Harper Adams University

Livestock systems represent a considerable environmental challenge. In response, various scientists, non-governmental organisations, and policy makers claim that Western populations in particular need to sharply reduce meat consumption. Given people’s attachment to meat, many of these actors favour hard policy interventions based on a range of systemic financial and legal reforms that would go beyond mere nudging and the formulation of recommendations, including the top-down imposition of meat taxes and bans, as well as herd size reductions, which would lead to sharply higher prices. However, arguments in support of such policies tend to oversimplify the issue, ignoring regional variations, mitigation potential, and broader ecological and nutritional contexts. The focus of this article is on dietary greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as a main target for environmental policymaking, with all livestock production in the West contributing 2.6

The effect of graded levels of exogenous xylanase (XYL) at 0, 1500, 2000 or 2500 xylanase units (XU/kg) in laying hen diet containing 300 g/kg wheat distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was examined. A total of 72, twenty-two-week-old, Hy-Line Brown laying hens were allocated to 24 cages, three birds in a cage. Each diet was fed for nine days to six cages following randomisation. Supplementing diets with 2500 XU, the highest XYL level, increased (p<0.05) dietary apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and nitrogen corrected AME (AMEn) in a linear pattern (L<0.05), and nitrogen retention coefficient (p<0.05) following quadratic response (Q<0.05). For every 100 XU, dietary AME and AMEn increased by 0.013 MJ and 0.012 MJ, respectively. There were no differences observed in bird growth or egg production variables. Further research is warranted to study the impact of greater XYL activities in laying hen diets formulated to contain greater DDGS inclusion rates.

PurposeTo explore comprehension of the farm-to-fork journey, and any related agricultural understanding, developed by 43 children aged 8-11 in four London primary schools following a week-long residential farm visit with the charity Farms for City Children (FFCC).MethodsRich picture focus groups were completed with children following their FFCC visit to identify knowledge gained on farm and understand their overall experience. Interviews with attending teachers provided contextual evidence and support.FindingsChildren were worried about the visit beforehand, suggesting limited initial understanding and confidence. The farm visit increased their understanding of the farm-to-fork journey and sense of agricultural connection, leading to post-visit behavioural changes.Practical implicationsThere should be increased focus and collaborative work on assisting the transition between school and residential farm visits to sustain the on-farm learning.Theoretical implicationsThis project provided initial indications that FFCC deliver the impact anticipated in their Theory of Change model, namely 'Enhanced understanding of the farm-to-fork journey.' Further research on how FFCC maximise impact is advised. There are wider educational implications around the potential impact of residential farm visits.OriginalityThis research offers an original insight into the importance of residential farm visits in developing children's understanding of the farm-to-fork journey.

1. Vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) is a major pest of soft fruit and ornamental crops whose nocturnal habits make monitoring challenging and understanding their diel activity is critical for improving detection and informing the timing of control measures. 2. A smart monitoring tool equipped with imaging and environmental sensors was used to monitor adult vine weevil behaviour under semi-field conditions, capturing 794 detections across 720 ten-min intervals over 5 monitoring days. 3. Weevil detections were higher during photophase than scotophase (mean +/- SE: 9.48 +/- 0.76 vs. 1.10 +/- 0.50 weevils h(-1)), indicating refuge-seeking behaviour in response to increasing light intensity. 4. Generalised linear mixed models identified a strong effect of light condition on weevil activity, with detections 9.5 times more likely during daylight (rate ratio = 9.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.84-18.52) and presence odds 81 times greater (odds ratio = 81.0, CI: 10.2-645.2; p < 0.001) 5. These results provide direct behavioural evidence of diel activity rhythms in vine weevil, supporting its classification as a nocturnal forager that aggregates in refuges during the day. 6. Smart monitoring systems offer a scalable method for characterising pest behaviour in horticultural environments and can support more effective, behaviourally informed integrated pest management interventions.

Ground beetles (Carabidae) are important predators and ecosystem service providers in agricultural landscapes, yet understanding their movement ecology remains challenging due to methodological limitations in tracking individual insects. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology offers a promising approach for monitoring beetle movements, but successful implementation requires reliable tag attachment. We evaluated five adhesive types (water-based polyvinyl acetate, latex-based cosmetic adhesive, low-viscosity cyanoacrylate, gel-viscosity cyanoacrylate and two-part epoxy resin) for the strength of RFID tag adhesion on carabid beetles across three genera (Harpalus, Leistus and Poecilus). Using a Gamma generalised linear model (GLM) with a log link, we found significant differences among adhesive types. Araldite epoxy provided the strongest adhesion (mean separation mass = 110.2 +/- 58.2 g), significantly exceeding all other adhesives. Light abrasion of the elytra significantly improved adhesion in Leistus rufomarginatus, with sanded surfaces showing a 2.5-fold greater separation mass than smooth surfaces. We recommend using a two-part epoxy resin with light elytra abrasion to maximise the strength of RFID tag adhesion in studies on carabids.