Using soil and plant properties and farm management practices to improve the micronutrient composition of food and feed

The impacts of a range of farm-management practices on house mouse (Mus domesticus) populations were tested in a large replicated field study in a complex irrigated farming system in southern New South Wales, Australia. An advisory panel, made up of farmers, extension officers, industry representatives and scientists developed a series of best-practice farm-management actions to minimise the impact of mice. Twelve experimental sites were split into six treated sites, where farmers were encouraged to conduct the recommended practices, and six untreated sites, where farmers conducted their normal farming practices. Mouse abundance was generally low to moderate for the 4-year project (5–60% adjusted trap success). We found significant reductions in population abundance of mice on treated sites when densities were moderate, but no differences when densities were low. Biomass of weeds and grasses around the perimeter of crops were significantly lower on treated sites because of applications of herbicide sprays and grazing by sheep. We could not detect any significant difference in mouse damage to crops between treated and untreated sites; however, levels of damage were low (<5%). Yields of winter cereals and rice crops were significantly higher on treated sites by up to 40%. An analysis of benefits and costs of conducting farming practices on treated sites compared with untreated sites showed a 2 : 1 benefit to cost ratio for winter cereals, 9 : 1 for rice and 4 : 1 for soybeans.

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Carbon footprint of corn-soy-oats rotations in the US Midwest using data from real biological farm management practices

Journal of Cleaner Production ◽

10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.11.002 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 210 ◽

pp. 170-180 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Pragnya L. Eranki ◽

Jay Devkota ◽

Amy E. Landis

Keyword(s):

Carbon Footprint ◽

Management Practices ◽

Farm Management ◽

The Us ◽

Us Midwest ◽

Using Data

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Spatialized N budgets in a large agricultural Mediterranean watershed: high loading and low transfer

Biogeosciences ◽

10.5194/bg-9-57-2012 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 57-70 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

L. Lassaletta ◽

E. Romero ◽

G. Billen ◽

J. Garnier ◽

H. García-Gómez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

River Basin ◽

Management Practices ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Irrigated Agriculture ◽

N Budget ◽

Ebro River ◽

N Retention ◽

Management Measures ◽

Mediterranean Regions ◽

Food And Feed

Abstract. Despite the particular management practices and climate characteristics of the Mediterranean regions, the literature dealing with N budgets in large catchments subjected to Mediterranean conditions is scarce. The present study aims to deepen our knowledge on the N cycle within the Ebro River Basin (NE Spain) by means of two different approaches: (1) calculating a global N budget in the Ebro River Basin and (2) calculating a series of detailed regional budgets at higher geographical resolution. N inputs and outputs were spatialized by creating a map based on the most detailed information available. Fluvial and atmospheric N export was estimated together with N retention. The Ebro River Basin annually receives a relatively high amount of new N (5118 kg N km−2 yr−1), mostly in the form of synthetic fertilizers (50%). Although it is a highly productive catchment, the net N input as food and feed import is also high (33%). Only 8% of this N is finally exported to the delta zone. Several territorial units characterized by different predominant uses (rainfed agriculture, irrigated agriculture and pastures) have differentiated N dynamics. However, due to the high density of irrigation channels and reservoirs that characterize Mediterranean catchments, N retention is very high in all of them (median value, 91%). These results indicate that problems of eutrophication due to N delivery in the coastal area may not be too severe but that high N retention values may instead lead to problems within the catchment, such as pollution of aquifers and rivers, as well as high atmospheric emissions. The most promising management measures are those devoted to reducing agricultural surpluses through a better balanced N fertilization.

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A holistic sustainability assessment of organic (certified and non-certified) and non-organic smallholder farms in Kenya

Environment Development and Sustainability ◽

10.1007/s10668-021-01736-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Juliet Wanjiku Kamau ◽

Christian Schader ◽

Lisa Biber-Freudenberger ◽

Till Stellmacher ◽

David M. Amudavi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Farm Management ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Economic Resilience ◽

Organic Farms ◽

Smallholder Farms ◽

Sustainability Performance ◽

Certified Organic ◽

Environmental Integrity ◽

Farm Types

AbstractThe introduction of organic farm management practices in sub-Saharan Africa could act as a lever for supporting regional sustainable development. In this study, we sought to assess the sustainability performance of organic (certified and non-certified) and non-organic farms in the dry Kajiado County and the wet Murang’a County in Kenya, based on four sustainability dimensions: Good Governance, Environmental Integrity, Economic Resilience and Social Well-Being. We collected household survey data from 400 smallholder farms, which were formally characterized into five types (mixed organic and conventional, certified organic, organic, conventional, and subsistence farms). We used multivariate analysis of variance, linear fixed-effects and general linear models to examine differences in sustainability performance. Model results indicate that all farms lack reliable farm management information and that only limited knowledge, skills and social security exist for farmers and farm workers. Comparison of the five farm types indicates no significant differences in their sustainability performance. Nonetheless, certified organic farms had better sustainability performance than non-certified farms due to higher economic resilience, environmental integrity, better support and training for workers. However, except for avoiding the use of agrochemicals in certified farms, there is relatively little difference in the farm management practices across farm types. Our results also indicate that farms in Murang’a were more sustainable than those in Kajiado due to better regional land-tenure security and conflict resolution mechanisms, soil and water conservation measures, and farm commercial viability. Nonetheless, unlike Kajiado, farms in Murang’a showed a tendency toward poor animal husbandry practices which affects overall animal welfare, limited credit uptake and market involvement. The results of this study can support decision making to identify appropriate interventions for improving sustainability in smallholder farms.

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Assessment of Farm management risk factors of contracting haemoparasitic infections in Pastoralist and Sedentary cattle in Soba Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v45i4.543 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 45 (4) ◽

Author(s):

S. Danbirni ◽

B. B. Dauda ◽

S. N. A. Saidu ◽

L. B. Tekdek

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Food Security ◽

Local Government ◽

Management Practices ◽

Farm Management ◽

Local Government Area ◽

Arthropod Vectors ◽

Cattle Management ◽

Husbandry System ◽

Preliminary Study

The major cattle management system observed in Soba Local Government Area was pastoral husbandry system. Under this system, cattle were extensively grazed on established forages of Kaduna State forests and were exposed to various arthropod vectors of haemoparasites. These haemoparasites are a serious threat to food security in Soba LGA due to their influence on cattle productivity. Questionnaires were used in assessing some farm management risk factors of contracting haemoparasitic infections in both pastoralist and sedentary herds in Soba LGA. A total of 24 herdsmen made up of 20 pastoralists and 4 sedentary herdsmen were interviewed. The study revealed, that some herd management practices were observed to have constituted risks to acquiring haemoparasitic infections in both pastoralist and sedentar y herds in the study area. For instance, vectors of haemoparasites such as ticks and biting flies aside Glossina were present in both pastoralist and sedentary herds in the study area. Some farm management practices such as screening of herds for haemoparasites, treatment of it once in 12 months and quarantining of new stock before adding to the existing herds were found not to be carried. Thus, constituted risk factors in the herds. This preliminary study, provided evidence of the possible arthropod vectors (ticks and biting flies) that may be involved in the transmission of haemoparasites to cattle in Soba LGA of Kaduna State. It is envisaged that this survey will stimulate more studies to determine the prevalence of haemoparasites in cattle in Soba LGA of Kaduna State.

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