Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Dairy
Terms modified by Dairy Selected AbstractsDairy Powders and Concentrated ProductsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DAIRY TECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Ken Burgess No abstract is available for this article. [source] Small U.S. dairy farms: can they compete?AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, Issue 2009Richard Nehring Pasture-based system; Technical efficiency; Returns to scale; Dairy Abstract The U.S. dairy industry is undergoing rapid structural change, evolving from a structure including many small farmers in the Upper Midwest and Northeast to one that includes very large farms in new production regions. Small farms are struggling to retain competitiveness via improved management and low-input systems. Using data from USDA's Agricultural Resource Management Survey, we determine the extent of U.S. conventional and pasture-based milk production during 2003,2007, and estimate net returns, scale efficiency, and technical efficiency associated with the systems across different operation sizes. We compare the financial performance of small conventional and pasture-based producers with one another and with large-scale producers. A stochastic production frontier is used to analyze performance over the period for conventional and pasture technologies identified using a binomial logit model. Large conventional farms generally outperformed smaller farms using most economic measures,technical efficiency, various profitability measures, and returns to scale. [source] Dairy and milk consumption and child growth: Is BMI involved?AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2010An analysis of NHANES 199 Humans are unique among mammals in that many consume cow's milk or other dairy products well beyond the traditional age of weaning. Milk provides various nutrients and bioactive molecules to support growth and development, and the question arises as to whether this dietary behavior influences growth parameters. There is evidence that milk makes positive contributions to growth in height, but its associations with other aspects of body size, such as body mass index (BMI), are not well-established. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 1999 to 2004 and multivariate regression analysis were used to test the hypothesis that milk (g) or total dairy product consumption (kJ) is associated with higher BMI percentile among US White, Black, and Mexican-American children of age 2,4 years (n = 1,493) and 5,10 years (n = 2,526). Younger children in the highest quartile of dairy intake had higher BMIs (, = 7.5,8.0; P < 0.01) than those in the lowest two quartiles. Controlling for energy intake eliminated differences between QIV and QI. Among children of 5,10 years of age dairy intake had no relationship to BMI. Young children in the highest quartile of milk intake had higher BMIs than all lower quartiles (, = 7.1,12.8; , = 6.3,11.8 in energy-controlled models; P < 0.05). Among children of 5,10 years of age, those in QIV for milk intake had higher BMIs than those in QII (, = 8.3; , = 7.1 in energy-controlled model; P < 0.01). Controlling for total protein or calcium did not change the results. Milk had more consistent positive associations with BMI than did dairy products, and these were strongest among children of 2,4 years of age. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Genetic structure of Eurasian cattle (Bos taurus) based on microsatellites: clarification for their breed classification,ANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 2 2010M.-H. Li Summary We pool three previously published data sets and present population genetic analyses of microsatellite variation in 48 Bos taurus cattle breeds from a wide range of geographical origins in Eurasia, mostly its northern territory. Bayesian model-based clustering reveals six distinct clusters: besides a single-population cluster of the Yakutian Cattle from Far Eastern Siberia and a cluster of breeds characteristic of an early origin, the other four major clusters largely correspond to previously defined morphological subgroups of Red Lowland, Lowland Black-Pied, Longhorned Dairy and North European Polled cattle breeds. The results highlighted past expansion events of the productive breeds such as Danish Red, Angeln, Holstein-Friesian and Ayrshire in northern and Eastern Europe. Based on genetic assignment of the breeds and the availability of breed information, we provide a preliminary classification of the five breeds that were to date undefined. Furthermore, in the analysis of molecular variance, despite some correspondence between geographical proximity and genetic similarity, the breed classification appears to be a better predictor of genetic structure in the cattle populations (the among-group variance component: breed classification, 2.47%, P < 0.001; geographical division, 0.77%, P < 0.001). [source] Climate change levy and its application within the dairy industryINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DAIRY TECHNOLOGY, Issue 2 2003George S Plemper The government's climate change levy on energy use in the nondomestic sector was announced in the March 1999 Budget and came into effect on 1 April 2001. During 1990 it is estimated that 603 million tonnes of carbon dioxide contributed to 79% of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions. Nationally, energy consumption within the dairy industry contributes to only 0.2% of the UK's annual emissions of carbon dioxide and climate change levy agreements throughout the industry are unlikely to have a major impact on the government's Climate Change Programme. Paradoxically, the arrangements that dairies are required to put into place as part of their Climate Change Agreements are of paramount importance for the achievement of operational and process efficiency within the dairy sector. [source] Genotypic and technological characterization of Lactococcus lactis isolates involved in processing of artisanal Manchego cheeseJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2009P. Nieto-Arribas Abstract Aims:, Genotypic and technological characterization of wild lactococci isolated from artisanal Manchego cheese during the ripening process for selection of suitable starter cultures. Methods and Results:, A total of 