Articles tagged with Farming
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A DNA study reveals that ancient Egyptians did not domesticate Sacred Ibises for ritual use, contrary to previous theories. The research suggests that the birds were short-term tamed in natural habitats or farmed seasonally.
A new study suggests that unchecked climate change will lead to a decline in arable farming in the east and south east of England by 2100. Crops may still be grown with irrigation, but this would require significant water transport or storage.
Researchers at NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Science Center have identified suitable locations off the US northeast coast for offshore blue mussel farms. The study suggests that Long Island, north of Cape Ann in Massachusetts, and off New Hampshire are promising sites due to favorable temperature and food availability conditions.
A team of FSU researchers examined over 50 years of data from 1950 to 2016, finding consistent patterns in mariculture development globally. Countries with stable production farmed a greater diversity of species than those with fluctuating trends.
A new study proposes that private property rights were a driving force behind the Neolithic Agricultural Revolution, rather than increased labor productivity. The research suggests that early farming communities adopted private property to facilitate broader applications and limit costly conflicts.
Researchers discovered large-scale polycultural agricultural systems for growing crops like avocado and maize in Maya wetlands. The findings suggest these fields were adaptations to major shifts in Maya civilization as food demand increased during the Late Classic period.
An interdisciplinary group of researchers will investigate antimicrobial use and resistance in Argentinian livestock farms, aiming to develop a complete picture of AMR levels and their environmental impact. The project will inform policy making and potential interventions to reduce antimicrobial use and AMR.
A research project from the University of Otago is developing a ryegrass variety that can be induced to flower for seed production under artificial conditions. This could lead to more productive and efficient farming, increasing productivity and reducing land use while minimizing environmental impact.
The adoption of ox-drawn plows led to a decoupling of wealth from labor, driving growing economic disparities between landowners and land-poor families. This transformation made land more valuable and labor less so, ultimately resulting in substantial wealth inequalities.
A University of Queensland-led study models future ethanol demand scenarios, forecasting potential expansion of sugarcane farming land in Brazil to 5 million hectares by 2030. The high demand scenario could lead to doubling current ethanol demand and necessitate additional 5 million hectares of land for sugarcane crops.
The study reveals that humans developed longer ventricles and larger chamber sizes due to endurance exercise, contrasting with great apes' shorter intense bursts of resistance. This suggests a trade-off between pressure and volume in the human heart's evolution.
The 'Green Grass' project aims to bring back grazing livestock into pastures, using innovative technologies like virtual fences and remote sensing systems. The goal is to reduce the workload of pasture farming, cover cows' nutrient needs with fresh grass, and maintain biodiversity.
Researchers sequenced the first genome of an individual from the Harappan civilization, showing that modern people in India are likely descended from this ancient culture. The findings suggest that farming began in South Asia through local hunter-gatherers adopting farming, contradicting previous theories.
A massive ancient DNA study has unveiled the complex history of Central and South Asian populations, revealing a shift away from farming ancestors and toward steppe pastoralists. The research also clarifies the origins of Indo-European languages in the region, challenging long-standing theories.
Researchers at SMART and MIT have developed a technology that significantly accelerates the genetic engineering of microbes used to manufacture chemicals for urban farming. The new technology enables faster, cheaper, and more accurate plasmid construction using standard reusable parts.
A new report highlights edible insects as a viable option for meeting growing global demand for food in a sustainable way. The benefits of increasing insect consumption have been explored, but technological and processing approaches are needed to overcome commercialization barriers.
Research shows that ant farming has remodelled plant physiology, leading to the evolution of ultra-absorptive plant structures. These structures actively target ant-derived nutrients, providing a key asset for epiphytes living in soilless canopies.
The ancient community of Çatalhöyük, settled around 9,000 years ago, faced problems similar to those of modern cities. The residents suffered from high infection rates due to poor hygiene and crowding, as well as environmental degradation and climate change.
Researchers propose lab-grown insect meat as a solution to environmental concerns, combining benefits of insect farming, GM livestock and plant-based meat substitutes. The technology requires fewer resources and less energy-intensive control, with potential for mass food production and scalable cost-effectiveness.
A study of Agta hunter-gatherers in the Philippines found that those who adopt farming work around 10 hours a week longer than their forager neighbours, impacting women's lives disproportionately. The research suggests that agriculture may not represent progress as previously thought.
