Co-Founders Rob Burleigh and Francis Dodds share their knowledge and insights into agricultural science, publishing and the latest news at Burleigh Dodds
Burleigh Dodds Crops Round Up
17 September 2020
Top Story
Advancing worldwide cassava breeding
Researchers at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) are working alongside the NextGen Cassava Breeding Project to improve the ability to successfully grow cassava.
Findings published this week show how the team carried out a genome-wide association study (GWAS) that unearthed new information about the genetic architecture of cassava.
Comprehensive Two-Volume Collection on Cassava
Book Description
This collection begins by reviewing the current state of cassava cultivation, before going on to review the range of techniques enabling sustainable intensification, from seed systems management to intercropping and post-harvest management.
Book Description
Volume 2 reviews genetic resources and breeding techniques as well as their use to produce varieties with traits such as enhanced resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. It also discusses key pests and diseases and their management in making cultivation more efficient and sustainable.
Forthcoming Titles: Video Insights
Open Access
If you're currently writing a chapter for any of our forthcoming publications and would like to explore the possibility of publishing it as OA, please contact us to discuss the next steps.
News
Managing Potato cyst nematodes
Despite an increase in demand, potato production is declining at a worrying rate due to pest infestations and spread of disease, amongst other issues such as repeated cropping and poor seed quality. Potato cyst nematodes are the latest pest to threaten potato yields. [Read more here].
Developing disease resistant hazelnuts
Researchers from Oregon State University are in the midst of completing a research study into developing hazelnuts that are resistant to Eastern Filbert Blight. The team's objective is to develop improved germplasm and cultivars as a means of achieving this resistance. [Read more here].
Protecting wheat crops from major disease
Scientists from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Illinois are completing a study into the potential beneficial effects of using fungal tenants as a means for protection against the fungus that causes wheat scab. Wheat scab is a disastrous fungus that affects grain yield and quality. [Read more here].
The growing presence of Spotted Lanternfly
A pair of scientists from the Appalachian Fruit Research Station, West Virginia have recently begun a research study into the invasive species - Spotted Lanternfly. Although the pest doesn't bite or sting, it causes havoc during harvest, killing crops, plants and trees. The study's aim is to develop sustainable pest management strategies. [Read more here].
News Related Chapters
Burleigh Dodds Livestock Round Up
17 September 2020
COMING THIS MONTH!
Understanding the behaviour and improving the welfare of chickens
Edited by:
Professor Christine Nicol, Royal Agricultural College - University of London, UK
Book Description
This book offers a comprehensive summary on the wealth of recent research completed on understanding chicken behaviour and discusses how best to use this rich body of knowledge to optimise welfare management of broilers and layers.
It features expert insights into the use of wearable, video and acoustic technologies as a means of monitoring behaviour, as well as improving current welfare protocols.
Forthcoming Dairy Publications
Find out more about the two forthcoming titles below!
Understanding the behaviour and improving the welfare of dairy cattle
Edited by:
Professor Marcia Endres, University of Minnesota, USA
Book Description
This book provides a comprehensive review of current welfare issues across the value chain, from calves and heifers to culling.
It features authoritative discussions by leading experts on the viability of areas such as cognition and learning, pain and stress, as well as social behaviour for improving welfare.
Improving dairy herd health
Edited by:
Professor Émile Bouchard, University of Montreal, Saint Hyacinthe, Canada
Book Description
This book reviews key challenges in dairy herd health management, such as effective monitoring and diagnosis of infectious diseases, as well as recent developments in areas such as disease prevention and disease surveillance.
It reviews HHM issues across the dairy cow life cycle, from reproduction and calf health to the transition stage and replacement of stock. Later chapters discuss the successful implementation of HHM programmes in specific instances.
Open Access
If you're currently writing a chapter for any of our forthcoming publications and would like to explore the possibility of publishing it as OA, please contact us to discuss the next steps.
News
Alternatives to piglet castration
With the controversial nature that surrounds the castration of piglets, it's inevitable that the sector would attempt to find alternatives to the practice. Three alternatives have been suggested. These include: surgical castration with pain relief, immunocastration and leaving the males as is. [Read more here].
Chestnut wood extract as alternative feed
Plant extracts have been studied extensively as alternative feed additives and have been reported as good sources of natural antioxidants that improve animal production and health. A group of researchers have completed a study into the effects of chestnut wood extract on broiler chickens, examining it's role in improving growth, nutrient digestibility, and more.
Organic residues as animal feed?
A company in Holland - ChainCraft - have developed fermentation technology that is able to produce fatty acids from the organic residue from fruit and vegetables. In its current form, the factory in Amsterdam can convert 20,000 tonnes of organic residue into 2000 tonnes of fatty acids. [Read more here].
New study on Mycoplasma bovis (M.bovis)
Scotland Rural College (SRUC) are requesting the help of dairy farmers in Scotland with their latest study that examines the presence of M.bovis in Scottish dairy herds. M.bovis is an infectious disease that can cause an array of issues for dairy cows, including pneumonia, lameness, mastitis and more.
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Title Insights
Burleigh Dodds Crops Round Up
10 September 2020
Top Story
Top Story
A team of researchers from the University of Nottingham, UK have recently completed a study in which they discovered how a specific protein present in plant roots can control the uptake of minerals and water.
The publication of these results hold the potential to improve the tolerance of crops and plants to abiotic stresses present as a result of climate change. This could in turn reduce the sector's need to rely on chemical fertilizers.
Key Chapter
Title
Organic fertilizers and biofertilizers
Authors
Lidia Sas Paszt and Slawomir Gluszek, Institute of Horticulture in Skierniewice, Poland
Chapter Description
The chapter examines the role of biofertilizers and consortia of microorganisms to improve the effectiveness of organic fertilization, before moving on to consider the use of animal excrement, including manures, slurry and guano.
