On-farm compost: a useful tool to improve soil quality under intensive farming systems

2016 ◽  
Vol 107 ◽  
pp. 13-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riccardo Scotti ◽  
Catello Pane ◽  
Riccardo Spaccini ◽  
Assunta Maria Palese ◽  
Alessandro Piccolo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Intensive Farming ◽  
On Farm

scholarly journals Soil Arthropods in the Douro Demarcated Region Vineyards: General Characteristics and Ecosystem Services Provided

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7837
Author(s):  
Fátima Gonçalves ◽  
Cristina Carlos ◽  
Luís Crespo ◽  
Vera Zina ◽  
Amália Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Wine Industry ◽  
Soil Arthropods ◽  
Arthropod Communities ◽  
Intensive Farming ◽  
Soil Arthropod ◽  
New Business

Viticulture is one of the oldest and most profitable forms of agriculture; it is also one of the most intensive farming systems. As intensive cultivation threatens the environment, there is increasing interest in the concept of sustainability within the wine industry, as well as new business opportunities, as customers begin to pay more attention to environmental and sustainability issues. Recognizing the key role of soil quality in environmentally and economically sustainable viticulture makes it essential to understand better soil arthropod communities, given their crucial functions in maintaining soil quality and health. The ‘Douro Demarcated Region’ (DDR) in northern Portugal offers good potential, in regards to biodiversity, due to its significant areas of non-crop habitats. This work aims to compile information on soil arthropod communities (both soil surface and soil-living) collected in the DDR vineyard agroecosystems. A description of the ecosystem services provided by them, as a basis for the development and implementation of sustainable viticulture systems, is also an objective of this work. An important set of soil arthropods necessary for the delivery of vital ecosystem services for viticulture, with particular reference to supporting and regulating services, occurred in this ecosystem. Eight classes were chiefly represented in a sample of about 167,000 arthropod specimens: Arachnida, Chilopoda, Diplopoda, Entognatha, Insecta, Malacostraca, Pauropoda, and Symphyla. The most representative were Entognatha and Insecta in soil-surface arthropods, and Arachnida and Entognatha in soil-living arthropods. The presence of recognized groups as bioindicators in agroecosystems, such as soil quality indicators, is also revealed. This knowledge is expected to contribute to a more efficient and sustainable management of the viticultural ecosystem.

scholarly journals The Assessment of Housing Conditions, Management, Animal-Based Measure of Dairy Goats’ Welfare and Its Association with Productive and Reproductive Traits

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 893
Author(s):  
Francesco Tiezzi ◽  
Laura Tomassone ◽  
Gilberto Mancin ◽  
Paolo Cornale ◽  
Martina Tarantola
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Dairy Goats ◽  
Assessment Protocol ◽  
Intensive Farming ◽  
Animal Resources ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
On Farm

The aim of the study was to evaluate the welfare of dairy goats of 32 farms located in Northwestern Italy, applying an on-farm assessment protocol, centered on animal-, resources- and management-based measures. The farms were classified as ‘intensive’ or ‘semi-intensive’ according to access to pasture. During each on-farm visit, a checklist was compiled, based on specific scores for housing and management conditions, and animals’ nutritional status, health, and behavior. Finally, the possible association between welfare measures and productive and reproductive traits was assessed. Overall, we observed an adequate level of animal wellbeing both in intensive and semi-intensive farming systems. This is possible thanks to the increased knowledge on goat breeding characteristics, and to the fact that veterinarians and farmers understood the importance of welfare protection to achieve a better health. Higher milk production was associated to some management practices (presence of the owner on the farm, high frequency of bedding change), and to seasonal breeding (which was mainly performed in the intensive farming). Moreover, it was associated to a quantity of urea in the milk comprised between 33 and 44 mg/dL. In intensive farms, the prevalence of caseous lymphadenitis was significantly higher compared to non-intensive farms. The semi-intensive breeding system positively influences the animals’ behavior.