114 isolates of lactococci were typed using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR). Sixteen distinct RAPD-PCR patterns, at a similarity level of 73%, were obtained. On the basis of species-specific PCR reaction, the isolates were assigned to the species Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis and Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris with L. lactis subsp. lactis being predominant at both dairies. Twenty-six isolates were technologically characterized to select those with the best properties. Most of them showed good technological properties although some could produce tyramine. Conclusions:, The presence of coincident genotypes at both dairies has been demonstrated, which would suggest that they are well adapted to the Manchego cheese environment. Interesting differences were found in the technological characterization and the potential role of autochthonous lactococci strains as starter culture has been displayed. Significance and Impact of the Study:, The great economic importance of Manchego cheese encouraged a deeper knowledge of its microbiota, to select strains with the best properties to use as starter cultures in industrial Manchego cheeses, preserving the autochthonous characteristics. [source] Aflatoxin contamination of consumer milk caused by contaminated rice by-products in compound cattle feedJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 2 2009Erik Nordkvist Abstract BACKGROUND: Elevated levels of aflatoxin M1 were observed in routine checks of consumer milk in southern Sweden in early 2006. A trace-back study revealed contaminated milk from several farms, and a total of 68 farms were banned from delivering milk to dairies for shorter or longer periods. The maximum level of aflatoxin M1 in a single sample from an individual farm was 257 ng kg,1 fresh milk. RESULTS: Aflatoxin analyses of commercial compound feed revealed that the contamination originated from the ingredient rice feed meal, a by-product from the preparation of Basmati rice for human consumption. Up to 56 µg kg,1 of aflatoxin B1 was found in rice feed meal at one feed mill. CONCLUSION: The present example shows that an aflatoxin-contaminated minor feed ingredient included at less than 10% (w/w) of compound cattle feed can significantly contaminate the milk produced. This emphasises the need for effective monitoring of the feed chain of food-producing animals in order to prevent food contamination. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] A whole genome association analysis identifies loci associated with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis infection status in US holstein cattleANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 5 2009M. Settles Summary The purpose of this study was to identify loci associated with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) infection status in US Holsteins using the Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip whole genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assay. Two hundred forty-five cows from dairies in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont enrolled in longitudinal herd studies between January 1999 and November 2007 were assessed for the presence of Map in both faecal and tissue samples. An animal was considered tissue infected if any sample contained at least one colony forming unit of Map per gram of tissue (CFU/g) and the same definition was employed for faecal samples. Each animal was genotyped with the Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip and after quality assurance filtering, 218 animals and 45 683 SNPs remained. We sought to identify loci associated with four different case/control classifications: presence of Map in the tissue, presence of Map in faeces, presence of Map in both tissue and faeces and presence of Map in tissue but not faeces. A case,control genome wide association study was conducted to test the four different classifications of Map infection status (cases) when compared with a Map -negative control group (control). Regions on chromosomes 1, 5, 7, 8, 16, 21 and 23 were identified with moderate significance (P < 5 × 10,5). Two regions, one on chromosome 3 (near EDN2) and another on chromosome 9 (no positional gene candidates), were identified with a high level of association to the presence of Map in tissue and both tissue and faeces respectively (P < 5 × 10,7, genome-wide Bonferonni P < 0.05). [source] Transcutaneous ultrasound over the right flank to diagnose mid- to late-pregnancy in the dairy cowAUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 8 2009JC Hunnam Objective To investigate the practical application and image quality of transcutaneous ultrasonography across the right flank for the diagnosis of mid- to late-gestation in cattle. Procedure Dairy cows of known pregnancy status were used to establish criteria for the identification of mid- to late-stage pregnancy by transcutaneous ultrasonography. Factors involved in the practical application of transcutaneous ultrasound for routine use in pregnancy diagnosis in dairy cattle were also examined. Results Transcutaneous ultrasound, using a 3.5-MHz sector transducer applied over the caudodorsal right flank fold, allowed rapid and detailed visualisation of bovine pregnancy (i.e. fetus, fetal fluids, placentomes and/or fetal membranes) and could be used to establish criteria for the diagnosis of pregnancy. The commonly available cattle holding facilities of the herringbone dairy, rotary herringbone dairy, AI race or crush, and walk-through dairy all allow safe access to the right flank of a dairy or beef cow. However, transcutaneous scanning over the right flank is difficult in modern rotary turnstile dairies. Conclusion A 3.5-MHz sector transducer applied over the caudodorsal right flank fold allows detailed visualisation of the bovine fetus in most types of cattle-holding facilities. Further investigation of the sensitivity and specificity of this technique over the entire gestation period and its possible use in ageing of the bovine fetus is merited. [source] CAP Reform in the Dairy Sector: Remove Export Subsidies and Retain Milk QuotaEUROCHOICES, Issue 2 2004Zohra Bouamra-Mechemache Summary CAP Reform in the Dairy Sector: Remove Export Subsidies and Retain Milk Quota The reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy of June 2003 introduced major policy changes, In the dairy sector the aim is to decrease price distortions between the EU and world dairy markets through successive reductions in milk intervention prices. However, the milk quota system is still in place and successive increases in milk quotas are planned. The question is whether these dairy reforms are going in the right direction given the three main characteristics of the EU dairy sector. First the price inelasticity of both milk supply (due to quota) and domestic demand means that price distortion mainly affects the distribution of economic surplus between consumers and producers but does not generate significant net losses in economic welfare. Second, the ,large country' position of the EU on the world market means that the EU should remove all export subsidies, which will reduce EU exports and increase world prices. Third, the projected increase in EU aggregate demand for milk favours a reduction in all subsidies. The CAP is going in the right direction in the dairy sector. But to reduce price distortions all subsidies should be removed as soon as possible and the milk production quota should be retained. La réforme de la PAC laitiére: supprimer les subventions aux exportations et conserver les quotas La réforme de la PAC en juin 2003 est un changement majeur. En ce qui concerne le secteur laitier, l'idée consiste à diminuer les distorsions entre les prix européens et ceux du marché mondial par une série de réductions progressives du prix d'intervention. En même temps, le système des quotas reste en place et des accroissements progressifs sont envisageés pour les droits à produire. La question. est alors de savoir si une telle politique est bien orientée, compte tenu des trois caractéristiques principales du secteur laitier européen. En premier lieu, la faible élasticité-prix aussi bien de l'offre (à cause des quotas) que de la demande, implique que les distorsions, si elies affectent la répartition des bénéfices entre producteurs et consommateurs, ne génèrent pas de très grandes pertes sociales au niveau du bien-être global. Ensuite, l'importance de l'Union européenne sur les marchés mondiaux implique que l'UE doive réduire ses subventions à l'exportation, ce qui diminuera le volume des exportations et en fera remonter le prix, Enfin, l'accroissement prévisible de la demande globale européenne en produits laitiers devrait conduire G une réduction des subventions de toute sorte. La PAC est done sur la bonne voie en matière laitière. Mais pour réduire les distorsions, il faut le plus vite possible supprimer les subventions et conserver les quotas laitiers. Reform der GAP im Milchsektor: Abschaffung der Exportsubventionen und Beibehaltung der Milchquoten Die Reform der Gemeinsamen Agrarpolitik vom Juni 2003 führt zu erheblichen Politikänderungen. Im Milchsektor ist das Ziel, die Preisverzerrungen zwischen der EU und den Weltmärkten für Milchprodukte durch eine sukzessive Reduzierung der Milchinterventionspreise zu verringern. Das Milchquotensystem bleibt jedoch weiter bestehen und sukzessive Erhöhungen der Milchquoten sind geplant. Es ergibt sich die Frage, ob die Reform bei den vorhandenen drei Charakteristika im EU Milchsektor in die richtige Richtung geht. Erstens bedeuten das gegebene preisunelastische Angebot von Milch (wegen der Quotierung) und die Nachfrage im Inland, dass die Preisverzerrung sich vomehmlich auf die Verteilung der ökonomischen Rente zwischen Konsumenten und Produzenten auswirkt, nicht aber zu bedeutenden Wohlfahrtsverlusten führt. Zweitens fuhrt die Abschaffung aller Exporterstattungen für Milch und Milchprodukte dazu, dass die EU Exporte sinken und damit wegen der EU als relative großes Land die Weltmarktpreise für Milch steigen werden. Drittens begünstigt die vorausgesagte Zunahme in der aggregierten Milchnachfrage in der EU eine Reduzierung aller Subventionen. Die GAP entwickelt sich im Milchsektor in die richtige Richtung. Es sollten aber alle Subventionen so schnell wie möglich abgebaut und die Milchquote sollte aufrechterhalten werden, um Preisverzerrungen zu reduzieren. [source] Molecular weight and humification index as predictors of adsorption for plant- and manure-derived dissolved organic matter to goethiteEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 1 2007T. Ohno Summary Sorptive retention of organic matter is important in maintaining the fertility and quality of soils in agricultural ecosystems. However, few sorption studies have been conducted that use dissolved organic matter (DOM) characteristic of agricultural amendments. We investigated the sorption to goethite (,-FeOOH) of DOM extracted from: (i) above-ground biomass of wheat straw (Triticum aestivum L.), maize residue (Zea mays L.), soybean residue (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), and hairy vetch residue (Vivia billosa L.); (ii) below-ground biomass from maize, soybean, canola (Brassica napus L.), and green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.); and (iii) beef, dairy, poultry, and pig animal manures. The apparent molecular weight (MWAP) of the DOM was measured by high performance-size exclusion chromatography and ranged from 312 to 1074 g mol,1. The carboxyl-group content of the DOM measured by potentiometric titration ranged from 4.84 to 21.38 mmol(,) g,1 carbon. The humification index (HIX) determined by fluorescence spectrometry varied from 1.15 to 4.33. Sorption was directly related to both MWAP and HIX values of the DOM. Molecular weight analysis of the solution prior to and after sorption indicated that the DOM molecules > 1800 g mol,1 were preferentially sorbed, resulting in fractionation of the DOM upon reaction with goethite. The multiple regression equation, based only on MWAP and HIX parameters, explained 76% of the variance in amount of DOM sorbed. The results indicate that MWAP and HIX are important factors in controlling the sorption of DOM to mineral surfaces. Amendment with materials that release DOM of higher molecular weight and greater humification will result in enhanced initial sorption of DOM to soil solids, thereby contributing to accumulation of a larger soil organic C pool. [source] The Swiss Federal Dairy Research StationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DAIRY TECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2003Max