Burleigh Dodds Researcher Survey 2020: Results
• 41% of survey participants stated that they don't currently have access to any BDS publications.
See first hand the quality of our 'must have' content by downloading our Open Access Chapters, and recommend our publications to your Institution's Librarian using this form.
Open Access
If you're currently writing a chapter for any of our forthcoming publications and would like to explore the possibility of publishing it as OA, please contact us to discuss the next steps.
News
Could climate change increase rice yields?
A team of researchers based at the National Agriculture and Food Research Organisation have claimed that results collected from recent research suggests how rice yields could benefit from the effects of climate change. With average temperatures in Asia rising, rice farmers are provided with a longer window to grow rice crops. [Read more here].
Optimising crop models for improved predictions
Scientists from the IITA, Wageningen University and the University of Florida are collaborating together in a research project that aims to develop decision support tools that can be used to create a reliable 'prediction engine' that will be able to provide site-specific recommendations to farmers for growing cassava that will yield the best results. [Read more here].
News Related Chapters
Title Insights
Burleigh Dodds Crops Round Up
03 September 2020
Editor Announcement
We are delighted to announce that Professor Victor Preedy and Dr Vinood Patel have agreed to edit our forthcoming collection: ‘Understanding and optimising the nutraceutical properties of fruit and vegetables‘.
Dr Victor Preedy is Professor of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathology at King’s College Hospital and Emeritus Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry at King’s College London, UK.
Dr Vinood Patel is Reader in Clinical Biochemistry in the School of Biosciences at the University of Westminster and an Honorary Fellow of King’s College London, UK.
Advances in postharvest management of cereals and grains: OUT NOW!
Advances in postharvest management of cereals and grains provides a comprehensive review of the latest research on the causes of postharvest cereal losses, as well as the key research on the detection and control of fungal contaminants.
This collection includes authoritative discussions led by leading experts on the viability of different technologies implemented to control postharvest losses, such as fumigation, biopesticides, controlled atmospheres and control of fungal contamination.
Burleigh Dodds Researcher Survey 2020: Results
Which potential new topics would you be interested in for us to publish in?
• 59% of our survey participants listed pest, disease and weed management
• 51% listed climate change
• 42% stated an interest in advances in understanding plant physiology
Interested to see what our Publishing Programme looks like for the remainder of 2020? Check out a list of our forthcoming titles here.
News
New research offers the potential for development of solutions to combat common agricultural weeds
Researchers at the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Studies, USA have published the most comprehensive, and arguably exciting genome information for three of the most popular agricultural weeds: waterhemp, smooth pigweed and Palmer amaranth.
There have already been suggestions that this discovery will contribute massively to developing solutions to combat the growth and spread of these weeds.
Worst UK wheat harvest in 40 years
This past week has seen the UK register their worst wheat harvest in 40 years. It's been suggested that around only 40% of the expected wheat crop was planted last year as a result of extended periods of heavy rainfall. Concerns now lie with a potential increase in flour and bread prices. [Read more here].
Developing flood-resistant crops
A team of researchers from the University of Sydney, Australia have recently completed a study with results that show promise for the development of flood-resistant crops. Researchers discovered how the molecular structure of plant enzymes could be manipulated to improve a crops tolerance to increased exposure to water. [Read more here].
Title Insights
Burleigh Dodds Livestock Round Up
03 September 2020
White Striping Disease in UK Poultry Meat
A recent study into the presence of white striping disease in factory-farmed chicken stocked in UK supermarkets has been completed by The Humane League - a UK based animal protection charity.
White striping disease is caused by excess fatty deposits in the muscles of the bird. Although poultry meat with white striping disease isn't unfit for human consumption, the disease can affect the texture and nutritional content of the meat.
Results from the study show that the disease was present in 85% of the factory-farmed chicken that is sold by supermarkets across the whole of the UK.
More on Poultry Health & Nutrition...
Volume 2: Breeding and Nutrition
Edited by:
Professor Todd Applegate, University of Georgia, USA
Book Description
Drawing on an international range of expertise, this book reviews research on poultry breeding and nutrition. The first part of the book reviews how advances in genetics have impacted developments in breeding.
Part 2 discusses ways of optimising poultry nutrition to ensure quality and sustainability in poultry meat production. Find out more here.
Volume 3: Health and Welfare
Edited by:
Professor Todd Applegate, University of Georgia, USA
Book Description
Part 1 begins by reviewing the range of diseases and other health issues affecting poultry. It then goes on to discuss ways of preventing and managing disease such as breeding, and means of attenuating the immune system.
The second part of the book discusses welfare issues such as management of breeding flocks, housing, transport and humane slaughter techniques. Find out more here.
Burleigh Dodds Researcher Survey 2020: Results
Which potential new topics would you be interested in for us to publish in?
• 58% of our survey participants listed advances in animal husbandry
• 47% listed advances in understanding animal diseases
• 42% stated an interest in advances in understanding animal behaviour/welfare
Interested to see what our Publishing Programme looks like for the remainder of 2020? Check out a list of our forthcoming titles here.
News
Heat stress in sows: Managing the growing problem
With rising temperatures in pig farms, farmers are faced with an increased likelihood of their sows suffering from heat stress. Pigs are highly susceptible to suffering from heat stress as their thermoregulatory process is extremely inefficient. Heat stress can incite changes to animal behaviour and can cause leaky gut. [Read more here].
How important is the rumen microbiome?
With demands for more animal protein increasing, the livestock sector must meet this demand, whilst also using less land and water, as well as reducing the sector's carbon footprint. The rumen microbiome is suggested to hold an integral role in determining the efficiency of an animal, through its interaction with feed additives. [Read more here].
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