Articles tagged with Farming
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Researchers at Penn State found that social marketing campaigns could motivate farmers to install rollover protective structures on older-model tractors, reducing deaths in tractor-rollover accidents. Offering rebates and highlighting child safety concerns were key motivators for farmers.
After the buyout, Kentucky tobacco farmers shifted production to more productive farms, increasing productivity by 44% and acreage by over double. Diversification into specialty tobaccos also contributed to their success.
Researchers have found evidence of cereal-based agriculture and domesticated animals at Vashtëmi, a site in southeastern Albania that dates back to 6,500 BC. This discovery suggests that early farmers in the region preferred resource-rich settings, such as wetland edges, to establish pioneer farming villages.
Researchers used satellite imagery from Google Earth to count fish farming cages in the Mediterranean, estimating a total of 225,736 tonnes of finfish production. The study suggests that both Greece and Turkey underreport their farmed fish production, but overall, Mediterranean countries are giving accurate counts.
Researchers used Google Earth satellite images to identify and count over 21,000 fish cages off the Mediterranean coast, primarily in Greece and Turkey. The study estimates total ocean fish farmed annually, with results aligning with UN reports, highlighting Google Earth's monitoring potential.
A number of threatened species rely on human agriculture for survival, according to a new study by the University of East Anglia. Local communities practising traditional agriculture with low ecological impact support valuable practices like grazing animals and growing cereal crops.
Researchers have shown a 5-fold reduction in lameness from one in ten to one in fifty sheep with proper management and antibiotic injection. This breakthrough treatment has the potential to tackle endemic disease affecting 9 million ewes and lambs annually.
Researchers analyzed ancient pottery for signs of terrestrial, marine, and freshwater organisms, finding that fish and aquatic resources continued to be exploited after the advent of farming. This suggests a gradual transition from hunting to agriculture in Western Europe, challenging previous assumptions about the abrupt shift.
Researchers excavate Channel Islands, Isles of Scilly, and Outer Hebrides to understand the transition from hunting to farming in Britain. The study aims to answer questions about the processes and timing of this significant lifestyle change.
A radical overhaul of farming is proposed as a 'game-changer' for global food security. The new approach aims to enhance production and protect ecosystems by adopting agroecosystem practices that maintain clean water, air, and biodiversity.
Research published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine suggests that growing up on a livestock farm is associated with an increased risk of developing blood cancers. The study found that those who grew up on poultry farms were three times more likely to develop a blood cancer.
A study from Romania highlights the importance of traditional agriculture in protecting amphibians, finding that roads have a direct and indirect negative impact on their populations. Preserving traditional agricultural practices could be key to protecting these species in Central and Eastern Europe.
A new oxygen sensor invented by Michigan State University professor Ruby Ghosh can provide real-time data at a relatively low cost. This technology has potential applications in various industries such as aquaculture, beverage manufacturing, biomedical research, and petroleum manufacturing.
A 13-year study reveals that natural reforestation in the Pyrenees is benefiting the endangered Cypripedium calceolus orchid by enabling its recovery and stabilization. The research highlights the positive impact of landscape changes on forest species at the edge of their range.
A recent genetic study has overturned current thinking on the origins of European farming populations. The research, published in PLOS Biology, found that these early farmers were more closely related to populations living in modern-day Turkey, Iraq, and other parts of the Ancient Near East than to local hunter-gatherers.
Researchers used a computer model to simulate the effects of 100 years of farming on claypan soils in Missouri, finding a significant increase in herbicide runoff and decline in crop yields. The study provides insights for farmers, policymakers, and conservation agents to make informed decisions about best practices.
A new assessment tool measures environmental performance of global aquaculture, revealing that large-scale farming still causes significant ecological damage. Despite best practices, industrial-scale aquaculture magnifies environmental degradation, especially in Asian countries with rapidly increasing production.
A new study suggests Oregon's land use planning program has largely protected farm and forest operations while promoting scenic views, water quality, and environmental amenities. However, it has also enabled the growth of 'hobby farms' that may not prioritize agricultural production, but still contribute to rural beauty and job creation.
Research from the University of East Anglia has shown that commercial farming of porcupines is driving hunting and contributing to a devastating decline of wild populations. The study found that half of farmers interviewed were unregistered, with many using wild animals as founder stock or capturing them for sale.
Researchers used computational modeling to simulate different land use practices in ancient societies, finding that a combination of shifting cultivation and grazing leads to more erosion runoff but also fertile farmland around tiny hamlets. The study sheds light on the importance of threshold effects when people alter landscapes for a...
