Physicochemical properties and heavy metal concentration of soils along Enyigba mining site in Ikwo, Ebonyi State Nigeria

This study assessed the physicochemical properties of soils and their levels of heavy metal contents in soils along the Enyigba mining site in Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A total of 96 samples of soil were taken at depths of 0 to 20 cm using a soil auger and core sampler at a horizontal spacing of 100 m between each location and examined using standard laboratory techniques. The control soil samples were taken from the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Experimental and Research Farm in Ebonyi State, at a distance of 50 m from each spot at a depth of 0 to 20 cm. The results obtained from this study showed significant variations in the physicochemical properties and heavy metal levels of the soil from the Enyigba mining site, indicating that the mining activities have contaminated the soil. The result also indicated that mining operations may be responsible for the increase in sand and the decrease in silt and clay particles. The mining site's pH was typically low, indicating that the soil is naturally acidic. The contamination indices showed that lead recorded very high contamination factor of 27.068, while iron, nickel and zinc were low. The observed high concentration factor of lead had an impact on the soil's bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity, total porosity, calcium, potassium ion, magnesium ion, total nitrogen, organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, phosphorus and base saturation contents. It is recommended that the government's Ministry of Environment, at all levels, take a proactive stance in managing the excessive and subpar mining operations in the study area.

Male Farm and Agricultural Worker Suicides in Kansas, 2016-2020

OBJECTIVES

There is limited research on the factors that contribute to suicides among farm and agriculture workers. The purpose of this analysis was to examine the socio-demographic characteristics and circumstances that may increase risk of suicide for a farm worker by using the detailed data from the Kansas Violent Death Reporting System (KS-VDRS).

METHODS

KS-VDRS is a state-based system and was used to look at suicides among farm and agricultural workers that occurred in Kansas from 2016 to 2020. Frequencies, percentages, and age-adjusted rates were calculated to compare trends between farm/agriculture workers and other major occupational groups (non-farm/agriculture). Females were not included in this analysis due to low counts in the occupational group.

RESULTS

In Kansas, male farm and agriculture workers die by suicide at a rate of 147.5 per 100,000 population, which is 3 times that of the average male workers (45.2 per 100,000 population). Male suicide decedents in farming and agriculture-related occupations were older with a mean age of 54 years and less educated (73% had a high school diploma or less) than their non-agriculture counterparts (mean age 44 years, and 57% had a high school diploma or less). Common circumstances around time of death were current depressed mood (58.6%), current mental health problem (41.4%), and physical health problem (31.4%).

CONCLUSION

KSVDRS provides valuable information on the circumstances surrounding suicides, and this can inform prevention efforts within and across states. Numerous factors may contribute to the increased risk of suicide among farmers and those who work in agriculture. Physical health problems, family relationship problems, and financial problems are more commonly reported among this population compared to other male workers. Findings from this report highlight the complexity of suicide risk within the farm and agriculture industry in Kansas and reinforce the need for state-specific data and tailored prevention efforts.

Medically Attended Suicidality in Youth Who Live on Farms

Suicides are increasing in U.S. youth, particularly in rural areas. The influence of farming, however, is unclear, as suicide rates are higher in individual adult farm workers, but lower in farming-reliant counties. Early recognition of suicidality (suicidal ideation, intent, or attempt) is a key element of prevention, but there are no prior studies comparing suicidality in farm vs. non-farm youth. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between farm/rural residence and suicidality. Medical records were reused from an existing cohort of child and adolescent patients under surveillance for agricultural injuries in a Wisconsin healthcare system. The sample included 2,010 youth who lived on farms and 51,900 youth who did not live on farms (57% rural). The outcome was medically attended suicidality in 2017-2022 per a composite of diagnoses for suicidal ideation, attempt, or intentional self-harm that presented to ambulatory, emergency, or inpatient care settings. Suicidality was observed in 0.8% of farm, 1.8% of non-farm rural, and 1.6% of non-farm non-rural youth. After covariate adjustment, farm youth had significantly lower odds of suicidality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] [95% confidence interval; CI] = 0.55 [0.33, 0.91], P = .019), while non-farm rural youth had significantly greater odds of suicidality (aOR [CI] = 1.21 [1.05, 1.40], P = .007), relative to non-farm non-rural youth. Children and adolescents who live on farms are about half as likely to (medically) present for suicidality as compared to their non-farm counterparts, both rural and non-rural. Future research should identify causal suicide protection factors in farm youth.

Farm animal exposure, respiratory illnesses, and nasal cell gene expression

BACKGROUND

Farm exposures in early life reduce the risks for childhood allergic diseases and asthma. There is less information about how farm exposures relate to respiratory illnesses and mucosal immune development.

OBJECTIVE

We hypothesized that children raised in farm environments have a lower incidence of respiratory illnesses over the first 2 years of life than nonfarm children. We also analyzed whether farm exposures or respiratory illnesses were related to patterns of nasal cell gene expression.

METHODS

The Wisconsin Infant Study Cohort included farm (n = 156) and nonfarm (n = 155) families with children followed to age 2 years. Parents reported prenatal farm and other environmental exposures. Illness frequency and severity were assessed using illness diaries and periodic surveys. Nasopharyngeal cell gene expression in a subset of 64 children at age 2 years was compared to farm exposure and respiratory illness history.

RESULTS

Farm versus nonfarm children had nominally lower rates of respiratory illnesses (rate ratio 0.82 [95% CI, 0.69, 0.97]) with a stepwise reduction in illness rates in children exposed to 0, 1, or ≥2 animal species, but these trends were nonsignificant in a multivariable model. Farm exposures and preceding respiratory illnesses were positively related to nasal cell gene signatures for mononuclear cells and innate and antimicrobial responses.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal and infant exposure to farms and farm animals was associated with nonsignificant trends for reduced respiratory illnesses. Nasal cell gene expression in a subset of children suggests that farm exposures and respiratory illnesses in early life are associated with distinct patterns of mucosal immune expression.

Social psychological factors drive farmers' adoption of environmental best management practices

Agriculture is a main driver of land-cover change globally resulting in decreased biodiversity, increased carbon emissions, and land desertification. Environmental best management practices reduce risk to the environment caused by agricultural operations. However, the adoption of environmental best management practices by farmers often is lower than what would be possible. While prior studies have investigated determinants of environmental best management practices, it is not well understood how social psychological drivers of various best management practices may be modified by contextual factors. To help close this knowledge gap, we conducted a large-scale survey of Ontario farmers investigating how social psychological factors and resource constraints combine to determine adoption of farm forests, riparian buffers and windbreaks, and how these relationships are modified by farmer demographics and farm characteristics. We analyzed survey responses of 490 farmers with structural equation modeling using the Theory of Planned Behavior as theoretical framework. Our results suggest that perceived benefits of environmental best management practices are of relatively low impact on best management practice adoption. Beliefs of a personal obligation for adoption and the perception of the capacity for adoption consistently were of higher impact, with lack of labor as main constraint. The relationships of perceived benefits and social norms with adoption were modified by farmer income, education, and age, as well as by the distance between a farm and the nearest settlement. However, the relationship of control beliefs with adoption was not affected by any contextual factors. We conclude that the improvement of programs in support of labor availability may have positive impacts on the adoption of the investigated environmental best management practices.

Odor generation pattern of swine manure according to the processing form of feed

Feed has a great influence on the composition of swine manure, which is the principal cause of odor. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to simply change the shape of pig feed and control calories to find a suitable feed form for reducing the smell of swine manure. The experiment was conducted on 15 pigs from July to August 2021, and a total of three measurements were done. Three types of feed were evaluated in this study. The analysis items related to odor of swine manure are complex odor, ammonia, sulfur-based odors, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In the case of complex odor, dilution multiples tended to decrease over time, except for type A feed. The concentration of ammonia in all types of feed decreased over time. Most sulfur-based odorous substances except hydrogen sulfide at the first measurement were not detected. Representatively, Decane, 2,6-Dimethylnonane, and 1-Methyl-3-propylcycolhexane were detected in VOCs generated from swine manure. The major odorous substansces in swine manure have changed from ammonia and sulfur compounds to VOCs. In order to reduce the odor caused by swine manure, it is ad-vantageous to use low-calorie feed consisting of pellet-type.

