agriculture tips

Now cattle rustling and sheep stealing are old and infamous activities but sadly, there are still some instances of this illegal activity taking place today. So if you have livestock of any variety be they cattle, sheep, horses, pigs or any other domestic creature you keep for farming or companionship, housing them safely and securely is something you must regard as very important. With a steel farm shed or barn you give yourself peace of mind and your livestock a safe and happy lifestyle. Of course your animals may often be out in the yard, fields or paddocks but there will always be a time or times when they need to be housed inside a building. A steel building offers you the best of both worlds. Your steel shed offers terrific protection from tough climactic conditions and can be made very secure. Your steel shed will stand strong for generations. You will be protecting your animals and thus your assets and investment and all by having a steel building as part of your operation. We

As the Internet moves us forward into a new age of technology, almost every industry seems to have incorporated online aspects into their business method. From sharing information, to publicity and networking; the Internet is taking over in almost every facet of business. Things are no different for the agricultural sector. Farming machinery is one of the most important investments you will make for your business; everything you do relies on having dependable equipment. A good purchase will give you a trustworthy machine that lasts for years while choosing a dodgy tractor will see you down the road with a wealth of problems in tow. Fortunately the Internet can help you choose your farming machinery easier and more effectively. Reviews are an obvious place to start. Most brands will put new product lines on their websites with lists that boast features and statistics; but you don't want to be looking at their marketing to choose the best - you want to see what other customers have

If you are growing hay, then you know that it needs proper storage and care. The main problem arises when hay starts accumulating moisture on it, which can hamper your business. Well, you can protect your investment by using hay tarp. The snowfall, rain and wind could be a matter of concern for all the hay farmers. You'll need to protect your product from any damage, especially to ensure there is no monetary loss. Rain can dampen your hay, which in turn will have fungus growing on it. Thus, it becomes important for you to use a tarp that will protect your valuable investment from harsh weather conditions. Hay tarps are quite different from the regular ones. If you are under an impression that the traditional tarps will meet your hay storage requirement, then you might want to think twice. An excellent way to run a business is by keeping your product free from mildew and completely dry. These hay tarps prevent damage caused by mold and moisture. They are waterproof and mildew resis

Demand for anything encourages the human brain to devise new ideas to increase its availability. The growing population all over the world has certainly increased the demand for greater food supply. As a result, the agricultural scientists in the countries like India have come up with new and better ideas of seed manufacturing and production. Today, the country provides quality onion, tomato, watermelon seeds and seeds of other fruits and vegetables to its farmers. Apart from meeting the domestic needs, these countries export superior quality seeds to different parts of the world. The credit should be given to the manufacturers who are using new technologies to produce them capable of generating better outputs. Here is a discussion on how this type of agricultural production has gained importance in the recent times. Timely Supply: Shortage of seeds at the ideal time of sowing can lead to decline in production. It is important that the farmers should be supplied with good quality see

This article will show why the study of aquaponics is really starting to take off at the moment and with the advent of books, e-Books and online tutorials, there has never been a better time to get into this topic of sustainable organic food production. It will not only save you money on your household grocery bills, but it will also give you a feel good factor. Afterall, you are doing something which is environmentally friendly and has been proven to lessen the impact of overpopulation and the need for further land clearance. Lets quickly take a look at how aquaponics works, then we can get into the details. The system set up allows you to produce organically reared fish and vegetables which mutually benefit each other. Fish are kept in tanks and fed organic fish food. Their waste is broken down by special bacterial organisms and the resultant nitrates from the nitrification process is fed to the plants as a nutrient feed. This process of breaking down and removing the fish waste, pr

So you've done your research and found the most suitable tractor for your needs. You are in the process of selecting your dealer when you realize that you know nothing about tractor repair and maintenance. That's fine. What you need to do is find someone who can do it for you. Since a tractor is a long-term investment, it is recommended that you have it partnered with a good service plan. It is not unusual to encounter the over-eager salesman trying to win you over by giving you a list of their best deals. If you intend to cut corners, do so by minimizing the cost and hassle of future repairs and maintenance. When choosing the best service plan, here are some things you may want to think about: Scheduled maintenance: Prevention is better than cure, as they say. If the service includes this, it is more probable that you will have less need for a lawn tractor repair in the future. Customer support: Are you getting your tractor from a dealer which can easily be contacted if you

