INTRODUCTION Recently a specific MRSA sequence type, ST398, emerged in food production animals and farmers. Risk factors for carrying MRSA ST398 in both animals and humans have not been fully evaluated. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated factors associated with MRSA colonization in veal calves and humans working and living on these farms. METHODS A sample of 102 veal calf farms we...

BACKGROUND The modelling of lactation curve provides guidelines in formulating farm managerial practices in dairy cows. The aim of the present study was to determine the suitable non-linear model which most accurately fitted to lactation curves of five lactations in 134 Gir crossbred cows reared in Research-Cum-Development Project (RCDP) on Cattle farm, MPKV (Maharashtra). Four models viz. gamm...

A growing number of studies have shown that adequate spatial access to healthy foods leads to increased fresh produce consumption and reduced risk of chronic diseases. Annual dynamics of spatial access to 1,539 vendors of fresh produce (including farmers markets and roadside farm stands) are analyzed in Massachusetts. Travel distance to the nearest fresh produce vendor was calculated for each c...

This chapter analyzes the technical efficiency of banana production among Ugandan smallholders by estimating a stochastic production frontier model with inefficiency effects. The empirical models are formulated within the overarching framework of the agricultural household specified in Chapter 2. The data design is also summarized in Chapter 2, although additional information about soil quality...

The retirement decisions of individuals are strongly influenced by spousal retirement, financial incentives and institutional constraints such as access to early retirement benefits. In the European Union (EU), farm retirement is encouraged by early retirement provisions for farmers. As exit from farming determines the characteristics of structural change in agriculture, it is important to find...

BACKGROUND Avian influenza (AI) is an important zoonotic disease responsible for significant losses in most sub-Saharan countries. However, the role of poultry other than chicken in the epidemiology of the disease, especially after the first AI outbreak in Ghana, has not been fully elucidated. The obiective of this study is to determine whether the AI virus infection that was reported in the ar...

Gauthier, L. and Kok, R. 1988. A microcomputer-based farm man agement/operating system. Can. Agric. Eng. 30: 69-76. The intel ligent agricultural decision support and management/operating sys tems of the near future will require very flexible architectures in order to support the high levels of functionality and effectiveness which are prerequisite to their adoption by the farming community. Th...

abstract chemical components of narcissus (narcissus tazetta l.) essential oil investigated under farming and natural habitat conditions in south khorasan province. the essential oil was obtained using solvent extraction method. after purification, the oil was analyzed by capillary gc and gc/ms. 12 compnents making 82/82% of total oil in farm sample and 13 components making 63/86% of total oil ...

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) with farm animals for humans with psychiatric disorders may reduce depression and state anxiety, and increase self-efficacy, in many participants. Social support by the farmer appears to be important. Positive effects are best documented for persons with affective disorders or clinical depression. Effects may sometimes take a long time to be detectable, but may occ...

Automatic milking systems (AMS) offer relief from the demanding routine of milking. Although many AMS are in use in Europe and a few are used in the United States, the potential benefit for American farms is uncertain. A farm-simulation model was used to determine the long-term, whole-farm effect of implementing AMS on farm sizes of 30 to 270 cows. Highest farm net return to management and unpa...