Search Results (67)

New regulations, such as the EU Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR), make verifiable agricultural data (AgData) essential for global trade. However, its value is compromised by a widespread “AgData Paradox”, characterized by distrust and fragmentation. To address this problem, we present AgriTrust, a federated semantic governance framework that automates and governs data sharing. Its key methodological innovation lies in the deep integration of a multi-sectorial governance model with a semantic digital layer, implemented through the AgriTrust Ontology (an OWL ontology for tokenization and traceability) and a multi-vendor, blockchain-agnostic architecture that avoids single-vendor dependence. We demonstrate the framework’s feasibility through simulated case studies in three critical Brazilian supply chains: coffee (EUDR compliance), soybean (mass balance), and beef (animal traceability). Using a semantic reasoning pipeline on a proof-of-concept federated knowledge graph of 2010 triples, we show how AgriTrust enables verifiable provenance representation, automated compliance checking via executable data contracts, and cross-platform asset management. The results provide initial evidence that AgriTrust offers a conceptually coherent blueprint for agricultural data sharing, though operational deployment, scalability testing, and performance validation under real-world conditions remain as future work. Full article

The sustainability of the beef and dairy industry requires a systems approach that integrates environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability. Over the past two decades, global genetics consortia have advanced data-driven germplasm programs (breeding and conservation programs focusing on genetic resources) to enhance sustainability across cattle systems. These initiatives employ multi-trait selection indices aligned with consumer demands and supply chain trends, targeting production, longevity, health, and reproduction, with outcomes including greenhouse gas mitigation, improved resource efficiency and operational safety, and optimized animal welfare. This study analyzes strategic initiatives, germplasm portfolios, and data platforms from leading genetics companies in the USA, Europe, and Brazil. US programs combine genomic selection with reproductive technologies such as sexed semen and in vitro fertilization to accelerate genetic progress. European efforts emphasize resource efficiency, welfare, and environmental impacts, while Brazilian strategies focus on adaptability to tropical conditions, heat tolerance, and disease resistance. Furthermore, mathematical models and decision support tools are increasingly used to balance profitability with environmental goals, reducing sustainability trade-offs through data-driven resource allocation. Industry-wide collaboration among stakeholders and regulatory bodies underscores a rapid shift toward sustainability-oriented cattle management strategies, positioning genetics and technology as key drivers of genetically resilient and sustainable breeding systems. Full article

Indonesia’s beef cattle sector plays a central role in achieving food security, enhancing rural livelihoods, and fostering economic resilience. However, it faces fragmented governance, import dependence, and persistent challenges of low productivity levels. To capture the evolving evidence base, this study conducted a scoping review of 61 peer-reviewed publications (2019–2025) drawn from six major databases. This study employed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Scoping Review Protocol and Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. Key patterns, advances, and gaps, along with evidence and research recommendations, were identified using the PAGER analytical approach. The dominant themes include production efficiency, environmental sustainability, policy, market linkages, and technological innovation. The results show that most studies employed quantitative or system modelling designs. In the global literature, multidimensional sustainability frameworks have shifted away from production-centric ones, with regional studies highlighting different emphases, such as carbon metrics in South America and market access and livelihood resilience in Asia and Africa. Integrated crop, livestock, and forestry systems; legume-based nutrient management; genotype-specific feeding and breeding; and enabling policies within inclusive markets were revealed through the synthesis of the PAGER framework as four calculated levers for sustainable transformation. However, actors inadequately integrate feed, genetic, climate interactions, and governance mechanisms. According to this review, technological innovation must align with adaptive governance. Climate-resilient, low-carbon beef systems also require the development of inclusive institutional frameworks. Indonesia’s experience demonstrates the benefits of integrating science, policy, and the market to improve productivity, resource stewardship, and equity in tropical livestock systems, thereby enhancing a resilient agri-food supply chain in Indonesia. Full article

To ensure transparent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), climate impacts from cattle production must be consistently allocated among meat, milk and raw hides. This review examines allocation boundaries, compares physical and economic methods, and evaluates the upstream burden attributable to hides using extensive data from the Italian beef sector. Three hypotheses were tested: that hides, as marketable co-products, bear a non-zero share of upstream emissions (H1); that the burden assigned by economic allocation is lower than that assigned by physical (mass-based) allocation (H2); that allocation shares vary over time according to hide/meat price ratios (H3). The results from large-scale Italian datasets confirmed all three hypotheses. Physical allocation attributed an average of 5.9% of live weight to hides, whereas economic allocation assigned an average of 2.7% in 2023, decreasing over the historical price series. Consistent with available inventories, the upstream carbon footprint of raw hides was found to range from 1.63 kg CO₂e/kg (economic allocation) to 3.55 kg CO₂e/kg (physical allocation) when GWP₁₀₀ was used. These findings demonstrate that neglecting co-product allocation leads to the systematic overestimation of the environmental impact of meat and the underestimation of the environmental impact of leather. Overall, economic allocation is the most appropriate and policy-aligned approach to hide accounting, reflecting market value and reducing methodological bias in beef-chain life cycle assessments (LCAs). Full article

