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and Wheat, one of the CGIAR-centres). That means that the wheat that will be grown on millions of hectares in Africa and Asia in the coming years is susceptible to black rust. Harvest failure lurks in the background. In 2005 the new initiative, ”Global Rust Initiative”, was taken in order to prevent black rust. That does not alter the fact that the present efforts in food production research in most of the world are directed towards high technology, even though concrete results regarding prevention of plant diseases have not appeared on the horizon. At a recent international meeting in Australia, for example, not one of the speakers had the courage to promise new or improved resistance against rust in wheat in the near future with the aid of biotechnological research. It is seldom that anything good comes out of a onesided way of setting priorities. That also goes for research. A global starving out of research efforts in classical areas such as plant breeding, disease epidemiology and disease prevention is catastrophic, especially when it affects farmers in the third World. I can only encourage researchers, institutions and the authorities that grant funds to act responsibly. Slurry and a clean environment The desire to ensure clean water led to a research career in the world of slurry. By Janne Hansen, (Page 7) Slurry Most of us wrinkle our noses at the thought of coming too close with it.There is one notable exception among us: Sven Gjedde Sommer, Denmark’s first and only research professor in slurry technology, employed at DIAS’s Department of Agricultural Engineering in Bygholm and at the University of Southern Denmark in Odense. What makes a man dedicate his life to slurry? – I am driven by the environmental issue, explains Sven Sommer, who has worked as a research professor in animal manure technology since 1 October 2005. – On the one hand you must avoid water, air and soil pollution when using slurry. On the other hand, slurry 12 Personalebladet nr. 6 · 2005 is the best possible source of nutrients for plants.That is a fantastically interesting combination to work with, he says. His interest in environmental issues was aroused already during his school years in the 1970s. At that time the environmental debate was quite heated – especially when the talk was about water pollution. That influenced the young Sven Sommer in his decision to study biology with the aim of working with management of the environment. His interest in the environment led him to the agricultural college in Copenhagen and later on to the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, where he worked with protection of the groundwater, among other things. Later on, Sven Sommer worked at the National Environmental Research Institute,The Danish Institute of Plant and Soil Sciences in Vejen and Lincoln University in New Zealand. The tasks were often focused on evaporation and leaching of ammonia and eventually his interest landed in farmers’ slurry tanks. - Much of the debate was about agricultural pollution of waterways. There was not much thought about manure as an efficient plant nutrient source, says Sven Sommer. He is fascinated by the dichotomy between slurry as a source of both nourishment and pollution. Sharing slurry pearls Sven Sommer’s work with finding solutions for optimal slurry treatment often has far-reaching consequences for practical farming. For example, his work at the research station in Askov led to new legislation. He investigated how to minimize loss of nitrogen from stored manure. It was shown that a layer of leca stones is very beneficial. Since then, it has become a legal requirement in Denmark to have a protective crust in the slurry tank – and it is becoming an integral part of legislation in many other countries. In another project, in cooperation with other researchers, Sven Sommer has contributed to creating a set of figures that can create a basis for calculating the extent of ammonia evaporation in Denmark. This information can end up as the foundation for coming EU requirements. Sven Sommer’s extensive knowledge of slurry and manure management has brought him around the world. From Vejen to Vietnam and from Central Jutland to Malaysia he has cooperated with and supported local researchers in their work with collection, storage, treatment, spreading and utilisation
of manure, while taking into consideration optimal utilisation in plant production, limiting the spread of infection and minimising pollution. – I feel that here in Denmark we have the knowledge and visions concerning the best possible handling of animal manure, which we can teach to others.We can teach people in developing countries that manure is a farming resource and that it can become a source of pollution if not used for agricultural purposes. This knowledge is especially important in Asia, where they are in the process of establishing a large animal production, says Sven Sommer. Fruit project bears fruit An exceptionally well-written project application regarding fruit research received top grades in the EU and has born fruit in the form of a huge grant. DIAS researchers are at the head of the ambitious international project from start to finish. By Janne Hansen, (Page 8) Two very pleased gentlemen sat in the DIAS director’s office on 8 December 2005 and signed a contract for extensive cooperation. Research director in the Department of Horticulture Ole Callesen and DIAS director Just Jensen held the pens on behalf of DIAS in an agreement in which there are 62 other partners in a consortium that will be working with fruit research on an international level. It took less than a minute for Ole Callesen and Just Jensen to write their names on the contract but behind the agreement lie two years of hard work. That the project became reality is a classic example of how thorough preparation, top-tuned cooperation and an articulate, concise and precise project application can lead to impressive results. - In order for such an application to succeed you must build on your existing network.You cannot gather a network just for the occasion.There must really be commitment. Besides that, you need to perform a thorough and sober analysis of the needs, you must know the area through and through, and you must use the right words in the application. For example, ”product quality” are key words. Improved quality means improved health and greater consumer satisfaction as well as improved product sales.That is very important, says Ole Callesen. The project application, which achieved 4.8 points out of a possible 5.0, and which won a first place ahead of all the other applications, has given a dividend in the form of 13.8 million euro (approximately 103 million kroner). It will mean research work for 200 researchers at 62 institutions in 16 countries and includes 25 work projects with catchy acronyms such as SMARTFRUIT, FRUITSAFE and FRUITCLEAN.The project will run for about 4.5 years. At the head of the application as well as coordination of the course of the project are DIAS people. Ole Callesen is the project coordinator and responsible for the progress of the project. He is chairman of the steering committee and is the one who communicates with the EU. Niels Bent Bredmose, senior researcher at the Department of Horticulture, is the project manager. The DIAS share of the funds amounts to eight million kroner. They will be used partly for administration of the project and partly for research in apple quality, GMO-apples and allergy tests, and post-harvest handling of apples. The idea for the project was born at the annual meeting in the EU-fruit network in 2003.The creators of the idea had big thoughts: the idea was to create a work programme that includes projects regarding all aspects of fruit right from its start as a seed until the consumer bites into a juicy end product. Breeding, growing, harvest, handling, taste experience, allergy tests – there is almost no aspect that the huge project does not include. Local entrepreneur had winning tender Animal housing construction work to the tune of 50 million Danish kroner can now proceed – the entrepreneur has been selected. By Janne Hansen (Page 17) Before long the first hole can be dug and the cement mixer can take its first turn in connection with the second stage of the renovation and rebuilding of the animal housing complex at Research Centre Foulum. The project has been mulled over, the wish list written, the funds granted and – as the latest item on the agenda – the entrepreneur selected. Personalebladet nr. 6 · 2005 13
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Page 17 and 18: Lokal entreprenør vandt licitation
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Page 21 and 22: Robotter og biotek drager de unge A
Page 23 and 24: Nyt fra Hovedsamarbejdsudvalget Af

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