Journals for arboriculturalists!

The LRC has a range of journals covering different aspects of arboriculture.  They can be found on the shelves and the carousel behind Student Services. 

• Arboriculture Journal – International Journal of Urban Forestry
• Arboricultural Association Newsletter (www.trees.org.uk)- published four times a year
• Broadleaf – magazine of  The Woodland Trust – published twice a year
• Essential Arb
• Forest Life – by the Forestry Commission
• Forestry Journal – published monthly
• Quarterly Journal of Forestry – official publication of the Royal Forestry Society – published four times a year
• Tree News – published by the Tree Council (www.treecouncil.org.uk) – published twice a year
• Woodland Heritage Journal – published yearly

We also receive regular information from “The Tree Advice Trust” who provide an Arboricultural advisory and information service covering:

• Arboricultural Practice notes
• Tree Damage Alerts
• Assistance with Arboricultural reading

There are some copies of Arboriculture and Urban Forestry (Scientific Journal of the International Society of Arboriculture) from 2001 to 2007.

So as the nights draw in and the days get colder, pop into the LRC at Moreton Morrell and settle down with some interesting reading.

Posted by Cathy

Extinction: Where Will It Stop?

The 2009 edition of the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species was released yesterday, and the news wasn’t good: out of 47,677 assessed species, 17,291 (36 percent) are threatened with extinction.

These include 21% of all known mammals, 30% of amphibians, 70% of plants and 35% of invertebrates. The breakdown of the endangered species’ status on the new IUCN list is as follows:

• Extinct: 809
• Extinct in the Wild: 66
• Critically Endangered: 3,325 (of these, 257 species are listed as “possibly extinct”)
• Endangered: 4,891
• Vulnerable (to extinction): 9,075
• Near Threatened: 3,650

Last year’s list assessed 44,838 species; information on more than 2,800 additional species has been added in 2009. This includes more than 1,300 previously unassessed dragonflies and damselflies, of which the IUCN recently completed a major new study.

Amphibians seem to be facing the greatest threat, with 1,895 of 6,285 assessed species in danger of extinction. One amphibian species, the Kihansi Spray Toad (Nectophrynoides asperginis), has been moved from the IUCN’s critically endangered list and is considered extinct in the wild. This toad was only found in the Kihamsi Falls area of Tanzania and its population has crashed from a high of about 17,000 in recent years. Conservationists suggest that this is as a result of a dam being constructed upstream from the toad’s habitat, which resulted in a 90% reduction in the flow of water.

“These results are just the tip of the iceberg,” said Craig Hilton-Taylor, manager of the IUCN Red List Unit, in a prepared statement. “There are many more millions [of species] out there which could be under serious threat.”

For further information, visit www.iucn.org

posted by Kathy & Sophie

Books for Sale

Come and check out the variety of second hand books we have for sale in the LRC at the Moreton Morrell site – these cover a host of subjects including Accounting, Agriculture, Animals, Business, Construction, Crops, Engineering, Horses, Horticulture, Marketing – the list goes on. 

We also have a large number of fiction books for sale too – all starting from as little as twenty pence!!! 

Grab a bargain.  See for yourself – opposite the Horticultural section on the ground floor!

Posted by Claire

 

New Codes of Practice on Equine Diseases for 2010

Each year, the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) updates and publishes Codes of Practice on:

Venereally transmitted bacterial diseases caused by the contagious equine metritis organism CEMO, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA); Equine herpesvirus (EHV); Equine coital exanthema (ECE); Equine infectious anaemia (EIA); Guidelines on Strangles.

Any of the above diseases can have serious consequences for horse and pony breeding. They can compromise welfare, disrupt breeding activity, cause economic loss to mare and stallion owners and are costly to deal with.

The Codes of Practice set out minimum recommendations for the prevention of these diseases and for their control, should they occur, during horse or pony breeding activities. The recommendations apply to all breeds of horse and pony, and to both natural mating and AI.

 Copies are available FREE from MM LRC, whilst stocks last. 

Download your own copy from http://www.hblb.org.uk/sndFile.php?fileID=58

posted by Steph

Wind Farms : do you have a problem with wind?

Government legislation requires that by 2010 10% of electricity supply must come from renewable sources. Wind power is currently the most cost effective alternative energy and produces no greenhouse gas emissions or waste products. There are a number of websites outlining the facts and myths about wind energy and the impact wind farms have on the environment, countryside and wildlife.

 We are all too well aware of the need for alternative sources of energy, however, how would we feel if they impacted on our own backyard?

Currently there is a proposal to erect up to 6 wind turbines on farmland close to the villages of Knightcote, Gaydon, Northend and Bishops Itchington (http://www.starboldwindfarm.co.uk/).

