By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Alan_Stables]Alan Stables
Even though New Zealand deer breeders are responsible for about one-half of the farmed deer in the world, North American deer breeders and farmers make a large contribution towards satisfying world demand for deer velvet and venison, or deer meat.
While New Zealand deer breeders focus on raising the European species known as red deer, North American deer breeders raise primarily whitetail deer and elk, also called wapiti, which are native to their area. Whitetail deer and elk were hunted to near extinction at the end of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Thanks to active conservation and sometimes controversial repopulation efforts, both species of native deer have rebounded in the wild.
Pioneer settlers in the United States once farmed elk in the late 1800s in the state of Pennsylvania, in the far eastern portion of the country. Today, wild elk are found primarily in the western United States near the Rocky Mountains. In the early 1900s the U.S. federal government advocated elk farming, as shown by a 1910 publication of the Department of Agriculture, but the deer farming industry as we know it now did not develop until the 1970s when global demand, especially from Asia, developed for deer velvet. Deer velvet is the term given to the fuzzy skin covering that nourishes developing deer antlers. Male whitetail and elk shed their antlers every year and grow a new rack that is covered with deer velvet. Deer velvet has proven therapeutic value when consumed by humans.
New Zealand deer breeders pioneered the modern deer farming industry in the 1960s and 1970s. North American farmers and ranchers established their own deer farms for whitetails and elk based upon New Zealand deer management principles and began exporting deer velvet to Asian markets. However, outbreaks of tuberculosis among whitetail and elk herds in the 1980s nearly destroyed the North American elk industry.
Determined deer breeders formed the North American Elk Breeders Association and the Canadian Venison Council in the early 1990s. Through major efforts, the group eliminated tuberculosis from their herds and lands. To prevent further health problems Canadian deer breeders defined the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farmed Cervids, another term for deer species. With a host of major problems behind them, North American deer breeders are now focusing on producing fine bloodlines of whitetail and elk breeding stock which currently demand premium prices due to their quality.
Alan B. Stables is a freelance writer on alternative agriculture, has organized alternative agriculture events and has also been a guest speaker in Brazil, China, Egypt, Italy, Latvia and Spain, on how to market agricultural produce for maximum returns.
His writing includes topics such as [http://www.ealpacafarming.com/]alpaca farming, [http://www.deerfarming.org/]deer farming and other alternative farming species.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?North-America-Deer-Breeders&id=6513101] North America Deer Breeders
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Deer Breeders and North American Reindeer
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Alan_Stables]Alan Stables
About half of the world's farmed deer population comes from deer breeders in New Zealand; these breeders primarily raise a species of deer known as red deer. Deer breeders in North America focus on raising deer species that are native to North America, especially breeding whitetail deer and elk, also called wapiti. The northern areas of North America above the U.S.-Canadian border are home to huge migrating herds of caribou. Caribou are a subspecies of reindeer that is unique to North America.
Reindeer from the northern areas of Europe and Russia were brought to the north regions of North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s with the idea of expanding deer farming opportunities. In fact, reindeer farming has been around since the ninth century among the resident population of northern Europe and Asia where reindeer lived. The first imported reindeer came to Alaska from Siberia beginning in 1891. In 1908 Scandinavian reindeer were shipped to Newfoundland and cared for by deer farmers from Lapland. After the Laplanders returned home the reindeer population they had introduced roamed free. Through overlapping migration patterns, reindeer from Alaska bred with reindeer from Newfoundland, producing a new subspecies of deer, the caribou. All North American reindeer are caribou.
In their original home territory reindeer continue to be a staple source of meat and milk. In some remote areas, native people continue to maintain a lifestyle that relies on reindeer for food, clothing, shelter and transportation. Meanwhile, deer breeders in Russia cultivate huge reindeer herds, some in excess of 12,000 head. These animals provide a major source of meat for the local population. This is in contrast to New Zealand where most deer meat, called venison, is raised for export. In Russia these enormous herds free-range in the vast expanses of the remote areas. Reindeer are harvested in the field under the watchful eye of inspectors who assure quality standards are met.
Russian researchers have demonstrated the therapeutic value of deer velvet for a variety of human health concerns and deer velvet is regularly used for treating these conditions. Male deer grow antlers which are shed annually. When the new antlers regrow they are covered with a fuzzy layer of skin called deer velvet which is harvested and processed for human use. Deer breeders can harvest twice as much deer velvet as from reindeer and caribou because, in contrast to other deer species, both males and females grow antlers.
Alan B. Stables is a freelance writer on alternative agriculture, has organized alternative agriculture events and has also been a guest speaker in Brazil, China, Egypt, Italy, Latvia and Spain, on how to market agricultural produce for maximum returns.
