The agricultural industry is among the most hazardous in the UK. According to the HSE, agriculture has the worst rate of fatal injury of all the major sectors, at more than twenty times the average for the industry as a whole.

In a working environment like this, it’s easy to see how smaller, less fatal kinds of risk might be overlooked. Among the worst examples of this is hearing loss, which can accumulate over time as a result of exposure to sustained, loud noise from farming equipment and machinery. 

We should also consider the noise that animals themselves can generate. A pig can squeal in excess of 100dbA. If you have dozens or even hundreds of pigs crammed into close proximity, then the sustained assault on the human ear can be considerable. If this happens regularly for years on end, then the hearing loss is inevitable.

The effect of hearing loss is cumulative, which means that older farmers are more likely to suffer. A 2003 study from the American Academy of Audiology found a correlation between hearing loss and age, with farming equipment to blame. Interestingly, the strongest correlations were found when higher frequencies were isolated (these being the frequencies to which the human ear is more sensitive).

What’s the solution?

There’s an obvious fix, here, and that comes in the form of ear protection. Reduce the amount of noise that goes into your ears, and you’ll reduce the amount of hearing loss that you suffer. Ear protection might come in the form of molded inserts that slot into the interior of your ear, or in ‘can’ style protectors that fit over your head. 

Farmers should choose the kind of protection that’s not only effective but comfortable. After all, if you don’t end up actually wearing the protection, then it’s not going to do much good.

What other kinds of protection should farmers consider?

Hearing loss is just one of the hazards that farmers should be vigilant about, whose solution might lie in the simple wearing of personal protective equipment. For example, if you’re dealing with moldy hay, straw, or grain, then you might be at risk of developing a farmer’s lung. This is a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, which causes the lung tissue to inflame. You can avoid this problem, in the long term, by wearing an appropriate facemask whenever you’re dealing with hazards of this kind. Similarly, protective gloves and eyeglasses might make the difference when you’re handling harmful chemicals and other hazards. PPE suppliers in construction can often provide these items.

PPE can be considered something of an encumbrance, especially by farmers who are used to doing things a certain way. But the inconvenience of wearing it can often be vastly offset by the benefits, even if it doesn’t appear so at first glance!

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The world came to a standstill in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Millions of people were forced to stay at home to prevent contagion. Some people were able to continue their productive activities from home. However, this was not possible in several manufacturing industries. With so many workers at home, productivity plummeted in some cases.

Some industries were critical for the survival of so many people at home. For example, the telecommunications industry was necessary to keep people active at home. Students took virtual lessons through the Internet, just to mention one example. Equally critical was the agricultural industry. It was necessary to ensure the supply of food to the millions of people quarantined at home. Hence, for such industries, there was no option but to keep on with their activities.

In general, the agricultural industry was very resilient to the havoc of the pandemic. The production, although affected somehow, was still possible thanks to automation. Actuators have been integrated into agricultural machines to enhance their performance. You can see some of the said devices here. Automated agricultural machines allowed the production of food without the need for many workers in the fields.

An academic study has forecasted a decline in the international prices of some agricultural products during 2020-2021. But even though the supply chains were somehow disrupted at the local level, the agricultural industry hasn’t slowed down. This was reflected in the greenhouse gases that result directly from agriculture. They have decreased by 1% only during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Further Mechanization of the Agricultural Industry

As for the global market of agricultural machinery, expectations were high. A different economic study had forecasted a CAGR of 4.6% for the period 2018-2023. It is not clear whether this growth rate will be the same after considering the effects of the pandemic. Yet, the demand for automated agricultural machinery is expected to grow.

Because of the labor shortage, the agricultural industry will rely more on mechanization. Tractors are already commonplace on any farm in the world. Combine harvesters have a strong presence in agriculture too. But there is room for further mechanization. Planting and fertilizing, for example, are tasks that can be performed by automated machines. Hence, fewer workers will be needed with the use of adequate machinery.

Although the perspective of a safe and effective vaccine has given hope to the world, full normalization is still far. Hence, the agricultural industry should pursue technological innovation. This will guarantee food supply for the immediate post-pandemic period. Efficient and precise farming will be the key to a rapid recovery.

The Effect of the Pandemic on Small Farmers

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us how fragile our economic systems are. Because of the lockdowns and social distance measures imposed around the world, the demand for food declined. Many restaurants, for example, were forced to keep their doors closed to prevent the spread of the infamous coronavirus. As a result, the prices of many agricultural products dropped drastically. This had a detrimental impact on the livelihoods of small farmers worldwide.