Rüegg The Federal Dairy Research Station (FAM) was established at the beginning of the last century. It is one of six agricultural research stations of the Swiss Department of Agriculture and the leading national research institute in dairy technology and consulting. It is part of the Swiss Centre of Competence for Animal Production and Foods of Animal Origin. Its mission is to improve the competitive position of the Swiss milk producers and dairy industry. The institute is organized into three functional areas corresponding to its well-established core competencies: (1) production of raw milk cheese and microorganisms for fermentation, (2) knowledge transfer and consultation for the dairy industry and beekeeping, and (3) testing of, and providing expertise on dairy and bee products. Research work is carried out using a multidisciplinary approach in a matrix organization. Two product- and customer-orientated technology units and one unit for consulting, contractual work and other services for the dairy industry are supported in their projects by three scientific and technical units (microbiology; chemistry, physics and sensory analysis; engineering and production) as well as by a unit offering central services. The 4-year research programmes are based on the strategic goals of the agricultural policy as well as on the current needs of the dairy industry. An advisory board oversees the preparation and execution of the projects. FAM is connected to an international network for both scientific work and supervisory tasks. Work is carried out within the background of the political strategy of a sustainable development including economic, ecological and social aspects. A primary research focus is therefore the avoidance of excessive processing of milk and dairy products, and keeping products natural and free of residues by applying only minimal, unavoidable treatments and additives. [source] High Bone Mass in a Female Hutterite PopulationJOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 8 2000Karen S. Wosje Abstract We examined a Hutterite population (n = 243) to determine if their agriculturally diverse, self-sufficient communal lifestyle promotes optimal bone mass attainment because of adequate calcium intake and high physical activity levels during growth and young adulthood. We measured total body (TB) and lumbar bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in 39 school-age (younger) females and 204 working (older) females. Forty-five percent of older females and 79% of younger females currently consumed ,3 servings (svg) of dairy per day. Older females had lumbar (0.6 ± 1.3) and TB (1.1 ± 1.1) BMD Z scores greater than 0 (both, p < 0.001). The lumbar BMD Z score of younger females was not different from 0 (,0.1 ± 1.0; p = 0.5). Both lumbar (r = 0.46; p < 0.001) and TB (r = 0.20; p = 0.02) BMD Z scores increased with increasing age. In multiple regression analyses for older females, lumbar bone area (p < 0.001), weight (p < 0.001), current hours on feet per day (p = 0.01), colony workload (p < 0.01), and estrogen status (p = 0.06) predicted lumbar BMC. TB bone area (p < 0.001), current hours on feet per day (p < 0.01), and colony workload (p < 0.01) predicted TB BMC. For younger females, lumbar bone area (p < 0.001), weight (p < 0.01), years in present colony (p = 0.02), and menses (p < 0.001) predicted lumbar BMC. TB bone area (p < 0.001), height (p < 0.01), years in present colony (p = 0.03), and menses (p < 0.01) predicted TB BMC. The effect of colony workload could not be separated from other factors different by colony. A heritability estimate of 0.66 was calculated for lumbar BMD using mother and daughter Z scores. Adequate calcium intake during growth, high physical activity early in life, and genetic factors may be contributing to above normal BMD levels in adult female Hutterites. [source] PREVALENCE AND ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE OF LISTERIA SPECIES IN FOOD PRODUCTS IN BANGKOK, THAILANDJOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 1 2010SIRIPORN STONSAOVAPAK ABSTRACT A total of 380 meat and meat products, dairy and dairy products, fresh vegetables, fresh seafood, and ready-to-eat food samples from supermarkets in Bangkok, Thailand were collected and analyzed for the occurrence of Listeria spp. and of Listeria monocytogenes. The overall incidence of Listeria spp. was 16.8%, most of them were isolated from raw meat and vegetables. L. monocytogenes was isolated from 18 (4.7%) out of 380 studied samples. Other species isolated were L. innocua (6.6%), L. ivanovii (0.8%), L. seeligeri (0.5%), L. grayi (1.6%) and L. welshimeri (2.6%). The antimicrobial susceptibilities of the 64 isolate of Listeria spp. were also examined by the standard disk diffusion method. Listeria spp. were resistant to penicillin (6.3%), chloramphenicol (3.1%) and tetracycline (1.6%), but sensitive to amoxicillin, vancomycin, ampicillin, rifampicin and sulfamethoxazole. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Listeria monocytogenes prevalence in food products in Bangkok has been documented. More studies on the occurrence of L. monocytogenes are needed to establish microbiological criteria of foods in the country. The findings of our study, increases in antibiotic resistance among Listeria spp. will provide useful information for the development of public health policy in the use of antimicrobials in food animal production. [source] Addition of Soluble Soybean Polysaccharides to Dairy Products as a Source of Dietary FiberJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 6 2010Wenpu Chen Abstract:, Increasing consumption of dietary fiber in food leads to many important health benefits: for example, reduction in blood cholesterol, reduced risk of diabetes, and improved laxation. Water soluble soybean polysaccharide (SSPS) is a dietary fiber extracted and refined from okara, a byproduct of soy manufacturing. It was incorporated into 3 categories of dairy-based products, thickened milkshake-style beverages, puddings, and low-fat ice cream, to the maximum amount without over-texturing the food. Rheological measurements and sensory tests were used to develop desirable SSPS-fortified products. From the rheological data, 4% SSPS-fortified dairy beverages and 4% SSPS -fortified puddings were in the range of commercial products. From sensory analyses, 4% SSPS-fortified dairy beverage with 0.015%,,carrageenan, 4% SSPS-fortified pudding with 0.1%,,carrageenan, and 2% SSPS-fortified low-fat ice cream gained the highest scores in consumer hedonic rating. Panelists also indicated their willingness to consume those products if they were available commercially. Practical Application:, Since the dietary fiber intake of many people is below their suggested adequate intake values, strategies to successfully fortify foods with fiber may help alleviate this gap. We have developed 3 dairy products, a beverage, a pudding, and a low-fat ice cream, that have been fortified with soluble soybean polysaccharide at levels of 4%, 4%, and 2%, respectively. These products were within acceptable ranges of rheological parameters and other physical stability measurements and were judged to be acceptable by sensory analyses. [source] Perceived Creaminess and Viscosity of Aggregated Particles of Casein Micelles and ,-CarrageenanJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 5 2010Kelly L. Flett Abstract:, Creaminess, in terms of sensory science, is a very complex and multifaceted term. It is a descriptor often reserved for fat-containing dairy emulsions, however, has also been used to describe nondairy food emulsions. In the food industry, it is a great challenge to decrease fat content while maintaining the original quality and sensory characteristics of a food product. An aggregated particle consisting of casein micelles and ,-carrageenan has the potential to enhance the perceived creaminess of a low-fat food product, due to its colloidal size. In this study, these aggregates were incorporated into nonfat dairy beverages and subjected to sensory studies. In the 1st sensory study, the aggregates, either as a powdered ingredient or a fresh ingredient, were added to thickened dairy beverages and compared to similar beverages containing skim milk powder and either no fat or 2% dairy fat. The panelists found the aggregate-containing beverages to be creamier and more viscous in comparison to the control beverages. In the 2nd sensory study, fresh and powdered aggregates, at 2 concentrations, were added to a sweetened nonfat dairy beverage and compared to a similar beverage containing 2% dairy fat. The results of this panel showed that aggregates, especially at increased concentrations, were perceived as more creamy than the fat-containing beverage. Panelists described the creaminess of the aggregates as more thick and viscous while the dairy fat was described more in terms of mouth-coating. Thus, we have developed a nonfat milk ingredient that can contribute creaminess to a food product. Practical Application:, This study shows potential applications of aggregates of casein micelles and ,-carrageenan as a fat-mimetic or creaminess-enhancing ingredient. These particles may be produced as either fresh aggregates directly formed in a dairy product or as powdered aggregates added to dairy or nondairy products. [source] Food Waste Management by Life Cycle Assessment of the Food ChainJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 3 2004THOMAS OHLSSON ABSTRACT: In the past, environmental activities in the food industry used to be focused on meeting the requirements set by authorities on waste and sewage disposal and, more recently, regarding emissions to air. Today environmental issues are considered an essential part of the corporate image in progressive food industries. To avoid sub-optimization, food waste management should involve assessing the environmental impact of the whole food chain. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is an ISO-standardized method to assess the environmental impact of a food product. It evaluates the resources used to perform the different activities through the chain of production from raw material to the user step. It also summarizes the emission/waste to air, water, and land from the same activities throughout the chain. These emissions are then related to the major environmental concerns such as eutrophication, acidification, and ecotoxicity, the factors most relevant for the food sector. The food industry uses the LCAs to identify the steps in the food chain that have the largest impact on the environment in order to target the improvement efforts. It is then used to choose among alternatives in the selection of raw materials, packaging material, and other inputs as well as waste management strategies. A large number of food production chains have been assessed by LCAs over the years. This will be exemplified by a comparison of the environmental impact of ecologically grown raw materials to those conventionally grown. Today LCA is often integrated into process and product development, for example, in a project for reduction of water usage and waste valorization in a diversified dairy. [source] District-level total factor productivity in agriculture: Western Cape Province, South Africa, 1952,2002AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, Issue 3 2009Beatrice Conradie Total factor productivity; Western Cape; South Africa Abstract This article measures total factor productivity (TFP) growth in Western Cape agriculture for 31 magisterial districts from 1952 to 2002 to illustrate the benefits of disaggregation compared with national TFPs. There is negative or low growth in the eastern districts and rapid growth in the western districts. The regions with substantial chicken, pigs, dairy, and, especially, export fruit production grew rapidly, whereas the sheep-dominated Karoo had negative growth. Productivity growth correlates mostly with output mix, which in turn depends on irrigation investment. A similar program will be needed at the national level if prosperity is to be extended to black smallholders who currently lack access to water and other modern infrastructure. [source] Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet: applicability and acceptability to a UK populationJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 1 2010K. E. Harnden Abstract Background:, The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is widely promoted in the USA for the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure. It is high in fruit and vegetables, low-fat dairy and wholegrain foods and low in saturated fat and refined sugar. To our knowledge, the use of this dietary pattern has not been assessed in a free-living UK population. Methods:, The DASH diet was adapted to fit UK food preferences and portion sizes. Fourteen healthy subjects followed the adapted DASH diet for 30 days in which they self-selected all food and beverages. Dietary intake was assessed by 5-day food diaries completed before and towards the end of the study. Blood pressure was measured at the beginning and end of the study to assess compliance to the DASH style diet. Results:, The DASH diet was easily adapted to fit with UK food preferences. Furthermore, it was well tolerated and accepted by subjects. When on the DASH style diet, subjects reported consuming significantly (P < 0.01) more carbohydrate and protein and less total fat (5%, 6% and 9% total energy, respectively). Sodium intakes decreased by 860 mg day,1 (P < 0.001). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly (P < 0.05) by 4.6 and 3.9 mmHg, respectively when on the DASH style diet. Conclusions:, The DASH style diet was well accepted and was associated with a decrease in blood pressure in normotensive individuals and should be considered when giving dietary advice to people with elevated blood pressure in the UK. [source] Environmental Impacts of Products: A Detailed Review of StudiesJOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2006Arnold Tukker Summary Environmental effects of economic activities are ultimately driven by consumption, via impacts of the production, use, and waste management phases of products and services ultimately consumed. Integrated product policy (IPP) addressing the life-cycle impacts of products forms an innovative new generation of environmental policy. Yet this policy requires insight into the final consumption expenditures and related products that have the greatest life-cycle environmental impacts. This review article brings together the conclusions of 11 studies that analyze the life-cycle impacts of total societal consumption and the relative importance of different final consumption categories. This review addresses in general studies that were included in the project Environmental Impacts of Products (EIPRO) of the European Union (EU), which form the basis of this special issue. Unlike most studies done in the past 25 years on similar topics, the studies reviewed here covered a broad set of environmental impacts beyond just energy use or carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The studies differed greatly in basic approach (extrapolating LCA data to impacts of consumption categories versus approaches based on environmentally extended input-output (EEIO) tables), geographical region, disaggregation of final demand, data inventory used, and method of impact assessment. Nevertheless, across all studies a limited number of priorities emerged. The three main priorities, housing, transport, and food, are responsible for 70% of the environmental impacts in most categories, although covering only 55% of the final expenditure in the 25 countries that currently make up the EU. At a more detailed level, priorities are car and most probably air travel within transport, meat and dairy within food, and building structures, heating, and (electrical) energy-using products within housing. Expenditures on clothing, communication, health care, and education are considerably less important. Given the very different approaches followed in each of the sources reviewed, this result hence must be regarded as extremely robust. Recommendations are given to harmonize and improve the methodological approaches of such analyses, for instance, with regard to modeling of imports, inclusion of capital goods, and making an explicit distinction between household and government expenditure. [source] ASSOCIATION OF STRAWBERRY YOGURT SENSORY PROPERTIES WITH PRODUCT COMPOSITION BY PROCRUSTES ANALYSISJOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES, Issue 4 2004ADRIANA GÁMBARO ABSTRACT The flavor of eight samples of commercial strawberry yogurt was studied by Free-Choice Profile analysis (FCP). Generalized Procrustes Analysis (GPA) applied to FCP allowed differentiation between samples and highlighted flavor attributes responsible for the observed differences. The relation between sensory and physicochemical datasets was studied by means of GPA. Those samples with higher carbohydrate content were perceived as sweeter, having stronger strawberry flavor, and with more dairy and yogurt flavors. Samples with higher titratable acidity, ash and protein content were perceived as more acidic and higher in intensity of "faulty" or "defective" flavors. Higher moisture content was associated with lower intensity of "dairy" flavors (creamy, dairy, and yogurt) and greater intensity of rancid flavor. It is concluded that, though not often used to this end, GPA is a suitable method to study the relationship of sensory and instrumental measurements. [source] Conjugated linoleic acid conversion by dairy bacteria cultured in MRS broth and buffalo milkLETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2007C.P. Van Nieuwenhove Abstract Aims:, To evaluate strains of Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria and Streptococci for their ability to produce conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) from free linoleic acid (LA). Methods and Results:, Eight dairy bacteria tolerant to LA were grown in MRS broth containing LA (200 ,g ml,1) and CLA was assessed. Seven bacteria were able to form CLA after 24 h of incubation, varying percentage conversion between 17% and 36%. Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Streptococcus thermophilus showed the highest LA conversion and were inoculated into buffalo milk supplemented with different concentration of LA. The production of CLA at 200 ,g ml,1 of LA was two- or threefold in milk than MRS broth. All evaluated strains were able to produce CLA from high LA levels (1000 ,g ml,1). Conclusions:, The most tolerant strain to LA was Lact. casei. Lacttobacillus rhamnosus produced the maximum level of CLA at high LA concentrations (800 ,g ml,1). The selected bacteria may be considered as adjunct cultures to be included on dairy fermented products manufacture. Low concentration of LA must be added to the medium to enhance CLA formation. Significance and Impact of the Study:, The production of CLA by strains using milks from regional farms as medium offer a possible mechanism to enhance this beneficial compound in dairy products and those the possibility to develop functional foods. [source] Behavioural responses of dairy cattle to the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, in an open field environmentMEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 1 2006B. A. Mullens Abstract., Individual cows (25 in each of four herds) were monitored 8,10 times weekly for 12 weeks (stable fly season) on a southern California dairy, with 100 observations per cow. The numbers of biting stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae) on the front legs and the frequencies of four fly-repelling behaviours per 2-min observation period [head throws, front leg stamps, skin twitches (panniculus reflex) and tail flicks] were recorded. Fly numbers varied, peaking at 3.0,3.5 flies per leg in week 9 (late May). Weekly herd mean frequencies of fly-repelling behaviours were highly dependent on fly numbers, with a linear regression r2 > 0.8. Head throws and stamps were less frequent than skin twitches and tail flicks. Individual cows differed in numbers of stable flies and behaviours. Behaviours were correlated with flies for individual cows, but at a lower level than were herd means (r = 0.3,0.7). Cows that stamped more within a herd tended to have lower fly counts; other fly-repelling behaviours were less effective. Cows maintained ranks within a herd with regard to fly numbers (r = 0.47), head throws (0.48), leg stamps (0.64), skin twitches (0.69) and tail flicks (0.64). Older cows tended to harbour higher fly numbers and to stamp less relative to younger adult cows. Ratios of leg stamps and head throws to fly numbers dropped significantly through time, suggesting habituation to pain associated with fly biting. Tail flicks were not effective for repelling Stomoxys, but were easiest to quantify and may help in monitoring pest intensity. At this low,moderate fly pressure, no consistent impacts on milk yield were detected, but methods incorporating cow behaviour are recommended for future studies of economic impact. [source] Frequency-volume chart: The minimum number of days required to obtain reliable resultsNEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS, Issue 2 2003Erik Schick Abstract Aims There is wide variation in the number of days necessary to maintain a diary and still furnish reliable data on which to base a sound clinical assessment. Estimates range from 1 day to 2 weeks, 7 days probably being the criterion standard. The goal of this retrospective study was to evaluate how much the 7-day period could be shortened without compromising the reliability of data. Methods Various lengths of frequency-volume (FV) charts (from 1 day to 6 days) were compared with the standard 7-day charts on 14 FV parameters. Results Overall results show that a 4-day dairy is nearly identical to the 7-day chart (most r ,,0.95). Results of the 1-, 2-, and 3-day charts were frequently different statistically from the 7-day chart, whereas comparison of the 4-day chart with the 7-day chart showed no statistically significant differences. In addition, results of 4-day FV charts from a new control cohort showed no significant differences from the 7-day charts of the main cohort. Conclusions In conclusion, our study indicates that the 4-day chart is as reliable as the 7-day chart. This reduction in the length of time, although easier for the patients, does not compromise the diagnostic value of the FV charts. Neurourol. Urodynam. 22:92,96, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Dietary Calcium and Dairy Modulation of Adiposity and Obesity RiskNUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 4 2004Michael B. Zemel Ph.D. Dietary calcium plays a key role in the regulation of energy metabolism and obesity risk. This appears to be mediated primarily by dietary calcium modulation of circulating calcitriol, which in turn regulates adipocyte intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i). Increased [Ca2]i stimulates lipogenic gene expression and activity and inhibits lipolysis, resulting in increased adipocyte lipid accumulation. Since calcitriol stimulates adipocyte Ca2+ influx, low calcium diets promote adiposity, while dietary calcium-suppression of calcitriol reduces adiposity. These concepts are confirmed in controlled rodent studies as well as by epidemiological and clincial trial data, all of which confirm protection from obesity with high calcium intakes. Moreover, dairy sources of calcium exert markedly greater effects which are most likely attributable to additional bioactive compounds in dairy which act synergistically with calcium to attenuate adiposity. [source] Trends in Diet, Nutritional Status, and Diet-related Noncommunicable Diseases in China and India: The Economic Costs of the Nutrition TransitionNUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 12 2001Dr. Barry M. Popkin Ph.D Undernutrition is being rapidly reduced in India and China. In both countries the diet is shifting toward higher fat and lower carbohydrate content. Distinct features are high intakes of foods from animal sources and edible oils in China, and high intakes of dairy and added sugar in India. The proportion of overweight is increasing very rapidly in China among all adults; in India the shift is most pronounced among urban residents and high-income rural residents. Hypertension and stroke are relatively higher in China and adult-onset diabetes is relatively higher in India. Established economic techniques were used to measure and project the costs of undernutrition and diet-related noncommunicable diseases in 1995 and 2025. Current WHO mortality projections of diet-related noncommunicable diseases, dietary and body composition survey data, and national data sets of hospital costs for healthcare, are used for the economic analyses. In 1995, China's costs of undernutrition and costs of diet-related noncommunicable diseases were of similar magnitude, but there will be a rapid increase in the costs and prevalence of diet-related noncommunicable diseases by 2025. By contrast with China, India's costs of undernutrition will continue to decline, but undernutrition costs did surpass overnutrition diet-related noncommunicable disease costs in 1995. India's rapid increase in diet-related noncommunicable