His writing includes topics such as [http://www.ealpacafarming.com/]alpaca farming, [http://www.deerfarming.org/]deer farming and other alternative farming species.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Deer-Breeders-and-North-American-Reindeer&id=6513108] Deer Breeders and North American Reindeer
About half of the world's farmed deer population comes from deer breeders in New Zealand; these breeders primarily raise a species of deer known as red deer. Deer breeders in North America focus on raising deer species that are native to North America, especially breeding whitetail deer and elk, also called wapiti. The northern areas of North America above the U.S.-Canadian border are home to huge migrating herds of caribou. Caribou are a subspecies of reindeer that is unique to North America.
Reindeer from the northern areas of Europe and Russia were brought to the north regions of North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s with the idea of expanding deer farming opportunities. In fact, reindeer farming has been around since the ninth century among the resident population of northern Europe and Asia where reindeer lived. The first imported reindeer came to Alaska from Siberia beginning in 1891. In 1908 Scandinavian reindeer were shipped to Newfoundland and cared for by deer farmers from Lapland. After the Laplanders returned home the reindeer population they had introduced roamed free. Through overlapping migration patterns, reindeer from Alaska bred with reindeer from Newfoundland, producing a new subspecies of deer, the caribou. All North American reindeer are caribou.
In their original home territory reindeer continue to be a staple source of meat and milk. In some remote areas, native people continue to maintain a lifestyle that relies on reindeer for food, clothing, shelter and transportation. Meanwhile, deer breeders in Russia cultivate huge reindeer herds, some in excess of 12,000 head. These animals provide a major source of meat for the local population. This is in contrast to New Zealand where most deer meat, called venison, is raised for export. In Russia these enormous herds free-range in the vast expanses of the remote areas. Reindeer are harvested in the field under the watchful eye of inspectors who assure quality standards are met.
Russian researchers have demonstrated the therapeutic value of deer velvet for a variety of human health concerns and deer velvet is regularly used for treating these conditions. Male deer grow antlers which are shed annually. When the new antlers regrow they are covered with a fuzzy layer of skin called deer velvet which is harvested and processed for human use. Deer breeders can harvest twice as much deer velvet as from reindeer and caribou because, in contrast to other deer species, both males and females grow antlers.
Alan B. Stables is a freelance writer on alternative agriculture, has organized alternative agriculture events and has also been a guest speaker in Brazil, China, Egypt, Italy, Latvia and Spain, on how to market agricultural produce for maximum returns.
His writing includes topics such as [http://www.ealpacafarming.com/]alpaca farming, [http://www.deerfarming.org/]deer farming and other alternative farming species.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Deer-Breeders-and-North-American-Reindeer&id=6513108] Deer Breeders and North American Reindeer
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
10 Keys to Good Fertilization
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Cris_Magno]Cris Magno
Want to learn the secrets of a properly fertilized lawn? Read on for 10 of the best ways to keep your lawn green and growing.
1. Do a soil test. You might be able to make a pretty good guess of when your lawn needs nitrogen-it will start to yellow and thin, giving weeds like clovers the chance to grow. But to know exactly how much nitrogen it needs, you need to do a soil test. A soil test will also be able to tell you when the levels of phosphorus and potassium levels are low and need to be replenished. You should do a soil test every 2 to 3 years and adjust your fertilizing accordingly.
2. Pick a fertilizer with the right ratio. Once you know what levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium you need to supply to your lawn, you can begin to shop for a fertilizer. Because phosphorus is most important when a lawn is establishing, you won't usually need it to be a high percentage of the fertilizer unless your soil test recommends it. Fertilizers with the same ratios but greater amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in them will achieve the same results with less fertilizer.
3. Don't scrimp on the insoluble nitrogen. Fertilizers that contain some insoluble nitrogen can be more expensive, but they are worth it. Insoluble nitrogen is a slow-release form, and is gradually available to your lawn over a long period of time. Always having some nitrogen available means that you lawn won't have to be fertilized as frequently.
4. It's all about timing. You should always apply fertilizer to an actively growing lawn, never when it is seasonally or drought dormant. For warm season grasses, you should fertilize in the late spring or early summer, just when the grass is reviving from its winter dormancy. Fertilizing too early in the spring can reduce the mass of the roots, and fertilizing too late in the fall can increase the chances of injury during the winter. Cool season grasses should be fertilized in the early spring and fall. Fertilizing during the summer would stress a cool season lawn as it tries to conserve energy, and can increase the possibility of disease. Both warm and cool season grasses should be fertilized every 8 to 10 weeks during their growing seasons.
