Effect of feeding intensity and milking system on nutritionally relevant milk components in dairy farming systems in the North East of England

There is increasing concern that the intensification of dairy production reduces the concentrations of nutritionally desirable compounds in milk. This study therefore compared important quality parameters (protein and fatty acid profiles; α-tocopherol and carotenoid concentrations) in milk from four dairy systems with contrasting production intensities (in terms of feeding regimens and milking systems). The concentrations of several nutritionally desirable compounds (β-lactoglobulin, omega-3 fatty acids, omega-3/omega-6 ratio, conjugated linoleic acid c9t11, and/or carotenoids) decreased with increasing feeding intensity (organic outdoor ≥ conventional outdoor ≥ conventional indoors). Milking system intensification (use of robotic milking parlors) had a more limited effect on milk composition, but increased mastitis incidence. Multivariate analyses indicated that differences in milk quality were mainly linked to contrasting feeding regimens and that milking system and breed choice also contributed to differences in milk composition between production systems.     

Epitrix flea beetles: new threats to potato production in Europe

Epitrix tuberis and E. cucumeris are major pests of potatoes in North America. E. tuberis causes the most serious damage because the larval feeding can cause superficial serpentine tunnelling on the surface of tubers as well as deeper pits. This damage can make crops unmarketable. By contrast, E. cucumeris mainly damages the foliage, and yield losses can occur when the adults reach high densities. In 2004, potato tuber damage characteristic of E. tuberis was seen in Portugal. In 2008, damage was more widespread and severe. E. cucumeris and a lesser known species, E. similaris, were recorded in affected fields. E. similaris has since been found across Galicia, Spain. E. similaris is thought to be the most likely cause of the tuber damage in Portugal, but it is possible that E. cucumeris or an as yet undetected Epitrix species is causing the damage. In 2010, a pest risk assessment for the Euro‐Mediterranean area identified the movement of adults and pupae with seed or ware potatoes and associated soil as being the highest‐risk pathways for the spread of Epitrix. In 2012, EU emergency measures were agreed to reduce the risk of further introductions and the rate of spread of these pests.     

Internet sales of plants for planting – an increasing trend and threat?1

The sale of plants for planting on the Internet and by other direct marketing methods (e.g. newspaper offers) has increased dramatically in recent years. Some companies are specialist suppliers in this area and typically with this trade small quantities of plants are sent by mail to a very large number of amateur growers scattered throughout the UK. It is often difficult for the NPPO to keep track of this activity especially when the supplier is located outside its jurisdiction. Also if problems arise with plants sold in this way, taking effective official eradicatory action can be problematic. To demonstrate the issues and problems involved, two examples that occurred in the UK in 2008 are described.     

Crop sequence,crop protection and fertility management effects on weed cover in an organic/conventional farm management trial

A survey of 128 plots, in 2008, of a trial where the effects of crop protection can be separated from those of fertility management, generated weed cover data within six crops (winter wheat, winter barley, spring barley, potatoes, cabbages and a grass/clover ley). The effects of the 2008 crop types, of the two preceding crops and of organic and conventional crop protection and fertility management, were assessed using mixed-effects models and constrained ordination. Cover data for 22 weed species and for monocotyledon, dicotyledon, annual, perennial and total weed cover were used. Cover of 15 weed species, and of the five weed groups, was significantly affected by 2008 crops, with cover highest in spring beans and cabbage. Nine and four weed species 2008 cover were significantly related to crops grown in 2007 and 2006 respectively, as were dicotyledon, annual and total weed cover, but not monocotyledon or perennial cover. Cover of 15 species, and the five groups, was significantly higher in plots with organic crop protection, but only eight species and annuals were significantly affected by fertility management. Crop:crop protection produced the most significant interactions with most cover in organically managed plots. Five species, perennials and total weed cover produced significant three-factor models. The greatest weed cover was in organic crop protected but conventionally fertilised spring barley and the least in totally conventional winter barley. Other factors such as crop density and mechanical weeding also affected 2008 weed cover. The ordination indicated that most of the 22 species were strongly associated with crops from all three years. The sequence of crops in the rotation had a profound effect on weed cover. Where three spring-sown, difficult to weed, crops were grown in sequence (spring beans, potatoes and vegetables, spring barley) weed cover increased. However, cover was limited in grass/clover and some cereal plots with different preceding crops. Models predicting weed cover may need to take into account crop sequences within crop rotations, as well as the more usual management inputs.     

Altered spontaneous and histamine-induced in vitro suppressor-cell function in dogs with atopic dermatitis.

Spontaneous, histamine-induced and Concanavalin A (Con A)-induced suppression of Con A mitogenesis of autologous responder cells was studied in normal dogs and in dogs with atopic dermatitis. Histamine-induced suppression was significantly decreased in the atopic dogs, as was the Con A-induced suppression, at supraoptimal concentration of Con A, to a lesser extent. Total numbers of histamine type 1 or type 2 receptors were not different for cells from atopic or normal dogs. The spontaneous suppression was significantly greater for the atopic dogs and this was not accounted for by the effect of non-specific dermatitis, increased macrophage-induced suppression or increased induction by mitogenic factors in the culture medium. Some possible mechanisms for these results are discussed, and the similarities to suppressor cell function in humans with atopic disease are noted.