Update January 2011

Please feel free to distribute this update to other members of your organisation.
If you have any events, news or advertisements you would like to see included in the next newsletter, please email bgs21@cam.ac.uk by 10am on 14 January 2011.

Content in Summary:

Events – Next CPPS lecture by Dr Danny Zamir (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) Is there a limit to tomato yield?  17 Feb 2011, 16:00-17:00 at the Dept of Plant Sciences, Cambridge CB2 3EA, followed by networking; Training Event: Growing Quality Ware Potatoes: 24 Feb 2011, 09:00-16:00 in Attleborough; Conference: Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agriculture: 28 Feb-1 March 2011, at the Royal Society

Funding Opportunities - African Enterprise Challenge Fund Agribusiness and Renewable Energy Calls, deadline 31 Jan 2011; Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust (NFST) Award  to explore 'Life after manufactured fertiliser', deadline 18 March 2011.

Jobs – Research & Knowledge Transfer Managers in Non-Food Uses and Agronomy at HGCA ; deadline 31 Jan 2011

Miscellaneous – CALL FOR PAPERS: The Essential Principles of Small- and Mid-Scale Food Value Chain Development; deadline 15 Feb 2011; Technology and Innovation Centres Prospectus published

Events

Next CPPS Lecture
Speaker: Danny Zamir, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Title: Is there a limit to tomato yield?
Date:  17 Feb 2010, 16:00-17:00 (followed by wine & nibbles)
Venue: Dept of Plant Sciences (Large Lecture Theatre), Cambridge CB2 3EA
The lecture will be followed by networking over wine and nibbles; an excellent opportunity to connect with the speaker and other members from industry and academia!   All welcome, no registration is necessary.
Abstract available here
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Growing Quality Ware Potatoes
A seminar from the Training Association
Date:  24 Feb 2011, 09:00-16:00
Venue: Breckland Lodge, Attleborough, Norfolk
BASIS CPD points have been applied for
This seminar will deal with the blemishes and rots and what can go wrong with potato tubers destined for high quality outlets. It is aimed at practical potato growers and their advisors, as well as others who in their daily work deal with high value potato crops. Participants will be encouraged to contribute from their own experience in dialogue and discussion in order to acquire a better understanding of the reasons behind disease management strategies.
Cost: £50 (+ VAT)
For information about the course, and to obtain a booking form, contact Paul at paul@gansplanthealth.com or telephone 01223 212496 or 07834 355899 or visit www.gansplanthealth.com.

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Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agriculture
Date: 28 Feb-1 March 2011
Venue: The Royal Society
Delivering the increases in food production required from a growing population, while reducing agricultural emissions and adapting to climate change, presents a unique scientific challenge, which this discussion meeting at The Royal Society proposes to explore. For information on how to register, see http://www2.royalsociety.org/events/forms/1111.htm.

Funding Opportunities

 
The Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund launched in mid-2008 and has since run seven rounds of its investment competition, supporting new investment in the agribusiness, rural financial services and media and information sectors, across Africa.
Calls currently open:
* Tanzania Agribusiness Competition
* Renewable Energy and Adaptation to Climate Technologies Competition
Deadline for both 31 Jan 2011
Read more on: http://www.aecfafrica.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15&Itemid

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Opportunity to study 'Life after manufactured fertiliser' - Applications Open: The Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust (NFST) is pleased to announce a special award offering leading industry individuals the chance to explore 'Life after manufactured fertiliser'. This special award is open to UK residents working in the fields of food, farming or forestry and there is no age limit. The closing date for applications is 18 March 2011, to be followed by interviews for shortlisted candidates on 7 April 2011.

Jobs

 
HGCA are recruiting for Research & Knowledge Transfer Managers in Non-Food Uses and Agronomy.  Based at Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, deadline 31 Jan 2011. Details of HGCA's job vacancies are available on the AHDB website: http://www.ahdb.org.uk/vacancies/default.aspx.

Miscellaneous

 
CALL FOR PAPERS: 

The Essential Principles of Small- and Mid-Scale Food Value Chain Development
Manuscripts due February 15, 2011
JAFSCD invites researchers, ag/food system development professionals, and others to submit applied research papers, critical reflection essays, commentaries, and other manuscripts that provide critical insights into small- and mid-scale food value chain development.          
Further information can be found on: http://www.agdevjournal.com/current-special-topic-call.html. For details about JAFSCD and author guidelines, visit www.AgDevJournal.com/submissions.