5. Irrigate your lawn a few days beforehand. Give your lawn a deep irrigation 2 to 3 days before you fertilize, making sure that the grass blades are dry when you do begin to fertilize.
6. Don't over fertilize. The general recommendation is that you should never apply more than 1 lb. of solid nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. Applying too much fertilization takes a huge toll on the grass. The leaves grow too fast and the roots too slowly, making growth unsustainable. Thatch can build up, and the rel=nofollow grass seeds lawn becomes more susceptible to disease and cold. Extra fertilizer has the possibility of being leached into groundwater reserves, and too much quick-release fertilizer has the potential to burn the grass. Avoid all of these problems by reading the fertilizer bag label and applying the correct amount.
7. Back and forth, back and forth. Repeat (at a 90� angle). Two of the most popular grass seed lawn tools for applying fertilizers are drop spreaders and rotary spreaders. Although certainly more even than spreading fertilizer by hand, they too can miss areas, revealed by striped areas of lawn that haven't greened up. The best way to make sure that you are spreading fertilizer evenly is to put your spreader on the lowest setting and pour in half of the fertilizer. Walk back and forth across the lawn in a horizontal direction until you have covered the entire area. Then refill the spreader with the other half of the fertilizer and walk back and forth across the lawn in a vertical direction.
8. Don't pollute. Fertilizer gets a bad rap because it is extremely pollutive in excess, especially when it contaminates water. Don't be a part of the problem: keep about 10 feet between your fertilizing path and any open bodies of water, and pick up any fertilizer granules that land on the sidewalk or pavement.
9. Lightly irrigate afterward. A brief irrigation will help the soil to absorb the fertilizer and prevent it from being washed or swept away. �" of water is about all you need. You want the fertilizer to stay within the root zone, and watering more than that could push the fertilizer past the root zone, where it can't be accessed by the grass and could end up polluting groundwater.
10. Leave the grass clippings where they are. The rumor that grass clippings increase thatch isn't true. Grass clippings are actually a valuable source of nitrogen for you lawn, and leaving them to become integrated into the soil will decrease the amount you have to fertilize.
For more info: kindly visit http://www.naturesfinestseed.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?10-Keys-to-Good-Fertilization&id=6505306] 10 Keys to Good Fertilization
Want to learn the secrets of a properly fertilized lawn? Read on for 10 of the best ways to keep your lawn green and growing.
1. Do a soil test. You might be able to make a pretty good guess of when your lawn needs nitrogen-it will start to yellow and thin, giving weeds like clovers the chance to grow. But to know exactly how much nitrogen it needs, you need to do a soil test. A soil test will also be able to tell you when the levels of phosphorus and potassium levels are low and need to be replenished. You should do a soil test every 2 to 3 years and adjust your fertilizing accordingly.
2. Pick a fertilizer with the right ratio. Once you know what levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium you need to supply to your lawn, you can begin to shop for a fertilizer. Because phosphorus is most important when a lawn is establishing, you won't usually need it to be a high percentage of the fertilizer unless your soil test recommends it. Fertilizers with the same ratios but greater amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in them will achieve the same results with less fertilizer.
3. Don't scrimp on the insoluble nitrogen. Fertilizers that contain some insoluble nitrogen can be more expensive, but they are worth it. Insoluble nitrogen is a slow-release form, and is gradually available to your lawn over a long period of time. Always having some nitrogen available means that you lawn won't have to be fertilized as frequently.
4. It's all about timing. You should always apply fertilizer to an actively growing lawn, never when it is seasonally or drought dormant. For warm season grasses, you should fertilize in the late spring or early summer, just when the grass is reviving from its winter dormancy. Fertilizing too early in the spring can reduce the mass of the roots, and fertilizing too late in the fall can increase the chances of injury during the winter. Cool season grasses should be fertilized in the early spring and fall. Fertilizing during the summer would stress a cool season lawn as it tries to conserve energy, and can increase the possibility of disease. Both warm and cool season grasses should be fertilized every 8 to 10 weeks during their growing seasons.
5. Irrigate your lawn a few days beforehand. Give your lawn a deep irrigation 2 to 3 days before you fertilize, making sure that the grass blades are dry when you do begin to fertilize.
6. Don't over fertilize. The general recommendation is that you should never apply more than 1 lb. of solid nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. Applying too much fertilization takes a huge toll on the grass. The leaves grow too fast and the roots too slowly, making growth unsustainable. Thatch can build up, and the rel=nofollow grass seeds lawn becomes more susceptible to disease and cold. Extra fertilizer has the possibility of being leached into groundwater reserves, and too much quick-release fertilizer has the potential to burn the grass. Avoid all of these problems by reading the fertilizer bag label and applying the correct amount.