So, you are watching heirloom carrots, tomatoes and other vegetables of all types spring out and wondering what they are? Do you know, when you purchase heirloom vegetable seeds, you are doing a favor to your environment? To know how, first we must go back to knowing more about what heirloom plants are. What is an heirloom plant? You see, the term is used mostly to plants which have not been genetically modified in any way, but has adapted to whatever climate it was planted in. This makes them free from genetically modifying items, and mostly they are not cultured on a large, industrial scale. It has been noted that these vegetables are actually tastier and earthier in flavors, and currently they are all the rage in the food trend zone, where they have taken over a major part of the culinary world. So, why are heirloom vegetables popular? Chefs nowadays swear by the taste and texture of heirloom vegetables, claiming that they have a lot more flavor than their blander, genetically modi

When you decide to set up an aquaponics system you have three key elements to consider namely plants, bacteria and fish. The types of aquaponics fish you place in the system will be determined by your choice of plants and reasons behind rearing the fish. The biggest question to ask yourself will be, what am I rearing the fish for, food or decoration? Many people get into aquaponics purely for the sustainable food production side, so they can grow fresh fruits and vegetables without the need for conventional soil based methods. In this example, the fish are a by-product of the process, so it does not matter about rearing the fish for food. When the fish are purely a part of the symbiotic cycle certain types of fish suit the system better. You want to choose larger fish that mature slower and live longer, this way your fish will be producing larger amounts of solid waste over a longer period. This will convert via the bacterial process into more food for your plants. Even though you do

Running a successful farm requires efficient, high quality tools. It's important that you can rely on the people and equipment integral to keeping your business going strong. With heavy machinery the backbone of any farm, it's crucial that you maintain your vehicles regularly to avoid complications and lost work time at crucial moments down the line. Tractors, harvesters and other vehicles will often be some of the most expensive purchases you'll make for your farm - especially if you buy name brands like John Deere for the better quality and reliability. Like any mechanical equipment, you have to be prepared for your farming machinery to age and occasionally break down. While some things are unavoidable, annual tractor service and machine maintenance can dramatically increase equipment life and prevent untimely issues. A little extra investment into spare parts can save you a lot of money and hassle too. Having the ability to fix a tractor on site when it breaks down can

From the inception of the agricultural revolution, farm and farming implements have been developed to increase the productivity capacity of the workers who have been charged with the responsibility of managing the farm operations. In today's world, this is no exception; however, advances in technology have created a range of farm machinery and equipment that not only aid in the productive capacities of the business, but make significant contributions to increasing production and increasing revenue generation capabilities of the farm. Purchasing farm implements is a decision that requires readily accessible data and specifications to make an informed decision. They represent a tool and commodity for the business and care is needed to ascertain that the equipment purchased is best suited to the tasks it is required to perform. Depending on the particular implement or piece of equipment in question, the investment can be quite substantial; this necessitates the need for consumer to i

A Tractor is a Lifetime Investment Tractors have made life easier by doing the tasks that the human body finds physically challenging to do. Investing in one would definitely be worth it, especially in this day and age when people are so absorbed in their busy lives to spend time trimming grass. If treated with care, tractors can serve their purpose for a very long time. A long-term investment like this needs the care of skilled and experienced technicians who are willing to help you get your money's worth as much as they are willing to improve their tractor sales. Regular maintenance is a simple, yet very effective way to extend the life span of your tractor. Good sales people should be able to offer you a scheduled maintenance program which includes replacing filters, lubricating joints and changing the oil. Since maintenance is important, it would also be good to know that your dealer has experienced technicians who were especially trained in tractor care. Things to Look for in

The use of the gunny bag cannot be overestimated in any way. This is with regards to the fact that the bags are created from entirely organic material. Like their close relatives, the jute bags, they are made from a tough and sturdy thread spun from vegetable and generally plant fibers. The fact that both types of bags are made from the same material, causes them to sometimes be referred to using the same name (jute) bags, despite their slight difference. Gunny bag, attributed to the strength of the material used to create them are very strong. This facilitates the packaging of commercial products. They, unlike the more widely used polythene bags have the ability to hold within them contents of higher masses, this may even be up to three times the mass the average polythene paper is able to carry. Were it not for the fact that these are porous, the bags would probably be used to ferry products across seas. Due to their porous nature, gunny bags could be used for an initiative known as

Agriculture could be said to be the backbone of earth. Almost everything we eat is in one way or another related to agriculture. Agricultural output is highly influenced by the prevailing weather and the types of seeds planted. Different crops do well in different weather conditions as they are well adapted to certain environment. In the recent past, there has been a massive shift to hybrid seeds, which have been claimed to do well than the non-hybrid seeds. Hybrid seeds are seeds produced through cross-pollination, collected and replanted. Collection and replanting can give you low yield. Even if they grow, these seeds cannot give you a variety they will give a similar breed like you had in the previous season. If you want high yields, no matter what season the earth is in, you can rely on non-hybrid seeds. These are seeds that are collected from mature plants that are open pollinated. This open pollination ensures that you get a variety of yields from the plants. By being from matur

