Trends in the annual number of independent wind events over the Netherlands are studied for the period . The events are selected out of 13 hourly 10 m wind speed records that are part of a high quality dataset of near-surface wind observations at Dutch meteorological stations. Comparisons are made with trends in independent wind events selected from geostrophic wind speed records and reanalysis data.The results for moderate wind events (that occur on average 10 times per year) and strong wind events (that occur on average twice a year) indicate a decrease in storminess over the Netherlands between 5 and 10%/decade. This result is inconsistent with National Centers for Environmental Prediction-National Center for Atmospheric Research or European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts reanalysis data, which suggest increased storminess during the same 41 year period.Possible explanations are given for the discrepancy between the trends in storminess based on station data and the trends in storminess based on reanalysis data. Evaluation of trends in geostrophic wind, both from station data and reanalysis data, and evaluation of trends in vector-averaged (upscaled) 10 m wind over the Netherlands point towards inhomogeneities in the reanalysis data as the main cause of the discrepancy. We conclude that it is likely that the decrease in storminess observed in Dutch station records of near-surface wind in the past four decades is closer to reality than the increase suggested by the reanalysis data.

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A computer model for welfare assessment in laying hens was constructed. This model, named FOWEL (fowl welfare), uses a description of the production system as input and produces a welfare score as output. To assess the welfare status a formalized procedure based on scientific knowledge is applied.In FOWEL the production system is described using 25 attributes (space per hen, beak trimming, free range, etc.), each with two or more levels, together defining the characteristics of a production system.A weighting factor is used for each attribute, based on the available scientific knowledge of the effects of the attribute levels on the welfare aspects. The welfare score of a production system results from the attribute levels combined with the weighting factors. The results show that feeding level, space per hen, perches, water availability and nests were the most important attributes. The attribute free range was of minor importance. FOWEL includes a description of 22 production systems. The welfare score of cage systems was low, of barn and aviary systems medium, and of organic systems high. The presence of a free range resulted only in a small improvement in the welfare score.

Twenty-three cows were kept in a free-stall barn with an automatic system for milking and feeding. The cows were offered mixed silage for ad libitum consumption. Concentrates were fed with the automatic milking system. This experiment examined the eating behavior of cows and the relationship between the intake of concentrate and the subsequent intake of roughage in a free-stall barn with an automatic milking system. An individual meal criterion was used to characterize the meal pattern of each cow. Daily roughage intake and the time spent on meals ranged from 25.6 to 40.2 kg/d and from 70.1 to 240.0 min/d, respectively. Meal duration and size did not differ, regardless of whether concentrate was eaten or not eaten during the premeal interval. Multiple regression analysis showed that the partial regression coefficient for the duration of the premeal interval was significant for each cow, and the regression coefficient for the intake of concentrate during the premeal interval was significant for 78% of the cows. Separation of the eating phases into concentrate and roughage showed that the cows made many repeated traffic cycles through the automatic milking system and feeding section of the barn, thus revealing a high demand for concentrate under the experimental conditions.