7. Back and forth, back and forth. Repeat (at a 90� angle). Two of the most popular grass seed lawn tools for applying fertilizers are drop spreaders and rotary spreaders. Although certainly more even than spreading fertilizer by hand, they too can miss areas, revealed by striped areas of lawn that haven't greened up. The best way to make sure that you are spreading fertilizer evenly is to put your spreader on the lowest setting and pour in half of the fertilizer. Walk back and forth across the lawn in a horizontal direction until you have covered the entire area. Then refill the spreader with the other half of the fertilizer and walk back and forth across the lawn in a vertical direction.
8. Don't pollute. Fertilizer gets a bad rap because it is extremely pollutive in excess, especially when it contaminates water. Don't be a part of the problem: keep about 10 feet between your fertilizing path and any open bodies of water, and pick up any fertilizer granules that land on the sidewalk or pavement.
9. Lightly irrigate afterward. A brief irrigation will help the soil to absorb the fertilizer and prevent it from being washed or swept away. �" of water is about all you need. You want the fertilizer to stay within the root zone, and watering more than that could push the fertilizer past the root zone, where it can't be accessed by the grass and could end up polluting groundwater.
10. Leave the grass clippings where they are. The rumor that grass clippings increase thatch isn't true. Grass clippings are actually a valuable source of nitrogen for you lawn, and leaving them to become integrated into the soil will decrease the amount you have to fertilize.
For more info: kindly visit http://www.naturesfinestseed.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?10-Keys-to-Good-Fertilization&id=6505306] 10 Keys to Good Fertilization
Monday, January 2, 2012
New Zealand Deer Breeders
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Alan_Stables]Alan Stables
New Zealand deer breeders are known throughout the world for their technically advanced deer farms. In the 1970s, agricultural pioneers in New Zealand began the first deer farming using with animals captured in the wild to build their herds. Today, New Zealand is home to more than 4,000 deer farms that collectively contain over a million hinds, or female deer, and about 600,000 stags, the male counterpart. New Zealand accounts for over one-half of the world's production of farmed deer. While some breeders are content to raise a small number of animals on a small farm, the New Zealand deer production market is characterized by large commercial operations that cater to the export market.
Most New Zealand deer breeders raise red deer that originated from Europe. Red deer are not native to New Zealand; this species was imported from England and Scotland in the mid to late 1800s as a sporting animal for hunting. They were released in the Southern Alps of New Zealand which have a climate similar to the European Alps where red deer also live. They adapted well to their new home, and without native predators, they multiplied until a century later they achieved the status of pests.
As red deer increased in population and became pests, New Zealanders developed a new industry of capturing wild deer and selling deer meat, called venison, and antler velvet, which has proven therapeutic value, abroad as an export product. It wasn't long before agricultural entrepreneurs began establishing deer farms that were stocked with wild deer. Farmers began cultivating stocks of domesticated deer that never spent any time in the wild. They then next began breeding red deer, selecting for desirable traits such as meat production and antler development in stags. Breeders do not focus just on the genetics of stags; studies show that stags receive 60% of the genetics that contribute to antler development from their mothers. Breeders are concerned about antler development because one of their products, the velvet, comes from antlers.
Western Europe, particularly Germany, Scandinavia and the United States are the main markets for New Zealand venison. New Zealand deer farmers derive about three-quarters of their export income from venison and nearly one-quarter from deer velvet. While most New Zealand deer farms raise red deer, a small number of farms raise European fallow deer species or North American elk. Deer breeders are concerned with enhancing the genetics of any breed of deer being farmed.
Alan B. Stables is a freelance writer on alternative agriculture, has organized alternative agriculture events and has also been a guest speaker in Brazil, China, Egypt, Italy, Latvia and Spain, on how to market agricultural produce for maximum returns.
His writing includes topics such as [http://www.ealpacafarming.com/]alpaca farming, [http://www.deerfarming.org/]deer farming and other alternative farming species.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?New-Zealand-Deer-Breeders&id=6513065] New Zealand Deer Breeders
New Zealand deer breeders are known throughout the world for their technically advanced deer farms. In the 1970s, agricultural pioneers in New Zealand began the first deer farming using with animals captured in the wild to build their herds. Today, New Zealand is home to more than 4,000 deer farms that collectively contain over a million hinds, or female deer, and about 600,000 stags, the male counterpart. New Zealand accounts for over one-half of the world's production of farmed deer. While some breeders are content to raise a small number of animals on a small farm, the New Zealand deer production market is characterized by large commercial operations that cater to the export market.