Farm Exposures and Allergic Disease Among Children Living in a Rural Setting

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between farm exposures and asthma and allergic disease in children while also highlighting the experiences of non-farm rural children.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional analysis of data collected from across the province of Saskatchewan, Canada in 2014. Surveys were completed by parents of 2275 rural dwelling children (farm and non-farm) aged 0 to 17 years within 46 rural schools. Questionnaires were distributed through schools for parents to complete.

RESULTS

Asthma prevalence was 7.6%, of which 29.5% of cases were allergic. After adjustment for potential confounders, home location (farm vs non-farm) and other farm exposures were not associated with asthma and asthma phenotypes. Those who completed farm safety education were more likely to have asthma (11.7% vs. 6.7%; p = .001) compared to children without asthma. In sub-analyses among 6-12-year-old children, boys were more likely to have asthma (non-allergic) and use short-acting beta-agonists compared to girls. Doing farm work in the summer was associated with an increased risk of asthma [adjusted OR (aOR) = 1.71 (1.02-2.88); p = .041]. Doing routine chores with large animals was associated with an increased risk of asthma [aOR = 1.83 (1.07-3.15); p = .027] and allergic asthma [aOR = 2.37 (95%CI = 1.04-5.40); p = .04].

CONCLUSION

The present study showed that the prevalence of asthma and asthma phenotypes were similar between farm and non-farm rural children. There did not appear to be differential involvement in farming activities between those with and without asthma although those with asthma had more training suggesting possible attempts to mitigate harm from farm exposures.

Dairy Farm Work and Protection from Gastrointestinal Illness

Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are a major public health burden in the United States. Due to close contact with animals, farmers may be a high risk subgroup for acute GI infections, though some studies suggest farm work is actually protective against GI illness. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between dairy farm work and GI symptoms over 3 years. A prospective, matched cohort study was used that included 70 adult dairy farm workers and 74 matched (age, gender, ZIP code) non-farm participants from central Wisconsin. The outcome was mean GI symptom scores for abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, dyspepsia, nausea, and reflux, per the 23-item Gastrointestinal Symptoms Severity Index (GISSI). After adjustment for potential confounding variables, linear regression results indicated dairy farm workers had significantly lower GISSI scores for abdominal pain (mean±SE = 4.3 ± 1.1 dairy vs. 7.6 ± 1.1 non-farm, p = .047), diarrhea (3.2 ± 1.0 dairy vs. 7.0 ± 1.0 non-farm, p = .010), constipation (2.0 ± 0.8 dairy vs. 6.6 ± 0.8 non-farm, p < .001), and dyspepsia (2.0 ± 0.6 dairy vs. 3.9 ± 0.5 non-farm, p = .026). Working on a dairy farm was associated with significantly less frequent and severe GI illness symptoms in adults. Future research should identify underlying causal pathways, including possible farm animal exposures, that influence beneficial gut microbiota that could inform therapeutic remedies to help prevent clinical GI disorders.

Cattle farm dust alters cytokine levels in human airway construct model

Epidemiological studies have revealed some alterations in systemic immunity that associate with farm exposure and the risk of respiratory diseases, but in vitro studies focusing on immunological responses in the airways are scarce. Our aim was to assess how cowshed dust affects the integrity and inflammation of human airway tissue in vitro. Cowshed dust samples were collected from four different dairy farms. Lung tissue constructs were exposed to dust samples in air-liquid interface. Transepithelial resistance of the tissue, secreted proteins, and a panel of pro-inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and chemokines were analysed. Cowshed dust stimulation was associated mainly with increased production of IL-13, IL-15, IP-10 and IFN-γ. Some differences between farms were seen. Only one farm dust sample induced a significant change in transepithelial resistance, whereas dust from two of the farms induced the secretion of proteins. The exposure to cowshed dust affected protein and cytokine secretion, but the response profiles were not uniform between farms. The effect on tight junction dynamics was less pronounced, suggesting the relevance of soluble factors in induced responses in the airways. Our results indicate that in addition to farm type, the contribution of cowshed characteristics to dust composition and its immunomodulatory properties should be taken into account.

Ability of youth operators to reach agricultural all-terrain vehicles controls

PROBLEM

Utility All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are one major cause of youth injuries and fatalities on farms. Utility ATVs have heavy weights and fast speeds that require complex maneuvering. Youth's physical capabilities may not be sufficient to perform those complex maneuvers correctly. Therefore, it is hypothesized that most youth engage in ATV-related incidents because they ride vehicles unfit for them. There is a need to assess ATV-youth fit based on youth anthropometry.

METHOD

This study focused on evaluating potential inconsistencies between the operational requirements of utility ATVs and the anthropometric measures of youth through virtual simulations. Virtual simulations were performed to assess 11 youth-ATV fit guidelines proposed by several ATV safety advocacy organizations (National 4-H council, CPSC, IPCH, and FReSH). In total, 17 utility ATVs along with male-and-female-youth of nine ages (8 to 16 years old) and three height percentiles (5th, 50th, and 95th) were evaluated.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated a physical mismatch between ATVs' operational requirements and youth's anthropometry. For example, male-youth aged 16 of the 95th height percentile failed to pass at least 1 out of the 11 fit guidelines for 35 % of all vehicles evaluated. The results were even more concerning for females. Female youth 10 years old and younger (from all height percentiles) failed to pass at least one fit guideline for all ATVs evaluated.

DISCUSSION

Youth are not recommended to ride utility ATVs.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This study provides quantitative and systematic evidence to modify current ATV safety guidelines. Furthermore, youth occupational health professionals could use the present findings to prevent ATV-related incidents in agricultural settings.

- Invited Review - Reproductive technologies needed for the generation of precise gene-edited pigs in the pathways from laboratory to farm

Gene editing (GE) offers a new breeding technique (NBT) of sustainable value to animal agriculture. There are 3 GE working sites covering 5 feasible pathways to generate GE pigs along with the crucial intervals of GE/genotyping, microinjection/electroporation, induced pluripotent stem cells, somatic cell nuclear transfer, cryopreservation, and nonsurgical embryo transfer. The extension of NBT in the new era of pig breeding depends on the synergistic effect of GE and reproductive biotechnologies; the outcome relies not only on scientific due diligence and operational excellence but also on the feasibility of application on farms to improve sustainability.

COVID-19 vaccine coverage disparities in rural and farm children

BACKGROUND

The risks of severe outcomes associated with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) are elevated in unvaccinated individuals. It remains crucial to understand patterns of COVID-19 vaccination, particularly in younger and remote populations where coverage often lags. This study examined disparities in COVID-19 vaccine coverage in farm children and adolescents.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted in patients of the Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) in Wisconsin. The sample included children/adolescents age 5-17 years who were eligible for COVID-19 vaccine initiation for ≥ 90 days (as of September 30, 2022), stratified by those who lived vs did not live on a farm. Outcomes included COVID-19 vaccine initiation, series completion, and booster receipt. Multivariable regression was used to examine associations between COVID-19 vaccination and farm, as well as rural and non-rural, residence.

RESULTS

There were 47,104 individuals (5% farm residents) in the sample. Overall, 33% of participants initiated and 31% completed the COVID-19 vaccine series. After adjustment, farm residence was associated with significantly lower odds of COVID-19 vaccine initiation (aOR [95% CI] = 0.68 [0.61, 0.75], p < 0.001), series completion (aOR = 0.67 [0.60, 0.75], p < 0.001), and booster receipt (aOR = 0.73 [0.61, 0.88], p = 0.001). Secondary analyses found COVID-19 vaccine coverage was lowest in young children who lived on dairy farms.

CONCLUSIONS

COVID-19 vaccine coverage is low in north-central Wisconsin children and adolescents. Those who live on farms have significantly lower likelihood of COVID-19 vaccine initiation, series completion, and booster receipt compared to non-farm counterparts. Farm families are an underserved group and require more effective public health interventions designed to prevent COVID-19.