A study found kin relationships among people buried in Neolithic megalith tombs, indicating a societal role for these enigmatic structures. The genomic data revealed affinity to farming groups with past admixture with hunter-gatherer groups, highlighting a previously unknown role for megaliths in Neolithic societies and families.
A new study confirms that Anatolian hunter-gatherers adopted farming and were later descended by early Anatolian farmers. The findings provide genetic support for archaeological evidence that local hunter-gatherers developed agriculture independently, rather than being introduced by a large migration of farmers.
A new study by Duke University reveals that Indonesia's deforestation rate is changing, with wildfires, mining, and small-scale farming playing a larger role than previously thought. This shift highlights the need for policymakers to adjust their conservation policies and practices to account for the varied causes of forest loss.
Researchers have discovered how gulls configure their wing shape to stabilize flight by adjusting elbow joints. This technique could inform the design of future aircraft, including fixed-wing drones that can coast on thermal updrafts.
Agricultural technology is transforming food production, but responsible innovation is crucial to address potential environmental, ethical, and social costs. Researchers argue that policy-makers, funders, and innovators must consider the impacts on farming communities and wider society.
Researchers developed a cost-effective method to monitor indoor crop health using SI-NDVI imaging, detecting stress signatures before visible signs appear. This technique has potential applications in space-based farming and can be used by indoor farmers to catch problems quickly.
A new study estimates that climate change will force about 200,000 coastal farmers in Bangladesh to migrate inland due to rising sea levels and salty soil. The study found that farmers who convert from rice to seafood farming can expect a significant increase in crop revenue, but many cannot afford the conversion on a large scale.
Researchers examined farming practices' impact on European maize yields under climate change and found optimal flowering times could mitigate effects. Optimizing crop cycle durations increased yields by 4-7% in projected 2050 climate conditions.
A £340,000 research project is examining the history of farming in the Amazon region. Dr Bronwen Whitney and her team are reconstructing the long-term agricultural history of Llanos de Mojos using palaeoethnobotany and landscape archaeology.
A new study reveals that ancient communities in the Amazon used intensive farming methods to expand crop production without depleting soil nutrients. This approach, known as polyculture agroforestry, has left a lasting impact on modern forest ecosystems.
A recent study found that palm oil plantations release more carbon than previously thought, with a loss of 174 tons per hectare, compared to 159 and 116 tons for intensive and extensive rubber farming. The soil also loses fertility, requiring fertilizers to maintain productivity.
New research shows that agriculture is kept operational through a mix of family, permanent-hired, outsourced and seasonal labour. The majority of South West farmers now employ contractors for big projects, with 87% relying on them.
Researchers found interdependent behaviors in customers from rice-growing regions and individualistic behaviors in those from wheat-growing regions. Historical farming legacies play a significant role in shaping everyday behavior, contradicting the idea that wealthier cultures become more individualistic.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool discovered that small-scale farming was initiated by indigenous communities in Turkey's Anatolian plateau, contradicting previous theories. The study found evidence of crop cultivation and herding of sheep and goats, suggesting a stable and persistent use of crops for over 5 centuries.
A recent study published in PNAS reveals that Iberian populations have a unique genetic makeup, tracing most of their ancestry to the first Neolithic migrants. The research also found that early farming practices had a homogenous diet, with little genetic influx from hunter-gatherer groups over time.
A new study by Stanford researchers found that Woolworths' Farming for the Future program drove increased adoption of environmental practices among its large-scale fruit, vegetable and flower growers. The program combines annual auditor feedback with individual farmer needs, leading to significant shifts in farming practices.
Researchers have discovered an ancient irrigation system in northwestern China that allowed farming communities to cultivate crops in one of the world's driest desert climates. The system, built around 3rd or 4th century A.D., used check dams, irrigation canals, and cisterns to feed small farm fields and support livestock production.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture's Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program provides training, education, and technical assistance to attract diverse groups into farming and ranching. The program aims to help farmers and ranchers establish successful enterprises and increase their chances of survival.
A new study reveals prehistoric women had up to 30% stronger arm bones than modern rowers due to activities like grinding grain and performing manual labor. The research suggests that the varied work of early agricultural women played a crucial role in shaping their physical strength.
