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Fertility of the swine breeding is high when considering measures for estrus, farrowing and litter sizes. The success in reproduction is a result of an array of factors that involve genetics, health, environment, and reproductive technologies. The population of females in the breeding herd is managed to optimize parity, sow retention, and gilt replacement. Key elements to fertility include selection and management of gilts for early puberty and managing body condition in gestating sows to optimize feed intake during lactation. Artificial insemination technologies are evolving to facilitate gene transfer from high indexing sires through use of lower number of sperm per litter produced. Changes in breeding herd size, housing systems, labor, and litter size, place emphasis on efficiency and throughput. In these intense systems, infertility can create issues in animal flow throughout the production chain and management will need to anticipate and adapt to prevent these problems in the future.

This chapter summarizes the basic physiology of porcine female reproduction, including: ovarian structure and function, ovarian follicle development (folliculogenesis), the role of the corpus luteum in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy, biosynthesis of steroid hormones (steroidogenesis) and the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in regulating reproduction. It also describes stages of the porcine estrous cycle as well as puberty and gilt development. The chapter goes on to discuss a range of environmental factors which can impair reproductive performance, including the effects of pesticide residues and mycotoxins. Finally, the chapter reviews research on the way heat stress can affect porcine female reproductive function.

The preservation of genetic diversity is particularly important because human selection processes have resulted in a small number of commercial breeds and a large number of small, residual populations. This chapter looks at ways of analyzing pig genetic diversity. It then reviews what these techniques show about the current state of genetic diversity in traditional, local breeds. As the chapter suggests, optimal contribution selection (OCS), genomic selection (GS), and next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques represent valid strategies for maintaining genetic diversity. In the future, strategies in swine epigenomics and microbiomics will play an important role, especially in improving animal resilience.

This chapter reviews current knowledge on gilt development-related key management and nutritional strategies that improve longevity and their production, as well as enhance offspring performance and survivability.

To meet the food demand of the growing population, there's a need to increase the amount of protein produced from animals. Pork is the second largest contributor of global meat consumption. Identifying ways to increase the efficiency of pig production is pivotal to meeting the US and global demand for nutrients and maintaining resilient supply chains. Genome editing technology can accelerate genetic improvements by introgressing novel traits, decreasing the number of generations required to incorporate the desired allele(s), providing solutions to animal welfare concerns, maximizing nutrient yield, and reducing the use of resources. The technology provides scientists a tool to incorporate multiple genetic traits into a line of livestock species or introduce novel traits. This review highlights the methods for generating genetically engineered pigs beginning with the production of embryos and ending with techniques for performing the genetic modifications. Available swine models designed to benefit production agriculture are highlighted.

Survivability of piglets during the neonatal period has been decreasing as genetic selection for highly prolific animals continues across the swine industry. Piglets considered medium weight at birth (1.0-1.3kg) provide the greatest opportunity to improve survival. Colostrum consumption by the neonate after birth aids in thermoregulation and improves survival to weaning as well as provides passive immunity to the piglet from the dam to aid in health pre- and post-weaning. Researchers have studied supplementing piglets with porcine and bovine colostrum or with colostrum-like products rich in energy, protein and immunoglobulins. This chapter reviews current research on a range of types of supplementation to young piglets prior to weaning on growth, immune status and survival.

The feeding of a prolific sow is a complex process that involves proper nutrient formulation, feed delivery, and an understanding of the biological challenges that she will undergo within her lifetime. In addition, the timeframe in which a sow within the herd is productive is spent predominantly as pregnant or nursing which diverts nutrients away from her to her offspring. Therefore, the changes in nutrition need to be addressed starting before the female becomes sexually mature once the gilt is weaned. This chapter will highlight important considerations concerning sow nutrition and nutrient recommendations by reproductive phase. In addition, information concerning common management practices will be discussed with scientific literature.

This chapter provides a critical review of key developments in understanding and improving boar reproductive efficiency, tracing its development from seminal discoveries to contemporary advances in artificial insemination (AI) and sperm analysis technologies. Key developments in identifying fertile boars are discussed, including sperm kinematics, proteomics, lipidomics, and flow cytometry, along with computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Environmental influences, such as heat stress, sperm handling, and neonatal development, on semen quality and fertility are explored. Continued research in sperm cryopreservation, infertility diagnostics, and bacterial management to meet the growing global demand for pork will be necessary for continued improvement of boar fertility.

In recent years, pig genetics and breeding has been revolutionized by advances in genomics. This chapter outlines current developments in pig genetics and genomics including long-read sequencing, telomere-to-telomere assembly, low-pass sequencing for genomic prediction, functional genomics, fine-mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL), and identification of deleterious alleles. The increases in functional genomic data and information on gene expression are currently providing a much more detailed insight into the genotype-phenotype relationship for complex traits and the molecular pathways involved. Fine-mapping of causal variants will become feasible with the use and availability of these types of data in different tissues and timepoints, and will provide a gateway to assess the influence of regulatory variation in the pig genome.

Pigs are exposed to numerous infectious disease pathogens, with large economic and welfare implications. How pigs respond to disease is in part determined by genetics. Thus, genetic improvement is one of the tools that can be used to mitigate the impact of disease, complementing biosecurity and vaccination. Although gene editing is a promising tool to create pigs that are resistant to specific pathogens, this is complicated by the multitude of pathogens that pigs are exposed to, their ability to evolve to escape resistance, and the threat of foreign pathogens. The purpose of this chapter is to review mechanisms of host defense to infectious pathogens, including the concepts of resistance, tolerance, resilience, and robustness, and strategies and challenges to use natural genetic variation to select pigs that are more resilient and robust, including the use of genomics and other -omics technologies.

Genetic selection for higher ovulation rate has increased the number of piglets born per litter. The increase in litter size has been accompanied by an increased proportion of low birthweight piglets and piglets with signs of intra uterine growth restriction (IUGR), Conception rates have increased substantially over the years due to genetic selection for ovulation rate and the application of advanced reproductive biotechnologies and nutritional management. Using genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and other methodologies, a number of genes have been identified that influence litter size and teat number. To overcome problems associated with low birth weight and IUGR piglets, selection for uterine capacity appears to be necessary. Finally, selection for favourable maternal behaviour also is required to reduce piglet mortality in large litters. Genetic selection efforts should be directed towards increasing litter quality and reducing post-natal piglet mortality.

Implementation of tree-based land management strategies, such as agroforestry, can provide greater benefits for mitigating climate change through increased carbon sequestration in soils and plant biomass. However, the carbon sequestration benefits of temperate agroforestry practices at the system-level have not been well-documented. This chapter evaluates the potential for carbon sequestration in temperate agroforestry systems by analyzing existing data from different agroforestry practices in temperate regions worldwide. The authors analyze carbon sequestration rates for aboveground standing biomass, belowground biomass in roots and soil and contribution to long-term SOC stabilization. Based on their analysis of available data, they project that agroforestry practices could annually offset 20%, 18%, 12%, and 8% of total CO2 emissions in the UK, Europe, Canada, and the USA, respectively. Due to the lack of sufficient information to accurately estimate reliable data, they emphasize these projections should be regarded as such.