Consumers are the ultimate users of goods and services produced in order to satisfy their wants. Producers of these goods and services, guided by their profit motive, may charge exorbitant prices and may show little concern for consumers in terms of acceptable quality, utility, efficiency or safety of the good or service offered for sale. There are several reasons for consumer protection and explained as follows: Unfair Trading Practices of the Businessmen Some producers and their distributors may indulge in unfair trading practices so as to maximize profits at the expense of consumers. These practices may take the form of misleading advertisements, inferior quality and performance of goods or services, exorbitant prices, substandard packaging, inadequate weights and measures, sales gimmicks and the liking. Ignorance of Consumers that Products may Endanger their Health or Life Consumers may be unaware of the deficiencies or the danger to their health and life of certain purchases. For

Aquaponics is a combination of hydroponics and aquaculture (fish farming). This is a symbiotic relationship, where fish wastes become the food source for plants, and the plants in turn provide a natural filter for the fish. This managed ecosystem is becoming increasingly popular as food sources and groundwater have become increasingly tainted. Aquaponics is an ideal answer to recycle nutrient rich "fishy" water and the hydroponic enthusiasts' need for nutrient rich solution. The best part in this environmental and friendly system is that everything is organic with no chemicals added. Still in its infancy, aquaponics is following a steady upward growth curve. The obvious hydroponic benefits include: elimination of fertilizer costs and associated labor. The dramatic reduction of the filtration of fish waste is the main benefit afforded in aquaculture. A homebased aquarium which has either food fish or ornamental fish, is simple to integrate with not so large hydroponic sys

Today, companies are unable to find quality wholesale florists due to the changing economy. Corporations are merging with others, there are many technology changes and products suffer from these complex issues. Below are some tips in finding the right wholesale florist in your area. Florists provide their customers with knowledgeable, consistent sales staff. "Four out of five wholesale florists have salespeople who have been with the company for more than five years," according to the Wholesale Florist & Florist Suppliers Association (WF&FSA). Retailers value the individualized attention, expert knowledge and efficiency that this provides. Wholesalers know their retail customers' favorite products and supplies. And they save their customers' time by offering wide-ranging inventory and are able to obtain specialty items easily. So when it comes to reliability and added value, retail florists know where to go-to their local wholesale florist. For years, wholesa

Soil Remediation? Soil remediation is part of a broader process called environmental remediation. It is the collective term used for different techniques used to purify and revitalize soil. Problems are generally caused by contaminants which are substances either currently causing undesirable effect or will possibly cause an undesirable effect in the future. The main aim of remediation efforts is the reduction of these contaminant concentrations within the soil to lower levels so that land area will be more suitable for use without the environmental risks. There are a lot of various methods which can be applied in dealing with soil contamination, and some more effective than others. In selecting the most effective method, it is important to know the following: its impact on other surrounding living things in the vicinity, nature of soil contamination, and how successful the activity is projected to be. It is possible for an area to go through multiple soil remediation processes to han

The use of eco friendly jute goods has been one of the best ways of tackling the use of different materials containing toxic wastes. The increases of toxic wastes are adding to the pollutions of the environment and are the main cause of global warming. One of the best ways of fighting these evils would be by the use of such natural fibers in different forms and decreasing the pollution level towards a greener and healthy world. There are several advantages of one using an eco friendly jute product. The toxic factor is complemented by the affordability and durability of the different jute products and this has made this material so popular these days. Jute is found in the tropical places due to several climatic reasons. This plant, a rich source of natural fiber grows best in the climatic conditions where the temperature range is between (20-40) degrees centigrade, relative humidity being (70-80) % apart from the necessary rainfalls during the sowing and growing periods. The eco friend

Polyethylene and canvas tarps are essential tools, and can be used to protect hay, animals, equipment, and crops in farms. While it's possible to use the two kinds of tarps interchangeably, there are many situations when one is better suited for a specific application over the other because of its unique characteristics. Polyethylene tarps are tough, flexible, and chemical-resistant. They are also waterproof and ideal for outdoor use. Canvas tarpaulin, on the other hand, is made from closely woven natural or synthetic fibers. They were once used as sails before modern boats replaced them with specially-designed fabrics. Although water-resistant, canvas tarpaulin can get wet if exposed to a heavy downpour unlike polyethylene tarps. However, canvas tarps allow air to pass through and breathe unlike polyethylene-tarpaulin. Farm owners can use both canvas and polyethylene tarps to protect hay or haystacks. When soggy or wet, hay can smell bad and decompose quickly. This makes it unusa

