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Nordic Horizons

Nordic Horizons

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How do the Nordic nations consistently top international league tables? Between Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland they are the world's best democracy, the best place to be a woman, the best educated people and the happiest. They regularly top UNICEF's child wellbeing index, lead on the Green Transition and have an enduring emphasis on equality that's the envy of the world. Nordic Horizons is a Scottish-based group that's been interested in learning more from our nearest European n ...
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SystemShift explores how we can create a sustainable, thriving economy that respects the Earth’s capacity to support humankind while putting people and nature at the centre, and provides alternatives to the current failing economic and financial systems that are driving the exploitation of people and planet. Economists, researchers and innovators from around the world offer their solutions for a sustainable, thriving economy that is equitable and serves the interests of all, not just the wea ...
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Get an insight into the future of cattle breeding. Learn from experts in beef and dairy farming. Listen to The BreedCast — your podcast series on innovative breeding. Are you running out of time to read all the stories and tips on innovative dairy farming? How about taking the latest news with you where ever you go — right in your ears? The BreedCast is a podcast series for dairy and beef producers around the world — produced by VikingGenetics. We invite experts to share their best tips on h ...
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Jersey cow populations across the world are booming. Their cost-effectiveness, feed efficiency, good fertility, and high solids production make them highly desirable. In effect, it’s a cow built for the dairy industry of tomorrow. But what makes Jersey milk so desirable for cheese and ice cream production? And what do Nordic genetics have to offer …
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For the last episode of SystemShift season 2, we are joined by Helena Norberg-Hodge, pioneer of the new economy movement, who delves into the far-reaching consequences of the prevailing economic model on local economies and ecosystems. Through her experiences in Ladakh, she describes the erosion of traditional values and community cohesion in the f…
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María Llanos del Corral, a pioneer in community-driven development and the visionary behind the Eroles and La Bolina projects, shares her wealth of experience in fostering cooperative power through grassroots organising and groundbreaking project implementation. Listeners will discover the profound impact of radical friendship as a cornerstone of t…
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Millionaire businessman, João Paulo Pacifico, challenges the very foundations of conventional economic wisdom in this captivating episode. Unveiling the hidden facets of financial markets, João Paulo shares firsthand experiences from the tumultuous 2008 crisis, highlighting the dehumanisation within the system. He recounts a pivotal moment during t…
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Daughter-proven bulls have been a staple in cattle breeding for generations; they have bred many world-class bloodlines. However, with technological development, more reliable tools have become available. Today, more and more farmers use genomic solutions to fully understand their herd’s potential. So, is this why farmers are transitioning away fro…
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Ashish Kothari draws on his experience in the areas of wildlife and biodiversity to explore the profound consequences of human disconnection from nature. From bonding with a baby monkey in Kerala to discussing the impact of farmer protests in North India, we navigate through the interconnected realms of psychology, economics, and ecology. The conve…
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Peter Victor, Professor Emeritus and Senior Scholar at York University, Canada and author of Escape from Overshoot. Economics for a Planet in Peril (2023), looks at the intersection of ecology, economics, and sustainable living, diving deep into the historical roots of our current environmental dilemmas. Peter explores the impacts of economic growt…
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In this episode of the SystemShift podcast, Tove Maria Ryding from the European Network on Debt and Development (Eurodad) joins us for a thought-provoking discussion on the crucial need for a UN tax convention. Delving into the intersection of tax and environmental issues, Tove looks at the principles that should guide the establishment of a fair g…
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Nicholas Shaxson, author and expert on the global economic system, looks at the intricate web of global finance, exploring the unseen forces shaping our economies and societies and exposing the hidden impacts of tax deregulation and monopolistic market practices. From the United Kingdom's economic struggles to the pervasiveness of big tech firms, t…
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Amanda Janoo, Economics and Policy Lead at the Wellbeing Economy Alliance, looks at how we can reshape economic models to align with both ecological preservation and human flourishing. Amanda takes us on a journey through the wellbeing economy movement, scrutinising how the conventional emphasis on growth and wealth maximisation has exacerbated cri…
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Slovenian philosopher, sociologist and legal theorist, Renata Salecl, lays bare the fraying fabric of our communities, worn thin by corruption and apathy and she examines corporate exploitation, the unchecked dominance of technology behemoths, and the unsettling rise of new authoritarianism. Renata explores societal inertia, uncovering how feelings…
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The Nordic countries have the world’s healthiest cows, supported by high production and the lowest use of antibiotics and hormones. Since the 1980s, they have focused on balancing health with production traits. The goal? Breeding long-lasting cows to make dairy farming more profitable and easier. So, how can dairy farmers effectively breed for heal…
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Our podcast, SystemShift, returns for a second season where we look beyond the problems of our economic system and take you on a quest to piece together what a wellbeing economy could look like and how we can get there. We’ll delve into the shadows to reveal the myths and disinformation that shroud our understanding of the current failing economic …
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Holstein Friesian cows are one of the symbols of dairy farming; nearly 75% of dairy cows worldwide belong to this breed. However, many Holstein farmers who used to select traits to boost production now struggle with herd health, fertility, and cows too large to be efficient. So, how can dairy farmers effectively balance health, fertility, and longe…