Serratia species are opportunistic human pathogens found in diverse environmental habitats. Here, we report the first isolation of Serratia nevei from food samples in Nigeria. During a two-month epidemiological surveillance at a local food market in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria, a total of 180 food samples were collected, and isolation and species identification were performed using chromogenic agar and MicroScan autoSCAN-4, respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined using the MicroScan autoSCAN-4 system. Strain F129B, recovered from a fresh, unprocessed beef sample, was initially identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae by chromogenic agar and MicroScan autoSCAN-4, and subsequently as Serratia marcescens by MALDI-TOF MS. Only Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and bioinformatics analyses confirmed its identity as S. nevei. The strain was then selected for further characterization by Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and bioinformatics analyses to confirm its identity. The strain was phenotypically resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and colistin, with elevated MICs for aztreonam (4 mg/L) and cefuroxime (16 mg/L). In silico analyses of its genome confirmed the isolate as S. nevei, harboring genes conferring resistance to β-lactams (blaSTR-2), aminoglycosides (aac (6′)-Ic), fosfomycin (fosA), streptomycin (satA), and tetracycline (tet (41)). Its virulence repertoire comprises genes associated with adhesion (yidE, yidR, yidQ), colicin tolerance (creA and creD), and heavy metal resistance (czcD, chrBACF operon). These findings underscore the need for genomic characterization for accurate species identification within the Serratia genus. Our findings revealed the emergence of S. nevei in the food supply chain and highlighted its potential for zoonotic transmission. Robust surveillance of the local food supply chain is urgently needed in north-western Nigeria. Full article

This study analyzes the relational architecture of Brazilian traceable beef exports using a tripartite network model that connects certified meatpacking plants, AgriTrace sustainability protocols, and importing countries. By leveraging export authorization data from the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, it is shown that certification protocols function not merely as compliance tools but as relational governance infrastructures, mediating legitimacy, market access, and coordination within global value chains. Bipartite projections allowed the deriving and analyzing of two secondary networks: one mapping connections between meatpacking plants that share certifications, and the other linking consumer nations through common supply channels. The meatpacking plant network displays high modularity, featuring two dominant clusters alongside several smaller, regionally coherent clusters. This structure reflects diverse governance capabilities and strategic certification adoptions. Conversely, the consumer nation network shows lower modularity but identifies central hubs that organize international demand and signal regulatory alignment. These patterns reveal underlying dynamics of coopetition, where actors collaborate through shared standards yet compete through innovation. By integrating the Inner Development Goals (IDG) framework, it is revealed internal capacities, such as trust, complexity awareness, and shared purpose, underpinning the efficacy of traceability systems as ethical and adaptive infrastructures. This values-based lens provides a novel perspective on how technical systems can foster resilient, inclusive, and sustainable trade, thereby contributing to planetary health and human-centered development in global livestock governance. Full article

This study evaluated the diffusion of Listeria monocytogenes (LM) in a beef steak tartare production chain, aiming to (1) evaluate Listeria spp. diffusion in finishing farms supplying beef cattle, (2) evaluate LM prevalence in carcasses, and (3) map LM diffusion in the production plant. A detection rate of 6/76 was observed in the farm, while carcasses after skinning and before refrigeration tested positive in 19/30 and 11/30, respectively. During tartare production, 57/154 meat and 35/191 environmental samples tested positive. A total of 114 LM isolates were characterized via a whole-genome sequencing approach. Five clonal complexes (CCs) and seven sequence types (STs) were identified, with CC9-ST580 being the most prevalent. Four clusters were identified from both the slaughtering and production phases. Genes related to resistance to fosfomycin, quinolones, sulfonamides, lincosamide, and tetracycline were detected. Two hypervirulent strains (CC6-ST6 and CC2-ST145), harboring a full-length inlA, several virulence genes, and stress islands, were detected. Stress Survival Islet 1 was found in almost all the isolates. The wide diffusion of LM in steak tartare requires the management of some critical phases of the production chain (mainly slaughtering); genomic methodologies could be useful in describing the circulation and virulence of LM strains. Full article