Poultry is one of the most consumed meats in the United States, and processors strive to provide consumers with safe and wholesome products. Consequently, poultry processors are challenged to reduce the abundance of pathogens such as Salmonella and Campylobacter jejuni in raw poultry products. Despite implementing numerous control measures throughout the processing stages, Salmonella and C. jejuni persist in raw poultry. This review aims to explore various antimicrobials, including organic and inorganic acids, used as short-duration dips and sprays to reduce common pathogens (Salmonella, Campylobacter jejuni, and Escherichia coli) on raw chicken whole carcasses and meat portions.

This chapter is about official control of poultry processing operations from a European perspective. Official control is a cornerstone of food safety, fair trade, animal health and welfare. In poultry processing, official control comprises of ante- and post-mortem inspections of poultry and food safety inspections that verify food business operators’ compliance with food safety legislation. The chapter begins with a section exploring meat inspection, covering food chain information and ante- and post-mortem inspections. This is followed by a section on food safety inspections.

In recent years poultry meat and egg consumption has seen an exponential increase worldwide. There is therefore a strong demand for ensuring the microbiological safety of poultry products. The main pathogenic bacteria in poultry meat and eggs are Staphylococcus aureus, Campylobacter spp., Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. These pathogens are able to adapt to and survive in poultry processing environments. Acceptable bacterial concentrations in poultry products are defined by health agencies. Sampling and detection methods are then developed for microbiological control. PCR, RT-PCR and immunoassays have now replaced culturing methods. Research has focused on the development of high-throughput and low-cost methods through analytical microdevices based on biosensors with short response times for on-site use and with low detection limits. This chapter describes newly-developed optical and electrochemical biosensors for rapid detection of foodborne pathogens in poultry.

This chapter reviews key few methods of genetic biocontrol focusing on those systems that have been developed for crop insect pests. These include “sterile release systems” where e.g. sterilized males produce sperm which carries dominant lethal mutations that result in their offspring failing to develop or prevents functional sperm from being produced. We contrast these systems with “fertile release systems” which involve releasing insects that are capable of producing some offspring but with genetic defects that e.g. mean that fewer females survive. The chapter discusses the varied strengths and weaknesses of these different systems.

Biopesticides are important tools for controlling insect pests, and demand for them is growing globally. While biopesticides are generally considered to be of low risk, robust risk assessments are still needed to support their registration. Addressing testing questions and challenges will help better refine environmental risk assessments by limiting the need for conservative assumptions and increasing our understanding and real world relevance of test results. This chapter identifies some of the common issues faced by regulators in assessing risks of microbial and biochemical pesticides as well as dsRNA pesticides. The chapter discusses problems related to identification, exposure analysis and hazard testing, especially in nontarget organism testing with microbial pesticides. Advancement in clarifying these issues will strengthen biopesticide risk assessments by increasing their resolution and decreasing the need for conservative assumptions.

There is a clear need for an integrated approach to human, animal and ecological health reflecting the four organic principles of Health, Ecology, Fairness and Care and their supporting text. In the early 2000s, the One Health approach was established to recognise the strong links between human health and animal and planetary health. Later, the One Welfare approach was established to complement One Health. For organic farming, the challenges with these approaches include the practical focus on health as the presence or absence of named diseases rather than systems integrity as well as a focus on mitigating negative outcomes rather than building positive systems and practices which lead to high welfare for humans, farmed animals and wild animals. It is suggested here that agroecological food production could be better served by using a Post-Normal Science approach (PNS) which is a framework where uncertainty, value loading and different perspectives are considered.

Organic dairy cows should be able to rely on homegrown forages, especially pasture, as their main source of nutrition. A critical aim is to ensure cows have the optimum body condition at calving and inevitable lactational loss of condition are minimised. Some of the desired attributes of an organic pasture include resilience to variable climatic conditions, the ability to flourish without artificial fertilisers, the potential for climate change mitigation and the supporting of ecological biodiversity. Soil health is key to ensuring effective pasture-based dairy farming and grassland management is critical in this respect. Having the right breed and type of animal for the system and being able to adapt management to meet variations in seasonal and climatic conditions are important factors. In this chapter, rotational grazing systems and the use of diverse species pastures are explored with regards to their practical application and the achievement of organic farming objectives.

This chapter focuses on supporting animal health and welfare at herd level and giving more emphasis to preventative animal health and welfare planning (AHWP) with less reliance on antibiotics. It outlines some of the major challenges currently facing improvements to dairy cow health and welfare and improving AHWP in organic dairy farming. These range from the complexity of animal health and going beyond the five freedoms for animal welfare, to the importance of farming systems and the varying approaches and perspectives to sustainability within organic dairy farming. The role and ongoing development of the farmer-advisor relationship is discussed. The chapter then goes on to discuss the importance of relationships and the benefits of developing enhanced communication skills alongside applying participatory and bottom-up approaches to change. The role of facilitators, peer-to-peer learning, informal and formal networks and the inclusion of other actors involved in dairy herd health planning are also discussed.

The global population is increasing rapidly, and with it comes a growing demand for food, particularly protein sources. The aquaculture industry, which provides fish for human consumption, is expanding to meet this demand. The aquaculture expansion is not without impacts and constrains. Among them, the feed production is of major concern. Processed animal proteins (PAPs) derived from insect-derived meals has been gaining attraction in recent years because considered as a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional protein sources. Among the eight insect-derived PAPs allowed, the black soldier fly – BSF (Hermetia illucens) seems to be one of the most promising. This chapter reviews the potential use of BSF-derived proteins in aquaculture. In particular, the review focus on the effect of BSF larva meal on fish performances and health as well as on economic and environmental parameters.

The common housefly (Musca domestica), a ubiquitous presence in various environments, has been a subject of scientific investigation for over a century. This chapter explores the potential use of housefly larvae as a sustainable animal feed ingredient. Their ease of rearing, rapid growth, high nutritional value, and environmental benefits in nutrient recycling have revived interest in using them as an alternative protein source for food and feed. Despite these advantages, housefly larvae have not achieved significant commercial viability. The chapter examines key challenges and ways of achieving successful commercial production.

In this chapter, understanding and controlling Salmonella in poultry meat is explored. The authors suggest that studies in model systems based on bacteriophage and vaccines could in turn, more generally serve as an invaluable guide for efforts to limit Salmonella and the emergence of resistance in poultry for other interventions not discussed in this review. The chapter then identifies key areas of future research focused on integrating empirical findings with functional genomics, innovative statistical approaches (e.g., structural equation models), and mathematical modeling. This combination of tools will: (1) enable a more complete understanding for managing Salmonella and AMR in poultry while also improving bird health, immunity, and welfare and (2) provide valuable insights to uncover broad-scale patterns in other pathogens and livestock production systems.