A group of Tel Aviv University graduate students proposes a 'business net' project to connect Gaza with the international business community, promoting peace and prosperity. The project aims to develop a thriving industrial park in Gaza, providing a healthy protein supply and connecting the region to foreign investment.
Congressman Tom Latham received the 2010 Champion of Agronomy Award from the American Society of Agronomy for his strong support of agriculture and conservation. The award recognizes his commitment to advancing agricultural research and development, essential for America's farmers and ranchers.
Scientists are working with breeders and the food industry to create high-quality pea varieties that can reduce nitrogen fertilizer use, thereby cutting carbon emissions. The goal is to increase the uptake of legume farming and improve profit margins for farmers.
A study led by the University of Leicester found that most men in Europe have Y chromosomes tracing back to ancient Near Eastern farmers. This suggests a significant reproductive advantage for farming males over indigenous hunter-gatherer males during this period.
A new study argues that a stable climate, rather than climate change, played a crucial role in the emergence of agriculture in the Near East. The research suggests that farming communities chose crops that functioned within the normal east Mediterranean rainfall pattern, allowing for sustainable farming practices during drought years.
Archaeological evidence supports the idea that maize was adopted by Southwestern hunter-gatherers through group-to-group transmission. The researchers' scenario proposes an early (7,000 B.C.) north-to-south movement of Proto-Uto-Aztecan hunter-gatherers, followed by division into northern and southern Uto-Aztecan-speaking groups.
Researchers have found that transhumant sheep farming is crucial for griffon vulture conservation, as it provides an important trophic resource. The study shows that the presence of transhumant cattle in mountain passes gives vultures access to up to six times more food than local livestock.
A new study by University College London scientists reveals that the ability to digest lactose first evolved in dairy farming communities in central Europe around 7,500 years ago. This genetic change enabled early Europeans to drink milk without getting sick, providing a survival advantage.
A new study suggests that early agricultural methods may have altered the global climate by increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide. Researchers found that earlier societies used more land for farming due to smaller populations and less incentive to maximize yield, leading to a large-scale burning of forests.
The study found that traditional farming practices by local communities create open habitats suitable for the birds. Conservation efforts may rely on these partnerships to save the species from extinction.
The World Bank has reaffirmed its support for the ban on tiger trade and called for the phasing out of tiger farms to protect wild tiger populations. The organization urges countries to continue banning domestic trade of wild tigers, citing economic and conservation concerns.
A Cornell University study found that dairy farming has decreased its environmental impact over the past 60 years, with a 41% reduction in total carbon footprint. This is due to improved efficiency and management practices.
Researchers have discovered a new type of atmospheric aerosol particle called iberulite, which forms in the troposphere from mineral small grains emitted from desert soils. The iberulites can provide valuable information on environmental and paleoclimatic markers, as well as change models of radioactive transference in the atmosphere.
In southern Yemen, archaeologists have discovered evidence of ancient transitions from hunting and herding to irrigation agriculture around 5,200 years ago. The research team used GIS mapping and studied contemporary land and water rights to understand the development of expert knowledge of hydrology among early farmers.
The new satellite tool provides daily observations of small areas, allowing for improved yield assessments and modeling of water transfer. This enables the reorientation of irrigation towards crop parcels where it is most needed, facilitating significant improvements in cultivation practices.
Researchers found that farming practices, such as liming and changes in tile drainage, are responsible for the majority of increased water and carbon dioxide in the Mississippi River. The study's findings highlight the significant impact of agricultural activities on the river's chemistry and ecosystem.
A study by LSU and Yale researchers found that farming practices are responsible for the majority of increased water and carbon in the Mississippi River. The research team analyzed data on precipitation and water export to demonstrate the effects of excess water on river chemistry.
A new study found associations between occupation and increased risk of dying from systemic autoimmune diseases, particularly in farming and industrial jobs. Exposure to specific substances like asbestos and pesticides was also linked to higher mortality rates.
Anthropologists have discovered the earliest-known evidence of peanut, cotton and squash farming in northern Peru, dating back 5,000 to 9,000 years. The findings suggest that agriculture played a broader role in cultural and social changes in the region than previously understood.
Researcher Reed L. Wadley examines the historical use of swidden or shifting cultivation by the Iban population in northwestern Borneo. He argues that colonial pacification methods exacerbated unsustainable farming practices, contributing to environmental degradation.