Most New Zealand deer breeders raise red deer that originated from Europe. Red deer are not native to New Zealand; this species was imported from England and Scotland in the mid to late 1800s as a sporting animal for hunting. They were released in the Southern Alps of New Zealand which have a climate similar to the European Alps where red deer also live. They adapted well to their new home, and without native predators, they multiplied until a century later they achieved the status of pests.
As red deer increased in population and became pests, New Zealanders developed a new industry of capturing wild deer and selling deer meat, called venison, and antler velvet, which has proven therapeutic value, abroad as an export product. It wasn't long before agricultural entrepreneurs began establishing deer farms that were stocked with wild deer. Farmers began cultivating stocks of domesticated deer that never spent any time in the wild. They then next began breeding red deer, selecting for desirable traits such as meat production and antler development in stags. Breeders do not focus just on the genetics of stags; studies show that stags receive 60% of the genetics that contribute to antler development from their mothers. Breeders are concerned about antler development because one of their products, the velvet, comes from antlers.
Western Europe, particularly Germany, Scandinavia and the United States are the main markets for New Zealand venison. New Zealand deer farmers derive about three-quarters of their export income from venison and nearly one-quarter from deer velvet. While most New Zealand deer farms raise red deer, a small number of farms raise European fallow deer species or North American elk. Deer breeders are concerned with enhancing the genetics of any breed of deer being farmed.
Alan B. Stables is a freelance writer on alternative agriculture, has organized alternative agriculture events and has also been a guest speaker in Brazil, China, Egypt, Italy, Latvia and Spain, on how to market agricultural produce for maximum returns.
His writing includes topics such as [http://www.ealpacafarming.com/]alpaca farming, [http://www.deerfarming.org/]deer farming and other alternative farming species.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?New-Zealand-Deer-Breeders&id=6513065] New Zealand Deer Breeders
Saturday, December 31, 2011
The Benefits of Agriculture
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Duncan_Githui_Gitonga]Duncan Githui Gitonga
Agriculture involves growing of crops such as fruits and vegetables and rearing of livestock to produce food for public consumption. Without agriculture our existence as humans and livestock would be threatened. Whether one is practicing agriculture in a small farm or in a large farm, agriculture provides many benefits to the society.
Food:
Another benefit of agriculture is the fact it provides food both at local and international levels. Without crops and livestock produced through agriculture, the world's food supply would be extremely unreliable and limited. Most people would have to live nomadic lives as they continually search for food. Through the supply of fruits, vegetables and livestock products, processing and manufacturing companies are able to make foods which are preserved and consumed even when the agricultural production is low. As a result, this ensures there is sufficient supply of food.
Cleaning the air:
Just like any other type of plants, crops release Oxygen during the photosynthesis process. The oxygen released is then used for humans and animals to use for breathing purposes. During the photosynthesis process, plants absorb Carbon Dioxide in the air while releasing Oxygen. High volumes of carbon dioxide in the air lead to global warming effects. Agricultural crops and other plants thus reverse this process by reducing the carbon dioxide in the air.
Reduction in soil erosion and flooding:
Growing of crops such as pastures for livestock feed and cover crops such as sweet potato vines for both human and livestock consumption plays a great deal in reducing flooding and erosion. Through farming such as growing of tress decreases the occurrence of floods during the periods of high rains or storms. Other crops such as grass and hay absorb a lot of water before run off can occur. This results in less pollution of our water bodies with soil sediments and chemicals used in agricultural production.
Public health:
Agriculture provides people with fruits, vegetables; meat and dairy products which are full of important nutrients required by the body as well as antioxidants which increase the resistance of bodies have towards some diseases which would be caused by lack of these nutrients. Animals which have been raised under natural conditions such as pastures and free range provide.
Support community:
With readily available products, agriculture provides fresh produce to the people living or working around agriculture producing area. This leads to low expenses since they provide the produce at low costs. Money earned from agriculture is either ploughed back and other is invested in other sectors leading to the economy growing.
Biofuels production:
As the fossils fuels reserves become scarce and dry and also due to the pollution concerns, agriculture has been an alternative in providing clean fuel which is extracted from plants such as Jatropha and corn. Although they are yet to be embraced by everyone, research shows that biofuels reduce the volume of green house gases released to the atmosphere and as a result, the demand for agriculture is likely to increase in future.