Genetic diversity and known virulence genes in Listeria innocua strains isolated from cattle abortions and farm environment

Listeria innocua is considered as non-pathogenic bacteria living in an environment although several cases of immunocompromised humans and ruminant listeriosis infections have been reported. Previously, L. innocua was identified as a potential pathogen and virulence in association with L. monocytogenes PrfA dependent virulence (LIPI-1) gene cluster was demonstrated in hemolytic L. innocua. L. innocua usually considered non-pathogenic versus pathogenic L. monocytogenes and L. ivanovii because of the main virulence gene loss. There are limited studies and reports available about L. innocua-caused illness in cattle. A total of 18 STs were identified in cattle abortions while 17 STs in the farm environment with majority of STs were present in both abortions and environmental samples. Genome sequencing showed that in one farm identical L. innocua clones were represented in water, feed, soil, and faeces sample groups, suggesting that animals most likely through the faecal shedding may remain as the main source of L. innocua in a farm environment. Out of all L. innocua isolates PrfA-dependent virulence genes were not found in aborted foetuses isolates and environmental L. innocua isolate groups; however, in 20% of isolates a complete LIPI-3 pathogenicity island encoding listeriolysin S was identified. In this study, we demonstrated that genetically diverse L. innocua clones were widely distributed in cattle farm environment and certain isolates had a significant pathogenicity potential for cattle, thus causing adverse health effects, including abortions.

On the inclusion of forest exposure pathways into a stylized lake-farm scenario in a geological repository safety analysis

Geological disposal of radioactive waste has been recognized as the 'reference solution' to ensure the safety required for the present and future society and environment. To study the possible exposure pathways from groundwater to humans, radioactive transport modelling is used. One of the ecosystems that may play a significant role when assessing the dose conversion factor (i.e. the dose resulting from a nominal release of 1 Bq/year of each radionuclide) for humans is forest. In this paper we have developed a model of a lake-farm system with a forest component. The biosphere system used in this study represents a typical agricultural scenario in Finland, amended with a typical forest. A lake is assumed to form due to post-glacial land uplift. The main features of this future lake have been obtained from our probabilistic shoreline displacement model. Both deterministic calculations and sensitivity analysis were carried out to simulate the model. The deterministic simulation demonstrates the behaviour of the studied radionuclides (36Cl, 135Cs, 129I, 237Np, 90Sr, 99Tc and 238U) and the proportions of different exposure pathways to humans. Particularly for 135Cs and 129I, forest pathways make a notable contribution to the dose conversion factor. The sensitivity analysis was done using two methods: EFAST and Sobol'. With both methods, the parameters related to the farm contribute the most to the variance of the dose conversion factor for humans. The study demonstrates that the exposure pathways related to forest products may make a considerable contribution to the dose conversion factor in a lake-farm-forest system. It is also confirmed that an advanced sensitivity analysis for a radionuclide transport and dose assessment model on such a landscape scale is feasible even with moderate computational efforts.

Smaller farm size and ruminant animals are associated with increased supply of non-provisioning ecosystem services

To balance trade-offs between livestock's negative environmental impacts and their positive contributions (e.g. maintaining semi-natural grasslands, varied agricultural landscapes and crop rotations), a better understanding is needed of how the supply of ecosystem services differs across farms. We analysed a suite of indicators for non-provisioning ecosystem services on a large subset of Swedish farms (71% of farms, covering 82% of agricultural land) and related these to farm type, farm size and livestock density. The analysed indicators exhibited clear geographical patterns with hotspots especially in less productive regions. Controlling for this spatial variation we still found that small-scale and ruminant farms were associated with more varied landscapes, small-scale habitats, semi-natural grasslands and better crop sequences compared to nearby farms specialised in crop production, while farms specialising in monogastric livestock were associated with less varied landscapes and inferior crop sequences. Results for cultural ecosystem services indicated that farms with more semi-natural grassland were associated with more visitors and more likely located within designated recreation or nature conservation areas.

Improving young pig welfare on-farm: The Five Domains Model

Considering welfare through the "neonatal and nursery pig perspective" is an exciting approach, and one that resonates with consumers. Overlaying this with the Five Domains Model, as we suggest in this review, points to practical on-farm improvements that provide each pig the opportunity to experience positive mental states. The Five Domains Model is broken into physical and functional states, that includes Domain 1 Nutrition, Domain 2 Physical Environment, Domain 3 Health and, Domain 4 Behavioral Interaction, and Domain 5 Mental State. The Five Domains Model can build on the breadth and depth of swine welfare science to highlight opportunities to improve welfare on-farm. In Domain 1 management of increasingly large litters is considered, with examples of sow vs. artificial rearing, colostrum quality and quantity, and creep feed management strategies. Efforts can result in positive mental states such as feeling full and content and the ability to experience pleasure of drinking and food tastes/smells. Domain 2 considers space complexity and access to key resources, along with thermal and physical amenities, to promote feelings of physical comfort. Domain 3 considers pig health in three broad, yet inter-linking categories, (a) congenital and hereditary health, (b) environmental pathogen load and, (c) colostrum quality and quantity, and its effect on the microbiome. Improvements can result in a pig that displays vitality and feels healthy. Domain 4 provides the pig opportunities to express its rich behavioral repertoire, specifically positive social interactions, play, and exploration. These efforts can result in pigs feeling calm, safe, comfortable, having companionship, engaged, interested and rewarded. In conclusion, using the Five Domains Model can highlight numerous opportunities to improve current and future housing and management through the "neonatal and nursery pig perspective" with a focus on inducing positive mental states that can result in improved quality of life and welfare state.

Work-related injuries among farm workers engaged in agricultural operations in India: a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

We aim to investigate nature, risk factors as well as magnitude of farm injuries and fatalities among agricultural workers in rural India.

METHODS

An Agricultural Injury Study (AIS) was conducted using selected 1703 villages in eight states of rural India based on statistical consideration using unstructured proforma for 3086 victims/respodents, who were mostly agricultural workers or farmers. Injury incidence rate (IIR) was estimated per 1000 machines/tools per year for farm machinery and hand tools injuries, and per 100 000 workers per year for other sources. Questions about the injuries involved in farming tasks were used.

RESULTS

About 36.2% fatalities were caused by farm machinery that involves tractors. The IIR per year of farm machinery, hand tools and injuries due to other sources were 3.2 per 1000 machines, 0.7 per 1000 tools and 77 per 100 000 workers, respectively. Correlation between number of injury-prone agricultural machines and number of farm machinery injury is r=0.80 (number of injuries increases with increase in number of machines). The χ²=72.53; p<0.01 of number of hand tools and number of farm hand tools-related injuries, that is, they are statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Exposures to agricultural machineries during farming operations can result in injuries confounding that may be fatal or non-fatal. Mapping down the cause and taking preventive measure to reduce the losses are of major concern. Also, customised safety programme as well as legislative awareness is needed to be raised for the higher injury incidence group.

Carbon stock estimation of mixed-age date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) farms in northeastern Ethiopia

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is a fruit tree that grows from 392 to 1500 m above sea level. In addition to their socioeconomic, traditional, and religious value, it is a tree that tolerates high temperatures, drought, and salinity better than many other fruit crop plant species and plays an important role in the balancing and sequestration of atmospheric carbon. Date palm has been cultivated by agro pastoralists in Northeastern Ethiopia since ancient times, but no research has been done on the carbon stock of date palm farms (DPF) in the region. Therefore, the focus of the current study was to examine the carbon storage capacity in the biomass and soil of a DPF in the Aysaita and Afambo Districts of Northeastern Ethiopia. The ages of recorded date palm on the plot were classified into three age classes using information collected from the farm owners: 1st age class (for plantations less than 10 years), 2nd age class (for plantations between 10 and 20 years), and 3rd age class (for plantations older than 20 years). In the DPF, 45 main plots (20 m × 20 m) were established for tree species inventory. In the main plots, three 1 m × 1 m subplots were set up to collect soil samples. A total of 360 soil samples were collected; 180 for soil organic carbon fraction analysis and 180 for bulk density determination. The total carbon stock was calculated by adding the carbon stocks in biomass and soil (0–60 cm depth). Date palm trees accounted for 98.79% of total biomass carbon stocks in the date palm farm. The average aboveground biomass carbon stock of date palm trees older than 20 years was 1.55 and 1.36 times higher than the first and second age classes, respectively. Date palm trees between the ages of 5 and 20 years contributed 69.45% of total biomass carbon stocks (Mg C ha⁻¹). Soil organic carbon made for 32.9% of total carbon stocks. Our research found that the date palm farm of this study would contribute to emission reduction and carbon sink enhancement, as well as improving local livelihoods in the study area.

