This paper assesses the influence of heat and drought stress on the economic performance of the European dairy sector. Climatic data from the Gridded Agro-Meteorological data in Europe were combined with dairy enterprise data from the Farm Accountancy Data Network, resulting in a data set of 4412 farms in 22 European Union (EU) countries over the period 2007–2013. Since the performance of dairy farms is influenced by the context in which they operate, farms were grouped into areas representing similar climatic conditions through the use of a latent class analysis. Technical efficiency (TE) and economic downside risk were used as performance indicators against which the effect of climatic stress factors was evaluated. TE was estimated using a ‘true-fixed’ effect stochastic frontier model. Economic downside risk was based on gross margin deviations. Regression analysis suggests a significant negative effect of drought and heat stress on both TE and the downside gross margin difference in most climatic classes, with few exceptions. Results imply that both drought and heat stress-related issues need to be considered when designing adaptation strategies to address threats to the economic performance of the EU dairy sector.

This paper describes the relationships between large-scale modes of climate variability and its related weather types with the fluctuations in the yield of maize crops in Veneto, Italy. The teleconnections analysed in this work are the winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the summer North Atlantic Oscillation (SNAO); the West African monsoon (WAM) and the Intertropical Front (ITF). Despite that these indices are not rigorously linked to one another, they result in being considerably related to atmospheric circulation regimes and associated weather types. They have an impact on temperature and precipitation patterns in Italy and on yields of maize crops in Veneto, a region located in northeast Italy. Yields are strongly affected by large-scale temperate and tropical variability directly through three main circulation regimes. Troughing weather regimes that produced below average temperatures depress yields over the entire Veneto region, as does the zonal regime that affects rainfall. Results confirm the relevance of large-scale modes and associated weather regimes and types on maize crop yields fluctuations in Veneto.

In discussing among men of science the subject of diseases caused by bacteria, it is quite unnecessary, at this date, to argue the question as to whether there are or are not bacterial diseases of plants. A knowledge of the literature of the past fifteen years and of the character of the researches which have been carried out in this branch of phytopathology, establishes the point beyond all doubt. But it may be useful to consider briefly some of the reasons which accounted for the scepticism prevalent in earlier days.

The reliability of the soil series as a basis for crop yield prediction was examined by comparing the influence of soil and management (inter-farmer differences) on the variance of barley grain yield. Yields of barley were measured from farmers' fields for 2 years and in undisturbed soil cores for 5 years. Fields on different soil series within farms and on the same soil series across farms were used. Linear stepwise regressions of yield on a number of soil properties were also examined to assess the relative influence of soil and management on the properties that were significant to yield.

The results show that generally, soil classification has a strong influence on yield variance, but there is clear evidence that the influence of management, specifically the cumulative effect of P and K fertilizer applications, is considerable. Thus in an undisturbed core, for the first 3 years when N, P, K and Mg were applied, the influence of soil was stronger than that of management, but this was reversed in the 4th year when P and K were not applied. Similarly in the field, the influence of soil was stronger in the 1st year, but this was reversed in the 2nd year, although on different field-farm combinations. In all cases, the influence of neither soil nor management was significantly stronger than the other.

The results of the regression studies also confirmed those of yield variance in that in general, neither soil nor management has exclusive control of the yield variance. The soil was significantly stronger than management in the control of only coarse sand content at 0–15 cm out of the four soil properties (including Mg and pH (0–15 cm) and K (15–30 cm)) which were significant to yield in the cores. On the other hand, management was significantly stronger than soil in the control of only available P at O–15 cm out of the three soil properties (including Cu and Mg both at 0–15 cm) that were significant to field yield.

It is concluded that for soil classification to be a reliable basis for yield prediction and/or agrotechnology transfer, the effect of management must be emphasized.