Duncan Githui Gitonga is a former student from University of Nairobi where he pursued a course in Bachelors of Science in Agricultural Economics. He loves writing about agriculture
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Benefits-of-Agriculture&id=6518676] The Benefits of Agriculture
Agriculture involves growing of crops such as fruits and vegetables and rearing of livestock to produce food for public consumption. Without agriculture our existence as humans and livestock would be threatened. Whether one is practicing agriculture in a small farm or in a large farm, agriculture provides many benefits to the society.
Food:
Another benefit of agriculture is the fact it provides food both at local and international levels. Without crops and livestock produced through agriculture, the world's food supply would be extremely unreliable and limited. Most people would have to live nomadic lives as they continually search for food. Through the supply of fruits, vegetables and livestock products, processing and manufacturing companies are able to make foods which are preserved and consumed even when the agricultural production is low. As a result, this ensures there is sufficient supply of food.
Cleaning the air:
Just like any other type of plants, crops release Oxygen during the photosynthesis process. The oxygen released is then used for humans and animals to use for breathing purposes. During the photosynthesis process, plants absorb Carbon Dioxide in the air while releasing Oxygen. High volumes of carbon dioxide in the air lead to global warming effects. Agricultural crops and other plants thus reverse this process by reducing the carbon dioxide in the air.
Reduction in soil erosion and flooding:
Growing of crops such as pastures for livestock feed and cover crops such as sweet potato vines for both human and livestock consumption plays a great deal in reducing flooding and erosion. Through farming such as growing of tress decreases the occurrence of floods during the periods of high rains or storms. Other crops such as grass and hay absorb a lot of water before run off can occur. This results in less pollution of our water bodies with soil sediments and chemicals used in agricultural production.
Public health:
Agriculture provides people with fruits, vegetables; meat and dairy products which are full of important nutrients required by the body as well as antioxidants which increase the resistance of bodies have towards some diseases which would be caused by lack of these nutrients. Animals which have been raised under natural conditions such as pastures and free range provide.
Support community:
With readily available products, agriculture provides fresh produce to the people living or working around agriculture producing area. This leads to low expenses since they provide the produce at low costs. Money earned from agriculture is either ploughed back and other is invested in other sectors leading to the economy growing.
Biofuels production:
As the fossils fuels reserves become scarce and dry and also due to the pollution concerns, agriculture has been an alternative in providing clean fuel which is extracted from plants such as Jatropha and corn. Although they are yet to be embraced by everyone, research shows that biofuels reduce the volume of green house gases released to the atmosphere and as a result, the demand for agriculture is likely to increase in future.
Duncan Githui Gitonga is a former student from University of Nairobi where he pursued a course in Bachelors of Science in Agricultural Economics. He loves writing about agriculture
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Benefits-of-Agriculture&id=6518676] The Benefits of Agriculture
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Importance of Agriculture
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Duncan_Githui_Gitonga]Duncan Githui Gitonga
Importance of agriculture:
Agriculture plays a great role on different aspects of our lives. It provides the foundation through which people survive through the provision of food to both humans and their animals. Without agriculture, chances of survival would be minimal as both people and livestock would die out of starvation. As a result of this, agriculture has gained interest among many people, ordinary, policymakers and even researchers due to its important contribution to humanity.
Food:
Any country in the world that wants to be stable must provide its citizens with food. Through the different agricultural practices that are there, agriculture is the main source through which countries are able to feed their people. Through crop and livestock production, we are able to get food which is rich in nutrients needed by our bodies. As a result of agriculture, people are able to live free from deficiency diseases.
Agriculture is also a source of energy. When trees and other plants are cut and used as firewood. Biofuels are also the latest discovery playing a great role in providing us with an extra source of energy.
Economic driver and poverty reduction:
In different areas in world, especially in the developing and the less developed economies, agriculture is the main backbone of the economy. Providing the main source of employment, agriculture employs the highest percentage of people in these countries. Other than direct farming, people are also engaged in processing industries and other industries which are directly or indirectly related to agriculture. Agriculture reduces poverty by providing both a source of food and employment. In countries which have not developed, agricultural products are the main exports and it's a main foreign exchange earner in these countries and thus the huge importance
Ecosystem:
Agriculture contributes both to the destruction and preservation of the ecosystem. The extent of destruction is influenced by the activities going on in a particular ecosystem. As population grows, more land and forests are now being cleared to create space for agricultural activities. Activities such as deforestation and overgrazing interfere with how plants themselves survive.
For example pastures are made of different species of grass. When we overgraze on a piece of land, the animals feed on the edible species leaving the non-edible species behind. Since different species of grasses compete for the same nutrients. The species can co-exist in the ecosystem as long as no species has an advantage over the other. However, due to overgrazing, the non-edible species have an advantage over the other species forcing them to disappear thus causing a complete change in the ecosystem make up.