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The highest numbers of date palm trees were found in the 10–20 age class among the available date palms.

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Date palm trees older than 20 years had a mean aboveground biomass carbon stock of 159.50 kg/plant.

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The SOC was accounted for 32.9% of total carbon stocks.

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The total carbon stock of the DPF was 82.3 Mg C ha⁻¹.

Clinical and pathological examination of mycotoxicosis as an associated risk factor for colic in equine

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on two Egyptian horse farms with most of horses were suffered from abdominal pain to describe the associations between the occurrence of mycotoxicosis and equine colic. The farms owner complain was an unexpected increase in number of colic cases and deaths among horses. The association between colic and risk factors (sex, type of food either dry or mixed with roughages and hematobiochemical parameters) was compared using independent sample T-test. The associations between possible prognostic indicators for colic caused by mycotoxicosis was estimated using logistic regression analysis model. The cumulative incidence, incidence rates for colic attacks, survival rate among diseased horses were additionally estimated. Our results showed that a total of 24 out of the 132 horses suffered from colic due to feeding of ration contaminated with high percent of mycotoxin including Aflatoxins, Ochratoxins and or fusarium mycotoxins. The total cumulative incidence of colic due to mycotoxicosis was 19.7%. The horses fed on dry rations had more chance of developing colic than horses fed on mixed rations (P < 0.05). The overall incidence rate of colic due to mycotoxicosis was estimated at 18 colic attack/1000 horse/month. The mortality rate of horses suffered from colic due to mycotoxicosis was estimated at 5.9% (5/85), while the case fatality rate was estimated at 25% (n = 5/20). Inconclusion, our results showed that mycotoxicosis are considered an important risks factor for colic cases development in equine practice.

The farming management of Dayak People's community based on local wisdom ecosystem in Kalimantan Indonesia

This research aims to explain the urgency of the customary values and traditions in the farming management system of the Dayak People's in Kalimantan. The approach used was Kroeber and Kluckhohn (1952) in relation with the cultural cycle. This approach is important to explain the cycle of farming management systems and their concept about nature and environment in Dayak community. In the farming context, various existing values in Dayak community has been found such as values containing togetherness, compassionate, mutual cooperation, art, ritual and spiritual aspects. This research used a qualitative method through observation and direct interviews for its data collection techniques. The findings show that there were ten stages of whole series of farming management systems of Dayak community in Kalimantan, namely inspecting the land, determining the land area, cleaning or purifying farming tools, slashing, cutting the trees, burning the land, planting, weeding, harvesting, and performing thanks giving ceremony (begawai).

Comparison of neonicotinoid residues in soils of different land use types

Neonicotinoid insecticides (NEOs) have attracted particular attention in recent years due to their wide occurrence and potential impacts on the ecosystem and human health. This study aimed to compare the composition and level of NEOs in soils of different land use types. Two rounds of sampling were performed in Tianjin, China, with 158 soil samples in fall and 61 soil samples in spring collected from five types of land, i.e., greenhouse, orchard, farm, park and residential area. The concentrations of eight NEOs, i.e., imidacloprid (IMI), acetamiprid (ACE), thiamethoxam (THX), clothianidin (CLO), thiacloprid (THA), dinotefuran (DIN), nitenpyram (NIT) and flonicamid (FLO), were analyzed in the soil samples using LC-MS/MS. Six NEOs were detected, with IMI, ACE and THX being the most frequently detected ones. Concentrations of NEOs (arithmetic means in fall and spring, respectively) in greenhouse were the highest (2.52×10² and 4.59×10² ng g^-1), followed by in orchard (35.1 and 1.31×10² ng g^-1), park (50.4 and 1.02×10² ng g^-1), residential area (20.2 and 1.38×10² ng g^-1) and farm (25.5 and 84.2 ng g^-1). The contribution of individual NEO varied in soils of different land use types. Both IMI and THX were largely used in greenhouse, while IMI was the main NEO in the other four lands. The NEO levels in soils planted with different crops varied greatly. Extremely high levels of NEOs (>10³ ng g^-1) were observed in soils planted with watermelon, tomato and peach in greenhouse. The ubiquitous presence of NEOs in soils deserves more attention, particularly in greenhouse.

Assessment of ecosystem services provided by livestock agroecosystems in the tropics: a case study of tropical island environment of Guadeloupe

The present study aims to assess (1) the ecosystem services (ES) provided by LFS and (2) the differential ES between local (Creole) and exotic breeds from pig, cattle and goat. The ES are defined as the benefits that humans derive from LFS. They were summarized in 12 ES indicators that cover services related to provisioning, ecological and socio-cultural aspects and territorial vitality. A total of 106 LFS units that covers the five agroecological zones of Guadeloupe were analysed. Functional typologies of LFS per species were created from surveys. The effect of breed on the ES indicators was tested. Results showed that the 40 pig LFS units were separated into 3 clusters that were differentiated in ES according to provisioning ES (cluster 1), cultural use and sale to the neighborhood (cluster 2) and pork self-consumption (cluster 3). The typology of the 57 farms with cattle distinguished 4 clusters with differences in ES provided in self-consumption (cluster1), ecological ES (cluster 2), socio-cultural ES for racing or draught oxen (cluster 3) and ES associated with territory vitality (cluster 4). The 66 goat LFS units were classified into 3 clusters different in ES concerning self-consumption (cluster 1), cultural aspects (cluster 2) and provisioning ES (cluster 3). Our study highlights that ES indicators are not breed dependent (P > 0.10) but rather livestock farming system dependent. The ES rely more on the rearing management than on the breed type, and up to now, there are no specifications in Guadeloupe to differentiate management between breeds.

Toxicological and microbiological characterization of cow stable dust

Exposure to farm environment has been shown to both protect from allergic diseases and increase the risk of respiratory syndromes. Mechanisms have been previously investigated by using farm dust extracts or specific components of dust. The use of authentic farm dust would better reflect the natural exposure. The aim of our study was to highlight the importance of proper assessment of the cow stable dust characteristics before conducting further investigations. For this purpose, we characterized microbiome and size distribution of unprocessed cow stable dust and its toxicological properties, as they have been often overlooked in search of protective factors. Stable dust samples from four Finnish dairy farms were collected by utilizing two different collection methods. Toxicological potential was analysed by stimulating co-cultures of lung epithelial and macrophage-like cells with dust. Size and mass distributions of airborne particles in the stables and bacterial and fungal microbiota of the dust were analysed. Stimulation with dust did not affect viability, but heightened oxidative stress responses and cytokine secretion, and slightly reduced the metabolic activity. There were a few differences in responses between farms, however, the differences were mainly in the intensity and not in the direction of the response. Cellular responses induced by dusts collected by different sampling methods did not differ substantially. Unprocessed stable dust samples showed relatively low direct toxicity but were able to trigger immune responses in studied cell model. This suggest that these dust collection methods could be utilized when investigating e.g. asthma-protective mechanisms.

The prevalence of Clostridioides difficile on farms, in abattoirs and in retail foods in Ireland

An increasing proportion of Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI) are community acquired. This study tested farm, abattoir and retail food samples for C. difficile, using peer reviewed culture and molecular methods. The contamination rate on beef, sheep and broiler farms ranged from 2/30 (7%) to 25/30 (83%) in faeces, soil and water samples, while concentrations ranged from 2.9 log₁₀ cfu/ml to 8.4 log₁₀ cfu/g. The prevalence and associated counts were much lower in abattoir samples. Although 26/60 were C. difficile positive by enrichment and PCR, only 6 samples yielded counts by direct plating (1.1 log₁₀ cfu/cm² to 5.1 log₁₀ cfu/g). At retail, 9/240 samples were C. difficile positive, including corned beef (1), spinach leaves (2), iceberg lettuce, little gem lettuce, wild rocket, coleslaw, whole milk yogurt and cottage cheese (1 sample each), with counts of up to 6.8 log₁₀ cfu/g. The tcdA, tcdB, cdtA, cdtB, tcdC and tcdR genes were detected in 41%, 99.2%, 33.6%, 32%, 46.7% and 31.1%, respectively, of the 122 C. difficile isolates obtained. It was concluded that although the prevalence of C. difficile decreased along the food chain, retail foods were still heavily contaminated. This pathogen may therefore be foodborne, perhaps necessitating dietary advice for potentially vulnerable patients.

