Articles tagged with Farming
Simulated vertical farming yields revealed a significant increase in grain production, with potential of 700-1940 t/ha per year, compared to the current world average annual yield. This innovative method also reduces land area, water consumption, and environmental pollution.
A study analyzing 35 years of US agriculture data reveals a steady shift towards consolidation, with production moving to larger farms that cover almost all crop and livestock commodities. Smaller farms are becoming unsustainable, while family businesses still dominate the industry.
A Cornell University team is investigating the effects of digital agriculture on small and mid-sized farms in rural America. The project aims to understand how new technologies like high-speed farm networks can improve productivity while minimizing environmental harm.
A global transition to agroecological production is crucial to reduce threats to biodiversity and support ecosystems. Agroecology can enhance biodiversity, promote connectivity between protected areas and increase species' ability to respond to environmental threats.
Aeroponic vertical farming offers a sustainable solution to grow high-value nutritious crops year-round, reducing environmental impact and increasing productivity. The study identifies seven key research areas to accelerate the growth of this branch of precision agriculture.
A study by Dr. Jiangen Zhou et al. found that fish farming significantly changes microbial communities and decreases nitrogen levels, offering a potential solution to reduce nitrate pollution in ponds.
The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology has developed the free Environmental Planner tool (E-Planner) to help farmers make informed decisions on agri-environment options. The tool assesses suitability of unproductive land for four interventions, including pollinator habitats and woodland creation.
Researchers analyzed DNA from 25 Stone Age individuals and found that those buried in typical Pitted Ware culture graves were genetically similar to earlier Scandinavian hunter-gatherers. The presence of Battle Axe culture influences in some graves suggested trade and cultural exchange between the groups, rather than genetic migration.
A team of researchers sequenced 55 ancient genomes from northern China, finding correlations between genetic changes and subsistence strategy shifts. The study reveals that the West Liao River region experienced significant genetic changes over time, while the Yellow River showed a general stability but received genetic contributions f...
A Rutgers-led study found that oyster aquaculture along the Delaware Bay does not significantly impact four shorebird species, including the federally threatened red knot. The research team discovered a small reduction in shorebird presence, but no detectable impact on foraging behavior.
A new study finds that intensive farming practices increase the likelihood of pathogens becoming a major public health risk. Campylobacter, a bacterium carried by cattle, is estimated to be present in 20% of cattle worldwide and can cause serious illness in humans.
Research reveals that livestock and poultry farming account for 78.08% of agricultural ammonia emissions in Jiangsu Province, with nitrogen fertilizer application contributing 21.92%. The study suggests focusing on controlling ammonia emissions from these sources to mitigate haze pollution.
A cross-sectional study of El Algar society in the Iberian Peninsula reveals similar diets but different management of livestock among communities, with a larger share of animal protein restricted to elite members. The analysis also shows a strong reliance on cereal farming and animal manure use.
Agriculture-Vision dataset enables farmers to analyze aerial images and gain actionable insights into crop performance. The dataset, developed by researchers at the University of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering and Intelinair, includes over 100,000 images from corn and soybean fields across the Midwest.
The AI-based smart farming system helps farmers select crops, develop rotation plans, monitor fields, and adapt resources in real-time. The system aims to provide accuracy of 2.5 sm for precise machines to keep plants secure in wheat production.
Climate-driven farming in 'frontiers' could pollute downstream water resources and decrease biodiversity, threatening 1.8 billion people and accelerating global warming.
A new study models the potential for growing major food crops in newly suitable regions due to climate change. The researchers found that Earth's agricultural landmass could increase by one-third, including vast new farming prospects in Canada and Russia's north.
A new study suggests that a collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) would lead to widespread cessation of arable farming in Britain, resulting in a substantial reduction in agricultural output. The AMOC brings heat from the tropics, making Britain warmer and wetter than it would otherwise be.
Research at the University of Sydney found that cows give unique voice cues to express emotions and maintain herd contact. This knowledge can help farmers improve animal welfare by recognizing individual animals' needs.
Research suggests that tropical forests are hardest hit by forest fragmentation, with sensitivity increasing six-fold at low versus high latitudes. This finding could allow for more effective conservation schemes, such as preserving larger areas of pristine forest.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.