Many sectors have come under intense pressure to adopt practices that contribute to sustainability. The agricultural sector has not been an exception. Depletion of natural resources such as soil and water and the production of toxic produce (both plant and animal) have been the two main driving factors for this shift. If they wish to adopt practices that contribute to sustainable agriculture Omaha farmers should understand a number of things beforehand.
A major benefit of agriculture that is carried out in a sustainable way is that it promotes environmental preservation. This is because toxic pesticides are avoided when treating animal diseases and instead alternatives that have very little or no environmental impact are used. Crop production is carried out in ways that help conserve soil, water as well as other natural resources. Organic fertilizers are chosen over chemical fertilizers for soil enrichment.
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.
Crop production employs a number of special techniques to make it more sustainable. They include, among others, the use of cover crops, crop rotation, soil enrichment and natural pest predators. In crop rotation, different crops are alternated during planting seasons. This has two main benefits: getting rid of pests and diseases and restoring soil fertility. The most effective rotation is where the alternation is done after every four to five seasons.
Cover crops are grow in spreading fashion and protect the top soil from environmental hazards. Their presence greatly improves the quality of soil. They prevent soil erosion by holding the top soil together and preventing the direct impact of rain water and wind. Other benefits include the maintenance of a high moisture content and suppression of weeds.
Good quality soil helps to better the yields. The crops acquire a robust stature that can easily resist pest infestation. There are several ways of enriching soils naturally. When the land is plowed under cover crops, the crops are later converted to manure that provides nourishment for other crops. A similar technique is one that involves the leaving of crop residues behind after harvesting.
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.
Chemical-driven agriculture has been steadily making way for other options that are more sustainable. These newer methods are guided by three main principles: achievement of social and economic equity, maintenance of environmental health and economic profitability. Proponents of these newer techniques are driven by the belief that our efforts to provide for ourselves should not interfere with the ability of the future generation to provide for itself. They emphasize the need to use natural and human resources responsibly.
A major benefit of agriculture that is carried out in a sustainable way is that it promotes environmental preservation. This is because toxic pesticides are avoided when treating animal diseases and instead alternatives that have very little or no environmental impact are used. Crop production is carried out in ways that help conserve soil, water as well as other natural resources. Organic fertilizers are chosen over chemical fertilizers for soil enrichment.
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.
Crop production employs a number of special techniques to make it more sustainable. They include, among others, the use of cover crops, crop rotation, soil enrichment and natural pest predators. In crop rotation, different crops are alternated during planting seasons. This has two main benefits: getting rid of pests and diseases and restoring soil fertility. The most effective rotation is where the alternation is done after every four to five seasons.
Cover crops are grow in spreading fashion and protect the top soil from environmental hazards. Their presence greatly improves the quality of soil. They prevent soil erosion by holding the top soil together and preventing the direct impact of rain water and wind. Other benefits include the maintenance of a high moisture content and suppression of weeds.
Good quality soil helps to better the yields. The crops acquire a robust stature that can easily resist pest infestation. There are several ways of enriching soils naturally. When the land is plowed under cover crops, the crops are later converted to manure that provides nourishment for other crops. A similar technique is one that involves the leaving of crop residues behind after harvesting.
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.
Chemical-driven agriculture has been steadily making way for other options that are more sustainable. These newer methods are guided by three main principles: achievement of social and economic equity, maintenance of environmental health and economic profitability. Proponents of these newer techniques are driven by the belief that our efforts to provide for ourselves should not interfere with the ability of the future generation to provide for itself. They emphasize the need to use natural and human resources responsibly.
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