Farms, 2001-2014

HIGHLIGHTS The total number of injuries to all youth on farms consistently declined during the 14-year period from 2001 to 2014. Injuries to household farm youth, after initial declines, increased in 2012 and 2014. Although progress in farm youth safety has been made, farms continue to be hazardous places for youth. ABSTRACT. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted injury surveillance for youth on U.S. farms for two decades to measure childhood injury burden, track injury trends, and monitor hazardous injury exposures. The Childhood Agricultural Injury Survey (CAIS), a regionally stratified telephone survey, collected injury and demographic data for all youth less than 20 years of age on U.S. farms. Results from the 2014 survey are provided. Trend analyses for all survey years were conducted using a Poisson regression model with generalized estimating equations. Rate ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated from the model. In 2014, there were an estimated 11,942 youth farm injuries. Of these, 63% occurred to household youth. Youth between the ages of 10 and 15 incurred the most injuries, and 34% of the injuries were work-related. The total number of injuries to all youth on farms consistently declined during the 14-year period from 2001 to 2014, with annual injury rates ranging from 13.5 to 5.7 per 1,000 farms. The injury rates for household youth decreased through 2009 but increased slightly in 2012 and 2014. Farms continue to be hazardous environments for youth. Although there has been a significant decrease in the overall numbers and rates of youth farm injuries over the past decades, researchers should continue to monitor areas that remain a concern. One area that is specifically troublesome is the increase in injury rates observed for household youth in 2014.

Farm dust resistomes and bacterial microbiomes in European poultry and pig farms

BACKGROUND

Livestock farms are a reservoir of antimicrobial resistant bacteria from feces. Airborne dust-bound bacteria can spread across the barn and to the outdoor environment. Therefore, exposure to farm dust may be of concern for animals, farmers and neighboring residents. Although dust is a potential route of transmission, little is known about the resistome and bacterial microbiome of farm dust.

OBJECTIVES

We describe the resistome and bacterial microbiome of pig and poultry farm dust and their relation with animal feces resistomes and bacterial microbiomes, and on-farm antimicrobial usage (AMU). In addition, the relation between dust and farmers' stool resistomes was explored.

METHODS

In the EFFORT-study, resistomes and bacterial microbiomes of indoor farm dust collected on Electrostatic Dust fall Collectors (EDCs), and animal feces of 35 conventional broiler and 44 farrow-to-finish pig farms from nine European countries were determined by shotgun metagenomic analysis. The analysis also included 79 stool samples from farmers working or living at 12 broiler and 19 pig farms and 46 human controls. Relative abundance of and variation in resistome and bacterial composition of farm dust was described and compared to animal feces and farmers' stool.

RESULTS

The farm dust resistome contained a large variety of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs); more than the animal fecal resistome. For both poultry and pigs, composition of dust resistomes finds (partly) its origin in animal feces as dust resistomes correlated significantly with fecal resistomes. The dust bacterial microbiome also correlated significantly with the dust resistome composition. A positive association between AMU in animals on the farm and the total abundance of the dust resistome was found. Occupational exposure to pig farm dust or animal feces may contribute to farmers' resistomes, however no major shifts in farmers resistome towards feces or dust resistomes were found in this study.

CONCLUSION

Poultry and pig farm dust resistomes are rich and abundant and associated with the fecal resistome of the animals and the dust bacterial microbiome.

Maxillofacial Injuries as an Occupational Hazard of Farming in Rural and Semi-urban Population: A 3-Year Retrospective Epidemiological Study

Purpose

The aim of the retrospective study is to conduct an epidemiological evaluation of farm-based/farm-related maxillofacial injuries to assess the pattern and severity of maxillofacial injuries sustained and to formulate prevention strategies.

Materials & Method

In this analytical retrospective study, records/case sheets of patients presenting with trauma sustained in farm-based settings in a government hospital catering to rural and semi-urban population from January 2014 to Dec 2017 were analyzed to assess the incidence, pattern, etiology and trauma configurations of maxillofacial injuries sustained.

Results

Out of a total of 11,736 trauma cases, 2484 patients suffered injuries in farm-based settings. Out of these, 334 patients had maxillofacial injuries. Mandibular condylar fracture along with parasymphysis fracture was the most common fracture configuration. Injuries while working with non-motorized machinery followed by working around farm livestock were the most common etiological factors in farm-related trauma.

Conclusion

Maxillofacial injuries account for a significant percentage of injuries suffered in a farm-related environment. Through this study, we have identified the patterns of maxillofacial injuries occurring in such an environment, and the data thus obtained can be used to develop various ergonomic and safety interventions in terms of machinery design and handling along with implementation of training programs and enforcing strict safety guidelines to minimize maxillofacial trauma in farm-based settings.

Dynamics of livestock-associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in pig movement networks: Insight from mathematical modeling and French data

Livestock-associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) colonizes livestock animals worldwide, especially pigs and calves. Although frequently carried asymptomatically, LA-MRSA can cause severe infections in humans. It is therefore important to better understand LA-MRSA spreading dynamics within pig farms and over pig movement networks, and to compare different strategies of control and surveillance. For this purpose, we propose a stochastic meta-population model of LA-MRSA spread along the French pig movement network (n = 10,542 farms), combining within- and between-farm dynamics, based on detailed data on breeding practices and pig movements between holdings. We calibrate the model using French epidemiological data. We then identify farm-level factors associated with the spreading potential of LA-MRSA in the network. We also show that, assuming control measures applied in a limited (n = 100) number of farms, targeting farms depending on their centrality in the network is the only way to significantly reduce LA-MRSA global prevalence. Finally, we investigate the scenario of emergence of a new LA-MRSA strain, and find that the farms with the highest indegree would be the best sentinels for a targeted surveillance of such a strain's introduction.

The Need for a Convergence of Agricultural/Laboratory and Zoo-based Approaches to Animal Welfare

Advances in animal welfare science have led to a high number of studies published for farm, laboratory and zoo animals, with a huge breadth of innovative topic areas and methodologies. This paper investigates the different approaches used to undertake welfare research in farm, laboratory and zoo animals due to the variety of constraints that each group brings. We also set recommendations to how groups can support each other in moving forwards to reduce animal suffering and promote a life worth living, a goal that all parties aim to achieve. We propose that researchers develop more collaborations across species, in particular to focus on the applied component of animal welfare and utilizing positive welfare indicators; facilitate knowledge transfer and share good practice worldwide; and accept small n based studies that can still be scientifically robust and provide individual-based steps into advances in our knowledge. Ultimately, we need to be progressing animal welfare science to a point beyond legislative needs, and ensure that "high animal welfare" becomes an additional mission statement for all animal-based industries.

Respiratory health, allergies, and the farm environment: design, methods and enrollment in the observational Wisconsin Infant Study Cohort (WISC): a research proposal

Epidemiologic and cross-sectional studies suggest that early life farming and animal exposures are associated with major health benefits, influencing immune development and modifying the subsequent risk of allergic diseases, including asthma. The Wisconsin Infant Study Cohort (WISC) study was established in central Wisconsin to test the hypothesis that early life animal farm exposures are associated with distinct innate immune cell maturation trajectories, decreased allergen sensitization and reduced respiratory viral illness burden during the first 2 years of life. Beginning in 2013, a total of 240 families have been enrolled, 16,522 biospecimens have been collected, and 4098 questionnaires have been administered and entered into a secure database. Study endpoints include nasal respiratory virus identification and respiratory illness burden score, allergic sensitization, expression of allergic disease, and anti-viral immune response maturation and profiles. The WISC study prospective design, broad biospecimen collections, and unique US rural community will provide insights into the role of environmental exposures on early life immune maturation profiles associated with protection from allergic sensitization and significant respiratory viral disease burden. The WISC study findings will ultimately inform development of new strategies to promote resistance to severe respiratory viral illnesses and design primary prevention approaches for allergic diseases for all infants.