Destroying the atmosphere:
Modern agriculture when practiced intensively includes use of high capital inputs, labor and technologies such as using pesticides and chemical fertilizers has led to increased agricultural production. However, intensive agriculture has also led to an increase in environmental pollution through erosion, poisoning of water through agricultural chemicals and also release of poisonous pesticides and herbicides fumes to the atmosphere.
Agriculture also leads to addition of green house gases in the atmosphere. These gases are leading contributors to global warming and depletion of the ozone layer. Unless sustainable agriculture is practiced, agricultural activities will continue affecting our atmosphere negatively.
Duncan Githui Gitonga is a former student from University of Nairobi where he pursued a course in Bachelors of Science in Agricultural Economics. He loves writing about agriculture
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Importance-of-Agriculture&id=6518652] Importance of Agriculture
Importance of agriculture:
Agriculture plays a great role on different aspects of our lives. It provides the foundation through which people survive through the provision of food to both humans and their animals. Without agriculture, chances of survival would be minimal as both people and livestock would die out of starvation. As a result of this, agriculture has gained interest among many people, ordinary, policymakers and even researchers due to its important contribution to humanity.
Food:
Any country in the world that wants to be stable must provide its citizens with food. Through the different agricultural practices that are there, agriculture is the main source through which countries are able to feed their people. Through crop and livestock production, we are able to get food which is rich in nutrients needed by our bodies. As a result of agriculture, people are able to live free from deficiency diseases.
Agriculture is also a source of energy. When trees and other plants are cut and used as firewood. Biofuels are also the latest discovery playing a great role in providing us with an extra source of energy.
Economic driver and poverty reduction:
In different areas in world, especially in the developing and the less developed economies, agriculture is the main backbone of the economy. Providing the main source of employment, agriculture employs the highest percentage of people in these countries. Other than direct farming, people are also engaged in processing industries and other industries which are directly or indirectly related to agriculture. Agriculture reduces poverty by providing both a source of food and employment. In countries which have not developed, agricultural products are the main exports and it's a main foreign exchange earner in these countries and thus the huge importance
Ecosystem:
Agriculture contributes both to the destruction and preservation of the ecosystem. The extent of destruction is influenced by the activities going on in a particular ecosystem. As population grows, more land and forests are now being cleared to create space for agricultural activities. Activities such as deforestation and overgrazing interfere with how plants themselves survive.
For example pastures are made of different species of grass. When we overgraze on a piece of land, the animals feed on the edible species leaving the non-edible species behind. Since different species of grasses compete for the same nutrients. The species can co-exist in the ecosystem as long as no species has an advantage over the other. However, due to overgrazing, the non-edible species have an advantage over the other species forcing them to disappear thus causing a complete change in the ecosystem make up.
Destroying the atmosphere:
Modern agriculture when practiced intensively includes use of high capital inputs, labor and technologies such as using pesticides and chemical fertilizers has led to increased agricultural production. However, intensive agriculture has also led to an increase in environmental pollution through erosion, poisoning of water through agricultural chemicals and also release of poisonous pesticides and herbicides fumes to the atmosphere.
Agriculture also leads to addition of green house gases in the atmosphere. These gases are leading contributors to global warming and depletion of the ozone layer. Unless sustainable agriculture is practiced, agricultural activities will continue affecting our atmosphere negatively.
Duncan Githui Gitonga is a former student from University of Nairobi where he pursued a course in Bachelors of Science in Agricultural Economics. He loves writing about agriculture
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Importance-of-Agriculture&id=6518652] Importance of Agriculture
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
All You Need to Know to Run a Successful Poultry Farming Business
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Efren_Evans]Efren Evans
Staring a poultry business is not just limited to the task of purchasing some chickens and locking them up in a den. There is so much more to the business of poultry just that. Poultry business is like any other business that requires a lot of planning, some heavy capital to purchase the required equipments and not to forget purchasing some high breed chickens and a rooster too. It is wise that you do some careful research and analysis on poultry before you begin your business. The most important thing that you need to educate yourself about before you can start poultry business is the health and upbringing of chicken. You need to know how to keep your chicken healthy, which breeds to buy, knowledge about their lifespan, how they lay eggs and their cycle and literally everything else related to chickens and poultry farming.
Start by researching on chickens. Try visiting some good suppliers and talk to them about the different breeds they have. Then do some research of your own from the internet or any other valid source you have and find out how each breed differs from the other and which ones are the best. When it comes to poultry business you will either be selling the meat of your chickens or you will be emphasizing on selling their eggs. Though doing both is very possible always start your business by sticking to one side only. This is because the decision of which breed to purchase relies a lot on this decision of yours. For those businesses that are emphasized towards selling eggs they need to get a certain breed that is more fruitful in egg producing. If not then you will need another kind of breed that is more reputed for its tasteful meat. Therefore your poultry farming needs to have a certain aim or goal which will drive all other decisions.