A sociocultural anthropologist found that Indian farmers' inability to test new genetically modified crops led to a breakdown in traditional farming methods. The speed of change, number of choices in the seed market, and desire for novelty resulted in fads, not testing.
A new study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that pesticide use increases the risk of Parkinson's disease in men, with a higher likelihood of exposure compared to women. The study matched individuals with Parkinson's disease to those without, assessing exposure via farming occupation or hobbies.
The University of Warwick is launching a butterfly farming project in Guyana to preserve the local rainforest. The project aims to enhance the livelihoods of indigenous communities by developing a low-tech butterfly farming industry, which will also conserve the rainforest habitat.
Researchers Bocquet-Appel and Naji found a sudden 20-30% increase in birth rates worldwide during the Neolithic period, as indicated by an abrupt change in skeletal evidence. This finding corroborates a global demographic transition, with archaeological evidence showing parallels between Europe, North Africa, and the Americas.
The study found that farmers who participated in workshops made better decisions in response to good information, resulting in improved crop yields. The researchers also found that the workshops increased the use of forecast information among farmers, particularly those in subsistence farming.
A study by Newcastle University and Aberdeen University found that EU farming subsidies favor rich, core regions in Germany, UK, France, and Netherlands over poorer, peripheral regions. The researchers recommend redistributing funds from Pillar One to Pillar Two to boost rural economies in poorer nations.
Researchers suggest introducing a new species to balance ecosystem health and mitigate the risk of farmed fish escapes. Dr. Ian Fleming argues that this could be a solution to limit ecological impact.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has warned that tuna stocks are at risk of extinction due to unsustainable fishing and farming practices. The organization is calling for stricter regulations, including real-time monitoring of catches and the implementation of a new quota system.
Joan Somers' research found that cows on straw yards had significantly healthier claws and better walking patterns than those on concrete floors. The study highlighted the importance of comfortable bedding spaces, dry stalls, balanced rations, and regular claw care in improving dairy cow welfare.
Research suggests that volcanic eruptions created nutrient-rich soil on Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii, allowing early Polynesians to sustain intensive sweet potato farming. The study's findings challenge previous assumptions about Hawaiian agriculture and highlight the importance of volcanic geology in shaping the islands' ecosystems.
A University of Illinois study highlights the growing tension between farmers and newcomers to rural areas like Elburn, Kane County. Farmers see farmland as a means of livelihood and family heritage, while newcomers view it as public amenity. This clash is leading to erosion of community trust and decline in farming practices.
Researchers observed that snails scrape and fertilize grass tissue, stimulating fungal growth. The result is an infestation of fungi, slowing marsh grass growth. This study establishes the mechanism behind snail-mediated fungus farming in marine environments.
Archaeologists discovered a 900-year-old square hilltop village in Illinois that contradicts previous understanding of Cahokian settlements. The village had a rigid orientation and large central residence with religious structures, sparking questions about its purpose as a farming village or administrative outpost.
A team of scholars discovered that early Maya centers were abandoned due to a drastic change in local environments, transforming swamp-like bajos into seasonal swamps. The study found evidence of human-induced environmental change and climatic shift, leading the Maya to adapt and thrive in the altered environment.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that farming inside forests reduces bird diversity and nesting success compared to timber harvesting. The study's results suggest that small agricultural openings can have a significant impact on bird populations.
The study highlights the environmental and human health problems associated with industrial agriculture, such as soil degradation, water pollution, and increased antibiotic resistance. Sustainable agriculture methods offer a viable alternative, including reducing meat consumption to alleviate pressure on natural resources.
Researchers discuss innovative examples of sustainable agriculture, such as the Ecological System of Rice Intensification (SRI), which trains farmers to adopt environmentally friendly techniques. SRI has successfully increased rice yields without relying on herbicides and pesticides, improving food security in Cambodia and Asia.
A study found that early exposure to a farming environment reduces the risk of childhood asthma and other allergic diseases. Children exposed to farms in their first year of life had lower rates of asthma, hay fever, and atopic sensitization compared to those exposed later.
The discovery of 70 prehistoric stone ax heads at the Grossmann site near O’Fallon, Illinois, sheds new light on Cahokian society. The pristine ax heads, made from St. François basalt, suggest a possible connection to social status and wealth.
Researchers suggest adopting conservation tillage, cover crops, and grazing management to reduce erosion and capture carbon in agricultural lands. By implementing these practices, farmers can create a net-positive carbon balance and help mitigate global warming.