NFU Sets Out Research Priorities for Farming
UK - If farming is to meet the challenges of producing more food while impacting less on the environment it is vital that research and development in agricultural science is given a prominent role, a major conference will hear today.
Dr Helen Ferrier, the NFU’s chief science and regulatory affairs adviser, will be one of the keynote speakers at the Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum seminar on food security, innovation and research.
Dr Ferrier said, “Research priorities for farming are about developing better breeds and varieties - improving the genetics - allied to improved management practices, agronomy and husbandry, so farmers can achieve that genetic potential in a commercial context. Key elements in this are pest and disease resistance and control; efficient use of nutrients, feed, water, pesticides, energy or light by the plant or animal; using technology and machinery to increase efficiency and target inputs; and reducing waste from the system.
“However, for this to work on a commercial scale and to have industry-focussed research there must be effective knowledge exchange with farmers, identifiable networks of experts and research centres, and demonstration facilities. It also requires a common language, mutual respect and two-way communication between farmers, advisers and scientists."
To find out more about the NFU’s Why Science Matters for Farming campaign, please click here.
The impact of mycotoxins — through losses in commodity quality and livestock health — exceeds $1.4 billion in the United States alone, according to the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology. This guide includes:
- An overview of different types of mycotoxins
- Understanding of the effects of mycotoxicoses in swine
- Instructions on how to analyze mycotoxin content in commodities and feeds
- Innovative ways of combatting mycotoxins and their effects