New research suggests that early European farmers lived side-by-side with hunter-gatherers, slowly mixing and assimilating them over time. The study found that hunter-gatherer heritage increased in the farming populations, indicating a gradual integration rather than replacement or extermination.
The Tennessee Beginning Farmers Development Program aims to connect Tennesseans with opportunities in agriculture, providing resources and support for those starting or developing an agriculture-based enterprise. The program will also help build a network of veteran farmers across the state.
Researchers analyzed archaeological and environmental data from 10,000-15,000 years ago to understand human responses to rapid climate shifts. They found that communities with socio-ecological continuity thrived in a warmer world, while those with disrupted settlements struggled to adapt.
A simpler early pregnancy test for cattle has improved animal welfare and food production by enabling pregnancy to be determined after just 25 days. This detection method has contributed to reduced animal costs, more efficient food production, and ultimately good human health.
Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution are developing tools and technology for mass production of seaweed for biofuels and chemicals. A breeding program and monitoring system will be created to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Researchers found modest changes in skull morphology for groups consuming cereals, dairy, or both, but differences were small compared to other factors like gender and population variation.
Researchers at the University of York discovered that ancient Engaruka's irrigation systems and terraces were built to capture eroded sediments, benefiting farming practices for centuries. The study highlights the importance of this method of farming in sub-Saharan Africa and its potential applicability to modern day farming techniques.
Research by University of Kansas sociologist Ruth Stamper finds that local food systems in Kansas and Missouri help disparate groups build relationships, bridging moral orders and environmental ideologies. Through shared sustainable farming knowledge and education, farmers from diverse backgrounds find common ground.
Researchers developed a method to extract traditional knowledge from smallholder farmers and use it for genomic-driven breeding, identifying genes responsible for farmers' preferred wheat varieties. This approach yields genomic targets useful for wheat breeding for local agriculture.
A recent study found that care farming significantly improved veterans' mental well-being by increasing life satisfaction in three participants and optimism about future life satisfaction in two. The program also reduced perceived loneliness in two participants.
A Cornell University study reveals genetic adaptations to plant-heavy diets led to increased frequency of FADS1 gene variants, crucial for omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid production. This discovery has implications for personalized dietary recommendations based on individual genetic backgrounds.
Conventional tillage severely damages earthworm populations, but reduced tillage practices can increase their numbers. Farming with no-tillage, Conservation Agriculture, and shallow non-inversion tillage are shown to significantly boost earthworm populations.
A Duke University study found people in rural Madagascar get shorter, poorer sleep than those in the US or Europe, but compensate by having a more consistent sleep schedule. Despite disrupted rest due to noise and light, participants reported being happy with their sleep.
Academics used math to tackle cocoa yield fluctuations, optimize pig farming practices and improve hydroponics efficiency. The study aims to provide targeted advice for smallholder farmers and secure sustainable farming communities.
A study by Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg found that traditional farming practices on the Yucatán Peninsula create attractive habitats for native sweat bees, improving pollination services. The researchers discovered that moderate farming with slash-and-burn practices has no direct negative impact on native bee populations.
The country plans to triple its fish production by 2025 while preserving biodiversity. Genetic analysis of local tilapia species could reveal important traits for creating commercial broodstock, reducing dependence on external markets and increasing food security.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is providing $540,000 in funding for State and regional projects that offer education, assistive technology, and other support to farmers and ranchers with disabilities. These projects aim to improve accessibility and inclusivity in agriculture.
A new study by researchers at the University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment has produced a map of farming households across the world. The map highlights the distribution of average farm sizes at subnational scales and reveals the contribution of smallholder farming to global food production.
Wildlife-friendly farming schemes have been shown to boost UK moth populations by 40% on wide grass margins and up to 40% for specialized chalk grassland moths when habitats are created close to existing chalk grasslands. These findings support the conservation benefits of agri-environment schemes.
Researchers identified human remains on Oronsay island from the Late Mesolithic era, shedding light on Britain's transition to agriculture. The study used innovative bone collagen analysis techniques to determine species and diet of prehistoric groups.
Researchers found genetic connections between European settlers and farmers in Central Turkey, tracing back to the late Stone Age. The study suggests that farming knowledge spread from Turkey to Europe through human migration and cultural exchange.