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
26 November 2020
Comprehensive volume of research on sustainable banana cultivation
Despite being the world's most exported fruit, banana production faces a number of challenges, including the extremely narrow genetic base currently available for commercial cultivation which increases the rate of vulnerability to diseases and other stresses.
A new volume of research, edited by Professor Gert Kema and Professor André Drenth addresses this growing problem and discusses the progress made in identifying and broadening the genetic base for Musa.
New partnerships to help promote agri-food systems transformation
The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and CropLife International have signed an agreement that will see each party make a concerted effort to improve on existing partnerships between the UN Agency and the private sector, as well as build on new ones.
The parties remark that developing innovative ideas for transforming agri-food systems and improving current promotion of rural development through on the ground investment are the initial and main priorities.
Current FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu spoke on the importance of digitalization and technology in achieving these goals.
Discover our forthcoming reference on the development of smart agri-food supply chains.
Editor
Professor Louise Manning, Royal Agricultural University, USA
Book description
This collection provides an authoritative assessment of the current issues challenging the safety of agri-food supply chains and the recent technological developments implemented to improve safety and quality at all levels.
Key chapter
The use of internet of things (IoT) technology to improve quality and safety in agri-food supply chains
Black Friday - First Look
Get the best of both worlds this Black Friday with offers built around print and digital bundles!
Find out more on 27th November 2020.
News
New research unveils the genetics of oat blight
A team of researchers from multiple institutions have collaborated on a project focused on oat blight. The researchers have identified the genetic mechanisms that influence the production of Victorin - the toxin known to cause Victoria blight of oats. The disease wiped out US oat crops in the 1940s.
BDS Related chapter: Key issues in breeding and trialling robust cereal cultivars for organic farming
10 tips for effective biological pest control
The AHDB have released a set of 10 'Top Tips' that claim to help farmers and growers achieve a successful biological pest control programme. Advice spans from ensuring you understand the biological pest control agents you plan to introduce, to communicating with technical advisors, researchers and consultants. [Read more here].
BDS Related Chapter: Biological control in integrated management of deciduous fruit insect pests: the use of semiochemicals
Improving smallholder farmers' access to technology
A team of researchers led by Dr Zia Mehrabi, University of British Columbia, Canada, have completed a study into the impact of restricted access to the internet and technology on farm productivity and profit.
With technology and the use of data growing in popularity throughout the sector, there is a need to ensure that smallholder farmers have access to the required equipment, as well as that they understand how to use it and interpret the collected data.
Author profile
Dr Zia Mehrabi is a valued contributor for Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.
Dr Mehrabi contributed an informative chapter on Developing decision-support systems for crop rotations to our publication: Improving data management and decision support systems in agriculture.
Open Access
Are you currently writing a chapter for any of our forthcoming publications, or would like to submit a chapter and are interested in the possibility of publishing it as Open Access (OA)?
Make your chapter the newest addition to our growing collection of
Title Insights
Burleigh Dodds Livestock Round Up
26 November 2020
Comprehensive Three-Volume Series on Behaviour & Welfare Learn more about each title by clicking the link below each cover image.
Black Friday - First Look
Get the best of both worlds this Black Friday with offers built around print and digital bundles!
Find out more on 27th November 2020.
News
Belgium free of ASF
In an article published this week, the European Commission officially confirmed that Belgium are free from any outbreaks or current cases of African Swine Fever (ASF). The Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) claim that this announcement will allow Belgium to regain its free from ASF status. [Read more here].
BDS Related Chapter: Diseases affecting pigs: an overview of common bacterial, viral and parasitic pathogens of pigs
Czech Republic ban hen cages
From 2027, it will be illegal to house broiler breeders and laying hens in cages in Czech Republic. This is the result of a law passed this week in the Czech Senate that sees the country follow similar regulations put in place by Slovakia earlier this year. Initial reports suggest that the new regulation will affect approximately 4.5 million hens. [Read more here].
Tackling ruminant health
A new group focused on improving ruminant health and welfare has been formed in the UK. Ruminant Health & Welfare (RH&W) consists of government organisations, as well as industry professionals from all four of the UK's nations. The group aims to achieve higher levels of sheep and cattle welfare through partnerships. [Read more here].
Are farrowing crates unlawful?
The New Zealand high court ruled last week that the use of farrowing crates are unlawful and that the ruling would impact the country's current protocol on their usage. Their unlawfulness had come to light due to the steps taken by two animal welfare groups that claimed that their use did not adhere to the country's Animal Welfare Act. [Read more here].
Open Access
Are you currently writing a chapter for any of our forthcoming publications, or would like to submit a chapter and are interested in the possibility of publishing it as Open Access (OA)?
