40) and questionnaires (n = 871). Respondents were randomly chosen from Dutch telephone directories. Euthanasia, docking tails, ear clipping and sterilisation are discussed on the basis of the opinions of respondents. Owners of companion animals very often seem to have insufficient knowledge about animal behaviour. Companion animal owners as a group differ rather strongly in their moral opinions about the acceptability of certain actions towards animals. At the individual level also people are not always consequent in their reasoning as was illustrated by their opinions about ear clipping and the stopping of tail docking and vice versa. Respondents live in a community with animals and usually use a utilitarian balancing model. The different outcomes of the uses of this balancing model indicate how far the respondents are willing to adapt their life style to the needs of an animal; in other words to what extent intrinsic values and integrity are taken into account within the process of (re)creating a living community.     

新农科背景下动物科学专业基层教学组织的改革探索

新农科建设对畜牧专业人才培养模式提出了新的要求,而基层教学组织是学校开展教学工作的重要阵地。探索适应畜牧业现代化建设,满足产业岗位需求的基层教学组织改革方案是大势所趋,对于动物科学专业人才的培养至关重要。本文以新农科为背景,分析动物科学专业人才培养过程中存在的问题,紧密联系社会需求,探索基层教学组织改革的思路与具体措施,以期推进动物科学专业升级改造,为新农科建设培养一批具有高专业素养、多样化背景的创新型复合畜牧人才。     

Animal welfare and the Australian veterinarian

SUMMARY This paper discusses the moral and philosophical arguments related to animal welfare. The veterinary profession in Australia has, to date, addressed this matter on a superficial and unsatisfactory level. In my view, the Australian Veterinary Association has not yet considered sound philosophical and moral positions in any area of animal welfare. This paper provides some examples of arguments concerning animal rights. It is suggested that the veterinary profession in Australia needs to take heed of these arguments and to develop a philosophy of its own. The profession is not seen to be having sufficient influence on the development of community standards in animal welfare. For example, public statements on the stray cat and dog problem concern the nuisance to human society and little is said of the welfare or rights of the animals themselves. The Australian Veterinary Association has not looked thoroughly at problems of animal welfare in the livestock industries, where the need for attention is urgent. Few veterinarians in Australia have the knowledge and experience to tackle problems in the area of animal experimentation. These include questions of laboratory animal production and disease, as well as those of a moral and philosophical nature. A discussion of ethical problems in studies on animal behaviour points to the lack of experience el veterinarians in this area. Possible mechanisms for statutory control of animal experimentation are explored. Antivivisectionist ideas and the significance of their political influence are outlined.     

城市野生动物与生态城市建设

城市发展过程中面临的困境引发了生态意识的觉醒,生态城市已成为现代国际城市发展的目标。“生态城市”建设模式的提出体现了人与自然和谐发展的科学发展观。城市野生动物是指生活在城区及其周边地区,并对人类活动产生了适应的野生动物。城市野生动物可以指示城市生态系统的健康状况,野生动物产业对城市社会经济的发展具有巨大的推动作用,同时城市中存在的野生动物也可以唤醒城市居民的生态意识,提高社会伦理道德水平。生态城市概念的提出将人与自然的关系提高到了一个新高度,同时也为城市野生动物的研究、管理工作提供了一个前所未有的发展机会。生态城市善待环境,崇尚自然的理念有助于提高人们的动物保护意识,从而提高城市野生动物管理水平。     

论加快适应国内消费市场需求的农产品生产

由于国际金融危机的影响,立足国内,加快适应国内消费市场需求的农产品生产已成为新形势下农业发展的重要选择。分析了现阶段国内农产品消费市场及其赋予农产品的诸多新特点,论述了通过合理利用以农地、农业劳动力、农业工厂化、农业科技等为主导的农业生产要素,保障新的农产品的生产供给。     

生态循环农业与有机奶产业化发展途径探讨

建立绿色健康产业技术体系,是前进牧业发展的必由之路。人与自然是生命共同体,人类必须尊重自然、顺应自然、保护自然。就是在这样的信念指引下,前进牧业从2017年开始,按照国家《有机产品》标准,依据国际标准,制定了前进牧业有机奶生产的企业标准。并将有机奶的生产作为企业发展的战略定位予以明晰确立,上下贯通,并以此为发展总目标,着力建立生态循环农业体系与有机奶生产示范基地。前进牧业立足张掖独特的光热水土资源条件,开展牧草有机种植与奶牛清洁健康养殖技术,建立有机奶及其产品管控体系,应用智慧牧场技术,数字农业技术有效控制奶牛生产关键技术环节,确保养殖环境清洁健康、生态安全、循环利用,牛奶绿色有机、产品优质、营养富集。并不断引进现代畜牧前沿学科的最新技术和科研成果,加大技术推广力度,实现前进牧业旗下18家牧场奶牛清洁健康养殖全覆盖,着力创建有机奶品牌,提高奶牛养殖效益,建立起农业生产力与资源环境承载力相匹配的农业发展新格局,实现奶业绿色持续健康发展的总目标。     

IMPACT OF CHINESE IMPORTS IN COLOMBIA’S JOB LOSSES INTHE TEXTILE INDUSTRY

China's growing participation in Latin American countries has been seen as a massive threat on the region 's manufacturing sector. Is it really this significant when it comes to its impact on manufacturing employment?With this project I pretend to examine the relationship between the bilateral commerce from China and Colombia in the textile a sector between the years 2000-2012. By examining the data I want to find out what is the correlation between jobs losses in Colombia's textile industry and the imports from China in the same industry.Analyzing the sector of textile is very significant to the country.It represents employment and production of added value products in an industry that has not only social impact but also historical meaning for the country.