Agriculture Cover News on agriculture-xprt.com

The future of cover crops

Winter cover crops are an important component of nutrient cycling, soil cover and organic matter content. Although its benefits are well documented, cover crop use in farming systems is relatively low. Research has shown that time and money are the two primary reasons why farmers are hesitant to adopt the technique. Developing innovative and cost-effective crop cover systems could increase the ...

Jul. 13, 2011

By Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)

Cover Crops Add to Farm Sustainability

A potentially record-setting U.S. corn harvest is underway. Many farmers can attribute the use of cover crops as one of multiple best management practices (BMPs) that help them increase yield year after year. Combined with BMPs of The Fertilizer Institute’s 4R Nutrient Stewardship program that promotes the application of nutrients at the right source, right rate, right time and right place, ...

Oct. 9, 2014

By The Fertilizer Institute (TFI)

Cover crops reduce erosion, runoff

Cover crops may be more effective at reducing soil erosion and runoff after maize harvest than rough tillage, according to scientists from the Université Catholique de Louvain, in collaboration with the Independent Center for the Promotion of Forage (CIPF). The three-year study, supervised by Charles Bielders and conducted by Eric Laloy, measured erosion and runoff losses from silt loam ...

May 18, 2010

By Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)

The Benefits of Urban Agriculture; Trends in Green Agriculture and Sustainability

August 31, 2010 - www.InvestorIdeas.com and its environmental investor portals, report on the benefits of urban agriculture for investors following green agriculture. Aquamer Medical Corp. (OTCBB: AQUM) (DBA/ Urban Agricultural Corp.) a sustainable agriculture stock recently announced the acquisition of Urban Agricultural Corp. ("Urban ...

Aug. 31, 2010

Agricultural Bacteria: Blowing in the Wind

It was all too evident during the Dust Bowl what a disastrous impact wind can have on dry, unprotected topsoil. Now a new study has uncovered a less obvious, but still troubling, effect of wind: Not only can it carry away soil particles, but also the beneficial microbes that help build soil, detoxify contaminants, and recycle nutrients. Using a powerful DNA sequencing technique, called ...

May 9, 2012

By Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)

National Survey on Cover Crops Seeks Farmer Participation

Farmers are invited to share their thoughts on cover crops—whether or not they use cover crops themselves—in a national survey, now in its third year of collecting valuable data on the increasingly popular management practice. The results, which will be released this summer, will help growers, researchers, agricultural advisors, ag retailers and policymakers more effectively address ...

Feb. 26, 2015

By Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE)

Understanding why rye works as a cover crop

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists may soon find a way to enhance the weed-killing capabilities of a cereal grain that enriches the soil when used as a winter cover crop. Rye is often grown in winter and killed in the spring, so the dead stalks can be flattened over soybean and vegetable fields to block sunlight and prevent spring weeds from getting the light they need to germinate. ...

Oct. 22, 2009

By The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) - USDA

Agroforestry can fix Pakistan’s depleting tree cover

Using a mix of trees and crop species can help rejuvenate Pakistan's deteriorating forests, a study reported. The study is based on physical and chemical analyses of 400 soil samples, collected during a survey of farms and plantations to compare the four agro-ecological zones of the Punjab province. Results of the findings published in the African Science Journal of Environmental Sciences ...

Dec. 16, 2011

By SciDev.Net

First standardised map of global land cover released

The first map of detailed information on worldwide land cover collected using uniform international standards, the Global Land Cover-SHARE database, was released in March by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Experts say it will help to improve research into natural resources and monitor global environmental changes. “It is more precise and accurate ...

May 2, 2014

By SciDev.Net

Nation’s Authoritative Land Cover Map new and improved

Just released, the latest edition of the nation’s most comprehensive look at land-surface conditions from coast to coast shows the extent of land cover types from forests to urban areas. The National Land Cover Database (NLCD 2011) is made available to the public by the U.S. Geological Survey and ...

