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agriculture

05/08/2018 / By Vicki Batts

Agricultural waste could be contributing to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

While there are plenty of issues within the factory farming industry, one aspect in particular could spell big trouble for us all: antibiotic overuse, and the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Literal tons of antibiotics are purchased and fed to livestock every year, around the world. Approximately 131,000 tons of antibiotics were used to treat livestock […]

04/30/2018 / By Janine Acero

A more diverse farm land provides better conditions for pest control

Crop diversity was shown to have a positive impact on the natural predators of aphids, which are common crop pests. Farmers can utilize this insight to keep aphids at bay and reduce the need for pesticides. In addition, greater crop diversity in agricultural landscapes is said to be better for pest control because a varied landscape provides better […]

04/27/2018 / By David Williams

Pesticides threaten extinction of monarch butterflies

It is well-known that the use of pesticides can have deleterious effects on nature. Now, the latest casualty could soon be the majestic monarch butterfly as its very existence is thought to be threatened by the overuse of pesticides targeted towards milkweed. This is based on information from an announcement made by Mexican officials last […]

04/18/2018 / By David Williams

High-tech farm is using machines to re-establish old school microbiology for sustainable farming

What do you think farms of the future will look like? Will they use soil in the same way that it’s used now? Could they be operated completely by robots, with no humans ever stepping foot on them at all? Whatever they end up looking, they had better be capable of meeting the demands of […]

04/11/2018 / By Michelle Simmons

Edamame farmers are using rye as a cover crop to reduce the use of herbicides

Farmers continue to search for alternatives to herbicides to control weeds due to the increase of herbicide-resistant weeds in most grain and vegetable crops. Fortunately, edamame farmers have found a way to reduce the use of herbicides by using rye as a cover crop, according to a study published in the journal Weed Science. The […]

04/10/2018 / By Janine Acero

Scattered trees throughout active pastures conserve biodiversity

A research paper published in the journal Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment reports a study conducted by a team from the Federal University of Lavras on how scattered trees in active pastures support the biodiversity of the ecosystems around the area and help promote forest recovery. The research team investigated an area of 618.59 hectares (ha) in Southeastern Brazil […]

04/05/2018 / By Lance D Johnson

Arkansas court rules with Monsanto, grants farmers right to spray toxic Dicamba herbicide that causes horrific crop damage to nearby farms

Millions of acres of U.S. crops were damaged in 2017 by a dicamba-based herbicide, manufactured by Monsanto and BASF SE. Dicamba herbicide is specifically designed to be sprayed on genetically modified, dicamba-resistant soybeans and cotton. These GM crops have been genetically engineered to withstand dicamba; however, the herbicide is very volatile. Dicamba drifts in the wind and can […]

04/05/2018 / By David Williams

New Jersey indoor farm can grow plants all year long while using 95 percent less water than outdoor farms, with no pesticides at all

There’s something special about a new farm in Kearny, New Jersey. Headed by a former techie turned farmer, Bowery Farming is uniquely poised to serve as the blueprint for future farms with a focus on sustainability and reliability. More specifically, by applying clever new methods, the CEO and founder of Bowery Farming, Irving Fain, has created […]

04/03/2018 / By Ralph Flores

What is the right amount of nitrogen in agriculture? Not enough contributes to hunger, too much damages the environment

Nitrogen is essential in crop production, but it comes with a caveat: Use too much of it, and you risk polluting the environment; use too little, and you risk limiting your crop yield. This was also the focus of an article that appeared in the journal Nutrient Cycling in Agrosystems. The paper, led by researchers from […]

03/25/2018 / By Tracey Watson

Working with nature to reduce pesticide use: Farmers around the world are rediscovering the increased yields offered by biodiversity

The face of agriculture has changed dramatically over the past century. Instead of working with what nature has provided, encouraging biodiversity and companion planting to ward off pests, farmers have been encouraged to use chemical fertilizers and pesticides, with disastrous results. Despite being promised greater crop protection and increased yields, the results have been low-yielding […]

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