• Discusses the range of key ecosystem services provided by pollinators
• Reviews the range of ongoing habitat restoration projects in the European Union and North America
• Considers how data and ‘smart agriculture’ can be utilised to assess the impact of key agricultural practices on pollinator species

Despite several efforts to develop control measures to reduce the contamination of poultry products, foodborne illness remains a major concern to the processors as well as the consumers. A wide range of interventions have been applied both in postharvest settings as well as in preharvest live bird production. Biotics are a group of compounds that when consumed by the host will impart benefits to the host. This chapter reviews the categories of biotics that include prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics, and related compounds currently being used as well as potential candidates for future applications in poultry production.

• Provides an overview of the key challenges facing successful development of circular, closed-loop agricultural systems
• Details recent advances in waste management and its application in urban agricultural settings
• Reviews sustainable alternatives to plastics in food packaging and their role in mitigating the environmental impact of the food-packaging industry

Biological control is important for the management of small insect pests such as thrips, aphids, psyllids and whiteflies, and options to enhance the effectiveness of the natural enemies of these pests are urgently needed. Stimuli associated with host plant finding, mostly vision and olfaction, provide the basis for pest (and increasingly natural enemies) monitoring but there are also a range of additional opportunities based on these stimuli to manipulate pest and natural enemy dynamics for improved pest management. This chapter examines the visual and olfactory systems associated with host finding, that is the period before physical contact with the plant (habitat and host location and not host acceptance), and how responses to these stimuli might be exploited to enhance biological control. Our focus is on thrips and other small, winged insects, and particularly those which are plant pests and the targets of biological control programmes.

The number of sustainability standards and certifications applied in agricultural supply chains has grown considerably in the past decade, creating confusion for consumers and challenges for producers, particularly small-scale producers in developing countries. This chapter provides an overview of the range of sustainability standards that have emerged, who has developed them, their content and rationale. It also explores how companies select the standards they use, and how this is changing. Recent choices made by brands and retailers accentuate some of the challenges associated with standards for smallholders and further contextualises the mixed picture concerning impacts on smallholders. The chapter provides a summary of implications of sustainability standards, including how they may contribute to improved practices, but highlights limitations of standards on their own as a tool to hold business to account, stressing the importance the overall sustainability strategy of the company, and its commitment to sustainability.

This chapter considers the challenges associated with the use of biocontrol agents in foliar spray applications, including the equipment, spray parameters, formulation and their impact on treatment efficacy. It discusses the various factors that affect effective foliar treatment and provides examples of how they can be optimised. These factors include the persistence of biocontrol agents, the impact of spray systems on surface coverage, the potential of equipment and adjuvants to develop more targeted foliar spray applications, and finally the rainfastness of biocontrol agent.

Agri-food supply chains have been linked to a number of negative environmental and social externalities, including environmental pollution, biodiversity loss, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and labour abuses and there are growing societal demands that such negative impacts should be addressed. This chapter considers the role of supranational policy, and regional and national policy in driving sustainability standards with regards to some of these issues and how they influence the strategies employed within individual organisations and across agri-food supply chains. The chapter also reviews developments in forms of hybrid governance and uses the example of the role of green finance to show how agri-food supply chain strategies are being reshaped.

There have been great advances in many aspects of organic dairy farming, which has become increasingly efficient and productive with a strong market. However, in some cases this has occurred through increasing specialization and scale of production, which risks the sector not being able to fully address the major challenges of environmental and social sustainability, animal welfare and the ability to deliver affordable and nutritious products. These challenges can be addressed by referencing the core organic principles of health, ecology, fairness and care, by adopting a more holistic, systems-based perspective and with organic dairy farming being viewed as an important part of wider rural communities and landscapes. This chapter explores some of these ecological, social and food-system frameworks and what they mean for the future of organic dairy farming. Key elements include a focus on pasture-based production, reduced dependency on feed imports and incentives reflecting organic farming’s aims and aspirations.

Recognizing a need for sustainability approaches beyond current models of certification, the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) established the Sustainable Agriculture Framework (SAF) in 2018, an outcome-based approach designed to guide organizations and local stakeholders towards greater and more durable progress in achieving sustainability and, ultimately, more positive changes for landscapes, farmers, communities and companies alike. This chapter describes SAF and how it has been applied in practice in a number of sustainability programmes.

Integration within natural cycles and between farmed enterprises are routes through which we can develop organic dairy farming into an ecologically principled form of food production with animal and human welfare benefits. Integration requires relationships of varying degrees of synergy and complementarity between two or more farm elements, from simple two enterprise systems to dynamic and diverse systems with enterprises integrated in time and space and synergistic sharing of resources. The attributes of partially separated, rotationally integrated and fully combined enterprises within a single farm boundary are described and discussed. Opportunities beyond the farm boundary include between farm beneficial cooperation to share resources, integration at the landscape level and across the food chain utilising low-cost feed options within a circular economy. A case-study illustrates innovation, including mobile milking and cooperation to overcome infrastructural constraints enhancing animal welfare and nutrient recycling within a crop-dairy farm.

This chapter provides an overview of some of the nature markets and finance mechanisms, which may provide farmers and land managers with opportunities to integrate farming for nature into their businesses, generating new revenue streams, and also offering opportunities to draw private finance into conservation across supply chains in the agriculture sector. The author considers the drivers behind these new markets and provide an overview of some of the opportunities and challenges they may bring.

This chapter explores the concept of quality in organic milk. Quality encompasses many extrinsic properties of dairy production like animal welfare, the impact on biodiversity, climate change, and fair treatment of everybody along the supply chain. This chapter focuses on composition of the milk and asks how far organic milk varies from non-organic products and what potential there is to improve quality further. This chapter reviews key research relating to differences in protein, fatty acid and mineral composition between milk from organic and conventional production, as well risks from drug and pesticide residues. It also explores how implementation of calf-cow-contact (CCC) systems on welfare grounds affects milk quality.

Extensive areas spanning billions of hectares within the world’s arable landscapes are heavily degraded, have suffered losses of biodiversity, and require major restoration efforts. Indeed, the United Nations declared 2021-2030 to be the decade of restoration. The restoration challenges facing south-eastern Australia’s woodlands are not dissimilar to challenges which characterize many agricultural landscapes internationally, and thus form the basis of the case study featured in this chapter, incorporating research conducted since 1998. A key insight from our work is that factors operating at multiple scales are critical for informing effective restoration to maximize landscape-scale biodiversity values. We present a restoration hierarchy to highlight how factors ranging from the individual tree level to farm- and landscape- scales need to be considered in restoration efforts, then outline some key lessons from our research for effective translation into on-ground action.

Yellow mealworm (T. molitor) is a safe and sustainable alternative protein source for aquafeed, given advantages such as high protein content and better amino acid profile when compared to alternative plant-protein sources. This chapter provides an overview of the current use of T. molitor as alternative ingredient to fishmeal. It summarises recent reviews on the use of these invertebrates in aquafeeds and their impact on key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with growth performance and feed efficiency, product nutritional quality, as well as their immunomodulatory potential and effect on host gut microbiota.

