Agricultural methods that have existed since the end of the Second World War have had numerous benefits. Unfortunately, it is becoming clear that they have also had negative effects to natural resources and to the consumers of the produce. A more informed consumer market is now favoring products that have been produced in a sustainable manner. If they wish to undertake sustainable agriculture Omaha farmers need to know a number of things beforehand.
One of the major benefits of sustainable agriculture is environmental preservation. Farmers avoid the use of toxic pesticides to treat diseases in animals and instead use options that will have as little impact to the environment as possible. When it comes to the production of crops the practices that are used are those that conserve the soil, water and other natural resources. Organic fertilizers are chosen over toxic synthetic fertilizers.
Protection of public health is another important benefit of this kind of practices. With the avoidance of toxic inputs, the plant products that are produced are almost always safe for human consumption. The same applies to animal products in which everything remains as natural as possible. The disposal of livestock waste is done in a manner that poses the least danger to the general public thus prevents the transmission of animal diseases to humans.
The commonly used techniques in crop production include crop rotation, the use of cover crops, soil enrichment and the use of natural pest predators. Crop rotation involves the growth of different crops during alternating planting seasons. This practice helps interrupt the existence of pests associated with a certain type of crop. When the crop is grown again several seasons later, yields are likely to be higher since the pest will have been eliminated.
Cover crops mainly help in maintaining soil integrity. Some of the cover crops that may be used include oats, hairy vetch and clover among others. The presence of cover crops helps prevent the erosion of fertile top soil. The crops suppression the growth of weeds and maintain a high moisture content by preventing evaporation. The need for herbicides and chemical fertilizers is reduced.
When the soil is maintained at high quality, the yields will be better. The crops grow strong and have an ability to resist infestation by pests. Farmers can use a number of ways in improving the quality of soil. Among them is the act of plowing the land without removing cover crops or after harvest residues. All these are later converted to natural manure for crops in the next planting season.
Proper animal selection is a prerequisite for the production of quality animal produce. The type of animal to be reared by a farmer is dependent on the environment. Whereas some animals need constant supply of pastures and other prepared feeds, others can still live comfortably in hardship areas. Selection of sperm cells during breeding will help in improvement of breed quality over time. Other things that can be done include grazing management and the maintenance of good health.
Agricultural practices have been changing drastically in recent times. Chemical-driven techniques are now giving way to more sustainable techniques. Sustainable agriculture is based on three main principles: economic profitability, maintaining environmental health and ensuring social and economic equity. The process of providing the needs of the present generation should not interfere with that of the future generation to do so. Important resources (both natural and human) have to be managed well for this to be realized.
One of the major benefits of sustainable agriculture is environmental preservation. Farmers avoid the use of toxic pesticides to treat diseases in animals and instead use options that will have as little impact to the environment as possible. When it comes to the production of crops the practices that are used are those that conserve the soil, water and other natural resources. Organic fertilizers are chosen over toxic synthetic fertilizers.
Protection of public health is another important benefit of this kind of practices. With the avoidance of toxic inputs, the plant products that are produced are almost always safe for human consumption. The same applies to animal products in which everything remains as natural as possible. The disposal of livestock waste is done in a manner that poses the least danger to the general public thus prevents the transmission of animal diseases to humans.
The commonly used techniques in crop production include crop rotation, the use of cover crops, soil enrichment and the use of natural pest predators. Crop rotation involves the growth of different crops during alternating planting seasons. This practice helps interrupt the existence of pests associated with a certain type of crop. When the crop is grown again several seasons later, yields are likely to be higher since the pest will have been eliminated.
Cover crops mainly help in maintaining soil integrity. Some of the cover crops that may be used include oats, hairy vetch and clover among others. The presence of cover crops helps prevent the erosion of fertile top soil. The crops suppression the growth of weeds and maintain a high moisture content by preventing evaporation. The need for herbicides and chemical fertilizers is reduced.
When the soil is maintained at high quality, the yields will be better. The crops grow strong and have an ability to resist infestation by pests. Farmers can use a number of ways in improving the quality of soil. Among them is the act of plowing the land without removing cover crops or after harvest residues. All these are later converted to natural manure for crops in the next planting season.
Proper animal selection is a prerequisite for the production of quality animal produce. The type of animal to be reared by a farmer is dependent on the environment. Whereas some animals need constant supply of pastures and other prepared feeds, others can still live comfortably in hardship areas. Selection of sperm cells during breeding will help in improvement of breed quality over time. Other things that can be done include grazing management and the maintenance of good health.
Agricultural practices have been changing drastically in recent times. Chemical-driven techniques are now giving way to more sustainable techniques. Sustainable agriculture is based on three main principles: economic profitability, maintaining environmental health and ensuring social and economic equity. The process of providing the needs of the present generation should not interfere with that of the future generation to do so. Important resources (both natural and human) have to be managed well for this to be realized.
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