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The world has put dairy farmers and cows under a magnifying glass. How our food is produced has never been under so much scrutiny from governments, media, and consumers. But what is the best way to inform everyday people about dairy farming? And how can journalists help by promoting the efforts of farmers? To learn more and hear great stories about…
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The number of Jersey cows across the world is growing; more dairy farmers are switching from traditional breeds to Jerseys. As larger cows require more space and management costs increase, the smaller yet high-performance Jerseys provide a sustainable alternative. But how can switching breeds be beneficial for your dairy business? And what makes Je…
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Arla has opened its first innovation farm in Denmark to accelerate the development and demonstrations of new solutions for animal welfare, biodiversity, and the transition to more sustainable farming. VikingGenetics is collaborating in this, helping identify and breed more climate-friendly cows with fewer emissions. But does an Arla innovation farm…
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The majority of dairy cows in New Zealand are crossbred. This “national herd” consists primarily of Friesian x Jerseys. However, over the last four years, VikingRed has become the number one option for farmers looking to boost their crossbreeding with healthier, more robust genetics. But why is crossbreeding dominant in New Zealand? And what are th…
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When it comes to dairy farming in the Nordic countries, we are always talking about the NTM – the Nordic Total Merit Index. But what makes the NTM one of the most progressive breeding value systems in the world? How can using the index boost the health and profit of your dairy herd? To explain the index simply and practically, we’re joined by a lea…
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In our season finale, we're diving deep into the myths surrounding neoliberalism with leading economists Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson - two of the brightest minds in the field. Brace yourself for a compelling discussion on how inequality takes a toll on physical health, relationships, and emotions. Chronic stress, accelerated ageing, increase…
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Consumer trends are constantly changing. What consumers think and want impacts the food supply chain and, as a result, your farm and cattle breeding. But how will societal and consumer trends affect cattle breeding in the future? What will farming look like in 2040? To discuss the trends and technologies that will define the farming of tomorrow, we…
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Ariane König shares her work on studying complex systems, as well as practical advice for creating a regenerative society. She dives deep into defining what a system is in complex social-ecological-technological systems and stresses the significance of collective intelligence and transdisciplinary approaches in her research. Ariane discusses the wo…
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Guy Standing, economist and author, looks at the current economic system and its impact on labour and society as a whole. Standing is a campaigning economist responsible for some of the most innovative solutions to inequality of recent times and he calls on us to wake up to the threat posed by capitalism's violent policies for extraction, exploitat…
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The renowned development economist, Jayati Ghosh, offers an eye-opening perspective on the different facets of inequality and the need for systemic change to address them, bringing together her interests in international trade and finance, employment patterns in developing countries, as well as issues related to gender and development. Ghosh argues…
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Gothenburg in Sweden once boasted the world's largest shipyards, but in the face of Japanese and Korean competition, the oil crisis and a world economic downturn, the city was brought to its knees in the 1980s, with 5 kms of empty dockland and 20 thousand people without jobs. So far, so very like the Clyde. But though shipbuilding was down, Gothenb…
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Kojo Koram sheds light on the impacts of Britain's colonial past on our current economic model. He explains how the legacies of the British empire are not just symbolic or cultural, but are deeply connected to our economy, legal system, and political structure. Kojo looks beyond the mainstream culture wars debate around Empire and emphasises the ma…
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Farmers in Europe are under pressure. Governments begin to introduce plans to reduce livestock numbers to curb greenhouse gas emissions. This has led to protests by farmers in The Netherlands and highlighted the conflict between environmental policy and the needs of agriculture and food production. But how do farmers adapt to these new policies? Co…
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In this episode, Eva von Redecker, applies the lens of critical theory and feminist philosophy to challenge the notion that the current economic system is inevitable and offers insights into how we can begin to change it and build something new in its place. Redecker calls for a reevaluation of our assumptions about work, value, and care, and advoc…
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Indy Johar, an architect who specialises in re-imagining institutions and envisioning different economies and relationships, argues that we are vastly underestimating the scale of the challenges we face. According to Indy, the next few decades will completely redesign everything around us, including our material world such as our clothes, food, and…
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Juliet Schor explores the urgent need to address the ecological crisis by fundamentally shifting our economic focus from growth to sustainability. Schor sheds light on the relationship between extreme inequality and climate breakdown, highlighting how unequal power structures prevent climate action. Drawing from her research, Schor argues for reduc…
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Ann Pettifor demystifies the complex concept of money creation in modern economies, which is no longer backed by gold reserves held by central banks. Pettifor uses accessible imagery and language to explain how money, history's most misunderstood invention, was created and sets out her diagnosis of the problems plaguing the world's monetary system.…
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Tim Jackson delivers a thought-provoking exploration of the urgent need to redefine and measure progress in a different way, given that our current economic system is clearly unsustainable and toxic. Jackson challenges the myth of eternal economic growth and its impact on our finite resources and a rapidly warming planet. He questions the predomina…