This chapter explores patterns of antimicrobial use (AMU) in poultry production, reviews recent modifications in AMU use and assesses their impact on trends in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The chapter also examines examine the common antimicrobial-resistant bacteria associated with poultry and the impact of specific agricultural practices on AMR. Finally, the chapter outlines and evaluates strategies for managing and reducing AMR in poultry production.

This chapter discusses chemical and pathogen hazards related to industrial production of selected insect species such as the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) and house cricket (Acheta domesticus), both of which are authorized for human food and animal feed in the European Union (EU). The chapter also considers black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) (Hermetia illucens) which are only allowed as animal feed in Europe. The chapter reviews hazards associated with rearing, processing and storage of the insect and derived products focussing particularly on chemicals and pathogens known to be of risk for human consumption. The chapter also discusses techniques related to hazard detection and monitoring.

Ecosystem services obtained by returning wild animals to agricultural landscapes can outweigh the disservices (e.g., livestock predation) of those same animals. We foresee three key management trends that will facilitate a balancing of economic and environmental gains in animal rewilding: (1) capturing wild provisioning services, (2) coordinating broad spatial heterogeneity in land use, and (3) employing coexistence conservation tactics. A resurgence of appreciation for wild animal products would provide opportunities for landholders to obtain new or supplementary income. Further gains could be facilitated by creating heterogeneous landscapes with various land sharing strategies that shift ecosystems away from intensive human use towards higher quality wild animal habitat. Finally, increased implementation of tactics that may drive or enable the adaptation of livestock, crops, their predators, as well as human perceptions and management strategies, could facilitate the coexistence of wild animals and agriculture that will help to produce net positive outcomes.

Escherichia coli is a common gastrointestinal bacteria that has a vast genetic, physiologic, and biochemical diversity in E. coli, which allows this organism to thrive in many environments. But E. coli contains several pathogenic groups (e.g., pathotypes) which can cause disease and morbidity in poultry, reduce poultry producers profitability, and can impact the health and safety of human consumers of poultry meat products. As the use of antimicrobials as growth promoters has become increasingly restricted, alternatives to antimicrobials (ATA) have become a higher priority. The use of probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, bacteriophage, and organic acids have the potential to alter the gastrointestinal microbial population and to reduce pathogenic groups of E. coli. Thus strategies that can reduce these important pathogens from poultry are critical to ensuring the efficient production of poultry meat, but also the safety of these important sources of protein for humans.

In recent years, the yellow mealworm has undergone a significant transformation, from a global pest species to a prominent insect species for feed and food purposes. However, farming mealworms is still a relatively new business venture, offering ample opportunities for optimization and innovation. This chapter aims to explore yellow mealworm rearing techniques. The authors begin by discussing the mealworm life cycle, followed by the sort of environments needed to effeciently rear mealworms. They then go into detail about the rearing of different life stages of mealworm, including egg production and handly, growing the larvae, pupation, and beetle population. Finally, they explore challenges to scaling up production and the design of rearing facilities.

Rewilding is the deliberate (re)introduction of animal species into local or regional areas with the joint aims to assist the conservation of those species and promote the re-establishment of lost or degraded ecological processes. In Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand rewilding is particularly important in reversing losses of species and ecological processes that are among the most severe in the world. This chapter outlines the benefits and the challenges of rewilding in Australia and New Zealand, noting that much successful rewilding occurs in places where invasive species have been removed. Four case studies are presented. The first two describe rewildings on formerly degraded agricultural land (Tiritiri Matangi Island, Scotia Sanctuary), while the third posits a conceptual rewilding program using a continental top predator, the dingo. The fourth case study describes a digitally-enabled survey and monitoring system on a mixed-agriculture farm that provides a step towards rewilding such landscapes in future.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a natural defense mechanism in organisms that detects and neutralizes foreign genetic materials, particularly viral RNA. This process involves the creation of single-stranded micro RNAs that target and inhibit complementary messenger RNA (mRNA), thus halting gene expression. The discovery that external double-stranded RNA molecules can trigger RNAi has led to significant interest in academic and industrial circles, resulting in applications like genetically modified crops and insecticidal compounds. The first RNAi-based insecticide received commercial approval in the USA in 2023. The key advantage of this biotechnology lies in its high specificity, as it targets unique sequences in the mRNA of the intended organism. However, the effectiveness of RNAi varies between species due to factors such as dsRNA degradation, cellular uptake, and genomic variations. While evidence suggests limited risks for mammals and vertebrates, comprehensive evaluations are essential to address potential non-target effects and the risk of insect resistance.

• Provides a detailed overview of the recent advances in controlled environment agriculture
• Reviews the sustainability of controlled environment agriculture
• Summarises recent developments in controlled environment technologies, including lighting and climate control

• Provides a comprehensive overview of the major types of contaminants in food, including environmental and process contaminants, as well as natural toxins
• Reviews the establishment of major international and EU food safety frameworks
• Addresses recent advances in techniques for monitoring and detecting chemical contaminants in food

Chemical insecticides are beset by the twin problems of regulatory pressure and insect resistance. New mode-of-action Plant Protection Products (PPPs) will play a vital role in securing food for the future due to existing and emerging pest and disease pressures and will be directed against a wide range of molecular targets. Insect neuropeptides, which regulate critical life processes, could prove useful for developing alternative strategies for pest management. Recent increases in ‘omics-based data capture has allowed for improved assessment of potential neuropeptide mimetics, while expanding the potential impact with identification of new, specific, pest species targets. Rational design of neuropeptide analogues with improved efficacy, biostability and bioavailability could provide a new generation of eco-friendly, pollinator-safe bioinsecticides. Continued optimization of appropriate adjuvants and formulations for peptides, as well as green improvements to their production on a large scale, would help their adoption as a viable alternative to problematic conventional insecticides.

Probiotics and prebiotics boost poultry gut health and immunity. This chapter discusses current research and practical applications of these microbial-based supplements for chicken production. The chicken industry has struggled recently with gastrointestinal disorders, poor meal absorption, and viral infections. Probiotics and prebiotics, non-digestible food additives that boost gut microorganisms, may help. This chapter book explains probiotic and prebiotic interactions with avian gut flora. Probiotics and prebiotics impact poultry intestine bacteria balance, architecture, nutrient digestion, and immune control. The chapter also discusses issues in using probiotics and prebiotics. The chapter aims to provide a comprehensive reference for researchers, poultry nutritionists, veterinarians, and industry professionals interested in the potential benefits and practical applications of probiotics and prebiotics in poultry.

The evolution of standards and certification in agri-food chains has taken place over nearly 40 years. The dynamics that led to this form of private governance have also changed over time. Contemporary issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and seeking to develop a food system that is resilient and sustainable has led to the emergence of new principles, practices and outcomes that the agri-food supply chain must deliver. This chapter reflects on these trends and the themes that run through the book to consider how we deliver safe, sustainable and socially responsible supply chains, now and into the future.