Whether you have a large farming property, lifestyle block or have just purchased your dream home, the issue of maintaining the lawn will arise; including the question of push versus ride on mowers as the tool to do the job. Whether you are looking to create a magnificent looking lawn for a lifestyle block of land, or need a reliable mower to get through a sizeable amount of cutting, ride on mowers prove a popular choice. The timesaving capabilities of these types of mowers are obvious as they are able to cut a larger area than a traditional push mower and travel at a faster speed. Comfort is another incremental factor which contributes to the popularity of ride-on's. Furthermore, they are versatile in their use and longevity. With advancing mower technology, they are no longer restricted to only large blocks of grass with straight edges; traditionally requiring a push mower for edging. The new breed of ride on mowers is versatile and flexible, offering previously unseen levels of

Organic farming has taken a giant hold on the farming industry in the last 20+ years. It has grown from what many thought was a fad, to--forgive the pun--much greener pastures. So what is the hype behind organic farming? For one, there is a lack of both pesticides and herbicides. In the past, consumers didn't have much of a choice in the way their fruits and veggies were produced, and let's face it, negative results occurred. Pesticides and herbicides are not only threatening to the environment, they are directly affecting our children. Any product out in the market that is chemically enhanced is always subject to criticism, and the basic statistics show that, although this may not be as immediately profitable, it is the way to go in matters of living a healthy lifestyle. The differences between this method and traditional farming are many. Aside from the pesticide/herbicide issue, there are a great many other reasons to consider supporting your local organic farmer (or garden

Agricultural Equipment Introduction Agriculture has been around since prehistoric times then became one of today's most important key factors that affect the global economy. During the early days when people newly diverted from hunting to harvesting crops, they probably were farming with their bare hands due to the lack of equipment. With the technological advancement such as transportation which paved the way for the agricultural products to be transported around the world resulting to increase in demand, agricultural machinery and techniques have been developed in order to be more production and cost efficient. Development So what exactly is agriculture? It is cultivation of crops or animals that are eaten or used for other purposes to sustain life. Agriculture, which can also be referred to as farming, was a key factor in the development of human civilizations. In the olden times, almost every member of a family worked on the farm and they are required to work intensively due t

The other day, I was having an interesting conversation with regards to over population of the human species around the world. For instance, how on Earth is the planet going to be able to feed, provide fresh water, and support 50 Billion people? Some say that we already have too many people on said planet, their evidence is undeniable in some regions of our world, but not everywhere. Okay so, let's talk. My acquaintance mentioned that it wouldn't be a bad idea to set limits and available farmland as a way to help support and sustain our ever growing populations. Indeed, I once lived in a city that grew quickly, it had top soil 50 feet deep, perfect climate for farming, but since the climate was so great, people wanted to live there and paved over it all. Then humans grow and farm, fruit trees of all things, in places like Florida, little if any decent top soil and hardly any fresh water supplies due to poor reservoir storage. Now then, with proper strategic land use planning f

Aquaponics is a sustainable food production system which combines Aquaculture and Hydroponics- therefore forming a mutual relationship where the effluent, nutrient-rich water from the animals, are flowed to plants which serves as fertilizer. The effluents just re-circulate in the system that serves beneficial for the 2 main components: fish and plants. Before knowing the right fish and plants to use, you must also be able to understand the 3 styles - because it also affects the Aquaponics fish and plants that are suitable for the setup. The first style is the media filled beds. This is the simplest among the three, and is best likely to be used by beginners. It has container with expanded clay or the like which absorbs the water from the fish tanks above it. It can be done via a continuous water flow system, where water flows through rocks or via draining the grow bed via a flow cycle. The second style, Nutrient Film Technique or NFT. For this type, nutrient filled water is pumped dow

Agriculture has been the most integral means of livelihood since the beginning of time. This involves not only the cultivation of plants and vegetation but also animal farming. Crops has been and still is the man's main food source. Its vast history can be traced back to thousand of years ago, surpassing various eras and numerous climate changes. Primeval Origins and Middle Ages Agriculture has long been depicted in ancient cave drawings and has appeared in countless manuscripts. The earliest of civilizations started near rivers because of the water it supplies and the nutrients it supplies the land. Egypt and India were believed to possess the most fertile of lands fit for sowing, no wonder it was named the Cradle of Civilization. By the 7000 BC, agriculture reached Egypt. This paved waves for ancient Sumerians to developed agricultural techniques such as irrigation and land cultivation in order to increase production. Even the Greeks have a figure for it, Demeter, as the great O

