Posts Tagged ‘farming’

Weeds grow more resistant to herbicides

PENN STATE (US) — Over-reliance on one type of herbicide for weed control on US farms has created a dramatic increase in the number of genetically resistant weeds, a new study shows. Continue…

Friday, February 10, 2012 13:24 - 0 Comments

Earth & Environment - Jan 24, 2012 12:18 - 4 Comments

Force flood turned farmland to mud

U. ILLINOIS (US) — When the water in the Mississippi River rose to 58 feet with a forecast of 60 feet or higher in May 2011, the emergency plan to naturally or intentionally breach the levees established over 80 years prior was put in motion. (more…)

Earth & Environment - Dec 19, 2011 12:52 - 1 Comment

Bad (and good) news for Costa Rican farmers

STANFORD (US) — Knocking down forests to make way for farms and pastures in Costa Rica can drive away the birds that play a crucial role in distributing seeds, controlling insects, and pollinating plants. (more…)

Earth & Environment - Jul 27, 2011 16:22 - 0 Comments

Cover crops don’t compete with corn

IOWA STATE (US) — Using a perennial cover crop on corn fields benefits soil and water quality, and may even increase farm profits, according to a new study that finds farms that do so can yield 200 bushels of corn per acre. (more…)

Earth & Environment - Jun 6, 2011 11:47 - 0 Comments

Credit unions have clout with farmers

STANFORD (US) — Because of their considerable influence among farmers in developing countries, credit unions should be included in efforts to improve agricultural sustainability. (more…)

Science & Technology - Jun 1, 2011 10:43 - 1 Comment

3-in-1 cuts farm time and cost

PENN STATE (US) — New technology that does triple duty by seeding cover crops, adding fertilizer, and spraying herbicide in one pass could save small farmers as much as $20 per acre. (more…)

Earth & Environment - May 10, 2011 12:16 - 0 Comments

Warming bypasses US crops—for now

STANFORD (US) — Global warming has spared wheat and corn crops in the US, Canada, and northern Mexico, while taking a toll worldwide, according to a new study. (more…)

Earth & Environment - May 9, 2011 12:04 - 1 Comment

Farmers need to mix it up

IOWA STATE (US) — To reduce financial risk and improve sustainability, U.S. farmers need to plant a wider variety of crops and make better use of marginal land. (more…)

Earth & Environment - Mar 16, 2011 12:03 - 0 Comments

California organic farms bear fruit

UC DAVIS (US) — California is home to 19 percent of all organic farms in the U.S., more than any other state, and accounts for 36 percent of the nation’s overall organic sales. (more…)

Society & Culture - Dec 6, 2010 11:33 - 2 Comments

Urban community farms a growing trend

MICHIGAN STATE (US) — Transforming vacant urban lots into farms and community gardens could provide city residents with a majority of their fruits and vegetables. (more…)

Earth & Environment - Nov 30, 2010 12:14 - 0 Comments

Farm drainage choking life from Gulf

CORNELL/U. ILLINOIS (US) — Tile drainage systems in upper Mississippi farmlands are the biggest contributors of nitrogen runoff into the Gulf of Mexico. (more…)

Society & Culture - Nov 24, 2010 6:32 - 0 Comments

Turkey, let me count thy (thigh?) ways

INDIANA U. (US) — The value of U.S. turkey production in 2009: $3.6 billion. The average cost for a traditional Thanksgiving feast for 10 people this year: $43.47. Taking a moment to savor the turkey: priceless. (more…)

Earth & Environment - Oct 7, 2010 15:52 - 0 Comments

No silver bullet to save crops

U. LEEDS (UK) — Large-scale crop failures are likely to become more common under climate change, but could be mitigated by improved farming and new crop development. (more…)

Earth & Environment - Sep 28, 2010 16:37 - 2 Comments

Gulf dead zone tied to tile drainage

U. ILLINOIS (US) — The most heavily tile-drained areas of North America are the largest contributing sources of nitrate to the Gulf of Mexico, leading to seasonal hypoxia. (more…)

Society & Culture - Jun 23, 2010 11:59 - 1 Comment

Microfinance success tied to macroeconomy

MICHIGAN STATE (US)—Success or failure of microfinance depends largely on the state of a nation’s economy, according to a new study. (more…)

Earth & Environment - Mar 2, 2010 19:40 - 0 Comments

On tropical farms, bigger is not better

U. MICHIGAN (US)—Small family-owned farms—not industrial-scale agriculture—offer the best way to produce large amounts of food and still preserve biodiversity in tropical regions undergoing massive deforestation. (more…)

Earth & Environment - Sep 29, 2009 4:09 - 2 Comments

Fertilizer not a cure-all for African poverty

CORNELL (US)—Researchers have linked poverty in sub-Saharan Africa with poor soil health, but two new studies find that the recommended practice of applying more fertilizer may not help the poorest farmers. (more…)