In recent years, there has been rapid development in Chinese small and medium-sized livestock farms, accompanied by an increase in operational risks within the supply chain. To ensure the stability and sustainability of supply chain operations in small and medium-sized livestock farms, it is essential to thoroughly analyze their potential hazards and formulate effective prevention strategies. This paper employs the relevant supply chain theories, combined with previous research and expert interviews, to conduct an empirical analysis of supply chain operation risks in small and medium-sized livestock farms, with a specific focus on pig farms, beef cattle farms, laying hen farms, and broiler farms. The research indicates that the supply chain operation risks faced by small and medium-sized livestock farms primarily stem from external environmental factors and production-related challenges. Furthermore, external environmental risks predominantly arise from market fluctuations and compliance with environmental regulations, while production risk mainly pertains to disease safety. Based on the research findings, this paper proposes specific measures for risk prevention, including the strengthening of external environmental security, driving production innovation capacity, strengthening market forecasting capacity, constantly enhancing environmental awareness, and strengthening epidemic prevention efforts. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the global food supply chain, concurrently eroding consumer trust in imported food products. We conducted multi-round tracking surveys of Chinese consumers nationwide in December 2020 and January, March, April, May, July, and October 2021 to examine the stigmas induced by COVID-19 on imported cold-chain food. Results revealed that COVID-19 has induced a long-lasting stigma of imported cold-chain food among Chinese consumers. The mean willingness to pay for beef steak from the U.S., Australia, and Brazil decreased by about 4 yuan, 3 yuan, and 3 yuan, respectively, compared to that for the corresponding product before the pandemic. The results also showed that respondents’ risk perception of imported cold-chain food decreased slightly in the short term and then stayed at a high level. Elderly consumers and those with children were more likely to perceive a high risk of imported cold-chain food associated with COVID-19. Our results indicated that the stigmas of imported cold-chain food caused by COVID-19 persistently impacted consumer food behavior. Identifying ways to recover consumer trust in imported food is essential to boost consumer demand with the recovery of the global food supply chain. Full article

Cattle are ruminant animals that produce enteric methane (CH₄) emissions as a byproduct of their natural digestive process. U.S. beef producers have been receiving pressure to reduce production emissions. The scientific community continues to research and develop methods to reduce enteric methane emissions, but adoption of such strategies by U.S. beef producers remains unknown. We complete a review on producer adoption in the U.S. beef industry to shed light on potential factors that may impact the adoption of emissions-mitigating strategies by U.S. beef producers. After querying nine research databases, fifty-five studies were gathered and synthesized. These studies span the beef supply chain and focus on topics including feed additives, management practices, and reproductive technologies. Economic returns are a key driver of U.S. beef producer adoption decisions, with accompanying considerations for the impacts on consumer perceptions and demand. Segmentation in the U.S. beef supply chain, with animals typically changing ownership multiple times prior to slaughter, may result in challenges in tracing and verifying the adoption of climate-focused strategies. Targeting large-scale producers may be the most efficient avenue to achieving emissions reduction goals via the adoption of methane-mitigating strategies. Younger producers could additionally be a target demographic for adoption efforts. Full article

The food system has been in focus as one of the major drivers behind the environmental and climate crisis. In this context, there is a growing need for more transparent and reliable information on the environmental impacts of food production and consumption as part of the transition process towards more sustainable food systems. Stakeholders along the food supply chain are confronted with multiple requirements and systems as the demand for environmental reporting at the product, company, and country level increases all at the same time. Simultaneously, consumers are often more interested in the sustainability of the food products they consume. While there is currently a lack of coherent supranational or even national legislation regulating methodological procedures, private initiatives for the environmental and carbon labelling of food products have developed rapidly. This article finds that most labels are characterised by a lack of transparency, clarity, and comprehensibility. Examining 14 labels, mainly from the German food retail market, we found a puzzling variety of data sources and methodologies used to calculate the values and claims displayed. We highlight this variety in data sources and footprint values by looking at milk and beef as case studies. Full article

Determining the microbial quality and safety of meat is crucial because of its high potential to harbor pathogens. To address the critical knowledge gap and shed light on potential contamination risk in the meat supply chain, this study aimed to assess the underexplored microbial quality and safety of marketed beef meat in Oman. Thirty-three beef meat samples from six hypermarkets were analyzed for Aerobic Plate Count (APC), Psychrotrophic Bacteria Count (PBC), and coliform and Escherichia coli counts. Prevalences were 93% and 94% (means: 2.8 ± 1.1 and 2.6 ± 0.8 log CFU/g, respectively) for coliform, and 80% and 83% (means: 1.8 ± 1.4 and 1.7 ± 0.9 log CFU/g, respectively) for E. coli in imported and local samples, respectively. The mean counts of APC (6.3 ± 0.1 log CFU/g) and PBC (6.2 ± 0.2 log CFU/g) were statistically similar but different from those of coliform and E. coli. Bacterial identification using VITEK 2 compact revealed spoilage bacteria (Pseudomonas luteola, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Shewanella putrefaciens) and pathogenic bacteria (Acinetobacter bumannii complex, Aerococcus viridans, Enterococcus faecalis, and Oligella ureolytica), which demonstrates a potential for both spoilage and pathogen-related risks. It is concluded that the APC counts of all samples exceeded acceptable standards set by the G.C.C. Standardization Organization (GSO), which was established to protect food safety and public health in Oman and other Gulf countries. This suggests an increased risk of spoilage and pathogen contamination. This study provides one of the earliest reports of microbial contamination levels in meat, serving as an eye-opener for policymakers and stakeholders. It highlights a need for stricter hygiene protocols and improved meat handling and processing practices to enhance meat safety and protect public health in Oman and the Gulf region. Full article