Exposure to agricultural hazards among children who visit farms

BACKGROUND

Children are commonly injured on farms, yet no studies provide evidence about exposures that leave rural children visiting farms at risk.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to study (a) how frequently rural nonfarm children are exposed to farms, farm work and associated activities; and (b) the safety conditions and practices on farms being visited.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was administered in Saskatchewan, Canada to rural parents during 2014. Participation included reports on 458 farms visited by rural children, and then 549 children from 312 families who had been exposed to a farm in the past year. Child-level indicators included age, sex, farm safety education and training, engagement in farm work and play activities and exposure to specific farm safety hazards. Farm-level indicators included self-perceived safety conditions, and child supervision practices.

RESULTS

One-third of the children sampled (n=549) had been exposed to a farm in the past year. Safety conditions, practices and supervision varied by demographic subgroup. Farm safety education and agriculture training were most common in the oldest age group (13 to 17 years; 24.7% and 9.2%, respectively) of which 40.8% had worked on a farm previously, averaging 10 hours/week (interquartile range 3 to 20) during summer months. Mechanized and nonmechanized work was observed for children of both sexes and rose with age. Physical hazards were reported both proximally (≤100 yards) and distally (>300 yards) to farm homes.

CONCLUSIONS

Children who visit farms are potentially exposed to risk, and these risks increase with age as children take on formal work roles, leaving them vulnerable to farm injury.

Prevalence of human pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica in Swedish pig farms

BACKGROUND

Pigs are the most important reservoir for human pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica. We investigated the herd prevalence of human pathogenic Y. enterocolitica in Swedish pig farms by analysing pen faecal samples using a cold enrichment of 1 week and thereafter subsequent plating onto chromogenic selective media (CAY agar).

RESULTS

Pathogenic Y. enterocolitica was found in 32 (30.5%) of the 105 sampled farms with finisher pigs. Bioserotype 4/O:3 was identified at all but one farm, where 2/O:9 was identified. Pen-prevalence within the positive herds varied from 1/4 to 4/4 pens. The calculated intra-class correlation coefficient ICC (0.89) from a model with a random effect for grouping within herd indicated a very high degree of clustering by herd. None of the explored risk factors, including herd size, herd type, pig flow, feed type, access to outdoors, evidence of birds and rodents in the herd, usage of straw, number of pigs in sampled pen and age of pigs in pen were significantly associated with Y. enterocolitica status of the pen. The use of high pressure washing with cold water was significantly associated with Y. enterocolitica in the pen (OR = 84.77, 4.05-1772). Two culture methods were assessed for detection of Y. enterocolitica, one of which included the use of a chromogenic agar (CAY agar) intended for detection of human pathogenic Y. enterocolitica. The chromogenic media was found equal or superior to traditional methods and was used in this study. The isolates obtained were characterised by biotyping, serotyping, mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) and PCR. Characterisation by MALDI-TOF gave identical results to that of conventional bioserotyping. All porcine isolates were positive for the ail and inv genes by PCR, indicating that the isolates were most likely pathogenic to humans.

CONCLUSIONS

Human pathogenic Y. enterocolitica was found in nearly one-third of the Swedish pig farms with finisher pigs. The use of high pressure washing with cold water was associated with the presence of Y. enterocolitica in the pen. A modified culturing method using a chromogenic agar was efficient for detection of pathogenic Y. enterocolitica in pig faeces. The use of masspectrometry for identification and subtyping was in agreement with conventional biotyping and serotyping methods.

A Comparative Study on Physicochemical Characteristics of Raw Goat Milk Collected from Different Farms in Malaysia

This study was conducted to determine the physical and chemical composition of goat milk produced by eight local farms located in the central region of Malaysia. Farms 1 to 4 (F1-SC, F2-SP, F3-SP, F4-SBC) reared Saanen-type goats while farms 5 to 8 (F5-JK, F6-JPEC, F7-JTC, F8-JC), Jamnapari-type goats. The common feedstuffs used in all farms comprised of fresh or silage from Napier grass, feed pellets, and brans while two farms, F5-JK and F6-JPEC supplemented the feeds with soybean-based product. The total solid content, dry matter, and proximate composition of goat milk and feedstuffs from the different farms were determined and the results analysed using principal component analysis. Total solid content of goat milk from the Jamnapari crossbreed had the highest solid content ranging from 11.81% to 17.54% compared to milk from farms with Saanen and Saanen crossbreed (10.95% to 14.63%). Jamnapari-type goats from F5-JK, F6-JPEC, and F8-JC had significantly higher (p < 0.05) milk fat and protein contents (7.36%, 7.14%, and 6.59% fat; 5.08%, 6.19%, and 4.23% protein, respectively) than milk from other farms but, milk produced by Saanen-type goats from F4-SBC contained similar protein content (4.34%) to that from F8-JC. Total ash and carbohydrate contents in milk ranged between 0.67% to 0.86% and 3.26% to 4.71%, respectively, regardless of goat breed. Feeding soybean-based products appear to have a positive influence on milk fat and protein content in Jamnaparitype goats.

Targeting critical source areas for phosphorus losses: Evaluation with soil testing, farmers' assessment and modelling

Diffuse phosphorus (P) losses from arable land need to be reduced in a cost-efficient way, taking into account their temporal and spatial variability. This study, based on 16 farms across southern Sweden, examined possibilities for identifying critical source areas for P losses based on the combined results of high-resolution erosion modelling, independent risk assessments by farmers, soil survey and SWOT analysis performed by farmers. Statistically significant differences in dissolved P release were found between soil P test classes in the studied area, whereas soil textural classes and not P content governed potential mobilisation of soil particles and unreactive P. Spatial comparison of problem areas identified by farmers and modelled features showed that the modelled erosion pathways intersected 109 in a total of 128 (85%) observed problem areas. The study demonstrates the value in involving farmers in the identification of critical source areas in order to select and support implementation of effective countermeasures.

Comparison of cancer incidence in Australian farm residents 45 years and over, compared to rural non-farm and urban residents - a data linkage study

BACKGROUND

It is not known if the incidence of common cancers in Australian farm residents is different to rural non-farm or urban residents.

METHODS

Data from farm, rural non-farm and urban participants of the 45 and Up Study cohort in New South Wales, Australia, were linked with state cancer registry data for the years 2006-2009. Directly standardised rate ratios for cancer incidence were compared for all-cancer, prostate, breast, colorectal cancer, melanoma and non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). Proportional hazards regression was used to generate incidence hazard ratios for each cancer type adjusted for relevant confounders.

RESULTS

Farm women had a significantly lower all-cancer hazard ratio than rural non-farm women (1.14, 1.01-1.29). However, the lower all-cancer risk observed in farm men, was not significant when compared to rural non-farm and urban counterparts. The all-cancer adjusted hazard ratio for combined rural non-farm and urban groups compared to farm referents, was significant for men (1.08,1.01-1.17) and women (1.13, 1.04-1.23). Confidence intervals did not exclude unity for differences in risk for prostate, breast, colorectal or lung cancers, NHL or melanoma. Whilst non-significant, farm residents had considerably lower risk of lung cancer than other residents after controlling for smoking and other factors.

CONCLUSIONS

All-cancer risk was significantly lower in farm residents compared to combined rural non-farm and urban groups. Farm women had a significantly lower all-cancer adjusted hazard ratio than rural non-farm women. These differences appeared to be mainly due to lower lung cancer incidence in farm residents.