Corn Fermented Protein (CFP) is the first commercially viable new source of high level (>50%), high quality vegetable protein, developed in the past twenty years and available for feeding to livestock, aquaculture, and companion animals. The protein product is derived from the sustainable fuel bioethanol production process and as a derivative of an industrial process is not in direct competition with food production. CFP has a low carbon index compared with a range of traditional protein products. This chapter describes the application of corn fermented protein in feed formulations for poultry.

The founding principles of organic farming (health, ecology, fairness and care) guide the overall ethos of organic farming in an ever-changing environment. Using these principles, this introductory chapter discusses the key environmental, welfare, economic and other challenges facing contemporary organic dairy farming in Europe. It reviews the differing ways these challenges can be addressed, setting the scene for following chapters on specific issues.

Measuring and improving good agricultural practices (GAP) related to food safety of fresh produce is important, especially as many crops, such as leafy vegetables, are sold as ‘ready to eat’ at the point of purchase. Previous approaches to food safety-related hazard analysis and risk assessment for fresh produce GAP frameworks are being revisited and repositioned. Controlled environment agriculture (CEA), especially emergent systems such as vertical farming, are of interest in terms of promoting more sustainable practices and reducing land use for food production. Framing of what GAP is will vary from the field to controlled environments and so defining GAP from a food safety and sustainability perspective, and establishing appropriate operational guidelines for CEA systems is important. This chapter considers the debates about GAP in the context of CEA and how GAP can be developed as part of an effective food safety control programme in CEA systems.

Good agricultural practices (GAP) define the practices at the farm level that can be adopted to assure safe and healthy food is produced profitably with appropriate standards in terms of animal welfare, worker welfare and environmental protection. This chapter describes GAP, notions of good farming, how GAP standards have evolved in developed and developing economies, the opportunities to evolve these pre- and post-harvest standards, and their related principles and practices in the future.

Feed efficiency is a complex and very important genetic trait in broiler production. Content in this chapter is an overview of over 20 years of research of investigating mitochondrial physiology, gene and protein expression that enables a ‘proteogenomic picture’ to be ‘painted’ to aid in understanding of feed efficiency in muscle at the cellular level.

Knowledge of amino acid formulation minimum constraints in the nutrient matrix are pivotal in order to allow for formulation flexibility, and subsequent broiler productivity at minimum nitrogen supply. Four key amino acid minimums that beg for more research are: arginine, glycine and serine, histidine, and phenylalanine and tyrosine. In this chapter the former have been reviewed.

Despite its potential benefits, organic farming has a complex relationship with technological innovation which has sometimes been associated with intensive forms of production. This chapter discusses the ways precision and other new technologies can fulfil the core organic values of health, ecology, care and fairness. It outlines a responsible innovation framework in assessing how new technologies meet organic values, based on the principles of inclusion, anticipation, reflexivity and responsiveness. The chapter uses the example of virtual fencing to show how the framework can be used in practice.

Soil and water conservation is essential for sustaining agricultural production and for protecting the soil ecosystem. This chapter discusses an alternative approach for soil erosion mitigation, which advocates modification of soil properties that are linked to processes that control degradation of soil structure stability. The chapter reviews the potential of three types of soil stabilizing agents (gypsum and gypsiferous materials, synthetic polymers, and organic waste materials). The focus is the impact these soil stabilizers can have on cultivated soils, many of which are associated with poor structural stability (e.g. soils from semiarid or humid regions), which ultimately leads to limited infiltration and to elevated levels of runoff and soil erosion. Current research suggests that judicious application of such stabilizing agents to the soil can lead to enhanced soil surface structure stability and combating soil erosion.

The purpose of this chapter is to appraise the current work done on the use of the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) as an alternative and sustainable protein source in poultry diets. The incorporation of insects in animal diets is regarded as an interesting topic in animal nutrition. Their popularity is expected to outstrip the current conventional feed ingredients globally. Based on nutritional analysis, yellow mealworm larvae are comparable to conventional poultry protein sources. Hence, they are widely documented as the most appropriate substitute for soybean meal and fishmeal as they have a similar influence on growth performance without having a negative impact on the carcass, meat quality, or egg quality. Therefore, this chapter will discuss the opportunity for using yellow mealworm larvae as a protein source in poultry diets. The nutritional and environmental benefits, processing and storge, and effects of Tenebrio molitor on poultry productivity are discussed.

This chapter explores the developments in agri-environment schemes in Australia. Agri-environment schemes have been a part of Australia’s environmental policy for more than two decades. During this time, schemes have evolved from community-based initiatives addressing land degradation issues, such as soil salinity and poor water quality, to the use of market-based mechanisms aimed at the restoration and protection of biodiversity values on farms. More recently, federal and state governments are increasingly designing schemes that integrate emerging carbon and nature markets in an attempt to make progress towards domestic and international emissions reduction and biodiversity targets, and to defray the cost of biodiversity conservation by attracting private investment. The authors provide examples of these schemes, including a case study on the federal government’s 'Carbon + Biodiversity Pilot' scheme, and discuss the various opportunities and risks associated with this shift in scheme design.

Soil erodibility refers to the vulnerability of a soil to erosion. This chapter discusses approaches to defining soil erodibility. It then reviews two key soil properties affecting erodibility: aggregate stability and shear stress stability. The chapter assesses individual and combined techniques for measuring these properties and thus gauging the erodibility of a soil.

Yellow mealworms, Tenebrio molitor, are increasingly being used as a source of protein for humans, as well as for feeding animals. However, as with any other type of livestock, yellow mealworms can be affected by diseases, which can lead to reduced productivity. In this chapter, the authors review recent research and describe common diseases that affect yellow mealworms and their causal agents, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other pathogens like microsporidians, nematodes, and gregarines. Subsequently, they discuss methods that, both now and in the future, could play a role in controlling the pathogens. While there already exists protocols to facilitate the development of good hygienic practices, the authors also explore techniques with the prospects of improving insect immunity such as selective breeding, immune priming and the use of probiotics, all of which could protect the insects against existing and as yet unknown pathogenic threats.

Promoting women’s empowerment and gender equality plays a key role in accelerating equitable and sustainable agricultural systems in Africa, yet efforts to better integrate women in agricultural development often ignore the underlying social-economic drivers that underpin gender inequalities. This chapter uses primary data generated through the mixed methods approach, and the project-specific Women Empowerment in Agriculture Index (pro-WEAI). It also utilises rich secondary evidence from the region. Complex interconnections between women empowerment, social-cultural dynamics and agricultural opportunities in Uganda and Africa are also explored. Findings depict that the major disempowering drivers for rural women small holder farmers are more aligned to instrumental and intrinsic agency driven by social-cultural gendered power relations. The authors conclude that social and gender norms, rooted in the capitalist-patriarchal system limit women’s agency and agricultural opportunities. They recommend a gender responsive agricultural policy environment grounded in a transformative agenda that addresses the underlying gender inequalities.

