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As more animal welfare is required in livestock farming, several approaches have been developed to improve the well-being of farmed animals on a voluntary basis. Since farmers’ acceptance is important for the success of these approaches, their preferences should be considered when developing farm animal welfare programs. We used choice based conjoint analysis to investigate the preferences of 242 German livestock farmers (147 cattle farmers; 95 pig farmers) regarding the design of farm animal welfare programs. The conditional logit regression models show that the measures serving as basis for remuneration and the compensation level were of decisive importance for the farmers’ choices. The most preferred measure for assessing animal welfare, and thus as the basis for remuneration, was animal health. As expected, a higher compensation level led to greater acceptance of an animal welfare approach. The commitment period was only of subordinate importance with the longer commitment period being preferred. Our study outlines aspects of farm animal welfare programs that might encourage farmers to participate in these programs. Future programs could consider our findings by emphasising health parameters and by creating planning security through longer commitment periods and sufficiently high compensations for farmers’ efforts to improve animal welfare.
Iris Schröter; Marcus Mergenthaler. Farmers’ Preferences Regarding the Design of Animal Welfare Programs: Insights from a Choice-Based Conjoint Study in Germany. Animals 2021, 11, 704 .
AMA StyleIris Schröter, Marcus Mergenthaler. Farmers’ Preferences Regarding the Design of Animal Welfare Programs: Insights from a Choice-Based Conjoint Study in Germany. Animals. 2021; 11 (3):704.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIris Schröter; Marcus Mergenthaler. 2021. "Farmers’ Preferences Regarding the Design of Animal Welfare Programs: Insights from a Choice-Based Conjoint Study in Germany." Animals 11, no. 3: 704.
Zusammenfassung Die acht allgemeinen Grundsätze des integrierten Pflanzenschutzes (IPS) sind als über die Kulturarten allgemeingültiger Leitfaden zur Umsetzung des IPS auf den landwirtschaftlichen Betrieben gedacht. Sie greifen vorbeugende und aktiv eingreifende Methoden zur Verminderung des Schädlingsdrucks an den Kulturpflanzen auf und zeichnen ein derzeitiges Idealbild des Pflanzenschutzes. Eine Betrachtung der Umsetzung in Deutschland hat bisher nicht stattgefunden und soll in dieser Studie exemplarisch für den nordwestdeutschen Raum erfolgen. Zugrunde liegen Daten einer Befragung durch die FH Südwestfalen aus dem Herbst 2019. Es zeigt sich, dass insbesondere Erfolgskontrollen, zielartenspezifischer Pflanzenschutzmitteleinsatz und Strategien der Resistenzvermeidung auf den Betrieben genannt werden. Feldkontrollen vor Pflanzenschutzmaßnahmen sowie der Einsatz nicht-chemischer Methoden gerade in der Beikrautregulierung werden hingegen noch nicht als umfangreich praktiziert angegeben. Gerade im Bereich der vorbeugenden Methoden und dem Einsatz von Schadschwellen fehlen standortspezifische, praxistaugliche Handreichungen. Dieses Fehlen hindert eine weitere Umsetzung der acht allgemeinen Grundsätze des integrierten Pflanzenschutzes. Es sind weiterhin regionalspezifische Forschungen und Tests notwendig, um diese Lücke zu schließen.
Lukas Thiel; Marcus Mergenthaler; Verena Haberlah-Korr. Wahrgenommene Umsetzung des integrierten Pflanzenschutzes bei landwirtschaftlichen Betrieben in Nordwestdeutschland. Gesunde Pflanzen 2021, 73, 119 -134.
AMA StyleLukas Thiel, Marcus Mergenthaler, Verena Haberlah-Korr. Wahrgenommene Umsetzung des integrierten Pflanzenschutzes bei landwirtschaftlichen Betrieben in Nordwestdeutschland. Gesunde Pflanzen. 2021; 73 (2):119-134.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLukas Thiel; Marcus Mergenthaler; Verena Haberlah-Korr. 2021. "Wahrgenommene Umsetzung des integrierten Pflanzenschutzes bei landwirtschaftlichen Betrieben in Nordwestdeutschland." Gesunde Pflanzen 73, no. 2: 119-134.