With the very real prospect of windfarms being built in our local area, is it time we found out about the facts and myths of wind energy for ourselves and ask ourselves: are wind farms good or bad for the environment; is beauty is in the eye of the beholder; or are they just a blot on the landscape?

posted by Lucy

Are you hungry for nutritional info.?

New 2009

If you are studying horse nutrition at an introductory level, then this is the ideal book for you. It covers the current syllabuses set out by equine science and management courses, and is particularly suitable for those who lack background knowledge in science.  

 

 

4th edn., 2008

 This book has been revised to reflect the current understanding of nutritional and dietary requirements. It includes new information examining the role of nutrition in common chronic diseases, as well as end-of-chapter exercises & key point summaries. A CD-ROM with PowerPoint presentations for each chapter covers self-assessment tests, clinical problems, a virtual laboratory, and a program for nutrient analysis and meal evaluation. The author uses concise, authoritative language to emphasize and describe the underlying biochemistry that is essential to an understanding of nutrient function. With clear and simple diagrams, the text explores the physiological need for food and describes the metabolic pathways, their integration and control, and the biochemical basis of their nutritional and physiological importance. 

The first and only nutrition book written with the special needs of your performance dog in mind. An excellent resource for determining what food is best for your dog to enhance working ability, also a great reference when special nutritional situations arise. It will help you discover why different types of performance dogs have different nutritional requirements;  how to make your dog a top winner with simple nutritional recommendations;  the benefit of certain nutrients and how they promote peak performance;  & how to find nutritional solutions to performance problems.  

posted by Pippa

New Health & Safety books website

From 1 September 2009….

The Health & Safety Executive has made the content of approx. 230 of their priced publications freely available through their HSE Books website. These mainly include HSE’s ‘HSG’ and ‘L’ series of publications.

The content of these priced publications are now freely available in PDF format. Printed hard copies can also be purchased through the new website. The option to view a PDF is shown under the paragraph headed ‘Downloads’ on the relevant page for each publication within the new site.

HSE has from the outset, made some 50 or so of the most popular titles freely available in ‘printer friendly’ format. The remaining titles will be converted to this format by 31 March 2010.

Posted by Steph

What LRC staff can do for you….!

View from upstairs

Welcome to College life in the countryside here at Moreton Morrell.  Getting to the shops may be a bit of an issue, but take a closer look at some of  the things you can access from the Learning Resource Centre right on your doorstep.

We know this is a busy time with lots to take in with inductions, masses of paperwork and form filling. Once you have enrolled & ‘found your feet’ come along to the LRC and meet the friendly staff who are all keen to support you with your studies.

Find out how to log-in to the PCs & check your student email. Come & browse our catalogue ‘Aquabrowser’ & learn how to reserve & renew your books online, even from home. Grab the latest films on DVD before someone else does.

Whether you prefer to find your information on the Web, or curl up in the corner with a good book – we have something for everyone!  We are looking forward to getting to know you!

Posted by Steph

Welcome to the LRC Blog!

A big “Welcome!” to all new students and ”Welcome Back!” to the rest of you! Here’s hoping you had a nice break, and the transition back into ’study mode’ isn’t too hard on the brain!

For those of you that are new to the LRC blog, this is a place where our staff post all kinds of information for your interest and reading pleasure, covering a wide scope of interests, topics and resources relevant to college courses.

Why not drop us a line and let us know what you want to hear more about. This is YOUR blog, YOUR LRC and we want to hear from YOU!

Wishing you all the best in the new academic year and the coming term!

posted by Sophie

New equine books in stock

New 2nd edition, 2009

Practical information on the reproductive management of both thoroughbred and warmblood breeding operations prepares you to effectively breed even problem mares and stallions. Includes detailed content on techniques, procedures, & reproductive physiology to help you increase reproductive efficiency. A must for anyone interested in equine reproduction.   

 

 

Published 2008

Equine neurology has become a central part of everyday equine practice. In this practical and comprehensive clinical reference, clinicians will find the up-to-date resources needed to recognise, diagnose and treat neurologic diseases and disorders in equine patients. At the heart of the book are practical features, such as diagnostic algorithms, charts and tables, designed to aid in the clinical examination of the nervous system, differential diagnosis, and appropriate methods of treatment. Detailed information on individual diseases and disorders is provided, including etiology, epidemiology, diagnostic methods, treatment, prognosis and prevention. A practical review of the basic anatomy and physiology of the nervous system also provides the essential framework for understanding and treating equine neurological problems.

New title for 2009

This book tries to summarise some of the vast amount of information relating to the horse in the areas of medicine, surgery, reproduction and pharmacology. There is enough detail to give an understanding of many of the basic diseases, pathogens & therapies that are available to those working in the field of equine health and welfare.