Morbidity and mortality from farm tractor-related injuries in Arkansas

This study applied a text string search algorithm to ascertain suspect farm tractor or agricultural machinery-related injuries in data sources available for 2000-2014 in the state of Arkansas. The occurrences of tractor or other agricultural machinery-related injuries were compared with data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI). For death certificates that assigned an external cause of death, the authors first collected all those that were coded as related to agricultural machinery, based on search strings for occupation and industry and a description of how the injury occurred. They then inspected each case individually and removed those that were likely unrelated to agricultural machinery. This approach significantly increased (by 7.8 times) the number of suspect agricultural machinery-related fatalities compared to the number reported to CFOI, but there was only a 17% (not statistically significant) increase compared to NCHS. All hospital records with any discharge diagnosis coded as related to agricultural machinery were selected. Descriptive analysis of the fatalities and hospital records showed a significantly increased risk among men above retirement age, peaks during the summer, and an increased risk in the Mississippi delta region. About one-third of the agricultural machinery-related fatalities were due to overturns. The use of the algorithm can improve ascertainment of fatal agricultural machinery-related injuries in Arkansas. The death records were found to be rich in data on the circumstances of the injuries, which can be used to screen for tractor-related fatalities and, if confirmed, translated into action to improve the safety of Arkansas farmers.

Childhood brain tumours, early infections and immune stimulation: A pooled analysis of the ESCALE and ESTELLE case-control studies (SFCE, France)

BACKGROUND

Few studies have investigated whether early infections and factors potentially related to early immune stimulation might be involved in the aetiology of childhood brain tumours (CBT). In this study, we investigated the associations between CBT with early day-care attendance, history of early common infections, atopic conditions (asthma/wheezing, eczema, allergic rhinitis), early farm residence/visits and contact with animals.

METHODS

We pooled data from two nationwide French case-control studies, the ESCALE and ESTELLE studies. Children with a CBT diagnosed between 1 and 14 years of age were identified directly from the French National Registry of Childhood Cancers, while population controls were recruited from telephone subscribers. Odds-ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders.

RESULTS

The analyses included 469 cases and 2719 controls. We found no association between attending a day-care centre (OR: 0.9, 95%CI: 0.7-1.2) or having had repeated common infections (OR: 0.9, 95%CI: 0.7-1.2) in the first year of life and the risk of CBT. There was also no association with a history of asthma/wheezing (OR: 0.8, 95%CI: 0.56-1.1). Farm visits (OR: 0.6, 95%CI: 0.5-0.8) as well as contact with pets (OR: 0.8, 95%CI: 0.6-1.0) in the first year of life were inversely associated with CBT.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest a protective effect of early farm visits and contact with pets, but not with other markers of early immune stimulation. This might be related to immune stimulation but needs further investigation.

Farm Safety Practices and Farm Size in New South Wales

OBJECTIVE

There is some evidence to suggest that safety on small-area farms may not be high priority due to economic constraints and lack of knowledge. This has important ramifications for injury and economic burden. The objective of this research was to conduct a pilot study to investigate whether small- to medium-area farms implement fewer safety practices than large-area farms.

METHODS

Farmers were recruited from farm safety training days, field days, and produce stores in rural New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Small- and medium-area farms less than 500 ha (1235 acres) in size were aggregated for analysis and compared with large-area farms (≥500 ha) for survey items, including safety equipment owned and used, safety practices protecting children, barriers to improving safety, and causes of injury.

RESULTS

Overall, small/medium-area farms were found to own less safety equipment and to employ less safety practices than large-area farms. In particular, fewer tractors were fitted with rollover protection structures, there was less signage, less hearing protection, and fewer machinery guides. Injury rates were slightly less for small/medium-area farms, particularly involving vehicles. Small- and medium-area farmers were more likely to report lack of skills as barriers to making safety improvements.

CONCLUSION

This pilot study found some evidence that small/medium-area farms implement fewer safety practices than large-area farms. A larger study is warranted to investigate this further, with particular focus on barriers and ways to overcome them. This could have important ramifications for government policies supporting struggling farmers on small/medium-area farms.

Effectiveness of immunotherapy in children depends on place of living - A pilot study

BACKGROUND

It is considered that farm areas protect young patients from allergy and asthma due to high exposure to endotoxins. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only treatment of allergy modifying the immune response with the potential to change the natural history of allergic diseases. It seems that studies evaluating the efficacy of immunotherapy in large cohorts of allergic patients living in farm areas are needed to understand the influence of environment on immune response during AIT.

AIM

To compare the clinical effectiveness of immunotherapy between children living in farm versus urban areas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of 87 children living in farm area (n=42) and city area (n=45), aged 8-16, who completed three years of subcutaneous immunotherapy due to allergic rhinitis/asthma. An AIT efficacy questionnaire has been designed to be filled in by the allergy specialist during a regular immunotherapy visit before and after AIT.

RESULTS

We observed significantly higher improvement in total score among children from farm area compared to children from city area (p<0.001). Between-group differences in symptoms and drug scores did not reached the level of significance. Multivariate logistic regression analysis (adjustment for the effect of gender and type of allergy) showed that living in farm areas was independently associated with significant improvement in total score after immunotherapy (OR: 10.9; 95%CI: 3.7-32.2).

CONCLUSION

The current analysis of the better AIT effectiveness in the farm population has shown the protective influence of environmental exposures on asthma and allergic rhinitis in our children.

Salmonella risk to consumers via pork is related to the Salmonella prevalence in pig feed

Pigs are an important source of human infections with Salmonella, one of the most common causes of sporadic gastrointestinal infections and foodborne outbreaks in the European region. Feed has been estimated to be a significant source of Salmonella in piggeries in countries of a low Salmonella prevalence. To estimate Salmonella risk to consumers via the pork production chain, including feed production, a quantitative risk assessment model was constructed. The Salmonella prevalence in feeds and in animals was estimated to be generally low in Finland, but the relative importance of feed as a source of Salmonella in pigs was estimated as potentially high. Discontinuation of the present strict Salmonella control could increase the risk of Salmonella in slaughter pigs and consequent infections in consumers. The increased use of low risk and controlled feed ingredients could result in a consistently lower residual contamination in pigs and help the tracing and control of the sources of infections.

Microbial Load of Fresh Produce and Paired Equipment Surfaces in Packing Facilities Near the U.S. and Mexico Border

Several produce-associated outbreaks have been linked to the packing facility. Equipment surfaces may be an important source of contamination. The goal was to assess whether the microbial load of packing facility surfaces is associated with the microbial load of produce. From November 2000 to December 2003, 487 matched produce (14 types) and equipment surfaces (six production steps) were sampled from eight packing facilities in the United States near the border with Mexico and enumerated for aerobic plate counts (APC), Escherichia coli , Enterococcus, and coliforms. Bivariate correlations were assessed by Spearman's ρ, and adjusted associations were assessed by multilevel mixed linear regression models. In general, the microbial load both increased and decreased on produce (0.2 to 1.0 log CFU/g) and equipment surfaces (0.5 to 3.0 log CFU/cm²) across production steps. Equipment surface and produce microbial loads were correlated, but correlations varied from none to high depending on the equipment surface. For example, significant correlations (P < 0.01) included APC (ρ = 0.386) and Enterococcus (ρ = 0.562) with the harvest bin, E. coli (ρ = 0.372) and Enterococcus (ρ = 0.355) with the merry-go-round, Enterococcus (ρ = 0.679) with rinse cycle equipment, APC (ρ = 0.542) with the conveyer belt, and for all indicators with the packing box (ρ = 0.310 to 0.657). After controlling for crop type, sample replicate group, and sample location, there were significant positive associations between the log concentration of Enterococcus on produce and the harvest bin (β = 0.259, P < 0.01) and the rinse cycle (β = 0.010, P = 0.01), and between the log concentration of all indicators on produce and the packing box (β = 0.155 to 0.500, all P < 0.01). These statistically significant associations between microbial loads on packing facility surfaces and fresh produce confirm the importance of packing facility sanitation to protect produce quality and safety.

Traumatic spinal injuries on farms: Patients treated in the national spinal unit of Ireland 2005-2015

INTRODUCTION

Farming is a major industry in Ireland, employing 6% of the workforce but accounts for 40% of workplace fatalities (Meredith, 2008).¹ The use of machinery and proximity to large livestock poses significant risk for spinal injuries. This study reviews mechanism of injury, injuries sustained, and the treatment undertaken.