Make your chapter the newest addition to our growing collection of
Title Insights
Burleigh Dodds Crops Round Up
19 November 2020
Rising interest in EU's review of gene-edited crops regulations
In July 2018, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that all genome-edited crops should - and would - be treated as genetically-modified organisms (GMOs).
This ruling instigated some degree of backlash, with many researchers arguing that it prevented any further advancement in the sector and made the much-needed transition into making agricultural practices more sustainable that bit harder.
Since the 2018 ruling, there have been major advances in the use of gene editing techniques to advance crop science. The latest showing of this was the award of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna for the development of CRISPR-Cas9.
In recent weeks, the request for the ECJ to review their ruling has gained momentum.
Read our up-to-date reference on the regulation of gene edited crops.
Author
Gregory Jaffe, Center for Science in Public Interest, USA
Chapter description
To explore the regulation of genome edited crops, this chapter describes the regulatory systems adopted by different countries as well as how the Cartagena Biosafety Protocol might apply.
Find out more here
This chapter features in the forthcoming publication, Genome editing for precision crop breeding.
Open Access
Are you currently writing a chapter for any of our forthcoming publications, or would like to submit a chapter and are interested in the possibility of publishing it as Open Access (OA)?
Make your chapter the newest addition to our growing collection of
News
Wheat blast spreads to Africa
Wheat blast - a disease of wheat crop common in parts of Asia and South America has been identified in Africa for the first time. This identification has caused a rise in concern for the yields of many farmers in the countries that produce large amounts of wheat: Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Kenya, to name a few. Fears are also rising due to the speed of the spread. [Read more here].
Drone usage in China
According to a recent article, there has been a rise in Chinese farmers purchasing and deploying drones as a means of monitoring their crops, distributing seeds, as well as using fertilizers more efficiently. This rise in their usage may be accounted for by the suggestion that drones - or unmanned aerial vehicles - are 10 times more efficient than skilled manpower, more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
BDS Related Chapter: An overview of machine vision technologies for agricultural robots and automation
Developing disease resistance in bananas
A team of researchers at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), led by principal scientist Leena Tripathi are using CRISPR gene-editing technologies to develop varieties of bananas that are resistant to catastrophic diseases such as bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt and banana streak virus.
BDS Related Book: Achieving sustainable cultivation of bananas - Volume 2: Germplasm and genetic improvement
Benefits of atmospheric change for cassava
Researchers from the University of Illinois, USA and Monash University, Australia have recently completed a study that assessed the effects of changes in the atmosphere on cassava - a staple crop that feeds over 1 billion people. Results show that yields improved, despite increases in CO2 levels.
Burleigh Dodds Chapters Online
You have the control. How will you use it?
Burleigh Dodds Chapters Online gives you the means to create your own custom-made chapter collection built around the topics and themes important to you and your research.
With flexible pricing and access options, as well as alternative routes to content, why not discover more about this new service here?
Title Insights
Burleigh Dodds Livestock Round Up
19 November 2020
Avian influenza continues to spread throughout the continents
Recent reports have suggested that the avian influenza (AI) epidemic is worsening due to increasing numbers of birds having to be culled in Europe and Asia.
Poultry World report that Kazakhstan, Asia have culled around 1.2 million birds from three industrial poultry farms.
Serbia is also experiencing a detrimental outbreak of AI, with the disease found present in both industrial and backyard farms.
The Poultry Health & Welfare Collection
Want to discover more about the current disease threats to poultry flocks worldwide? Check out our comprehensive chapter collection below!
This collection includes 42 chapters that review advances in understanding diseases affecting poultry and how they can be better controlled.
Open Access
Are you currently writing a chapter for any of our forthcoming publications, or would like to submit a chapter and are interested in the possibility of publishing it as Open Access (OA)?
Make your chapter the newest addition to our growing collection of
News
Reducing methane emissions in dairy cattle
In recent years, the impact of dairy cattle production - and its contribution - to climate change has become a focus for many. A new article outlines how animal nutritionists can tackle the issue of burping cows, thus reducing the rate of methane emissions per animal. [Read more here].
Improving gut health in piglets
A new article has stressed the importance of a good stomach function and its overall role in determining good piglet gut health. After the weaning process, achieving a low stomach pH is the goal for many producers as research suggests that low pH can halt the spread of pathogens. [Read more here].
Removing pathogens from poultry meal
A feed company in the Netherlands - ForFarmers - have recently built a tower containing a heating line from top to bottom that aids the production of poultry feed. Thermal treatment - as it's known throughout the industry - used controlled levels of heat to kill unwanted microorganisms, such as those responsible for the spread of salmonella. [Read more here].