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Technology and Innovation Centres Prospectus Published
In October 2010 it was announced that over £200m will be invested in a network of elite technology and innovation centres, to be established and overseen by the Technology Strategy Board. A prospectus (pdf) has just been published to begin launching these world-leading centres, including an invitation for organisations to register their interest in forming a technology and innovation centre focused on the area of high value manufacturing. Read more on http://www.innovateuk.org/deliveringinnovation/technology-and-innovation-centres.ashx.

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If you have any events, news or advertisements you would like to see included in the next newsletter, or to unsubscribe, please email bgs21@cam.ac.uk (deadline for inclusion in next newsletter is 10am 14 January 2011).

Job opportunity with Germains, Kings Lynn

Senior Laboratory Scientist – Kings Lynn

"At Germains, through our depth of experience and expertise, we employ an industry-leading combination of the latest technological and biological tools and techniques to significantly enhance the natural potential of seed.

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our UK R&D department for a Senior Scientist with experience of working in biological sciences with knowledge of plant and seed physiology. An understanding of soil science and plant nutrition would be advantageous.

The successful candidate will need to quickly develop a deep technical understanding of the current and future development project requirements of the business as well as identify new approaches to help the business achieve its long term goals."

Key Responsibilities would be:

• Research and development of new seed treatments and enabling technologies for the improvement of germination and vigour of seeds, with a focus on sugar beet
• To fully utilise company systems to accurately record all results, provide detailed statistical analysis of relevant information and to provide interpretation of results
• Conduct statistical analysis on study results to identify patterns and trends
• Write clear and concise reports to enable the presentation of findings and conclusions, as well as proposed next steps
• Communicate and transfer technical knowledge to manufacturing team to allow large scale application of new technologies
• Work closely with operations to periodically review manufacturing processes to ensure that maximum efficiencies are being achieved through all processes

The successful candidate will require the following attributes and skills:

• The ability to present ideas and recommendations in a clear and concise manner to enable effective business decisions to be made
• The ability to communicate effectively at all levels in the organisation
• Sound technical ability combined with a structured and business focused approach

Experience required is as follows:

• Minimum 1-3 years postgraduate experience in biological sciences
• Experience in seed physiology
• Experienced in conducting laboratory or agricultural field trials

A competitive salary and benefits package will be offered for the role which will be commensurate with the experience and track record of the successful candidate.

If you wish to apply for this position, please send your CV and a cover letter to:
Tim Drew, HR Manager, Hansa Road, Kings Lynn, PE30 4LG (tdrew@germains.com).

Call for papers

See http://www.agdevjournal.com/current-special-topic-call.html for the details below.


CALL FOR PAPERS

The Essential Principles of Small- and Mid-Scale Food Value Chain Development

Manuscripts due February 15, 2011

For details about JAFSCD and author guidelines, visit www.AgDevJournal.com/submissions.

JAFSCD invites researchers, ag/food system development professionals, and others to submit applied research papers, critical reflection essays, commentaries, and other manuscripts that provide critical insights into small- and mid-scale food value chain development.

Food value chains (FVCs) are a hot topic among agriculture and food systems development professionals. In FVCs, farmers and ranchers are treated as strategic partners, not as interchangeable — and exploitable — input suppliers. Values-based food supply chains (value chains) are strategic alliances between farms, ranches, and other supply-chain partners who distribute rewards equitably across the supply chain. They can include farm-to-institutions (schools, hospitals, prisons), multiproducer processors and wholesalers, multifarm CSAs, food hubs, food webs and networks, and the like. All partners in these business alliances recognize that creating maximum value for the product depends on significant interdependence, collaboration, and mutual support.[1]

Research suggests that successful mid-scale FVCs are built on three foundations:

* Appropriate volumes of high-quality, differentiated, market-engaging food products, coupled with value-adding stories of people, land, and practices;
* Strategic partnerships based on trusting, transparent, and win/win business relationships; and
* Effective, efficient supply-chain management and logistics, including product marketing, aggregation, processing, distribution, and record-keeping.