The current study investigated the influence of selection for body weight (BW) on growth curve parameters in two lines of Japanese quail through a mixed model approach. Live BWs of 1400 Japanese quail were recorded at 3-day intervals from hatching to 42 days of age. Birds were distributed equally across lines (selected and control) and sexes (male and female). The asymptotic weight parameter (β0) values were always higher in Gompertz than Richards models in both lines. The values of β0 were higher in the selected than control lines and in females than males across models. Differences were found in the inflection point for age and weight across lines and sexes. Values of the growth rate parameter (β2) ranged from 0.06 to 0.10 in both models, favouring males over females in both lines. Lower weights at the inflection point of both models were observed in the control line. Determination coefficient (R2) of both models in different genetic groups and sexes was similar. Mean square error (MSE) values of the Gompertz model were lower for females in selected v. control lines. In contrast, MSE values of the Richards model were lower for selected males v. control males. According to the criteria of choice (highest R2 and lowest MSE, Akaike information criterion and Bayesian information criterion), the Richards model was considered the best fitting model for the growth data of males, while the Gompertz model was the best for growth data of female quails in both lines.

Until recent years large incidental additions of sulphate in fertilizers, especially superphosphate and ammonium sulphate, ensured that the major sulphur requirements of crops were adequately met. Increasing purity and concentration of commercial fertilizers, however, have largely eliminated such additions, with corresponding increase in the importance of available soil sulphate and atmospheric sulphur. The latter can readily be measured but its contribution to crops is more difficult to assess. To examine one aspect of this question, the effect of sulphur in rain on the yield and sulphur content of oats has been measured by comparing pot cultures grown in two environments, one with access to both gaseous atmospheric sulphur and rain sulphur and the other to gaseous sulphur only.

The chemistry of the sugars of foliage leaves and the successive transformation undergone by the various carbohydrates has been the subject of considerable speculation. Reducing substances have been known in foliage leaves for a number of years.

Studies were made of particle size distribution in meals produced from typical ingredients used in pig diets and of dietaries formulated from such ingredients. Each meal was subjected to a sieving procedure through standard sieves and the fractions retained by the sieves were weighed. The modes of expressing the results included moduli of fineness and uniformity and cumulative totals of oversize material, the latter forming the basis of the system preferred. Preliminary investigations into factors of loading weight, time of shaking and reproducibility of results led to the ultimate adoption of a standard technique of mechanical shaking of 100 g loads for 10 min. The technique was used to study particle size distribution in various cereals, cereal by-products, animal and vegetable protein sources and mineral mixtures employed in pig dietary formulations. The studies also included the particle distribution pattern in barley milled at varying grist sizes and in replicated samples of a commercial pig meal.

The suggested technique of characterizing particle size distribution should materially assist investigations into problems of pig health and productivity that appear to be associated with grist size of dietary meals.

Yields of the three ‘test’ crops, winter wheat, potatoes, spring barley in the Rothamsted Ley–Arable experiments 1949–69 increased by about 100%, 80%, 40% respectively, each in a period of 19 years. The wheat variety was changed once during the period and this change is enough to explain most of he increase of yield. For potatoes there was no change of variety; the estimated effects of changes in manuring, etc. explain less than one third of the observed increase. For barley two changes of variety explain about one third of the increase; most of the remainder may be explained by improved manuring of preceding crops, especially potatoes. After 1969 the cropping was drastically changed but a few recent yields from other experiments at Rothamsted indicate that the steady rates of increase may have continued at least up to 1980.

Data are reported from a 3-year study of the effects of date of planting on yield of overwintered onions. Delay in sowing from mid-August to late September increased plant losses during the winter and decreased yields of ware-size onions. Effects were most severe in early maturing varieties.

Retarded growth and poor bone development resulted from feeding both a ration containing only 0·26 per cent. calcium and with a Ca:P ratio of 0·44:1 and from a ration in which 5 per cent, of maize meal had been replaced by 5 per cent, of ground limestone to give a calcium content of 3 per cent. and a Ca:P ratio of 4:1. The basal or No Limestone group confirms previous results indicating that ground limestone may have a depressing effect on growth.