 

New title for 2009

 This is the first book to explore conditions and problems of the horses back and pelvis, which are often difficult to diagnose and treat. The importance of the horse′s back to their function and athletic ability cannot be underestimated. There has been considerable progress in recent years in understanding back problems in the horse, and this book brings together the most recent research.

 

 

New title for 2009

By understanding how the horse’s biomechanics works and how to influence it, most of the misunderstanding between horse and rider is avoidable, and the vast majority of schooling problems solvable. Equine sport science teaches us how a horse’s body and mind functions. Through an understanding of this natural science, together with literature left to us by the classical masters, training horses, without the dependence on gadgets, becomes extremely easy and logical. The knowledge of equine biomechanics turns horse training and riding teaching into a completely logical process. In this work, Karin Blignault investigates the horse’s natural methods of performing movements and compares this with the movements he performs in dressage and jumping. Examining each individual gait and movement – including lateral work, piaffe, passage, flying changes – the author highlights the biomechanical difficulties the horse encounters in his effort to please the rider, gives suggestions to riders and trainers on how to overcome these difficulties, and further gives judges pointers on how to recognize these problems.

Posted by Steph

Bronze medal for Warwickshire College at Chelsea

Warwickshire College staff, Tony Davy from Pershore and Mike Roberts from Morton Morrell, have designed an award winning garden at Chelsea this year.

Go to www.rhs.org.uk/whatson/shows/chelsea2009/courtyard/warwickshirecollege.asp  to read more

Moreton Morrell Farm Open Weekend

Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th March 2009 10am to 4pm 

Spring is in the air...

A fun and education day out for the whole family! The Nethermoreton farm at Moreton Morrell will be open to the general public for everyone to enjoy fun and farming! There will be lots of fun activities for everyone to learn more about farming, including:

-        seeing and cuddling newborn baby lambs 
-        visit our working dairy and see newborn calves 
-        interactive and fun learning activities to find out where food comes from 
-        explore farm machinery 
-        farm demonstrations and sheepdog trials 
-        buy advance tickets to our annual open day

Tickets are £2 for adults and £1 for children under 14.  Free farming goodies will be available.  Refreshments will also be available.  No advance booking is necessary.

 See ewe there!

Posted by Debbie

Archaeology : Whats new in the LRC

There are a number of new Archaeology books in the LRC.  Whether you are taking the Countryside Management course or just interested in the past these will prove interesting reading. These books will give a comprehensive introduction to the archaeology of Britain and its remains in the landscape. Why not see what archaeological remains you can spot in the local area.

Watch out for the following books in the LRC soon.

‘Interpreting the landscape’

by Michael Aston.

You know him! He’s the bloke off Channel 4’s ‘Time Team’.

‘The Archaeology of Britain’

edited by John Hunter and Ian Ralston.

  

‘Archaeology’

by Colin Renfrew and Paul Bahn.

  

‘Prehistoric Britain’

by Timothy Darvill.

Big Green Week

12 – 16 January 2009

‘Big Green Week’ – a sustainability and environment theme week – runs throughout this week. There will be information and display stands across all of Warwickshire Colleges’ sites.

Here at the LRC, we encourage students to do their bit by recycling any unwanted paper in the paper recycling bins provided. As paper does grow on trees, please do remember to recycle and please try to avoid wasting paper when printing out information – THINK BEFORE YOU PRINT!

You can find out more about what the college is doing towards recycling and take a look at the college sustainability policy at: http://www.warkscol.ac.uk/cms/content/public/intranet/college_information_and_support/estates/recycling_and_sustainability/web_info_dec_08/page_03.htm

Further information, associated links and a resource for use in tutorials, can also be found on the intranet: http://www.warkscol.ac.uk/intranet/default.asp?cNode=20657 

REDUCE  REUSE  RECYCLE!

posted by Sophie

Warwickshire College Student Wins Prestigious Equine Award

Warwickshire College student, Laura Corbin, was named the winner of the Royal Agricultural Society of England’s  (RASE) “Eqvalan Duo Equine Thesis of the Year Award”. (The award is sponsored by Merial, manufacturers of the Eqvalan equine wormer.)

On Friday, before a panel of academic and horse industry authorities, Laura presented her research on riding school horses and described how she developed an objective system to evaluate foot balance.  You can listen to a podcast of an interview with Laura on the RASE website.

She found that horses with chronic foot conditions often had poor scores for foot balance and proposed that maintaining good foot balance could reduce lameness and provide long term economic benefits. Please click here to read more about Laura’s research. Laura is currently undertaking a studentship with the Roslin Institute and is at the University of Edinburgh in preparation for her PhD.

Her winning thesis “Foot Balance and Lameness in Riding School Horses”, was selected from research theses submitted by universities and colleges in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Laura competed against four other finalists in a presentation of her study which the judges described as “fascinating and extremely useful information for the industry”.

Way to go Laura and all the best from the staff at the LRC!

posted by Brooke