Papers can explore specific components within a chain (a farmer co-op or association), interactions of two or more links in a chain (farmers, wholesalers, processors, retailers, and eaters), or an entire chain. Examples include:

* Case studies of successful or failed FVC programs
* Research and education strategies that help build resilient FVCs
* How are FVCs playing a role in rural development?
* The role of FVCs in increasingly multifunctional rural landscapes
* Systematic analyses of key differences between FVCs and traditional food supply chains
* Local and global FVCs: influence of globalization on FVCs; should these be accepted or mediated?
* Overview analysis of the values chain sector (comparisons or outcomes across many cases)
* Implications of new food safety legislation on values chains
* Storage and transportation logistics
* Branding and geographical identity
* Performance and impact analysis
* Scaling up
* Building trust and transparency
* Business planning and/or record-keeping

The Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development is a NEW online-only international, peer-reviewed journal focused on applied research and best practices in the development of thriving farming communities and sustainable food systems. Peer reviewers include development practitioners, organization and agency staff, faculty, graduate students, consultants, and farmers from around the world with expertise in a wide range of agriculture and food-systems issues as they relate to community, ecological sustainability, and economic development. JAFSCD is online at www.AgDevJournal.com.

[1] Adapted with permission from Stevenson, G. W. and Pirog, R. (2008). Values-based supply chains: Strategies for agrifood enterprises of the middle. In T. Lyson, G. W. Stevenson, and R. Welsh (Eds.), Food and the Mid-Level Farm: Renewing an Agriculture of the Middle. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

OPEN CALL

The Journal welcomes papers at any time on any subject related to the development aspects of agriculture and food systems.

Content can focus specifically on conservation and farmland protection, value-adding, cooperative marketing, value chains, distribution, farm labor, market research, consumer decision-making drivers, and other topics. Authors are encouraged to submit applied research papers, commentary, and thought-provoking articles that inform the emerging field of agriculture and food systems development. Faculty and students, Extension and other educators, planners, consultants, staff with farm agencies and farm and community organizations, and farmers are invited to submit material.

For both calls, manuscripts should focus on the practical application of these innovations: the organization and mechanics of a program or strategy; engagement of stakeholders; challenges and unique solutions; impact analysis; and lessons learned. The Journal encourages "accessible scholarship" -- minimizing jargon, writing in the active voice, and addressing the interests of both practitioners and academics. These papers should inspire and inform new and existing community development efforts to establish and sustain farms. Papers that feature survey results with descriptive statistics, or case studies featuring best practices (or even post-mortem analyses), are highly encouraged.

The Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development
is published by New Leaf Publishing and Consulting (www.NewLeafNet.com).

Sci/Tech Bar in Cambridge

The Cambridgeshire branch of the British Science Association plans to organise a Sci/Tech Bar in Cambridge.

SciBars typically provide a forum for scientists and non-scientists to get together in an informal setting (a bar) to discuss a scientific topic. Typically, an active researcher/scientist introduces the session with a short background talk (< 30 minutes) on their work and this is followed by a general discussion around the subject.

We have come up with a new angle for a Sci/Tech Bar and the aim would be to convey the following messages to the public:

1. The importance of long term funding of basic science

2. The steps and timeframe required to develop the science/technology into a product already on the market or close to market

3. The difference in timescales from initial scientific discovery to products in different sectors

4. The interdisciplinary nature of product development (and therefore dependence on advances in different scientific disciplines)

5. The application of sciences into different end sector products (a classic example is the NASA technology and memory foam mattresses)

The proposed format would have a researcher/scientist give a short timeline of the key discoveries in the field that have lead to the point the science/technology could be developed into a commercial product (15 minutes). This would then be followed by a person from the company who highlights the development into a product on or near market (15 minutes). In some instances, one person could present both aspects.

Cambridge is the ideal place for such a format, with one of the world's leading research universities combined with a high level of Business Enterprise Research and Development, not only in start-ups but also in established multinational corporations.

We are now looking for companies who are willing to volunteer for a Sci/Tech bar which will start first quarter 2011. We anticipate that this would provide an ideal opportunity for local High Tech companies to showcase their technology to the wider community. If you or your company are interested, or want to know more about the Sci/Tech bar, please get in contact with Dr Katia Smith-Litière before 20 December at info@britishscienceassociation-cambridgeshire.org.uk.