This chapter covers understanding and changing attitudes towards eating protein derived from insects. In recent years, there has been growing interest regarding the role of insects as novel protein sources to meet the increasing global demand for sustainable and nutritious food. However, though insects are consumed in some cultures, in others, in particular those where insects are not traditionally part of the human diet, the inclusion of insects has been met with scepticism and strong resistance. This chapter begins by exploring changing attitudes toward insect-based food and the psychological factors that affect these attitudes. It then moves on to discuss product-related determinants of consumer acceptance of insect-derived proteins. Finally, the impact of sociocultural factors on consumer acceptance is reviewed.

This chapter focuses on the impact of various substrates on the nutritional quality – in particular protein content - of the yellow mealworm larvae. The authors begin by describing the characteristics of rearing substrates for optimal yellow mealworm growth, including nutritional composition, biomass production, and feed conversion ratio. Next they analyse the yellow mealworm's protein content, and consider factors which may influence it. Finally the chapter touches on factors influencing the use of novel biomasses as substrates to increase the yellow mealworm proteins content, and discuss how the yellow mealworm has proven to be able to degrade polymer bio-plastics, thus opening new interesting opportunities to address the global plastic waste problem.

• Provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research in grassland science and management
• Includes a selection of case studies which highlight current challenges facing grasslands in Europe, South America and New Zealand
• Discusses recent developments in botanical composition of grasslands, including the design of multi-species swards and herbal leys

• Considers the contribution of land use change to climate change and global biodiversity decline
• Reviews the development of agri-environment schemes in the UK and how they coincide with the principles of sustainable land management
• Addresses the impact of land use change on the composition and functionality of soil microbiomes

• Summarises the latest developments in ecological principles underpinning agroecology which provide the foundation for approaches such as regenerative agriculture
• Reviews how to balance trade-offs in agroecosystems to balance yields with resilience and protection of biodiversity
• Assesses how to optimise practical agroecosystems by involving farmers and using open-source technology and indigenous knowledge

The information available on the nutrient requirements of broilers to maximize production or economics returns, is abundant but the data are often inconsistent because of factors such as the methodology used to estimate bird requirements and the differences in the nutritional value attributed to each ingredient. This chapter reviews some of the key factors affecting feed formulation, recent trends and current feed programs as well as options for improvement.

This chapter discussed the use of prebiotics in pig nutrition. It begins with a section covering dietary fibre and prebiotics, then moves on to describe types of prebiotics, including: oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, and non-carbohydrate prebiotics. Next, mode of actions for prebiotics is explored. Finally, prebiotics in diets for pigs is highlighted, covering again: oligosaccharides and inulin, polysaccharides, and non-carbohydrate prebiotics.

Growth performance of broiler chickens may be sub-optimal because starch is digested too rapidly and protein too slowly. This chapter reviews how a better understanding of digestive kinetics can address this challenge and contribute to least-cost formulation of broiler diets to enhance chicken-meat production. It begins by reviewing the process of protein and starch digestion. The chapter then reviews factors affecting digestion such as the speed of protein digestion and amino acid absorption, the more rapid intestinal uptake of non-bound methionine, as well as the role of slowly-digestible starch in promoting broiler growth performance. The chapter shows that accounting for these factors can significantly improve the efficiency of broiler diets.

An organic diet based on regionally produced feed components is a fundamental goal in organic pig production. There is a huge unexploited potential in implementing local produced “green feed components” in organic pig diets as a sustainable alternative to the current high reliance on concentrates like processed cereals and oil seed feed sources. This chapter concerns greed feed in organic pig farming with an emphasis on studies conducted under the conditions of Denmark and Northern Europe. The authors present findings from recent research on the energy and protein (amino acid) requirements of organic pigs. This is followed by a discourse on the possibility of enhancing the nutritional value of organic pig diets by incorporating more forage, either through direct foraging or by allocating roughage, as well as incorporating "green protein" sources.

This chapter describes advances in understanding and improving the use of macro-minerals in poultry with a particular focus on phosphorus (P). The chapter begins by outlining the challenges to optimising mineral nutrition in poultry, covering the characterisation of the P value in feed ingredients and factors that affect P availability. Next a section on case studies is explored, including a meta-analysis for assessing the P value of a diet and a model where the P and calcium (Ca) quantities required for maintenance and growth are aggregated to determine the overall needs of the animals. Finally, future trends are discussed, covering precision feeding for sustainability, the potential for compensatory mechanisms and genetic determinism, the balance between Ca and P in laying hens, and a digestible Ca system.

Greenhouse gas emissions on the farm have different sources: livestock, soils, plants on crop- and grasslands, and fuel and energy consumption. For livestock, methane emissions are most relevant, whereas on crop- and grasslands, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide show the most impact. There are a range of options to measure these emissions, but the different methods mainly focus on one source or a small section of the farm. This chapter explores these different methods. The authors begin by exploring chamber and eddy covariance measurements for crop- and grasslands before describing the range of emissions sources from livestock. They then compare how models and tools are cheaper and easier to apply, but the quality of the results is not comparable to direct measurements, and how these methods could contribute to net zero.

This chapter provides an overview of co-products and other alternative feedstuffs for sustainable pig production. It opens with a discussion of feed evaluation, animal growth and carcass characteristics. Focus then moves to meat quality and animal health. After this, the chapter highlights the connection between sustainability and feed, in particular the greenhouse gas emissions of pigs, and the human-edible protein balance of swine and amount of land required to produce it. The chapter ends with a case study of the use of canola co-products as feedstuffs for pigs.

• Provides a comprehensive overview of the main crop models developed in North America, Europe, Asia and the Pacific
• Considers how current crop models can be improved with future enhancements, such as the incorporation of genetics
• Details examples of current applications of crop models, focussing on genotype-environment-management (G x E x M) interactions

This chapter focuses on assessing the impact of climate change on soil erosion by water. It begins by first describing the influence of climate change on event and annual erosivity, then moves on to discuss the influence of climate change on the protective effect of crops. A section on snowmelt erosion is also provided, before the chapter concludes with an overview of the multiple influences that climate change has on soil erosion.

Agriculture is one of the most dynamic and productive sectors in the Mediterranean region, but it is also the most vulnerable to water scarcity. Currently, it is facing certain challenges, which compromise the sustainability and environmental impact of our food production system. In response, and to help address this issue, the PRECIMED project has developed a decision support system (DSS) to enhance the efficiency of farmers in their daily tasks, including irrigation and fertilization. The PRECIMED DSS offers end users the opportunity to deploy and integrate a range of IoT devices and web services from different sources, as well as the use of advanced agronomic services. The DSS outputs were tested and validated in four different Mediterranean countries, including Spain, Algeria, Tunisia and Greece, under both greenhouse (protected cropping) and open-field-scale cropping systems.

