Publications
NIBIOs employees contribute to several hundred scientific articles and research reports every year. You can browse or search in our collection which contains references and links to these publications as well as other research and dissemination activities. The collection is continously updated with new and historical material.
2018
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Håvard Steinshamn Karl-Christian Mahnert Inga Marie Aasen Berit Marie Blomstrand Sokratis Ptochos Spiridoula Athanasiadou Ian Woolsey Heidi L Enemark Kristin SørheimAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Nina Elisabeth NagyAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Svein SolbergAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Marleen Pallandt Bernhard Ahrend Sönke Zaehle Marion Schrumpf Holger Lange Markus ReichsteinAbstract
Soil organic carbon (SOC) is the largest terrestrial carbon pool. Changes in the hydrological cycle affect C-cycle turnover, with potential effects on the global C balance’s response to global change. However, large scale model representations of the sensitivity of soil carbon to soil moisture, through decomposition and interactions with nutrient cycles, are largely empirical to semi-empirical and uncertain. To better represent these dynamics, the aims of this PhD project* are to: • Investigate the role of soil moisture on SOC decomposition over a vertical profile; • Assess which moisture controls are (most) important in a multi-layered, mechanistic soil biogeochemistry model, the Jena Soil Model (JSM, Fig 2); • Update and improve the representations of soil moisture dynamics in JSM and evaluate this model for multiple sites along a moisture gradient and global scale
Abstract
WOOL QUALITY OF NORWEGIAN WHITE SPÆL SHEEP BREED Lise GRØVA 1), Inger Anne Boman 2) 1) NIBIO, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Gunnars veg 6, 6630 Tingvoll, Norway; lise.grova@nibio.no 2) NSG, Norwegian sheep and goat association, Postboks 104, N-1431 Ås The Norwegian White Speal Sheep are characterised by their fluke-shaped and tapered short tail, dual-coated wool and the ability to thrive under harsh environmental conditions. The income in Norwegian sheep farming comes from lamb meat, wool and pelts. Today, wool is of minor economic importance, commonly accounting for less than 10% of the income. However, the interest of wool as a sustainable and local fibre is increasing. Wool quality traits of the Norwegian White spæl breed has been reported to be declining; i.e. an increase in medulated fibres and in kemp. To address this challenge, there has been developed and incorporated 1) wool quality assessment tutorials for farmers and breeders, 2) included heritability estimates of wool fleece weight and quality class in index calculations, and 3) conducted OFDA analysis of wool from breeding rams for three consecutive years. The work was initiated by the research-project KRUS - Enhancing local wool value chains in Norway (NFR 244618/E50) and has been carried out by NIBIO, the Norwegian Sheep Breeders Association (NSG), Animalia and Norilia. Wool quality assessment tutorials for farmers and breeders are available as a.pdf and video for free download from NSG webpage (nsg.no). A ‘wool evaluation kit’ with a magnifier is available for purchase, also from NSG. Implementing index estimates was made possible when including fleece weigh and fleece classification from all sheared lambs at slaughter into the Norwegain National Sheep Recording system. Further, OFDA analysis were conducted on wool from breeding rams collected autumn 2015, 2016 and 2017. The wool samples were analysed using the optical FD analyser (OFDA100; BSC Electronics Pty Ltd, Western Australia, Australia). OFDA analysis is conducted to describe wool quality traits, development of quality traits over time and also development of quality traits at different age of breeding rams. Preliminary results from this study will be presented at the conference. Keywords: sheep, wool quality, Norwegian white spæl, dual felt, double-coat
Authors
Lise GrøvaAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Lise Grøva Boris Fuchs Emma Brunberg Unni Støbet Lande Kristin Sørheim Svein-Olaf Hvasshovd Solveig Marie StubsjøenAbstract
Can sensor technology and real-time communication detect tick-born fever in sheep on range pasture? Introduction: More than two million sheep graze on unimproved, rough grazing land during the summer months each year in Norway. Free ranging sheep are perceived to experience high level of animal welfare through their opportunity to perform natural behaviour, but these benefits are compromised when sheep experience predator attacks, disease and accidents. Ensuring animal health and welfare in farming systems gets increased attention, and new policies and legislations are implemented. About 125 000 sheep (6-7%) are lost on such pastures every year. Tick-borne fever (TBF) is a disease considered to be a major challenge in sheep farming during the grazing season along the coast of south-western Norway. Clinical signs of TBF is often observed within 14 days of infection, starting with an abrupt rise in rectal temperature (often above 41o C). Being able to monitor farm animals on range pastures is increasingly important and implementing available technology for this purpose should be exploited. Implementation of sensor technology in rangeland sheep farming can monitor physiological parameters, such as body temperature (T) and heart rate (HR). Integrating sensors that communicate in a GPS tracking system may contribute to detect, locate and treat sick animals, as well as improve our knowledge of animal health in time and space in rangeland farming systems. Sensors for sheep that communicate with a GPS system is not commercially available today. The objective of the work presented here is to evaluate if temperature sensor information can be used for early detection of tick-borne fever (TBF). Materials and methods: In 2016, temperature sensors (T) (CentiT Star Oddi, Iceland) were implanted in the abdomen of 20 lambs in a sheep flock in a TBF risk area (coastal herd) and in 20 lambs from one flock in a non-TBF risk area (inland heard) in Norway. The sensors were programmed to log temperature every 10 minutes, and were implanted in lambs in early June and collected in early September to retrieve data. The telemetry system (Telespor, Norway) was used on all lambs, and provided real-time positioning data that was used for continuous surveillance on range pasture. All lambs were monitored twice a day for clinical assessment for a one month period after they were turned out on pasture and weight was recorded at birth, spring and autumn. Remaining lambs in the coastal and inland flock were used as control for effect of sensor implantation on weight gain. Number of fever incidences and magnitude of fever was calculated by estimating area under curve (auc) for each temperature incidence for each lamb. Results: In total 32 (80 %) of 40 implanted T sensors could be retrieved. From the coastal herd 17 of 20 T sensors could be retrieved and from the inland herd 15 of 20 Tb sensors could be retrieved. All 17 retrieved T sensors from the coastal herd and all 15 sensors of the inland herd worked as programmed. All lost sensor were not detected at retrieval as no lambs were missing. Temperature of all lambs in both herds ranged from 36.9 °C to 41.8 °C with a mean of 39.6°C (SD 0.35). Sensor implantation did not affect weight gain. There was a significant difference in fever incidences and magnitude of fever in lambs in the TBF risk area (coastal heard) compared to the lambs in the non-TBF risk area (inland herd). Conclusion: The study shows that real-time temperature information in lambs has potential as a disease alarm.