HE Woodman Prize

PhD supervisors are invited to submit nominations for the HE Woodman Prize for the best PhD or MPhil thesis submitted to the University of Cambridge in 2010 that is relevant to the chemistry of foods. Nominations should include a copy of the thesis abstract, a list of publications based on the work described in the thesis and a statement - 400 words or less - describing the impact of the thesis work and the basis of its relevance to the chemistry of foods. The value of the prize will be around £300 or any other value thought appropriate that is equal to or less than the spendable income and capital of the fund. The Prize is awarded by the Professors of Botany and Genetics and nominations by supervisors should be sent to Ombretta Orsini (oo203) in the Department of Plant Sciences by midnight on 18 January 2011.

ADAS is recruiting a Crop Physiologist and Head of Horticulture

ADAS UK Ltd is a major provider of agricultural environmental consultancy and research throughout the UK, providing science based solutions. Their strength lies in the ability to provide our clients with an unparalleled range of objective, science-based information, advice and implementation services across the agricultural, horticultural and environment sectors.

Please see: http://www.adas.co.uk/Home/CareerOpportunities/Currentvacancies/tabid/220/Default.aspx for further details.

Closing dates are 15 December 2010 (Crop Physiologist) and 16 December 2010 (Head of Horticulture).

Update November 2010

Please feel free to distribute this update to other members of your organisation.
 

Content in Summary:

 CPPS lecture, Dr Lars Ostergaard, JIC: 25 Nov 2010, 16:00-17:00 at the Dept of Plant Sciences, Cambridge CB2 3EA, followed by networking
 Crop sciences and agri-biotech mission to the UK: Wed 8 Dec, Cambridge, deadline 24 Nov 2010

Next CPPS Lecture

Cell fate specification guided by hormonal and genetic interplay during fruit development
Speaker: Dr Lars Ostergaard, JIC
Date: 25 Nov 2010, 16:00-17:00 (followed by wine and nibbles)
Venue: Dept of Plant Sciences (Large Lecture Theatre), Cambridge CB2 3EA
Abstract:
Mobile signals provided by hormones and morphogens are essential to organise multicellular structures. Despite detailed knowledge on the dynamics of specific hormones in specific cellular environments, not much is known about the interactions between different hormonal pathways or between hormonal and genetic events that lead to proper organ formation.
The Arabidopsis fruit provides an outstanding model system to study organ patterning and cell differentiation with dramatically different cell types located immediately next to each other. Work on Arabidopsis fruit development has been impressively successful in identifying key genetic regulators; however, the data clearly indicate that in order to get an integrated view of fruit patterning, it is necessary to understand the role of hormones in the process.
We use Arabidopsis and Brassica fruits as models to study how genetic and hormonal activities interact to form a complex organ. Results will be presented on the importance of both local hormone biosynthesis and distribution, on communication between tissues to coordinate growth and how these processes are controlled.
The lecture will be followed by networking over wine and nibbles; an excellent opportunity to connect with the speaker and other members from industry and academia!  
All welcome, no registration is necessary.
 

Crop sciences and agri-biotech mission to the UK - Wed 8th Dec, Cambridge

Delegates from China, Thailand, the Philippines, South Africa and Brazil are coming to the UK in December to identify opportunities for international collaboration in research, technology development and transfer and we would like to offer you the opportunity to meet them.
The delegation includes experts from research institutes, private companies and investment funds. Their interests include, for instance: conventional breeding and transgenic crops; pest prevention and control; fertilizers; feed additives; plant extract and essential oils; food supplements and renewable energy.
If you are interested in meeting the delegates in Cambridge on Wed 8th Dec, please send the following information to bgs21@cam.ac.uk and b.forte@uea.ac.uk by the 24th Nov.:
Company:
Name:
Email:
Phone:
Website:
Summary of activities:
This event is being organised in partnership with the International Agri-Technology Centre and UK TI.

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If you have any events, news or advertisements you would like to see included in the next newsletter, or to unsubscribe, please email bgs21@cam.ac.uk (deadline for inclusion in next newsletter is 13 December 2010).