RESULTS

Of 31 patients, 26 sustained high-energy injuries with machinery and livestock implicated in the majority of accidents. 77% sustained poly-trauma and 52% had permanent neurological injury.

CONCLUSIONS

The proximity to heavy machinery and livestock pose significant risk for spinal injuries. This study should encourage increased efforts to improve farm safety.

Effect of a novel teat preparation system on upper extremity muscle activity among U.S. large-herd dairy parlor workers

BACKGROUND

Dairy production in the U.S. is moving towards large-herd milking operations resulting in an increase in task specialization and work demands. Large-herd dairy parlor workers experience a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the upper extremity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of an alternative teat scrubber (TS) cow preparation method on upper extremity muscle activity among large-herd parlor workers, as well compare to muscle activity associated with conventional manual milking tasks.

METHODS

Upper extremity muscle activity was recorded among U.S. large-herd parlor workers (n = 15) using surface electromyography. Participants performed multiple task cycles, using both conventional and TS methods. Muscle activity levels were then compared across conventional manual and TS milking tasks.

RESULTS

Conventional manual milking tasks of dip, strip and wipe were associated higher muscle activity levels of the upper trapezius and anterior deltoid. Biceps muscle activity was greatest during teat dip and wipe. Forearm flexor and extensor muscle activity was greatest during teat wipe and dip. The TS system resulted in more desirable anterior deltoid EMG profiles, and less desirable biceps, forearm flexor and extensor profiles.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that the TS system is effective in reducing anterior deltoid muscle activation levels. The TS system also appears to result in increased biceps, forearm flexor and extensor muscle activation levels. Increases in muscle activation levels could be offset by reduced repetitiveness resulting from three conventional manual milking tasks being replaced with one TS task.

RELEVANCE TO INDUSTRY

If parlor production requirements (e.g., quality and onsistency) are maintained while simultaneously reducing cumulative muscle loading and worker fatigue, then TS use should be considered in milking parlor operations.

A description of data sets to determine the innovative diversification capacity of farm households

This data represents research activities carried out in Co. Offaly and Co. Mayo, Ireland, to identify farm household innovative diversification behavior and policy/institutional actor capacity roles in support. The data sets are overlain with household and agency data from the two study areas to describe levels of innovative diversification capacity by individual socio-economic farm household profile. The data sets summarize the public policy discussions on rural innovation and diversification and policy actor response requirements, and incorporate both qualitative and quantitative data set combinations. The data are used to assess policy/institutional actors’ roles and farm households’ capacity for innovation at the farm household/institution interface in support of sustainable rural business innovations on-farm and diversification.

The emergence of epitheliocystis in the upper Rhone region: evidence for Chlamydiae in wild and farmed salmonid populations

We present the first study comparing epitheliocystis in a wild and farmed salmonid in Europe. Sampling three tributaries to the Lake Geneva, including one from headwaters to river mouth, revealed an unequal distribution of epitheliocystis in brown trout (Salmo trutta). When evaluated histologically and comparing sites grouped as wild versus farm, the probability of finding infected trout is higher on farms. In contrast, the infection intensities, as estimated by the number of cysts per gill arch, were higher on average and showed maximum values in the wild trout. Sequence analysis showed the most common epitheliocystis agents were Candidatus Piscichlamydia salmonis, all clustering into a single clade, whereas Candidatus Clavichlamydia salmonicola sequences cluster in two closely related subspecies, of which one was mostly found in farmed fish and the other exclusively in wild brown trout, indicating that farms are unlikely to be the source of infections in wild trout. A detailed morphological analysis of cysts using transmission electron microscopy revealed unique features illustrating the wide divergence existing between Ca. P. salmonis and Ca. C. salmonicola within the phylum Chlamydiae.

Is agritourism eco-friendly? A comparison between agritourisms and other farms in Italy using farm accountancy data network dataset

This paper presents the results of research regarding the environmental performances of Italian farms with agritourism compared with farms without agritourism. In Italy, agritourism is considered an agricultural activity and can only be performed by a farmer. Moreover, Italian national legislation forces the farmer to dedicate himself mainly to traditional farming, rather than to tourism activities. For this reason, environmental performances have been highlighted by analyzing only features and production systems of the farms. By utilizing the most frequent indicators used in studies regarding sustainability, the authors show how Italian agritourisms tend to develop more environmentally friendly agricultural methods, which have a positive impact on biodiversity, landscape and natural resources. The empirical analysis is based on the Italian FADN (Farm Accountancy Data Network) dataset. The European FADN was created to represent farms’ technical and economic operation in the European Union and on which it drafts the agricultural and rural policies. The dichotomous structure of the dependent variable (presence or absence of agritourism at the farm) has a propensity for an assessment method based on Binary Response Model Regression.

Influence of season and site location on European cultured sea bass parasites in Corsican fish farms using indicator species analysis (IndVal)

The parasites of 536 European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, were studied between January 2012 and December 2013 in six Corsican fish farms. The indicator value (IndVal) method, which combines measures of fidelity and specificity, has been used in this study. Because of its resilience to changes in abundance, IndVal is a particularly effective tool for ecological bioindicator. The IndVal method showed how season can influence the occurrence of parasite species in cultured sea bass and also identified parasites as bioindicators relative to fish farm location. The combination of specificity and fidelity highlighted several parasite species as significant indicators. A randomization test identified five parasite species as having a significant indicator value for season (the monogenean Diplectanum aequans; the copepods Lernanthropus kroyeri and Caligus minimus; the isopod Ceratothoa oestroides, and the myxosporidian Ceratomyxa labracis). If gills parasites are compared, they can be seen to be indicator species for two different seasons. The only Monogenea species D. aequans had fidelity and specificity more pronounced in winter, whereas both copepod species and the Isopoda revealed highest rates of infestation corresponding with an increase of water temperature. Four species have a significant indicator value for site location (D. aequans, L. kroyeri, C. minimus, and C. oestroides). The fact that the farm 6 was isolated on the east coast of Corsica may not have allowed the parasite to infect other farms. The presence of copepods on a single farm can also be explained according to salinity variations. Data for species composition and infection levels should help to improve the monitoring and management of parasitism in cultured sea bass populations.

Animal welfare towards sustainability in pork meat production

Animal welfare is an important pillar of sustainability in meat production and is associated with other aspects of this concept, such as animal health, productivity, food safety, food quality and efficiency from a cost of production perspective. These interactions are present at all stages of the production cycle, from the beginning of the animals' farm life until their slaughter. On farm, some of the main welfare issues are related to neonatal mortality and low level of sensory input, which are likely to engender stereotypes and injurious behaviours, such as tail-biting. Pre-slaughter handling refers to the interaction between humans and animals prior to and during transport and at slaughter. Strategies to reduce pre-slaughter stress will benefit carcass and meat quality, being the training of stockpeople one of the most cost-effective policies to improve animal welfare. These strategies include also the implementation of standard monitoring procedures to detect signs of consciousness after stunning, before sticking and during bleeding until death occurs.

Factors Related to Self-perceived Health in Rural Men and Women

This study examined self-perceived health status among men and women who live on farms, as well as variations in factors related to negative health status observed by gender. Data were collected in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada, in 2013 through the use of a cross-sectional survey. A multistage sample was developed consisting of farms nested within rural municipalities and then agricultural soil zones. The response rate was 48.8% at the farm level, with a final sample of 2,353 (1,416 men, 937 women) from 1,119 farms. Variables under study included self-reports of health status, as well as demographic, behavioral, and farm operational factors that could influence perceived health status. The analysis was initially descriptive followed by multilevel logistic regression analyses. Self-reports of diagnosed comorbidities were strongly associated with negative health status among both men and women. Daytime sleepiness was more modestly associated with negative health status in both genders. Among men, additional risk factors tended to be functional, and included older age, part-time work status, and binge drinking. Among women, additional risk factors included cigarette smoking, overweight or obesity, and lower levels of education. The study demonstrated that there were both similarities and differences between men and women on farms in the factors related to negative self-perceived health status. These findings should inform the content and targeting of health promotion programs aimed at rural populations.