Soil health is central for provisioning and supporting ecosystem services for both agriculture and restored natural lands. Agricultural systems create different challenges for soil health that can degrade land and require implementation of restoration strategies. It is important that restoration practices create landscapes that are resilient to the combined challenges of climate, environmental and land-use change, and consideration of soil health is vital to achieve this. Here, we highlight the usefulness and practicality of soil health and degradation indicators for the restoration of degradation gradients caused by current agricultural practices. We emphasise the importance of integrating state-of-the-art knowledge of plant-microorganism interactions, which are the ‘engine’ driving many ecosystem functions, and the key ecological concepts of plant-soil feedback and biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships, to enhance soil health as part of a restoration strategy. Finally, we emphasise how consideration of scale and connectedness in restoration practices is vital for maximise ecosystem multifunctionality.

Soil erosion is particularly affected by climate change, especially increases in the amount and intensity of rainfall. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE2) developed by USDA-ARS has been developed to quantify soil erosion. However, it does not consider current climate and topographic conditions for estimating those factors, including the rainfall erosivity factor (R-factor) which is particularly significant given more frequent extreme storm events resulting from climate change. This chapter reviews developing a modified RUSLE model using ArcGIS ModelBuilder automation to develop processes for improving USLE factors so that soil erosion quantification can be estimated more precisely in both temporal and spatial dimensions.

The modernisation of irrigation districts, where traditional networks based on open channels are replaced by pressurised pipe networks, represents a change in the delicate balance between water and energy use. In this way, water use efficiency is increased, but energy consumption is highly augmented. This fact implies a rise in water supply costs that, in many cases, can lead to a very significant reduction in farmers’ profits. This chapter addresses, on the one hand, measures to achieve energy savings in the water supply in pressurised networks of around 20–30%. These measures consist of alternative management strategies for the irrigation network and improvements in the hydraulic infrastructure. On the other hand, it highlights the potential role of renewable energies, including solar photovoltaic and micro-hydraulic energy, which can reduce energy costs and reduce the carbon footprint of agricultural production. All of these options are illustrated with reference to results obtained from Spanish case studies. Finally, new energy-saving measures can be developed based on deep learning from data. Thus, the roles of big data and artificial intelligence techniques that allow forecasting the demand at both irrigation district and plot scale are discussed. These measures will allow network management to be adapted to real operating situations, based on water demand forecasts, and will contribute to a more efficient use of water and energy resources.

This chapter covers implementing sustainable land use change programmes. It explores how these schemes have evolved alongside the principles of sustainable land management, how they are shaped by the culture of the UK nations within which they develop, and how the role and importance of the landowner has changed from a passive recipient of instruction to an active participant in the design process. A case study scheme is also described whose ambition of economic viability achieved through ecologically resilient land management enables us to explore the challenges and opportunities associated with achieving sustainable land management.

• Highlights the importance of good agricultural practices (GAPs) in achieving a safe, sustainable and secure agri-food supply chain
• Considers the evolution of GAPs and their implementation within the fresh produce sector to improve food safety
• Includes case studies which demonstrate how GAPs have been utilised to improve crop production in three contrasting maize cultivation systems

Soil water retention is an important factor that influences cropping systems and environmental sustainability and can be affected by various agronomic practices. Agronomic practices including tillage, cover cropping, crop rotation, and animal grazing practices have been implemented over several centuries to enhance crop productivity by improving soil–seed contact, reducing weed competition, increasing nutrient availability and cycling, and improving animal health. Over time and as a result of technological advancements and an increasing global human population, these practices have gradually evolved to include the use of mechanised equipment aimed at reducing human labour and increasing productivity. However, these advancements in agronomic practices can influence water infiltration and retention. This chapter discusses these practices and their influence on water infiltration and retention. Suggestions are also made on how these practices can be used to optimise soil water retention and availability.

This chapter presents an economic perspective on significant agri-environmental policies that affect U.S. agriculture and assesses some of the environmental outcomes of these policies. The authors first present a conceptual framework for designing and assessing environmental intervention in agriculture, emphasizing payment for environmental services programs (PES), which became a major agri-environmental intervention. They then explore the major agri-environmental programs affecting U.S. agriculture and other North American countries. Following this, they examine the results of studies assessing the economic and some of the environmental outcomes of agri-environmental programs in North America.

• Provides a comprehensive overview of the ways agroforestry can support key ecosystem services
• Reviews the range of silvopastoral and silvoarable systems and their application in agriculture to optimise crop and livestock production
• Considers the benefits of temperate agroforestry in mitigating/adapting to climate change

This chapter discusses supply chain management responses used by companies in the food supply chain during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The chapter first discusses the relevant literature on supply chain resilience. The chapter subsequently reviews supply chain responses in relation to different supply chain resilience capabilities, and then discusses the theory and practice of supply chain capabilities in food supply chains.

To ensure sustainable pig production in terms of cost and environmental impact, it is essential to focus on enhancing feed efficiency. This necessitates a precise understanding of the nutrient requirements of both sows and growing pigs, enabling the development of tailored feeding strategies to optimize their performance. In this chapter, various modeling approaches are discussed, which have been designed to predict the nutrient requirements of individual sows or growing pigs. These models take into account factors such as protein/amino acids, energy, minerals, as well as the characteristics of the animal, the feed, and the environmental conditions. The chapter emphasizes the importance of incorporating individual variability among animals into pig feeding models, which can be applied in precision feeding. Furthermore, a case study is presented to illustrate the practical relevance of these models in improving feed efficiency for gestating sows.

Pig feeding and nutrition is a crucial aspect of pig farming, as it directly impacts growth, health, and productivity from birth to market weight. In this chapter the authors consider the key factors in the setting of nutritional guidelines, such as breed and genetic traits affecting nutrient and energy requirements, production goals, and growth stage and weight. Discussion then moves to how to formulate diets to maximise feed efficient and performance while still minimising nutrient excretion. Here the authors consider the diets of nursery pigs, growing-finishing pigs, boars, and gilts and sows. Finally, the authors examine the key challenges in formulating nutritional guidelines and their potential solutions. These challenges include heat stress, the presence of toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins in feed ingredients, post-weaning diarrhoea, and the potential detrimental effect of high dietary leucine concentration.

This chapter discusses improving agri-food supply chains in North America, using the case of the sugarcane agro-industry in Mexico as a discussion point. The chapter focuses on sugarcane production in Mexico, then goes on to highlight factors determining the competitiveness of the sugarcane agro-industry. A section on the main technological issues related to sugarcane agri-business development is also included, followed by an overview of the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on sugarcane agri-business development. Regulatory issues related to sugarcane agri-business development are also highlighted and labour issues relating to sugarcane agri-business development are discussed as well. The chapter goes on to review pricing issues in the sugarcane industry, which is then followed by a review of the role of diversification and financing in sugarcane agri-business development.