Faba beans have been an important component in human and animal nutrition in many parts of the world for long periods of time. Soybean imports from overseas have been displacing domestic protein crops in Europe since the 1950s. Although the cultivation of faba beans entails different eco-system services, they are rarely cultivated due to their low market performance. The societal benefits and provisions of eco-system services of cultivating faba beans are well recognized by the non-profit association ‘Rheinische Ackerbohne e.V.’ (association for faba bean cultivation in the Rhineland). The board and the members of the association are mainly farmers but also agricultural trade companies. The association was founded to strengthen the cultivation of faba beans in the Rhineland, a region in Western Germany. For this purpose, promoting products made from local faba beans, and raising the awareness about faba beans, which may protect bees and the environment, shall help to establish market structures and a regional value chain.
Ina Stute; Bruno Kezeya-Sepngang; Verena Haberlah-Korr; Marcus Mergenthaler. Cultivation of faba beans for regional protein supply: a case study on the association ‘Rheinische Ackerbohne e.V.’. International Food and Agribusiness Management Review 2020, 23, 643 -659.
AMA StyleIna Stute, Bruno Kezeya-Sepngang, Verena Haberlah-Korr, Marcus Mergenthaler. Cultivation of faba beans for regional protein supply: a case study on the association ‘Rheinische Ackerbohne e.V.’. International Food and Agribusiness Management Review. 2020; 23 (4):643-659.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIna Stute; Bruno Kezeya-Sepngang; Verena Haberlah-Korr; Marcus Mergenthaler. 2020. "Cultivation of faba beans for regional protein supply: a case study on the association ‘Rheinische Ackerbohne e.V.’." International Food and Agribusiness Management Review 23, no. 4: 643-659.
Improving biosecurity in intensive livestock production has become an increasingly challenging task. Often, animal hygiene measures are implemented at lower levels than recommended. Therefore, veterinarians and farm advisors look for new approaches to improve their advisory process with farmers. In the current study it has been hypothesized that German pig farmers' big-five measured personality traits might correlate with farms' biosecurity level expressed by a “continuous animal hygiene index” and a “technical animal hygiene index.” Hence, comprehensive data on the implementation of more than 100 hygiene measures were collected at farm level from a specific pilot sample of 42 pig farmers from a livestock intensive region in north-western Germany. In addition, big-five personality traits (BFI-S) were measured by self- and other-rating. Inter-rater reliabilities for personality traits indicated expected positive correlations apart from agreeableness (rS = −0.101). Regarding the self-rating, neuroticism was valued lowest (x̄ = 3.88 ± 1.18) and conscientiousness highest (x̄ = 5.68 ± 0.70). The animal hygiene indexes revealed medium biosecurity levels on the participating farms. Piglet breeders had a significantly higher value for the “continuous animal hygiene index” (x̄ = 63.00 ± 9.91%). Personality traits conscientiousness and openness showed correlations with the continuous and the technical animal hygiene index. Depending on the production systems as well as the rating perspectives, correlations varied. For one of the personality traits playing a direct role in social interaction—extraversion—the advisory process might function as a mediating factor. The current results show that clustering of single hygiene measures into indexes in the evaluation of pig farms' biosecurity level might have advantages. The preliminary results from this study should be validated in larger, more representative samples. Furthermore, structured and systematic consideration of personality traits of farmers adds an additional aspect to include individuality of farmers more systematically in complex advisory processes. Interaction of personality traits with characteristics of the advisory process should be further researched and should be included in a much broader socio-political understanding of what is involved in changing practices.
Susanne Döring; Nicole Geisthardt; Henrike Freitag; Iris Kobusch; Marc Boelhauve; Marcus Mergenthaler. Animal Hygiene Indexes in Relation to Big-Five Personality Traits of German Pig Farmers Evaluated by Self- and Other-Rating. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2019, 6, 379 .
AMA StyleSusanne Döring, Nicole Geisthardt, Henrike Freitag, Iris Kobusch, Marc Boelhauve, Marcus Mergenthaler. Animal Hygiene Indexes in Relation to Big-Five Personality Traits of German Pig Farmers Evaluated by Self- and Other-Rating. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2019; 6 ():379.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSusanne Döring; Nicole Geisthardt; Henrike Freitag; Iris Kobusch; Marc Boelhauve; Marcus Mergenthaler. 2019. "Animal Hygiene Indexes in Relation to Big-Five Personality Traits of German Pig Farmers Evaluated by Self- and Other-Rating." Frontiers in Veterinary Science 6, no. : 379.
Aquaponics is an innovative food production method that combines the production of aquatic organisms with plant production. This can have environmental advantages such as reducing land conversion and resource input and waste output through nutrient cycling. To support the dissemination of aquaponics, key stakeholders need to be appropriately informed about this production method, an aspect that has received little attention so far. In this pilot study, visual perception of information about aquaponics was explored using eye tracking combined with a questionnaire. The results show that people distinguish between aquaponics variants when evaluating aquaponics. A production system with a more natural appearance is preferred. Allocation of visual attention is linked to the specific information content and to the assessment of the naturalness of aquaponics production. The results of the present study could form a basis for further research, not only to make information about food production systems more appropriate but also to develop food production systems in a way that people become more aware of the sustainability aspects of production methods and its products.
Iris Schröter; Marcus Mergenthaler. Neuroeconomics Meets Aquaponics: An Eye-tracking Pilot Study on Perception of Information about Aquaponics. Sustainability 2019, 11, 3580 .
AMA StyleIris Schröter, Marcus Mergenthaler. Neuroeconomics Meets Aquaponics: An Eye-tracking Pilot Study on Perception of Information about Aquaponics. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (13):3580.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIris Schröter; Marcus Mergenthaler. 2019. "Neuroeconomics Meets Aquaponics: An Eye-tracking Pilot Study on Perception of Information about Aquaponics." Sustainability 11, no. 13: 3580.
Economic viability of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) is the key requirement for additional social, environmental, and landscape functions within urban and peri-urban areas. However the rapid progress of urbanization drives the loss of farmlands to industrial, residential and other urban uses, and the decline of farms and population working in agriculture. Hence, the literature highlights the need to popularize new ideas and strategies of preserving and developing farms in urbanized areas.The main aim of this research is both to identify and assess determinants of success of farms located in urban and peri-urban areas. The key question that has arisen is: how do different adjustment strategies, locations and farm resources affect the success of farms? For this purpose a web survey was conducted among 199 professional urban and peri-urban farms in the Ruhr Metropolis (Germany). It is an old-industrialized polycentric urban agglomeration where agriculture has a comparably high level of significance in current land use. Analyses were conducted taking a resource-based view and using the classification tree method. The data indicate that farms which use various adjustment strategies are more successful. Elements of successful strategies, are include tourism services (mainly horse-riding) and direct marketing. Results further indicate that the effectiveness of those strategies (farm success) is mainly dependent upon a farms locations. Distance from the customer seem to be of utmost importance, because by minimizing transport costs, customers choose entities that have the most convenient location for them. By assessing farm success from a long-term perspective, it was noted that positive prospects of development apply mainly to full-time farmers who use appropriate adjustment strategies. In contrast, farms, which do not use any elements of strategies relating to customers from urban areas, seem to achieve success chiefly from having a relatively large surface area of farmland.
Wojciech Sroka; Bernd Pölling; Marcus Mergenthaler. City adjustments as the main factor of success of urban and peri-urban farms–empirical evidence from the Ruhr metropolis. NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences 2019, 89, 1 -13.
AMA StyleWojciech Sroka, Bernd Pölling, Marcus Mergenthaler. City adjustments as the main factor of success of urban and peri-urban farms–empirical evidence from the Ruhr metropolis. NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences. 2019; 89 (1):1-13.
Chicago/Turabian StyleWojciech Sroka; Bernd Pölling; Marcus Mergenthaler. 2019. "City adjustments as the main factor of success of urban and peri-urban farms–empirical evidence from the Ruhr metropolis." NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences 89, no. 1: 1-13.
Due to the risk of spreading epizootic diseases through rodents, pest control is mandatory in pig farming in European countries. However, there is limited research focused on rodent control practices, usage of anticoagulant rodenticides, and the acceptance of Pest Control Operators (PCOs) in pig farming in Germany. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate current control practices in pig holdings and to analyze the potential of a financial support on the implementation of professional pest control. Data were collected from monitoring records of PCOs and personal interviews with farmers and PCOs. 33 of 47 farmers, who were offered the possibility to outsource rodent control to PCOs supported by financial contribution of the North Rhine-Westphalian Animal Disease Fund (TSK) for a period of 2 years, joined the project.Despite the widespread opinion that the professional would not be beneficial - the authors figured out that farmers could financially benefit in time saved and by improved rodent control measures from the work of the PCOs. Costs of pest control measures per operation on average did not differ significantly between costs incurred by employment of PCOs (1.310 € per year) and calculated costs that arise by farmers themselves (1.217 € per year).All PCOs used Difenacoum and Brodifacoum against pest infestations. In doing so, the infestation with rodents was reduced and most of the participating farmers assessed the project as successful and employ the PCOs permanently. However, mapping the farm locations to resistance areas of the Rodenticide Resistance Action Committee (RRAC) shows that Brodifacoum was frequently used in areas which are marked as areas that are at low risk or rather have no risk for resistance. The environmental risks, however, are increased in these areas. The instrument of temporal start-up financing professional pest control allows ensuring the continuous engagement of PCOs after the project period. This could possibly lead to long-term effects on the individual farm hygiene and on disease prevention. Nevertheless, important research questions with regard to the application of anticoagulant rodenticides of farmers and PCOs in livestock farming and with regard to risk mitigation measures were generated, meriting further investigation.
Odile C. Hecker; Marc Boelhauve; Marcus Mergenthaler. Start-up financing of professional pest control in pig farming in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. Porcine Health Management 2018, 4, 22 .
AMA StyleOdile C. Hecker, Marc Boelhauve, Marcus Mergenthaler. Start-up financing of professional pest control in pig farming in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. Porcine Health Management. 2018; 4 (1):22.
Chicago/Turabian StyleOdile C. Hecker; Marc Boelhauve; Marcus Mergenthaler. 2018. "Start-up financing of professional pest control in pig farming in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany." Porcine Health Management 4, no. 1: 22.
The growing international food demand, the call for plant proteins to improve sustainability, the technological possibilities for sunflower protein ingredients, and the prominent role of Brazil in the world agricultural supply constitute the research background of this article. The aim is to analyze the process of establishment of the major sunflower agri-food chain in Brazil, seeking to support the future development of new sunflower chains to meet an expected increasing demand for high-quality sunflower proteins. A case study research design was applied, involving interviews with stakeholders from the input, farming, and processing segments. Moreover, the case analysis was guided by an analytical framework that regards the agri-food chain establishment as an entrepreneurial process. The findings show that the successful process of the sunflower agri-food chain establishment in Mato Grosso (MT) stems from a set of interconnected driving forces composed of entrepreneurial skills, social network, resource availability, and crop suitability. Furthermore, the analysis indicates the potential for the development of new sunflower chains among soybean farmers from other regions in MT, especially if new sunflower protein food ingredients lead to higher sunflowers prices, which would make this crop economically more attractive. Finally, this case study suggests that the collective establishment of agri-food chains is a challenging endeavor, especially if conducted by outside actors.
Lucas Oliveira De Sousa; Marcelo Dias Paes Ferreira; Marcus Mergenthaler. Agri-Food Chain Establishment as a Means to Increase Sustainability in Food Systems: Lessons from Sunflower in Brazil. Sustainability 2018, 10, 2215 .
AMA StyleLucas Oliveira De Sousa, Marcelo Dias Paes Ferreira, Marcus Mergenthaler. Agri-Food Chain Establishment as a Means to Increase Sustainability in Food Systems: Lessons from Sunflower in Brazil. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (7):2215.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLucas Oliveira De Sousa; Marcelo Dias Paes Ferreira; Marcus Mergenthaler. 2018. "Agri-Food Chain Establishment as a Means to Increase Sustainability in Food Systems: Lessons from Sunflower in Brazil." Sustainability 10, no. 7: 2215.
Bernd Pölling; Wojciech Sroka; Marcus Mergenthaler. Success of urban farming’s city-adjustments and business models—Findings from a survey among farmers in Ruhr Metropolis, Germany. Land Use Policy 2017, 69, 372 -385.
AMA StyleBernd Pölling, Wojciech Sroka, Marcus Mergenthaler. Success of urban farming’s city-adjustments and business models—Findings from a survey among farmers in Ruhr Metropolis, Germany. Land Use Policy. 2017; 69 ():372-385.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBernd Pölling; Wojciech Sroka; Marcus Mergenthaler. 2017. "Success of urban farming’s city-adjustments and business models—Findings from a survey among farmers in Ruhr Metropolis, Germany." Land Use Policy 69, no. : 372-385.
Consumer-oriented diversification activities, such as direct sale (“deepening”) as well as tourism services and care farming (“broadening”), are common business strategies of farms within urban areas. This empirical study investigates determinants of urban farming’s diversification decisions by analyzing a dataset of 123 farmers in German Ruhr Metropolis. Binary logit models are used here as econometric method to determine characteristics influencing the decision to diversify. Farm characteristics, which encourage the implementation of “deepening” strategies, are: larger farm sizes, high-value production, organic farming, and livestock production. By contrast, the consumer-oriented “broadening” strategies tourism services and care farming prevail on smaller farms and on farms with horses and higher grassland shares. Agricultural extension services increase the odds to diversify. The results of the conducted binary logistic regressions show increasing odds and predicted probabilities for “deepening” and “broadening” activities when approaching the city. Farms’ location advantages close to cities can be used best when applying consumer-oriented “deepening” or “broadening” strategies; namely, direct sale or other short supply chains, tourism services, and care farming. Viable business strategies of urban farming support a forward-looking integration into urban economy, society, and decision-making.
Bernd Pölling; Marcus Mergenthaler. The Location Matters: Determinants for “Deepening” and “Broadening” Diversification Strategies in Ruhr Metropolis’ Urban Farming. Sustainability 2017, 9, 1168 .
AMA StyleBernd Pölling, Marcus Mergenthaler. The Location Matters: Determinants for “Deepening” and “Broadening” Diversification Strategies in Ruhr Metropolis’ Urban Farming. Sustainability. 2017; 9 (7):1168.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBernd Pölling; Marcus Mergenthaler. 2017. "The Location Matters: Determinants for “Deepening” and “Broadening” Diversification Strategies in Ruhr Metropolis’ Urban Farming." Sustainability 9, no. 7: 1168.
Bernd Pölling; Marcus Mergenthaler; Wolf Lorleberg. Professional urban agriculture and its characteristic business models in Metropolis Ruhr, Germany. Land Use Policy 2016, 58, 366 -379.
AMA StyleBernd Pölling, Marcus Mergenthaler, Wolf Lorleberg. Professional urban agriculture and its characteristic business models in Metropolis Ruhr, Germany. Land Use Policy. 2016; 58 ():366-379.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBernd Pölling; Marcus Mergenthaler; Wolf Lorleberg. 2016. "Professional urban agriculture and its characteristic business models in Metropolis Ruhr, Germany." Land Use Policy 58, no. : 366-379.
Biogas production and power production thereof has grown to 22.8 TWh in 2012. The paper shows how biogas power is sold in the German electricity market, especially concerning direct marketing options. It also highlights the fact that the renewable energies need to be more integrated into the electricity market and provide system services such as balancing power. Promising progress has been made through amendments in legislation, but much lies ahead given the target of 80 % renewable power consumption until 2050.
Wolfgang Stauss; Ralf Biernatzki; Jurgen Braun; Marcus Mergenthaler. The transformation of Germany's energy system: What is the role of biogas in the electricity market? 2013 48th International Universities' Power Engineering Conference (UPEC) 2013, 1 -3.
AMA StyleWolfgang Stauss, Ralf Biernatzki, Jurgen Braun, Marcus Mergenthaler. The transformation of Germany's energy system: What is the role of biogas in the electricity market? 2013 48th International Universities' Power Engineering Conference (UPEC). 2013; ():1-3.
Chicago/Turabian StyleWolfgang Stauss; Ralf Biernatzki; Jurgen Braun; Marcus Mergenthaler. 2013. "The transformation of Germany's energy system: What is the role of biogas in the electricity market?" 2013 48th International Universities' Power Engineering Conference (UPEC) , no. : 1-3.
Marcus Mergenthaler; Katinka Weinberger; Matin Qaim. The food system transformation in developing countries: A disaggregate demand analysis for fruits and vegetables in Vietnam. Food Policy 2009, 34, 426 -436.
AMA StyleMarcus Mergenthaler, Katinka Weinberger, Matin Qaim. The food system transformation in developing countries: A disaggregate demand analysis for fruits and vegetables in Vietnam. Food Policy. 2009; 34 (5):426-436.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarcus Mergenthaler; Katinka Weinberger; Matin Qaim. 2009. "The food system transformation in developing countries: A disaggregate demand analysis for fruits and vegetables in Vietnam." Food Policy 34, no. 5: 426-436.
Quality assurance programs and access to international markets: the case of horticultural processors in Vietnam
Marcus Mergenthaler; Katinka Weinberger; Matin Qaim. Quality assurance programs and access to international markets: the case of horticultural processors in Vietnam. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal 2009, 14, 359 -368.
AMA StyleMarcus Mergenthaler, Katinka Weinberger, Matin Qaim. Quality assurance programs and access to international markets: the case of horticultural processors in Vietnam. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal. 2009; 14 (5):359-368.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarcus Mergenthaler; Katinka Weinberger; Matin Qaim. 2009. "Quality assurance programs and access to international markets: the case of horticultural processors in Vietnam." Supply Chain Management: An International Journal 14, no. 5: 359-368.
Food systems in developing countries are currently undergoing a profound transformation toward high-value products. Appropriate policies are needed to guide this transformation, presupposing good understanding of consumer preferences. We analyze consumers’ valuation of different vegetable attributes in metropolitan areas of Vietnam, using contingent valuation techniques and a mediation framework for two specific examples. Consumers are willing to pay an average price premium of 60% for Chinese mustard that is free of chemical residues and of 19% for different convenience attributes of potatoes. Income levels and media have positive impacts on the willingness to pay, partly mediated through consumer perceptions.
Marcus Mergenthaler; Katinka Weinberger; Matin Qaim. Consumer Valuation of Food Quality and Food Safety Attributes in Vietnam. Review of Agricultural Economics 2009, 31, 266 -283.
AMA StyleMarcus Mergenthaler, Katinka Weinberger, Matin Qaim. Consumer Valuation of Food Quality and Food Safety Attributes in Vietnam. Review of Agricultural Economics. 2009; 31 (2):266-283.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarcus Mergenthaler; Katinka Weinberger; Matin Qaim. 2009. "Consumer Valuation of Food Quality and Food Safety Attributes in Vietnam." Review of Agricultural Economics 31, no. 2: 266-283.
Nguyen Van Phuong; Marcus Mergenthaler. Meat consumption patterns in Vietnam: effects of household characteristics on pork and poultry consumption. 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleNguyen Van Phuong, Marcus Mergenthaler. Meat consumption patterns in Vietnam: effects of household characteristics on pork and poultry consumption. . 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNguyen Van Phuong; Marcus Mergenthaler. 2021. "Meat consumption patterns in Vietnam: effects of household characteristics on pork and poultry consumption." , no. : 1.