diseases and their costs projects similar economic costs of undernutrition and overnutrition by 2025. [source] Risk factors for serious injury in Finnish agricultureAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2009Risto H. Rautiainen PhD Abstract Background Previous studies indicate 20% of injuries represent 80% of injury costs in agriculture. To help prevent the most costly injuries, we aimed to identify characteristics and risk factors associated with serious injuries. Methods We analyzed insurance records of 93,550 self-employed Finnish farmers. We ranked injury causes by claim cost and used multiple logistic regressions to identify risk factors for (any) injury and serious injury (injuries exceeding claim costs of ,2000). Results A total of 5,507 compensated injuries occurred in 2002 (rate 5.9/100 person-years), and 1,167 or 21% of them (rate 1.25/100 person-years) were serious. The causes/sources resulting in highest average claim costs were motor vehicles; stairs, scaffoldings, and ladders; trailers and wagons; floors, walkways, and steps; other structures and obstacles; augers, mills, and grain handling equipment; horses; combines and harvesting equipment; tractor steps; and uneven and slippery terrain. Older age, male gender, higher income level, greater field size, residing on the farm, Finnish language (vs. Swedish), occupational health service (OHS) membership, and animal production were risk factors for injury. The risk factors for serious injury were similar; however, the effects of age, income level, and the raising of horses were more prominent. Language, residence, ownership status, and OHS membership were not risk factors for serious injury. Conclusions Cost-effective prevention efforts should address the following risk factors: older age, male gender, larger income and operation size, livestock production (particularly dairy, swine, and horses), motor vehicle incidents, falls from elevation, and slips, trips and falls. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:419,428, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Chronic disease risk in central New York dairy farmers: Results from a large health survey 1989,1999AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2005Paul L. Jenkins PhD Abstract Background The agricultural workplace presents a variety of health and safety hazards; it is unknown whether farm work may be a risk factor for certain chronic diseases. Methods The health survey data from a large rural population in central New York were used from two studies (1989, 1999) to assess both 1999 prevalence and 10-year incidence of self-reported diabetes, heart disease, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension among farm (predominantly dairy) and non-farm residents. The 1999 asthma prevalence was also assessed. Results Multiple logistic regression models for 1999 prevalence found statistically significant protective effects of farming for hypertension (OR,=,0.83, P,=,0.0105) and hypercholesterolemia (OR,=,0.853, P,=,0.0522). Non-significant results were seen for heart disease (OR,=,0.67, P,=,0.128) and diabetes (OR,=,0.856, P,=,0.1358). The model for 1999 asthma prevalence showed a significantly elevated risk for farming (OR,=,1.542, P,=,0.0004). Logistic models created for the 10-year incidence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, and heart disease did not show a significant effect for farming. Conclusions The protective effect of farming observed for the 1999 prevalence of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia was not seen for the 10-year incidence of these diseases. Am. J. Ind. Med. 47:20,26, 2005. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Isolation, Partial Purification, and Immunogenicity of Flagella from Tritrichomonas foetusTHE JOURNAL OF EUKARYOTIC MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2005PHILIP F. JEMILOHUN Abstract. Tritrichomonas foetus, the agent of bovine trichomoniasis, is a flagellate protozoan responsible for substantial economic losses to the dairy and calf industries worldwide. As yet, there is no approved treatment nor is there a sensitive diagnostic method. All these problems suggest that immunization is the best control strategy. In view of this, we isolated and partially purified flagella of the parasite by vortex homogenization followed by low-speed differential centrifugation. The resulting enriched flagellar preparation termed "crude flagellar prep" was purified further by sucrose and percoll gradients. Microscopic analysis showed that the flagellar membrane was intact. Analysis by sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed three prominent protein bands of 42, 49, and >250 kDa, and several minor bands. Immunoblotting of flagellar and whole-cell extracts revealed many flagellar antigens. [source] Rural Nebraska Elementary School Educators Teach Nutrition ConceptsTHE JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 4 2002H. Darlene Pohlman Ph.D. The purpose of this study was to determine if diferences exist in the teaching of nutrition to students in grades one to four in rural (less than 10,000 population); midsized (10,000 to 99,999); and urban (100,000 or more) counties in Nebrash. Surveys me sent to one-fifty of educators teaching grades une to four (n=1,232); the response rate was 37.7%. Sixty eight percent of the teachers responded that the teaching of nutrition was of very high or high priority in the elementary curriculum. Nutrition was taught as part of a nutrition/health unit as well as being integrated into other subject areas. The resources the teachers used me not different by county population size. Significant diferences (p >.05) were observed among county groups as to the frequency of teaching the recommended intakes of grain products, vegetables, fruits, dairy, and meats, with urban teachers teaching these concepts least often. The majority of the teachers rarely, if ever, taught serving sizes and which food groups are in combination foods, with no diferences among county groups. The formal training that the respondents had in nutrition was not different among groups. A larger percentage of teachers in rural and midsized community groups taught food selection concepts me consistently or frequently than did their urban counterparts. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||