And maybe should be researched more then, lots of "if's and maybe's" about the whole subject, ISTM....
How should agricultural research studies be chosen?
- Thread starter holwellcourtfarm
- Start date
And maybe should be researched more then, lots of "if's and maybe's" about the whole subject, ISTM....
Dart board and one dart
Pieces_of_Eight
Member
Very true. Finding an area of research that needs work, giving a unique thesis, whilst also attracting funding isn't easy.
- Location
- Glen Clova, Angus, DD8 4RD
There was a big discussion between the EA and the water companies earlier this year about that. The EA were talking about withdrawing the existing permits to spread iirc because of the plastic contamination.
Microplastics are a very big deal. Nobody knows quite what to do about it. Ban them and you kill the clothing industry dead, not to mention the impact on the water companies....
primmiemoo
Member
- Location
- Devon
Is there a reason why microplastics cannot be removed? Also, if sewage sludge cannot be guaranteed free of microplastics, if the process isn't already happening, why can't it be AD'd, with solids dried and incinerated in high efficiency incinerators for more power production?
Ash, if any, going into inert blocks ~ maybe for building?
Ash, if any, going into inert blocks ~ maybe for building?
- Location
- Cumbria
In the dairy sector, not an ear tag, but a neck transponder on a collar. By listening to the cudding action (using small microphones), this is interpreted as a frequency and used as a back-map.
As part of the research, various animals cudding action were monitored (along with other parameters) like calving cows. in heat animals and those starting with Ketosis etc and different, but consistent patterns emerged.
These were used in a database to monitor all animals, and if they started following the frequencies of any of the above a SMS was sent to the owners mobile. This was long in advance of the animal showing symptoms.
On screen and online, an overlay would show how things are progressing and allow the owner to take action or not.
There is allot going on in the sensor market.
Review: Sensor techniques in ruminants: more than fitness trackers
In this position paper, I shall summarise the current status of sensor technologies in ruminant livestock farming with emphasis on dairy cattle, outli…
www.sciencedirect.com
primmiemoo
Member
- Location
- Devon
In the dairy sector, not an ear tag, but a neck transponder on a collar. By listening to the cudding action (using small microphones), this is interpreted as a frequency and used as a back-map.
As part of the research, various animals cudding action were monitored (along with other parameters) like calving cows. in heat animals and those starting with Ketosis etc and different, but consistent patterns emerged.
These were used in a database to monitor all animals, and if they started following the frequencies of any of the above a SMS was sent to the owners mobile. This was long in advance of the animal showing symptoms.
On screen and online, an overlay would show how things are progressing and allow the owner to take action or not.
There is allot going on in the sensor market.
Review: Sensor techniques in ruminants: more than fitness trackers
In this position paper, I shall summarise the current status of sensor technologies in ruminant livestock farming with emphasis on dairy cattle, outli…
At the moment, I sort of know somebody who'd benefit from wearing a grumpymoo
(pat pending) indicator receiver. There's always one who keeps missing the signals, and then complaints about the other party getting teasey... 
Cost, COST, COST
Cheap is good for the Shareholders. I was charring with an aquaintance this week, and said incineration would be the answer to a lot of issues with sludge. My concern lies with heavy metals still...
Well, the "new" regulations look to be taking the water companies in a new direction?
primmiemoo
Member
- Location
- Devon
No idea... it's trace levels, but they wouldn't want them being released into the atmosphere when burnt.
- Location
- Glen Clova, Angus, DD8 4RD
They are only trace levels in the sludge, so hard to justify recovering economically, but over repeated applications they build up in soil to damaging levels.
- Location
- Glen Clova, Angus, DD8 4RD
We are talking about microscopic fibres, invisible to the human eye. They are released from plastic clothing (basically almost everything on the high street) every time it's washed and so end up in sewage works. There's no currently economic way to remove them from the sludge and water so they are getting into rivers then seas and onto land.
I've heard of studies detecting them in everything we eat now, they have become ubiquitous in our environment. They are now part of most human bodies as a result.
And yet campaigners still push to stop us using natural fibres in clothing (wool, cotton and leather)
Meanwhile good wool is being burnt or composted and good hides are being landfilled. It's criminal!
It's not "vegan leather", it's plastic........
Most researchers I come across now are studying things which -they imply- make me and my livestock look bad/inefficient/unwanted.
And once the keen faced youth spent a few months measuring whatever it is, their professor says well done...here's your phd, this IS now the proved science.
With a bit of digging, I've noticed that the label 'peer reviewed' generally means - in this area- that one anti-farmer prof has looked at another's student's work, and said 'mmm, right on brother'.
And once the keen faced youth spent a few months measuring whatever it is, their professor says well done...here's your phd, this IS now the proved science.
With a bit of digging, I've noticed that the label 'peer reviewed' generally means - in this area- that one anti-farmer prof has looked at another's student's work, and said 'mmm, right on brother'.
- Location
- Glen Clova, Angus, DD8 4RD
Peer reviewed has lost any useful meaning in my opinion. In many cases now it simply means that a carefully chosen selection of academics who share the views of the study team have read the report and signed it off.
The original purpose was for the reviewers to find fault in the report to strengthen the science.
I'm pretty sure I've witnessed exactly that....which has led to the allocation and spending of millions of ££ in public funding, based on hooey
(looking at the other interests of the academics is the give away....)
- Location
- Cumbria
You will find it very difficult to borrow money to buy into new and cutting edge technology without strong peer review, or a recognised reputable institute that has carried out the research.
The drug Industry has many ' get rich quick ' investors who have the scars to prove it.
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Research, education, and to some extent healthcare have as become an “industry” in it’s own right and needs to keep itself fed. That’s why we see fatuous projects. It’s just grist to mill. The media is the same. You never switch on the telly and hear them say “ nothing to report today”. They have to find something. They have to feed the machine.
- Location
- Lincolnshire
The ironic thing is there is plenty of stuff that needs doing on farms that doesn’t get done and holds back efficiency. Drainage, soil structure, liming. Doesn’t seem to get done. Basic stuff. But we faff about with high tech toys.
- Location
- Glen Clova, Angus, DD8 4RD
The trouble is that the scientific ideal had been corrupted by corporate giants in search of profit.You will find it very difficult to borrow money to buy into new and cutting edge technology without strong peer review, or a recognised reputable institute that has carried out the research.
The drug Industry has many ' get rich quick ' investors who have the scars to prove it.
As an example: the "diet health hypothesis" that cholesterol causes heart attacks has been disproved for several decades now yet certain research teams are still getting "peer reviewed science" which is based on it being true published in major journals. Their funding, many £M in some cases, depends on it. Those who try to point this out are subjected to intense legal, professional and ethical attack.
Statin-use debate creates furor at The BMJ
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov