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Prices a little higher in some cases
The Peking duck dominates the range of ducks, and there is also the barbarian duck, mostly from France, the land of gourmets, but also from German production. In the case of the barbarian ducks, a cross between the domestic duck and the wild drake, the descent from the wild bird is even more pronounced. On the one hand, this affects the hearty taste and, on the other hand, the higher proportion of breast meat, as these birds use their muscles even more to fly.
When selling fresh barbarian ducks from German production to end consumers, prices are sometimes slightly higher than in the previous year. According to surveys by the Bonn ZMP together with the Chambers of Agriculture and the southern German farmers' associations, the price range this year is from 5,50 to 8,50 euros per kilogram, in the previous year it was 5,25 to 8,50 euros. Frozen barbarian ducks from France can often be bought in retail for around 3,50 to 4,00 euros per kilogram, for fresh barbarian duck legs between six and eight euros per kilogram.
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Exceptional catch on a research trip
The fishing research cutter "Clupea" has just completed its 150th research trip in the Mecklenburg Bay. During their investigations, the scientists from the Federal Research Center for Fisheries (BFAFi) made an extraordinary observation. In front of Warnemünde, various fish species were caught that had only rarely or never been observed in this area in the past 10 years. The most spectacular catch was two cuttlefish (squid), which was almost overlooked among a large number of jackfish.
The fishing research cutter "Clupea" of the BFAFi has been regularly active in the Baltic Sea for more than 50 years
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The French discover other substances with possible anti-tumor effects
The latest news for red wine lovers sounds promising: French researchers have found other polyphenols in dark grape juice that could have anti-carcinogenic effects, the researchers report. It was known that polyphenols give red wine its characteristic bitter aroma; these substances are also supposed to prevent heart disease and atherosclerosis, the researchers reported earlier. http://www.iecb.u-bordeaux.fr
French researchers working with Stephane Quideau have now discovered other representatives of the polyphenols in red wine, which are formed when maturing in oak barrels. Polyphenols are a large group of substances that include tannins and coloring agents in many fruits and vegetables, such as tannins and flavonoids. "Many of these substances have already found their way into medicine, but the potential is far from being exhausted," explains Quideau. The researchers have now discovered another interesting compound in red wine, Acutissimin A. The substance is a so-called flavano-ellagitannin and thus has both a flavonoid and a tannin component. The substance was first found in a species of oak.
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Cell damage is prevented or delayed
Correctly dosed stress can have benefits. Scientists at Northwestern University http://www.northwestern.edu have shown that increased levels of certain protective proteins promote longevity. These proteins, the so-called molecular companions, react to stress in the cell. Acute stress triggers a gradual reaction in the cells, which leads to the repair or removal of damaged proteins, thus preventing or delaying cell damage. The results of the study were published in the journal Molecular Biology of the Cell http://www.molbiolcell.org.
The biologist Richard I. Morimoto explained that occasional stress or persistently low stress levels can have a protective function. "The brief exposure to environmental or physiological stress is beneficial for the cell in the long term." These stressors include elevated temperatures, exposure to oxygen, bacterial and viral infections, and toxins such as heavy metals. The master protein heat shock factor recognizes the stress and reacts by activating genes that encode the molecular companions.
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According to the Federal Statistical Office, the index of wholesale sales prices in November 2003 was 1,5% above the level of November 2002. In October and September 2003 the annual rates of change were + 0,8% and + 0,6%, respectively. The total index excluding petroleum products increased by 2003% in November 1,4 compared to the previous year.
Compared with October 2003, the wholesale sales price index fell slightly (- 0,1%). However, excluding petroleum products, the wholesale price index rose by 0,1% compared to the previous month. Within a month, prices for tomatoes (- 29,2%), live pigs (- 7,8%), pork (- 6,5%), apples (- 4,5%) and bananas (- 4,0, 11,5%). In contrast, fish and fish products (+ 7,1%) and animal feed (+ XNUMX%) became more expensive.
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According to final calculations by the Federal Statistical Office, the consumer price index for Germany rose by 2003% in November 2002 compared to November 1,3. Compared to October 2003, the index fell by 0,2%. The estimate for November 2003 based on the results from six federal states was thus confirmed. In September 2003 the annual rate of change was 1,1%, in October 2003 it was 1,2%.
Since June 2003 the prices for mineral oil products have hardly influenced the inflation rate: Without heating oil and fuels, the overall index would also have risen by 2003% in November 1,3, although both the prices for light heating oil (+ 4,4%) and the fuel prices would have increased (+ 3,1%, including diesel: + 3,8%) above average compared to the previous year. In a month-on-month comparison, on the other hand, light heating oil cost 1,7% less and fuel prices fell slightly compared to October 2003 (- 0,9%). Without including the petroleum products, the overall index would have fallen by 0,1%.
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Simulation model calculates impact
Commercial cultivation of genetically modified (GM) oilseed rape may become widespread in the near future. To what extent, then, will transgenes spread across the landscape? To what extent are other cultivation systems or uses affected? A group of scientists from the Ecology Center at the University of Kiel examined these questions for rapeseed cultivation in Schleswig-Holstein. dr Wilhelm Windhorst presented the results so far at a conference on coexistence in Berlin. A biological simulation model was used to record the biological basis and human intervention in detail for small, delimited areas. For the calculations, not only all typical cultivation methods, rapeseed cultivation density and regional cultivation systems were taken into account. Voluntary rape, wild rape and wild crossing partners were also included. The database was broad and ranged from publicly accessible satellite image information (Landsat) to data from regional agricultural statistics.
Assuming 10% GM rapeseed cultivation and a distance of 5 km to each GM rapeseed field, a residual area of 17% would remain in Schleswig-Holstein, which can be classified as relatively unaffected. In case studies, the impact of GMO-free farmers in the immediate vicinity of GMO fields could be quantified. In neighboring fields of comparable size, the proportion of GMO in the crop of the conventional field decreases with increasing field size. For areas larger than approx. 15 ha, the proportion of GM rapeseed remains below 0,5%. Unfavorable spatial constellations as well as naturally occurring, higher cross-pollination rates of some rapeseed varieties can contribute to the fact that the limit of 15% GM rapeseed share is exceeded even in plot sizes of up to approx. 0,9 ha.
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Composting is economical and sustainable
If the compost utilization in agriculture is carried out according to the rules of "good professional practice", it is economically viable in the long term and contributes to sustainability. This is the result of a long-term experiment in Baden-Württemberg, which was carried out on six sites with different soils. Compost could significantly increase soil fertility and stabilize yields. Compost inputs from 6 to 7 t / ha dry matter per year improved the humus supply and soil pH and ensured the supply of phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. Lime and basic fertilizer inputs could be completely saved. Compost inputs have a positive effect on soil physical and soil biological properties such as the stability of the soil aggregates, the water balance and the microbiological activity. If the current legal limits are exceeded, can prevent the dreaded enrichment with heavy metals, it says in a press release of the University of Nürtingen. An economic assessment of compost utilization in agriculture depending on farm type, soil type and frequency of compost application has shown that the greatest benefit is on heavy soils with suboptimal soil conditions in market crops with negative humus balance. After five to seven years of compost application, an increase of the contribution margins of annually to 80 - 120 Euro / ha is to be expected here. Participants in the research project Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU) were the Gütegemeinschaft Kompost Region Süd eV (Leonberg), the Agricultural Research and Research Institute Augustenberg (Karlsruhe), the Institute for Agricultural Policy of the University of Hohenheim and the University of Nürtingen. aid, Renate Kessen
The entire final report of the project can be printed or as a CD-Rom for 20 EUR at the Gütegemeinschaft Kompost Region Süd eV, Poststr.1 / 3, 71229 Leonberg, Tel. 07152 / 399191, Fax 07152 / 399193, eMail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots To display JavaScript must be turned on! and at the LUFA Augustenberg, Nesslerstrasse 23, 76227 Karlsruhe, Tel. 0721 / 9468170, Fax 0721 / 9468112, eMail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots To display JavaScript must be turned on! be obtained. A short version of the results costs 10 EUR.
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Swiss study paints a shocking picture for the alpine state
According to a recently published study, more than 40 percent of the bacteria found in Swiss chickens are resistant to at least one antibiotic. The findings have implications for the fight against foodborne illness, experts say, reports BMC Public Health http://www.biomedcentral.com.
In investigations by the Swiss Veterinary Office, 415 samples were taken from more than 120 different retailers from all over Switzerland and Liechtenstein and examined for antibiotic resistance. A total of 91 different Campylobacter strains were identified, 59 percent of which were resistant to all antibiotics tested. 19 strains were resistant to a single antibiotic, nine strains against two and eight strains against three. Incidentally, meat was more likely to be infected with Campylobacter if it was only refrigerated but not frozen. Nevertheless, storage conditions make no difference whether there was more resistance or not.
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Consultations in Schwerin on the Federal Council's decision on the Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Husbandry Ordinance
In a consultation on December 9, 2003, the Minister for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, Dr. Till Backhaus (SPD) discussed the Federal Council decision on the Animal Welfare Livestock Farming Ordinance, concerning the keeping of laying hens and pigs, and the resulting consequences with experts from various research institutions, from agriculture and from the consumer advice center.
"Animal protection has a high priority in the work of my company. For this very reason, I cannot understand the reasoning of some of the animal and environmental protection associations," said Minister Dr. Backhaus in consultation. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is in favor of phasing out conventional cage farming as quickly as possible. "Even before taking over the ministerial post, I was vehemently fighting for the abolition of the cages and, together with other advocates, prevented the construction of Europe's largest laying hen farm in Neubukow," the minister recalled.
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Abundant supply pushes prices down
The slaughter pig market in November was characterized by a plentiful supply in large parts of our country. Due to the high slaughtering activities of the local slaughterhouses, however, most of the animals on offer could be placed on the market. However, the prices paid for slaughter pigs fell significantly over the course of the month and at the turn of the month November/December were only 1,12 euros per kilogram on average for all classes.
On a monthly average, fatteners received 1,20 euros per kilogram of slaughter weight for slaughter pigs in meat trading class E, which was five cents less than in October and seven cents less than a year ago. On average for all trade classes E to P, the quotations of EUR 1,16 per kilogram were also six cents lower than in the previous month and missed the previous year's level by seven cents.