Introduction Aronia Plants Are Nature's Super Healthy Creation Aronia is a true Native American plant that is widely grown in Europe for fruit production. A native plant, developing in the North America ecosystem, Aronia bushes have adapted to grow in growing zones 3 to 7. It is a perennial, deciduous, self pollinating, self-supporting shrub. There are many advantages to growing an aronia plant on your property. It is a very ornamental and resilient plant. It is adapted to the natural ecosystem; it is better able to withstand invasions from insects and diseases as well as the natural variations in the climate than non native plants. Native aronia plants require little care once established on your property. The flowers are self pollinating (apomictic), thus only one plant is needed to produce fruit. Full of antioxidants, Aronia produces one of the healthiest berries on the planet. The Viking and Nero varieties are heavy fruit producers and can be a major source of income for a sma

There is one key but it has three factors, in setting up a successful aquaponics system that you must keep in mind. But first let us dissect the components on which aquaponics is built on: Aquaculture and hydroponics. Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic creatures such as plants, fish, shellfish, and other water born creatures. It's just like our normal home aquariums. However hydroponics is growing plants in water without soil. The main advantage of using this type of growing is you don't need acres of land. You can grow the same amount of food in a 6 x 6 foot area instead of an acre of land. Aquaponics system combines these two separate systems together. You build a tank with fish in it and use it to water and fertilize your plants. It has everything your plants need. You won't have to use extra water or chemicals. The grow beds on its part provides for the fish purified and oxygenated, which is needed for aquatic life. Although, bacteria is usually added to convert fis

There are a few things that you need to know before you begin rabbit breeding for your rabbit farm. It is important to be prepared so that you can tackle challenges as they come. Typically, the first litter of a doe does not survive, at least half, but sometimes not at all. Without this knowledge, it's easy to grow discouraged. Know your reason for breeding, whether you plan on improving a certain breed, meat production, wool production, or improving the overall health of your own herd. Having a reason in mind will help you as you select your initial breeding stock, and as you select which pairs to breed together. Part of this is having a market prepared to sell to. Although it is possible to sell rabbits as pets, the pet rabbit market is saturated, and will not turn a very big profit. The meat and fur markets are much better, but can still be difficult to break into at first. Know how much space you will need. Because different markets can be difficult to get into, you may need t

Aquaponics, the re-circulating culture of fish attached to plant production, boasts of many fantastic advantages topped by its yield of fresh and organic foods that can generate considerable savings on the household budget to boot. The 2-in-1 food production system is compact it can be built-in any part of the house - the backyard, the garage, outdoors and indoors. If you are more ambitious and intend to sell your produce to restaurants or public markets, you can set up a small aquaponic system right in their neighborhood. The aquaponic system is a 2-in-1 affair because it produces two kinds of food products from a single input. The feeds for the fish you will put into the system supports the growth of both the fish and plants. In terms of ecological impact, a small aquaponic system does no harm to the environment at all. Although the system generates waste from the unused fish feeds and the fish discharges, this solid waste is not thrown away since it will serve as nutrient for plant

Farmers of agricultural farms grow spring barley to make sure that the previous crop's stubble survives. This will create a good place for the birds on the land. Barley is harvested occasionally to make straw for the animals' bedding. The whole cycle of growing crops includes the use of sheep to eat the stubble and, in doing so, fertilise the land at the same time with their droppings. The same principle is used to fertilise the land on which hay will be harvested later on in the year. Not only hay gets harvested for animal fodder, but also alfalfa and plants of the pea family. When the hay has grown long enough to be harvested, it is cut down to lie in the field to dry so that it can be baled. If the weather has been rainy the hay may be turned over to speed up the drying process. When the right time has come the hay will be baled into rounds or squares with the aid of a baling machine. In order to transport these to the place of storage, bale trailers are used. The hay will

Aeroponics provides a clean, efficient, and rapid method of food production. Crops can be planted without soil and harvested year-round. In aeroponics, plants roots are suspended in air, periodically sprayed with a nutrient rich water based solution and then allowed to drain. By alternating wet and dry cycles, the roots are kept moist but also exposed to an abundant supply of oxygen leading to much faster growth than traditional gardening methods. Aeroponics systems reduce water and fertilizer usage by over 90% and by avoiding exposure to soil-born diseases eliminate pesticide usage altogether. These benefits, along with the great reduction in weight that is achieved by eliminating dirt and significantly reducing the amount of water required for plant growth, are reasons this high-tech method of food production has attracted the interest and support of NASA. On of the hurdles to be cleared for long distance space travel and even colonies on the Moon or nearby planets is finding a mean