Apr. 9, 2014

By U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

Center for Agricultural and Shale Law Posts Agricultural Law Weekly Review

The latest installment of the Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law’s Agricultural Law Weekly Review is now available. Topics covered include: California removes overtime exemption for agricultural workers; U.S. brings WTO action against China for excessive support of rice, wheat, and corn; Court rules EPA violated FOIA; States to receive $21.8 million for FSMA implementation; ...

Sep. 15, 2016

By The National Agricultural Law Center (NALC)

The common agricultural policy (CAP) and agriculture in Europe – Frequently asked questions

Farming in Europe – an overview How rural is the EU? Over 77% of the EU's territory is classified as rural (47% is farm land and 30% forest) and is home to around half its population (farming communities and other residents). How many farmers are there in the EU? 12 million (full-time). ...

Jun. 26, 2013

By European Commission

SoCo: Sustainable agriculture and soil conservation

The European Parliament has requested the European Commission to carry out a study on Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation. Two Directorates of the EC are involved in this project: DG Agriculture and DG Joint Research Centre. The JRC participates in the project with two institutes: Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES: Land Management and Natural Hazards Unit and the Rural, ...

Sep. 29, 2009

Scaling up conservation agriculture in Zambia

The European Union (EU), FAO and the Government of Zambia launched a four-year, €11 million programme to increase crop production and productivity of over 300 000 small-scale farmers by promoting practices based on conservation agriculture. The agricultural production of smallholder farmers in Zambia is most affected by soil degradation, high-input prices, poor produce markets and poor ...

Jun. 18, 2013

By Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Agriculture: the unlikely earth day hero

Rising temperatures, erratic weather, population growth, and scarce water resources - along with growing civil unrest and skyrocketing food prices - are putting unprecedented stress on people and the planet. For over 40 years, Earth Day has served as a call to action, mobilizing individuals and organizations around the world to address these challenges. This year, Worldwatch Institute's ...

Apr. 18, 2011

By GLOBE SERIES

Center for Agricultural and Shale Law Posts Agricultural Law Weekly Review

The latest installment of the Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law’s Agricultural Law Weekly Review is now available. Topics covered include: DOJ sues to prevent Deere’s acquisition of Precision Planting, California bill could require overtime for agricultural workers, HPAI discovered in Alaska, PA extends permit for point source discharges, FSIS requests extension ...

Sep. 1, 2016

By The National Agricultural Law Center (NALC)

Focus on Disability: Changing agricultural attitudes

Low-tech projects are overturning prejudices and leaving disabled people free to farm, says Sue Coe. Two recent SciDev.Net stories covered important current food provision issues: farming methods for smallholders and the need for ...

Oct. 9, 2013

By SciDev.Net

Latest Edition of the National Land Cover Database Hits the Streets

This massive database updates our knowledge of the Nation’s land cover and documents precisely where land cover change has occurred between 2001 and 2006. NLCD is used for thousands of applications in such diverse investigations as ecosystem status and health, spatial patterns of biodiversity, indications of climate change, and best practices in land management. “Periodic ...

Feb. 17, 2011

By U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

In organic cover crops, more seeds means fewer weeds

Farmers cultivating organic produce often use winter cover crops to add soil organic matter, improve nutrient cycling and suppress weeds. Now these producers can optimize cover crop use by refining seeding strategies, thanks to work by an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist. In moderate climates, suppressing weeds in winter cover crops is important because weeds that grow throughout ...

Jan. 25, 2010

By The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) - USDA

Protected areas have increased to cover one fifth of Europe’s land

More than 21 % of the land has some kind of protected status in the 39 countries which work with the European Environment Agency (EEA). However, only 4 % of the sea controlled by countries of the European Union is included within the Natura 2000 network of protected areas, according to a new report from the EEA. A ‘protected area’ can be any area of land or water designated ...

Oct. 23, 2012

By European Environment Agency (EEA)

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