The authors wish to acknowledge the assistance of Mr G. H. Botham, B.Sc, A.L.S., who did the chemical analysis of the food and bones, Mr J. Lavelle, who made and interpreted the skiagrams, and Mr F. J. Dudley, who statistically analysed the results.

The nature of the problem of moisture determinations on materials such as flour and wheat is discussed shortly. It is not possible to obtain by over drying true values for moisture contents. What is sought is a convenient and reliable procedure giving strictly reproducible figures possessing full comparative value. This was the object of the work described, the main lines of which should be applicable to agricultural products of many kinds.

The electrically heated air oven is the most convenient and suitable instrument for routine purposes, and comparative results show that it allows of far more reliable work than the water oven.

Determinations of apparent moisture content have been made on a sample of wheat flour in electric ovens at temperatures ranging from 90° to 140° C. and for periods of heating ranging from 1 to 14 hours, the technique and number of determinations (about 400 altogether) being such that the results were suitable for statistical examination. The probable errors of single determinations were calculated for several sets of results and did not exceed 0·05 per cent. The results given show that at several temperatures, variation in time of heating over a considerable range does not affect the values obtained. In the light of these results it was possible to assess the reliability, as well as the convenience, of various possible procedures.

A strain of Rhizobium isolated from the root nodule of lentil was caused to produce mutants and screened on a medium of pH 4·5. Five mutant colonies of Rhizobium were isolated from lentil which differed in growth over a pH range 4·5–7·5. Strains differed in their growth in acidic and calcareous soils and also in their effectiveness of N fixation.

Nine field experiments with sugar beet in 1968–70 tested eight amounts of nitrogen fertilizer (0–290 kg N/ha) on a shallow calcareous loam (Icknield Series), on a deep sandy loam (Newport Series) and on a heavy clay loam (Evesham Series). Top soils and subsoils, sampled during autumn, winter and spring before the experiments, were analysed by several methods for available and potentially-available nitrogen. The largest increases in potentially-available mineral-nitrogen shown by incubation occurred in the calcareous loams every year in both top soil and sub-soil, and the sandy loam, particularly the sub-soil, generally produced least. Attempts to forecast the optimum nitrogen fertilizer dressing from the soil analyses were moderately successful, the best technique being anaerobic incubation of air-dry soil; the date of sampling had little effect. The optimum dressings were always between 0 and 125 kgN/ha, the calcareous loams generally needing least nitrogen fertilizer and the loamy sands most.

Birth weight in goats is of prime importance as it provides a base for further physical and physiological development. Growth and subsequent production and reproduction traits are closely related to birth weight.

Very little work has been reported on Osmanabadi goats. The present investigation considers birth weights and growth rates of Osmanabadi goat kids.

The aim of this experiment was to determine whether the thermal responses ofsheep exposed to a hot environment were similar in different years. Rectal temperaturesofsheep were measured during the hot months (between November and March) of three consecutive years (1990/91, 1991/92, 1992/93) in a flock of Merino sheep (n = 151) in the semi–arid tropics of northern Australia. Mean daily maximum temperatures in these months were 36±0·4, 39±0·3 and 37±0·3°C in Years 1, 2 and 3, respectively. In Year 1, rectal temperatures were measured on 3 consecutive days;the repeatability was 0·47 at 08·00 h and 0·64 at 16·00 h. In Year 1, two sub-groups were identified according to measurements of rectal temperature, low body temperature(LBT; n = 35) sheep, whose rectal temperature was ≤ 39·8°C at 16·00 h on each of the 3 consecutive measurement days, and high body temperature (HBT; n = 32) sheep, whose rectal temperature was ≥ 39·9°C. The rectal temperatures of LBT and HBT sheep were then measured during the subsequent 2 years. Rectal temperatures of HBT sheep were significantly higher than those of LBT sheep at both 08·00 and 16·00 h, in both Year 2 and Year 3. Rectal temperatures at 16·00 h in Year 1 were correlated (P < 0.001) with rectal temperatures at 16·00 h in both Year 2 (r = 0·79) and Year 3 (r = 0.82), respectively. It was concluded that measurement of rectal temperature in sheep exposed to a hot environment in any oneyear is an accurate index of their rectal temperatures during subsequent years.