The war in Ukraine and the related disruptions in its supply chains shook global markets for agricultural and energy commodities, causing their prices to increase to unprecedented levels. At the same time, this situation highlighted the fact that Ukraine is an important global producer and exporter of certain agricultural products. The complete opening of the EU market to duty-free imports from Ukraine showed that Ukrainian products constitute competition for both EU and Polish food producers. This, in turn, caused further disruptions in the food supply chains within the EU. The aim of this article is to assess the competitive position of Polish and Ukrainian food producers in the EU market and the prospects for the evolution of their competitive advantages. The analysis was carried out using selected quantitative indicators of competitive position, namely Balassa’s Revealed Comparative Advantage Index (RCA) and the Trade Coverage Index (TC). The calculations were made using statistical data from the World Bank WITS-Comtrade database. The research covered the period from 2018 to 2023, inclusive. The research shows that between 2018 and 2023, the share of products in Polish exports to the EU, in which both countries compete, increased to 37.5%; that is, both countries had comparative advantages in these products on this market. The current competition includes, among others, poultry meat, bakery products, wafers and cookies, chocolate, corn, fruit juices, frozen fruit, water and other non-alcoholic drinks, and wheat. At the same time, more than half of Polish exports consisted of products that may become the subject of such competition in the future (currently, only Poland has comparative advantages in the export of these products). These may include, among others, cigarettes, animal feed, fresh or chilled beef, other food products, smoked fish, canned meat, fish fillets, pork, canned fish, and liquid milk and cream. Therefore, Polish food producers face big challenges; the process of the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine and its potential integration with the single European market will strengthen the competitive position of Ukrainian food producers in the EU market. The current competitive strategy of Polish producers, based on cost and price advantages, may turn out to be ineffective under these conditions. Therefore, they must look for new sources of competitive advantage that will distinguish Polish products from the cheaper Ukrainian ones. Therefore, a strategy of competing on quality may prove effective. Full article

The current study focuses on the critical role of efficient cold supply chain logistics (CSCL) within the beef meat supply chain (SC), ensuring the timely delivery of premium products. Despite its significance, substantial food loss and waste (FLW) in CSCL pose multifaceted challenges across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. This comprehensive literature review aims to identify state-of-the-art CSCL for reducing food waste, key research themes, and their potential roles in red meat waste reduction, as well as identify future research directions. It explores four pivotal themes—management, sustainability, network design (ND), and new information technologies (IT)—each contributing uniquely to mitigating FLW. A review of papers published in the last two decades reveals management as the predominant theme, followed by sustainability, ND, and IT. The study underscores the interconnectedness of these themes and highlights gaps in current research, particularly the need for multi-objective optimisation models. These models should integrate uncertainties, sustainability dimensions, and technological advancements, while aligning strategic, tactical, and operational decisions to enhance CSCL sustainability and reduce FLW in the beef meat industry. This review informs stakeholders—researchers, policymakers, practitioners, the government, and the public—about emerging trends and opportunities in addressing food waste, thereby fostering more efficient and sustainable CSCL practices. Full article

Beef production is the primary contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in animal husbandry. But the carbon emission distribution, potential for carbon reduction, and pathways in the main links of the beef cattle industry chain are not yet clear. Balancing efficiency and fairness while taking tailored emission reduction paths according to local conditions is crucial in helping to achieve the low-carbon animal husbandry and “dual carbon” goals. This research adopts an industry chain perspective to assess four leading beef production regions’ carbon emissions, potential, and pathways in China from 2007 to 2021. We use life cycle assessment, the potential index which considers efficiency and fairness; the results are as follows: (1) The potential for carbon emission reduction in China’s beef industry showed an inverted U-shaped change trend from 2007 to 2021, and the average potential for carbon emission reduction in most provinces fluctuated around 0.500. (2) The main producing areas of China’s beef industry were divided into four areas of high efficiency and low fairness (Area A); high efficiency and high fairness (Area B); low efficiency and low fairness (Area C); and low efficiency and high fairness (Area D). (3) Differentiated emission reduction pathways were designed to reduce emissions, highlighting the need to implement region-specific carbon reduction policies. Full article