Combined use of compost and wood scraps to increase carbon stock and improve soil quality in intensive farming systems

2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 463-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Scotti ◽  
R. D'Ascoli ◽  
M. Gonzalez Caceres ◽  
G. Bonanomi ◽  
S. Sultana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Carbon Stock ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Intensive Farming ◽  
Combined Use

Development of more effective conservation farming systems through participatory on-farm research

1999 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 98-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.B. Wuest ◽  
D.K. McCool ◽  
B.C. Miller ◽  
R.J. Veseth
Keyword(s):  
Participatory Research ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Scientific Methods ◽  
Conservation Farming ◽  
Working Together ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Current Emphasis

AbstractResearch aimed at advancing conservation farming practices is typically performed using traditional scientific approaches, which have been highly successful in increasing agricultural output and efficiency. With the current emphasis on environmental and economic sustainability of agriculture, there is a need for a more integrated approach to applied agricultural research. Participatory research helps to bring scientific methods and the integrated production needs of farmers together to develop practical, effective, and carefully tested farming methods. The strength of participatory research is in the synergism of scientists and farmers working together to design, implement, and evaluate research. The development of new technologies for farming systems large or small, conventional or organic, can be greatly enhanced through more extensive use of participatory research.

scholarly journals The Fatty Acid Profile of Meat from New Zealand White Rabbits Raised under Intensive and Extensive Production Systems

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3126
Author(s):  
Tomasz Daszkiewicz ◽  
Andrzej Gugołek ◽  
Dorota Kubiak ◽  
Krzysztof Kerbaum ◽  
Ewa Burczyk
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Barley Grain ◽  
Wire Mesh ◽  
Free Standing ◽  
Intensive Farming ◽  
New Zealand White Rabbits ◽  
Pelleted Diet

The aim of this study was to compare the fatty acid (FA) profile of meat from New Zealand White rabbits raised from 30 to 90 days of age under intensive (IPS) and extensive (EPS) production systems. In group IPS, the rabbits were housed in wire mesh cages with a slatted floor (16.7 animals/m2) and were fed a commercial pelleted diet. In group EPS, the rabbits were housed in free-standing cages on straw litter (2.5 animals/m2) and were fed a conventional farm-made diet (green fodder, barley grain, stale bread, hay). The FA profile of intramuscular fat (IMF) was analyzed in samples of Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle. The analyzed production systems had no significant effect on the content of most FAs in IMF. However, the differences between group means contributed to more desirable values of the quality indicators of IMF (in particular in the LTL muscle) in group IPS. The study demonstrated that the claim that meat produced under less intensive farming systems is of superior quality could be an oversimplified generalization that should be validated in research.

Availability and utilisation pattern of agricultural waste at household level in selected areas of Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
pp. 0734242X2110644
Author(s):  
MA Monayem Miah ◽  
Md Enamul Haque ◽  
Richard W Bell ◽  
Md Wakilur Rahman ◽  
Sohela Akhter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Feed ◽  
Agricultural Waste ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Household Waste ◽  
Cow Dung ◽  
Organic Fertiliser ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Intensive Farming ◽  
Novel Approach

The use of organic fertilisers and soil amendments are almost universally recommended for improving the organic matter levels and maintaining soil health, but few studies documenting the actual availability and quality of such materials on smallholder farms are available. We selected a case study of 300 households from northern and southern Bangladesh to assess the types of waste materials available for recycling and their usage patterns at household level and we applied a novel approach to empirically identify household waste as input inefficiency in a production context. Northern districts have highly intensive farming systems whereas southern districts have low intensity farming. The total amount of agricultural waste produced at household level was estimated at 822 kg per month. Cow dung contributed about 65% of the total waste followed by animal feed refusal waste (11%), garbage (7%) and kitchen waste (6%). Most of the farmers utilised cow dung and wastes as organic fertiliser and lesser amounts as cooking fuel. Econometric analysis shows that the number of cattle and small ruminant per holding, total area of cultivated land and family size were significant factors that influence the amount of waste production at household level. Each household can reduce the chemical fertiliser cost by Tk. 1463 (US$ 17.84) per month by using compost prepared from household waste. There were ample opportunities for compost/vermicomposting and potential markets. The Department of Agricultural Extension from the public sector and private sector agents might motivate farmers to harvest the potential benefits of agricultural waste through effective management and utilisation.

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