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A new study shows that cattle emissions in the Nordics can be reduced by approximately 20% by 2050 by investing in feed efficiency. To support this, VikingGenetics is installing the CFIT system in more dairy farms and investing in the Saved Feed Index. But what opportunities does this bring to you as a farmer? How does having access to more feed ef…
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Inbreeding herds with insufficient genetic variety can hinder cow health and fertility. Crossbreeding is increasingly becoming a solution to this problem, as the right mix of breeds can lead to significant improvements and profits. How does crossbreeding lead to healthier cows with better fertility and longer lifespans? What are some of the problem…
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Introducing beef genes to boost low genetic parts of dairy herds is a growing trend in the cattle industry. This benefits farmers, consumers, and cows alike, as it optimizes profitability, minimizes climate impact, improves animal welfare, and more. How does the Nordic Beef on Dairy Index (NBDI) use data tell us what preferable breeding values prov…
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Finland has a particular source of propaganda to deal with in the shape of Russia. Misinformation attacks have focused on familiar issues like immigration and the EU, but also Finland’s application to join NATO. Now the Finns have devised a strategy to teach all social groups to spot fake news and fact-check. This includes lessons in community coll…
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Finland has a 1300 km long land border with Russia, it fought two wars in the 1940s to defend then reclaim lost territory, and is now applying to join NATO. There, most knowledge of Finland ends. Which is a shame. Because a staple of Finnish life could offer a permanent solution to supply crises in Britain – if we could learn to rely on cooperative…
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Polled genetics in cattle production is on the rise. Consumers, retailers and other parties are asking for better animal welfare. They're questioning the ethics surrounding the dehorning of beef and dairy cattle. But what is polledness in a cow or a bull? How can you use polled genetics in your breeding strategy — and be on the forefront of the fut…
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Seasonal calving is growing in popularity. In some parts of the world, up to 80% of dairy farmers are using this farming system but challenges with fertility and health can significantly impact their profits. How do you manage seasonal calving well? How do you get the optimum production and profit as a pasture-based farmer? We're joined by a season…
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It's twelve years since Dan Wynn and Lesley Riddoch set up a think tank to focus on the policy successes of Scotland's Nordic neighbours. Since then, Nordic Horizons has organised almost 70 meetings - most of them in person until the pandemic lockdown in 2020. Now Nordic Horizons meets online - less disruption and travel for speakers and more acces…
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'Finland doesn’t have a long history of Kings and castles. We have always been occupied. When we finally became free the country was built on language, literature, music, paintings. Sibelius created the distinctive sound of Finland. You can hear his enthusiasm for the country – the Finnish sagas, the stories, folklore and the language that is ours …
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Is Scotland set to follow Norway with a shift to kindergarten for the early years and a school starting age 6/7 not the present 4/5? Just 12 per cent of countries send five-year-olds to school. Almost all are former parts of the British Empire, clinging to a model devised to release women from childcare as quickly as possible, so they could work in…
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We're facing a serious situation with food supply and food security around the world. How can you be prepared for the new demands as a dairy or beef farmer? What tools are available to strengthen your milk and beef production in a new, uncertain world? We've invited a Senior Breeding Manager and a dairy farmer, who's also a member of the EU Parliam…
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Inbreeding can give high, hidden costs in your dairy herd — and be quite difficult to spot. How can you manage inbreeding well? How can you ensure a healthy herd with sufficient genetic variety? In this episode, you get to hear from a Breeding Specialist who's doing a PhD on inbreeding. We're also joined by a Breeding Manager with decades of experi…
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Why did district heating start on farms in Denmark? Are the Norwegians wiser to depend on electrification? Could Scotland do something game changing with smart, local energy networks? Will nuclear help Sweden reach net zero? This 50 minute podcast of the COP 26 - Nordic Verdict event tackles all these big questions with contributions from Viktoria …
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Since Scotland's 'local' elections in May 2022, there’s been much debate about coalitions and control. But there’s a bigger question – are Scottish councils with an average of 175 thousand inhabitants really local at all? And does that not matter? The EU average council has a relatively meagre 10 thousand inhabitants. And Vágur, on the isolated sou…
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This is a podcast edited from the conversation between three Nordic experts talking about Russian aggression in Ukraine and the way it is unravelling 70 years of neutrality and non-alignment in Scandinavia. It deals with opinion polls suggesting most Swedes and Finns want to join NATO, but questions American commitment to the Alliance - in light of…
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When one of your cows is struggling with poor hoof health, it impacts not only the cow's well-being, fertility and milk production. It also has great consequences for the bottom line of your business. So how can you maintain good hoof health and spot the signs early? In this episode, you get to hear from a vet and a breeding advisor on how you can …
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As many other dairy farmers, you may have experienced mixed results with artificial insemination of your cows. A successful pregnancy depends on a number of variables, so what can you do to get the best possible results? We've invited an insemination expert and a vet to share their best tips — before, during and after an insemination. Learn about t…
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Feed-efficiency is one of the hottest topics is cattle breeding right now. But how do you actually become more feed-efficient as a farmer? How do you save feed costs, reduce climate impact and improve the welfare of your animals? A high-tech farmer and a feed-efficiency expert will give you latest news on feed efficiency. They will tell you all abo…
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