New tool to aid UK beef and lamb farmers
In the face of virtual, a new tool has been designed by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) which claims to assist farmers with their selection of lambs and cattle for slaughter. The tool offers grading systems on animal carcasses, which the creators hope will reduce the rate of farmers sending overweight and unfit animals to slaughter. [Read more here].
Burleigh Dodds Chapters Online
You have the control. How will you use it?
Burleigh Dodds Chapters Online gives you the means to create your own custom-made chapter collection built around the topics and themes important to you and your research.
With flexible pricing and access options, as well as alternative routes to content, why not discover more about this new service here?
Title Insights
Burleigh Dodds Crops Round Up
12 November 2020
Second volume enhances our collection on sustainable banana cultivation
Editors
Professor Gert Kema, Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands and Professor André Drenth, The University of Queensland, Australia
Book Description
This volume offers an authoritative discussion on the progress of identifying and broadening the genetic base for Musa species and reviews the current conventional and molecular breeding techniques for breeding new varieties of banana, as well as providing coverage on improving traits in Cavendish.
Pre-Publication Offer!
Save 20% when you pre-order
Code expires 23rd November 2020.
The Tropical Fruit Collection
We have chapters covering the sustainable cultivation of mango, guava, lychee, coconut, papaya and MORE!
Discover more about each title by clicking the cover image.
News
Does crop diversification affect yield?
A team of researchers from Iowa State University, USA have recently completed a study into the effects of crop diversification on crop yield. The results show that the implementation of crop diversification techniques (e.g. crop rotations) offer a 'win-win' scenario. That being that it improves the environmental outcomes, whilst also not impacting crop yield. [Read more here].
Using drones to tackle fall armyworm
Entomologists at the Tamil Nadu Agriculture University (TNAU), India have initiated the early stages of a study that intends to asses the effects of fall armyworm (FAW) on maize crops that can be used to develop more effective pest control methods. The team are using drones with different nozzles to assess the effectiveness of the spray on the disease. [Read more here].
Optimising apple yields
A team of researchers - led by plant scientists at Cornell University, USA - are to complete a research project that would use computer vision, automation and robotics to optimise apple production. This process is currently extremely manual and somewhat imprecise. The USDA have allocated a $4.8 million grant for the project to go ahead. [Read more here].
CRISPR edited crops - the future?
With a rapidly growing population, there is an urgent need for agricultural production to meet this demand, as well as ensuring sustainability from cultivation to harvest. Inari - a US based plant breeding company are doing their bit to contribute to this much needed change by investing in gene-editing technology to develop CRISPR edited seeds. [Read more here].
Upcoming Conferences
Title Insights
Burleigh Dodds Livestock Round Up
12 November 2020
The importance of pig behaviour and welfare
Editor
Emerita Professor Sandra Edwards, University of Newcastle, UK
Book Description
The welfare of farmed animals such as pigs is an increasing concern for consumers and regulatory agencies. This book assesses ways of optimising pig welfare at differing production stages and reviews our understanding of current welfare issues such as tail biting docking, castration and the impact of enrichment.
Pre-Publication Offer!
Save 20% when you pre-order
Code expires 23rd November 2020.
The Pig Collection
Discover our other titles on pig production that cover safety, quality, sustainability, breeding, nutrition, health and welfare.
News
Seaweed as an alternative protein source
With demand for animal protein increasing in line with growing global population rates, there is an urgent need to seek materials and products that can be used as alternative protein sources. A new study has assessed the nutritional value of six seaweed species sampled from the coast of Ireland, Scotland and France. [Read more here].
The invasion of rodents in dairy farms
With dairy farms spread across an array of different environments, it is seemingly inevitable for them to experience a rodent invasion of sorts. Rodents are prone to burrow in exposed animal feed, thus contaminating it. A new article has been published that assesses the impact of these invasions on the production and economics of farms. [Read more here].
How important is enrichment for dairy cows?
A new study has been completed that aimed to assess whether improving the environment of dairy cows in isolation pens could alleviate stress. The study examined the use of tactile (e.g. automated grooming brush) and visual (e.g. mirror) aids as a means of measuring changes in animal behaviour and periods of stress. [Read more here].
New outbreak of avian influenza in Japan
Last week, Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries officially confirmed an outbreak of avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial poultry flock in Kagawa. Reports suggest that around 330,000 chickens were unfortunately culled due to the outbreak. This is the first outbreak of avian influenza in Japan since 2018. [Read more here].
Upcoming Conferences
Title Insights
Burleigh Dodds Crops Round Up
5 November 2020
New Title
Achieving sustainable management of tropical forests
Editors
Dr Jürgen Blaser, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland; and Patrick Hardcastle, Forestry Development Specialist, UK
Book Description
This volume summarises and reviews the rich body of research on tropical forests and how this research can be utilised to make sustainable management of tropical forests a standard implementable strategy for the future
A Special Feature
We're pleased to present our subscribers with an exclusive video filmed by Patrick Hardcastle - one of the editors from this exciting new volume of research.