Once you have selected the breed you want for your poultry business you need to choose a supplier from which to purchase your chickens and rooster. Ask around and find out which supplier is the most trustworthy and reputed one in the market. You would not want to be sold a fake breed at a high price therefore make sure you ask for strong referrals at this stage. Another important thing you need to do before you bring in your first lot of chicken to your business is to have a proper coop built up for your chicken where they can stay safe and comfortable. Again you can check the internet for ideas and plans on the size of the coop and other requirements that will be useful in managing your chickens from the coop. make sure your coop size is big enough to give your chickens enough space to roam around. Healthy chickens need to have a healthy lifestyle and the health of your chickens is very crucial for successful poultry business.
When it comes to purchasing a rooster for your poultry it is important that you place them appropriately. Avoid putting in too many roosters in one pen because they do not get along well. One rooster for each pen is usually enough. In poultry farming roosters help keep their chickens safe from their predators. The final thing you need to ensure for successful running is that you have an experienced vet check your chickens on a regular basis. Their egg production cycle and other factors will help determine the health of the chickens. All these things will ensure you have a smooth running and successful poultry farming.
About the Author: [http://www.venkys.com]Poultry farming is only available to local rural places. Forming Poultry units only need a low budget and a small land. So it is like generating income that is sufficient for the rural population.
Click here for [http://www.venkys.com]Poultry farm
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?All-You-Need-to-Know-to-Run-a-Successful-Poultry-Farming-Business&id=6531377] All You Need to Know to Run a Successful Poultry Farming Business
Staring a poultry business is not just limited to the task of purchasing some chickens and locking them up in a den. There is so much more to the business of poultry just that. Poultry business is like any other business that requires a lot of planning, some heavy capital to purchase the required equipments and not to forget purchasing some high breed chickens and a rooster too. It is wise that you do some careful research and analysis on poultry before you begin your business. The most important thing that you need to educate yourself about before you can start poultry business is the health and upbringing of chicken. You need to know how to keep your chicken healthy, which breeds to buy, knowledge about their lifespan, how they lay eggs and their cycle and literally everything else related to chickens and poultry farming.
Start by researching on chickens. Try visiting some good suppliers and talk to them about the different breeds they have. Then do some research of your own from the internet or any other valid source you have and find out how each breed differs from the other and which ones are the best. When it comes to poultry business you will either be selling the meat of your chickens or you will be emphasizing on selling their eggs. Though doing both is very possible always start your business by sticking to one side only. This is because the decision of which breed to purchase relies a lot on this decision of yours. For those businesses that are emphasized towards selling eggs they need to get a certain breed that is more fruitful in egg producing. If not then you will need another kind of breed that is more reputed for its tasteful meat. Therefore your poultry farming needs to have a certain aim or goal which will drive all other decisions.
Once you have selected the breed you want for your poultry business you need to choose a supplier from which to purchase your chickens and rooster. Ask around and find out which supplier is the most trustworthy and reputed one in the market. You would not want to be sold a fake breed at a high price therefore make sure you ask for strong referrals at this stage. Another important thing you need to do before you bring in your first lot of chicken to your business is to have a proper coop built up for your chicken where they can stay safe and comfortable. Again you can check the internet for ideas and plans on the size of the coop and other requirements that will be useful in managing your chickens from the coop. make sure your coop size is big enough to give your chickens enough space to roam around. Healthy chickens need to have a healthy lifestyle and the health of your chickens is very crucial for successful poultry business.
When it comes to purchasing a rooster for your poultry it is important that you place them appropriately. Avoid putting in too many roosters in one pen because they do not get along well. One rooster for each pen is usually enough. In poultry farming roosters help keep their chickens safe from their predators. The final thing you need to ensure for successful running is that you have an experienced vet check your chickens on a regular basis. Their egg production cycle and other factors will help determine the health of the chickens. All these things will ensure you have a smooth running and successful poultry farming.
About the Author: [http://www.venkys.com]Poultry farming is only available to local rural places. Forming Poultry units only need a low budget and a small land. So it is like generating income that is sufficient for the rural population.
Click here for [http://www.venkys.com]Poultry farm
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?All-You-Need-to-Know-to-Run-a-Successful-Poultry-Farming-Business&id=6531377] All You Need to Know to Run a Successful Poultry Farming Business
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