A G R I C U LT U R A L  A N D  F O O D  S C I E N C E
P. Uimari (2014) 23: 1

1

Preface

Pekka Uimari
Editor in Chief

Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki

e-mail: pekka.uimari@helsinki.fi

Agricultural and Food Science is published by the Scientific Agricultural Society of Finland. The Journal publishes 
articles related to different fields of agriculture including agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, animal 
science, environmental science, horticulture, plant and soil science and food science related to primary produc-
tion. Emphasis of the Journal is northern or boreal agriculture. The scope of the articles varies from basic to ap-
plied research. Agricultural and Food Science is an Open Access journal with no submission or publication fees.

In year 2013, 575 articles were submitted in Agricultural and Food Science. The number of published articles was 
34 thus the acceptance rate was around 6%. The Journal published four issues during 2013 including a special is-
sue of the XVI International Silage Conference and a special section of the 2nd Nordic Biochar Seminar, both tak-
ing place in Finland. The number of views and downloads of the articles were over 110300 in year 2013. There 
has been a notable increase in downloads after the Journal became Open Access in 2010. 

Agricultural research in boreal region today is more important than ever. Current challenges related to climate 
change, free market, common agricultural policy, food labelling and safety require new knowledge and solutions 
in farm and policy making levels. Also, global demand for safe and nutritious food and increased demand for ani-
mal products in developing countries give opportunities and poses responsibilities for food production in North-
ern hemisphere especially in boreal region where available water is not a limiting factor for food production. In 
order to fulfil the national and global demands, the long term goal of the agricultural research in boreal region 
should be the sustainable intensification of food production. In addition, a better use of by-products and efficient 
cycling of nutrients in all sectors of food chain is essential in the future. I hope Agricultural and Food Science is in 
the front line publishing the scientific articles related to these important topics.

I wish to thank all authors publishing articles in Agricultural and Food Science in 2013 and reviewers for accept-
ing the important task for ensuring the high quality of the Journal. I will warmly welcome the new readers of the 
Journal and I hope we will receive high quality papers during the coming years.