Patrick discusses the importance of this publication in the current climate, as well as its contents and contributors.
Editor Announcement
We'd like to announce that Dr Craig Lobsey and Dr Asim Biswas have agreed to edit our forthcoming collection: ‘Advances in sensor technology for sustainable crop production‘.
Dr Lobsey is Lecturer in Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia.
Dr Asim Biswas is an Associate Professor in the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of Guelph, Canada.
Find out more about our new editors here
News
The importance of good irrigation
Researchers from the University of Western Australia have highlighted the importance of efficient irrigation systems and how drought and water shortages can impact crop development and yield. Using greenhouse-grown tomatoes as their subject, their research shows that recycled wastewater achieved the best results. [Read more here].
Identifying best potato varieties
With new crop varieties regularly released, information in regards to growth performance outside of controlled environments can sometimes be missing. The Rwanda Agricultural and Animal Resource Development Board (RAB) have identified this issue and is deploying the tricot approach which allows farmers to rate which variety is worst and best. [Read more here].
The rise of soybeans
In recent months, the price of soybeans on the Chicago Stock Exchange have excelled. According to reports, this rise in value can be attributed to severe dry sowing conditions in Brazil, as well as increasing demand by China. With Brazil facing nearly three months of dry sowing conditions, the South American supply of soy has been exhausted. [Read more here].
Self-watering soil - The future of farming?
A team of researchers and engineers from the University of Texas at Austin, USA have developed a variety of soil that is capable of pulling water from the air and then distributing it to plants in its local vicinity. The study and its consequent findings offer the potential of expanding the globe's current 'farmable' land.
End of Summer SALE
Save 35% on selected titles - Use code SUMMER35
Code expires 16th November 2020.
Virtual Conferences
Crop Protection Forum 2020
We're delighted to be exhibiting at our first physical event since March!
What: Crop Protection Forum 2020
Where: Wesfarmers Lecture Theatre, University of Western Australia Business School, Australia
When: Tuesday 8th December 2020 (8am-6pm)
Title Insights
Burleigh Dodds Livestock Round Up
5 November 2020
Top Story
How can we make the dairy industry more resilient in the face of mounting challenges?
Like most industries around the globe, the dairy industry has been impacted by the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), with many workers facing redundancies or extended periods of time with no work. A new project is seeking to improve the resilience of the dairy sector.
Funded by EIT Food, the project - named Smart-ET - aims to develop working digital tools that will allow farmers, producers and sellers to react more effectively to fluctuations in demand as experienced during the pandemic.
Read the full article here
Achieving sustainable production of milk - Volume 2
Book Description
This book reviews current research on understanding and managing pathogens in dairy farms. It also discusses more recent concerns about the environmental impact of dairy farming and ways it can be made more sustainable, including in developing countries.
RRP: £200.00
Offer Price: £130.00*
*Use code SUMMER35 at checkout via our website
News
Avian influenza outbreak in UK
A farm in Cheshire, UK have been forced to cull around 13,000 broilers after discovering the H5N8 strain of bird flu in the flock. Just last week, a highly pathogenic variant was found present on a Dutch farm. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) are investigating as to whether the UK outbreak is linked. [Read more here].
Funding for alternative feed producer
Deep Branch - a UK-based Biotech company have secured funding of around €2.5 million from the European Innovation Counil (EIC). The company uses microorganisms to convert CO2 into high-quality products that can be used as novel protein sources for animal feed. [Read more here].
ASF spreads further in Germany
According to reports published by the German Ministry of Agriculture (BMEL), African Swine Fever (ASF) has officially spread into another German state. The wild boar was discovered during a hunting session in Saxony, however didn't show any of the clinical symptoms associated with ASF. This is Saxony's first reports of a positive test. [Read more here].
BDS Related Chapter: Diseases affecting pigs: an overview of common bacterial, viral, and parasitic pathogens of pigs
Postpartum clinical disease in dairy cows
A recent article published on Dairy Global has investigated the effects of postpartum clinical disease in dairy cows. The article refers to a 2019 study which assessed the differing effects of metritis, mastitis and ketosis on milk production and cow performance. Results showed a decline in performance with cows that developed one of the above diseases during the postpartum period. [Read more here].
In Case You Missed It...
We've recently published our fourth blog in our new Blog Series!
The new blog discusses the rise of wearable technologies in poultry production and whether its use can drive notable improvements in chicken welfare.
The blog also discusses the role consumer and retailer concerns have had on the sector's decision to improve the welfare of all livestock species.
Title Insights
NEWSLETTERS (click to expand)