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
Authors
Åshild Taksdal Randby Elisabet Nadeau Linda Karlsson Erik Brodshaug Astrid JohansenAbstract
Total tract apparent digestibility of early dough and hard dough stage of maturity harvested Whole Crop Wheat by Dairy cows was examined in a latin square experimental design. The Whole Crop wheat was ensiled in big bales. The silage was either crushed or not crushed prior to feeding. The starch was completely harvested, regardless of stage of maturity or Processing.
Abstract
Several studies have shown the positive effect of nitrogen fertilization on conifer growth. In young Norway spruce (Picea abies) stands, an additional effect of including a mixture of other nutrients has often, but not always, been found. We studied effects of repeated fertilization in 28 stands with young Norway spruce in central Norway. The treatments consisted of plots without nutrient addition (Control), fertilization with 150 kg N ha−1 (150 N), and fertilization with 150 kg N plus addition of P, K, Mg, B, Mn and Cu (150 N + mix), repeated three times with approximately eight years interval. There was a clear positive effect on volume increment of the 150 N and 150 N + mix treatments compared to Control, and the effect was significantly higher for 150 N + mix than for 150 N. Fertilization had a stronger effect in the first fertilization period than in the second, while the third period was intermediate. The effect of 150 N + mix was strongest at plots > 300 m a.s.l. However, this correlation may be due to geological conditions rather than elevation. Further studies are needed to find out under which edaphic conditions a nutrient mixture will increase growth substantially in young spruce stands.
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Markus Berger Stephanie Eisner Ruud van der Ent Martina Flörke Andreas Link Joseph Poligkeit Vanessa Bach Matthias FinkbeinerAbstract
Due to the increasing relevance of analyzing water consumption along product life cycles, the water accounting and vulnerability evaluation model (WAVE) has been updated and methodologically enhanced. Recent data from the atmospheric moisture tracking model WAM2-layers is used to update the basin internal evaporation recycling (BIER) ratio, which denotes atmospheric moisture recycling within drainage basins. Potential local impacts resulting from water consumption are quantified by means of the water deprivation index (WDI). Based on the hydrological model WaterGAP3, WDI is updated and methodologically refined to express a basin’s vulnerability to freshwater deprivation resulting from the relative scarcity and absolute shortage of water. Compared to the predecessor version, BIER and WDI are provided on an increased spatial and temporal (monthly) resolution. Differences compared to annual averages are relevant in semiarid and arid basins characterized by a high seasonal variation of water consumption and availability. In order to support applicability in water footprinting and life cycle assessment, BIER and WDI are combined to an integrated WAVE+ factor, which is provided on different temporal and spatial resolutions. The applicability of the WAVE+ method is proven in a case study on sugar cane, and results are compared to those obtained by other impact assessment methods.
Authors
Melissa Magerøy Hugh B. Cross Torstein Tengs Carl Gunnar Fossdal Pierre Petriacq Adam Vivian-Smith Tao Zhao Paal KrokeneAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Knut Egil Bøe Guro Dragsund Grete Helen Meisfjord Jørgensen Eileen E. Fabian-WheelerAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
In recent years, slatted floors made of materials like fiber composite and plastic have been introduced in animal housing systems. These modern floor types are claimed to have low heat conductivity and hence be “better” for the sheep than expanded metal, but the actual preference in sheep has not yet been tested. The aim of this study was to investigate the preference of ewes for different floor materials at low ambient temperatures. The experiment was performed in a non-insulated building and the indoor air temperature varied from -11.8 to + 3 °C. Each experimental pen measured 3.0 x 2.0 m (total 6.0 m2) and were divided into two equal sections (A and B). A total of 30 non-pregnant ewes were sheared and allocated to one of ten stable groups with three animals per group. Five different floor types – expanded metal, slatted floor made of fiber composite, slatted floor made of plastic, solid floor made of wood and solid floor consisting of a rubber mat, were installed in section A and B in the experimental pens. Groups were habituated to all floor material combinations and systematically rotated through the ten pens. Behaviors were scored from 20 hour video recordings using instantaneous sampling at 10 minute intervals. In addition, heat conductivity properties of the five different floor materials were tested. On days with low temperatures, the ewes were standing or walking more, resting less, eating or drinking more and resting more in physical contact than on days with higher temperatures. When given the choice, ewes showed clear preferences for standing/walking and resting on solid floor materials than on slatted floors. This is consistent with earlier preference tests on sheared sheep. Ewes did not seem to show a clear preference for one slatted floor material over another for resting. The proportion of time spent standing/walking in the pen was steadily reduced as air temperature in the barn increased. The present experiment suggests that none of the floor combinations had thermal properties that adversely affect resting and other general behaviors of the animals. The heat conductivity properties were similar among the slatted floors. In conclusion, the claimed favorable thermal properties of plastic slatted floors and fiber composite were not confirmed. There must be other properties of the floor than heat conductivity that influences the preference in ewes.
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
In recent years, slatted floors made of materials like fiber composite and plastic have been introduced in animal housing systems. These modern floor types are claimed to have low heat conductivity and hence be “better” for the sheep than expanded metal, but the actual preference in sheep has not yet been tested. The aim of this study was to investigate the preference of ewes for different floor materials at low ambient temperatures. The experiment was performed in a non-insulated building and the indoor air temperature varied from -11.8 to + 3 °C. Each experimental pen measured 3.0 x 2.0 m (total 6.0 m2) and were divided into two equal sections (A and B). A total of 30 non-pregnant ewes were sheared and allocated to one of ten stable groups with three animals per group. Five different floor types – expanded metal, slatted floor made of fiber composite, slatted floor made of plastic, solid floor made of wood and solid floor consisting of a rubber mat, were installed in section A and B in the experimental pens. Groups were habituated to all floor material combinations and systematically rotated through the ten pens. Behaviors were scored from 20 hour video recordings using instantaneous sampling at 10 minute intervals. In addition, heat conductivity properties of the five different floor materials were tested. On days with low temperatures, the ewes were standing or walking more, resting less, eating or drinking more and resting more in physical contact than on days with higher temperatures. When given the choice, ewes showed clear preferences for standing/walking and resting on solid floor materials than on slatted floors. This is consistent with earlier preference tests on sheared sheep. Ewes did not seem to show a clear preference for one slatted floor material over another for resting. The proportion of time spent standing/walking in the pen was steadily reduced as air temperature in the barn increased. The present experiment suggests that none of the floor combinations had thermal properties that adversely affect resting and other general behaviors of the animals. The heat conductivity properties were similar among the slatted floors. In conclusion, the claimed favorable thermal properties of plastic slatted floors and fiber composite were not confirmed. There must be other properties of the floor than heat conductivity that influences the preference in ewes.