In crop experiments measurements are often made by a judge evaluating the crops' conditions after treatment. In the present paper an analysis is proposed for experiments where plots of crops treated differently are mutually ranked. In the experimental layout the crops are treated on consecutive plots usually placed side by side in one or more rows. In the proposed method a judge ranks several neighbouring plots, say three, by ranking them from best to worst. For the next observation the judge moves on by no more than two plots, such that up to two plots will be re-evaluated again in a comparison with the new plot(s). Data from studies using this set-up were analysed by a Thurstonian random utility model, which assumed that the judge's rankings were obtained by comparing latent continuous utilities or treatment effects. For the latent utilities a variance component model was considered to account for the repeated measurements. The estimation was based on a Bayesian approach, which was analysed via Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling. A simulation study showed that the approach was able to estimate the relative ordering of the treatments. The efficiency of the estimation increased with the overlap of the ranked observations. The approach was compared with a more traditional analysis of variance analysis applied to a proportional score for each plot by applying both methods to a real experiment. The relative ranking of the treatment effects were almost the same for both approaches. This method seems to be less sensitive to the judge and also eliminates any possible drift over the judging process in the more traditional method.

Genetic analysis for eight morphological traits, number of days from sowing to first flower, to complete pod filling, and to first mature pod, height of plant from the ground to the first fruiting node, distance between the first and last fruiting nodes, number of nodes from the ground to the first pod-bearing node, average internode length and number of flowers per axil, was done by following numerical and graphical approaches in a nine parental half diallel. Components as well as the graphical approach showed the importance of non-additive gene effects for height of plant from the ground to the first fruiting node, number of nodes from the ground to the first pod-bearing node and number of days from sowing to first mature pod, while for other traits additive genes were important. The high performance of number of nodes from the ground to the first pod-bearing node and number of flowers per axil was governed by recessive alleles while other traits were governed by dominant alleles. Consequently for developing an efficient plant type hybridization between parents like P23, EC109182, EC109196, LMR200 and LMR8 is advocated. Leafless segregants from the present set of crosses which exhibited potential for high yield in national tests have been isolated.

Under digestive conditions cyanogenesis is likely to be inhibited by acids and alkalies, digestive juices, cellulose, glucose, and molasses, salt and many other feeding-stuff constituents and adjuncts.

Owing to the time the food remains in the digestive tract before coming to the true stomach or the acid secreting portion of the stomach, normal inhibition is caused by the alkaline character of the salivary juices. This is likely to be the chief cause of the innocuous character of linseed cake.

In the case of sheep fed with linseed cake shortly before being killed small amounts of hydrocyanic acid were to be found, chiefly in the rumen.

Cyanogenetic feeding-stuffs are most likely to be poisonous when fed with acid containing or acid producing food-stuffs, or where the hydrocyanic acid is pre-formed, as in the case of an improperly made linseed gruel.

The small quantities of hydrocyanic acid normally produced from cyanogenetic feeding-stuffs may possibly have a strongly beneficial action.

1. Under the extremely humid conditions obtaining in N. Wales, with soils showing a high degree of base-unsaturation, phosphoric acid applied to permanent grassland as basic slag is fugitive in its effect.

2. From profile analyses it is shown that after six to ten years added phosphoric acid is removed from the surface layers, which revert to their original phosphorus status.

3. It is suggested that the phosphorus of soils may be differentiated into that of the naturally occurring stable phosphates and the phosphorus of added dressings which is, under N. Welsh conditions, unstable and removable by percolating waters.