Recent developments in harnessing solar energy have transformed solar powered irrigation systems (SPIS) into a cost-effective, reliable, and environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional fossil fuel energy-based irrigation systems. This chapter reviews the current developments and future prospects for SPIS, highlighting how latest developments in solar technology have created opportunities to address energy–irrigation (groundwater) nexus challenges. It also highlights recent technological developments, including smart solar irrigation systems and real-time water monitoring. Future advances such as more refined automated water delivery and control systems might lead to more widespread adoption of SPIS. Considering Pakistan as a case study, this chapter explores adoption potential, including the different initiatives and efforts underway, concerns relating to farmer adoption, and the different strategies to ensure long-term sustainability of SPIS. We suggest that without effective regulatory control and market-based mechanisms, free solar energy can encourage groundwater over-exploitation and also impose various social and spatial externalities, unless the sustainability of water/groundwater resources is ensured.

A feed formulation program is used to determine a compound feed that meets all of its nutritional requirements and is at the lowest possible cost (least cost). This chapter addresses current challenges facing feed formulation programs, including the need to account for sustainability issues as well as the increasing range and volume of high-quality data on feedstuff composition and effects on poultry growth. The chapter discusses solutions such as tools for importing new data into the formulation database, developing linear and non-linear optimizers to handle a greater range and volume of data and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in future feed formulation.

This chapter describes the fundamental characteristics of the food systems of Eastern and Southern Europe, paying particular attention to their agro-export nature and the late predominance of large-scale distribution companies in their markets. The chapter then reviews the unsustainability of this model due to its high-energy demand and the need to opt for alternative channels, which the authors have framed within the short food supply chains (SFSCs), as the European Union is doing in its ‘From farm to fork’ strategy, which aims to correct the serious impacts of the Common Agricultural Policy. Finally, the chapter explains in detail how they are developing in Eastern and Southern Europe, pointing out the main problems they face and their current potential. The chapter also describes the types of SFSCs that currently exist in Spain as an example that could represent the other countries considered.

Reducing water consumption (equivalent to depletion) in irrigated agriculture ‘saves’ water, freeing it up to be allocated to other sectors, for example, to restore environmental flows. However, this task is not straightforward because consumption is difficult to adjust; there are many scales, motives, actors, concepts, calculations and hydrological practices and processes involved. Without a comprehensive approach to managing water, attempts to save water typically result in no observed effect, a reduction in crop production, a redistribution of water, or, paradoxically, an increase in water consumption. To address this challenge, a six-part ‘irrigation savings allocation framework’ (ISAF) to effect consumption-based savings is proposed. It first considers crop water requirements, then field applications, through to intra-system, and then system withdrawals of water. ISAF controls for irrigation consumption rebound and reuse in order to reduce depletion at the basin scale, and it tracks ‘freed up’ water to ensure it can be allocated to nature or other sectors.

The global poultry industry tends to depend on a limited number of feed ingredients, which face a number of environmental and other problems. The objective of this chapter is to examine emerging, alternative ingredients for potential use locally or for development into global protein sources for the poultry industry.

This chapter introduces data mining in agriculture, focusing on support vector machines (SVM). SVM employs optimal hyperplanes in high-dimensional space for linear classification, aiming to find the maximum-margin hyperplane, crucial for accurate classification. The SVM model, a non-probabilistic binary linear classifier, can be adapted for probabilistic classification using methods like Platt scaling. It efficiently handles nonlinear classification through the kernel trick, mapping inputs into high-dimensional spaces. In agriculture, SVM can be used for applications such as crop pest and disease identification, trajectory segmentation, and yield prediction. The chapter underscores SVM's pivotal role in transforming agricultural practices and discusses future research trends.

Different strategies in water management exist to deal with water scarcity issues in agriculture. This chapter provides an overview of the fundamentals and developments of two water allocation/demand management strategies, i.e. water sharing and water trading, with a focus on the Australian experience. Both water sharing and trading have been advocated worldwide for many decades. However, there is still a need today for ongoing debate, dialogue and improvements to the systems to both (a) increase adoption and implementation and (b) avoid potential adverse effects. Three major themes can be identified as a basis for successful water-allocation regimes, namely: (i) institutional/regulatory capacity; (ii) integration/stakeholder involvement; and (iii) monitoring/control systems. Considering future population growth and the projected water quantity and quality issues, functioning water sharing and water trading systems will need to be at the core of improving water management and delivering more resilient irrigation communities.

A well-functioning digestive tract is key to a sustainable poultry production. Significant progress in our understanding of the digestive tract functionality has allowed for further improvements, and will continue to do so. Feed intake is a prerequisite for a high performance, where feed particle size is a key element. Although crop retention would potentially improve the digestion process, the practice of ad libitum feeding does not fully stimulate to its maximal use. The gizzard plays a very important role due to its very effective fine grinding and its role as a feed-flow regulator, but structural components need to be included in the diet. As material passes into the relatively short small intestine, it is remarkably quickly digested and absorbed. Fermentation in the caeca may contribute to some energy for the bird, but its major role seems to be water reabsorption, including from urine being refluxed into the caeca from the cloaca.

Poultry meat is the most important protein source in human diet, and global demand increased annually. Broiler breeders are the parents of broiler and has a substantial impact on the poultry meat chain producing first class hatching eggs with healthy chicks. This is becoming increasingly challenging, because the continuing increase in the genetic growth potential of the offspring and the parent stock as well. Therefore, broiler breeders are feed restricted which on their turn caused abnormal behaviour towards equipment or other birds, which can be indicative of frustration, boredom and hunger. State of the art management for housing, equipment, and health are necessary to optimize reproduction of breeders for a maximum number of healthy offspring. Besides these mentioned factors, diet composition and feeding strategies are important factors to reach this goal.

In contrast to durable good supply chains, planning and control of agri-food supply chains are more challenging, e.g. due to perishable nature of the sensitivity of agri-food products. To provide managers with adequate decision-making support, it is crucial to understand the underlying planning processes along the entire supply chain. Recent events have shown that supply chain managers face various problems, from facilitating a transition to more sustainable food systems to securing food security by strengthening resilience. At the same time, an ever-growing population further exacerbates existing problems. This chapter explores the importance and complexity of planning processes in agri-food supply chains by briefly highlighting relevant building blocks for designing planning tools and by providing a comprehensive review on key planning elements, e.g. forecasting, production, and inventory planning. The primary focus is on planning and control activities based on techniques from operations management and quantitative methods from operations research and management science.

This chapter discusses the potential use of more sustainable alternative feed ingredients in poultry feed. It introduces the range of alternative protein-contributing ingredients, including crop sources such as legumes, peas and beans, as well as by-products from food and oilseed processing such as oil palm kernel and cottonseed meal, as well animal sources such as feather and blood meal. It also looks at potential energy/fiber-contributing ingredients such as bakery meal, food waste and fiber co-products such as hulls, pulp and bran. The chapter then discusses the role of exogenous feed enzyme additives (phytase, carbohydrase and protease) in counteracting anti-nutritional factors in alternative feeds and optimizing release of nutrients. Finally the chapter assesses the role of prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics and precision biotics in optimizing gut function for improved feed utilization.