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The quality of all crops, including the food we eat each day, is directly linked to the quality of the soil in which they grow. Soil is not the same thing as dirt. Dirt is rocks and grit, and things you sweep up off your floor. Healthy soil is a rich and living ecosystem of microorganisms that promotes healthy plant growth and supports the overall health of our climate.

That’s a lot to take in. What most people consider the ground you walk around on is a vital component of our survival. Keeping the soil healthy goes a long way toward keeping the human population healthy.

This article will help you identify what makes up healthy soil, how to cultivate and care for soil upkeep, and what you can do to make sure your soil is the proper composition for optimal yield.

Healthy Soil Beings With Knowing What’s in It

No matter what type of organic matter you plant and harvest, it’s essential to know the condition of your soil. The right balance of microbial components regulate plant growth and nutrient uptake. The best way to understand the health of your soil is with a PLFA soil analysis. 

PLFA (Phospholipid Fatty Acids) test results reveal the microbial biomass in your soil. This analysis can help you maintain proper soil care and improve crop productivity. 

Improve the Health of Your Soil

Once you know what’s in the soil, it’s time to improve and/or maintain its health. According to Penn State University, these soil tips are key to creating a productive and profitable agricultural system.

Nutrient Cycling

Every soil has a combination of organic and inorganic matter that serve as nutrients to your plantings. Cycling the amount and types of these elements will help you provide the nutrients required for maximum plant growth and yield. 

Controlling Pests

Healthy soil contains many organic elements that attract predatory insects. They feed on the nutrients in your soil and weaken its efficacy. You can reduce the presence of these pests organically by introducing spiders and beetles to counter the population of insects, slugs, and weeds.

Manage the Air and Water Supply

Crops require water and oxygen for growth. Your soil must contain both between the soil particles. Aerating your soil will increase the soil’s capacity to hold and absorb water.

Soil that contains a healthy amount of oxygen and water will crumble easily when handled instead of breaking apart in large clumps.

Use Cover Crops

During cold winter months, planting cover crops can reduce the likelihood of soil erosion since they cover the soil during the off season. Cover crops also enhance organic matter, and maintain the health of your soil and stabilize its composition. 

Soil Science

Soil is a complex ecosystem of organic and inorganic matter that works together to provide nutrients to planted crops. Determining the health of your soil is possible with lab analysis like PFLA testing. And you can continually monitor and adjust the health of your soil with the nutrient cycle, pest control, and other horticultural measures. 

Healthy soil is key to the health and yield of your crops. To ensure the highest quality and maximum quantity, consider the soil first. 

For more health-related ideas and articles, explore the rest of our site.

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It can be hard to stay on top of all the rules and regulations you need to adhere to if you are involved in the farming industry. The environmental regulations imposed on the agricultural and farming industry are always changing and it can cost your business a lot of money if you do not meet the rules. One of the areas you may not think about that is affected by environmental regulations is the type of covers you use for your crops and equipment and other areas of your farm.

You need to think carefully about the products and systems you choose. If you are finding that difficult, we are here to help. In the following post, we are going to look at some of the most popular and readily available types of liners and covers and why you might want to invest in them.

Different Kinds of Agriculture Liners and Covers

There are a lot of different agricultural cover systems out there and choosing the right one for your business needs can be tricky. Here we outline some of the most common options.

Stormwater Collection

It doesn’t matter whether you are looking to collect stormwater to protect your agricultural and farmlands from flooding and erosion or to reuse it to water gardens, having liners are vital. When you collect stormwater in lakes or ponds, it’s a great way to prevent erosion and it also has the benefit that the water can be used in irrigation. Ideally, you will want to use environmentally friendly covers and liners.

Irrigation Pond Liners

Many agricultural setups utilize irrigation ponds. Whether you are running a ranch or farm or something else, you need some form of irrigation. You need to choose the right kind of liners for this application to ensure you don’t suffer from water loss through seepage. Floating covers are also a great addition in areas where you are going through a drought, to stop your irrigation ponds from evaporating. 

Cistern and Tank Liners

If you have any kind of agricultural setups, you should be familiar with cistern and tank liners. There are many reasons why you need these, to protect against both primary and secondary forms of contaminants in fertilizers and fuels and the kind that is likely to cause issues with your cisterns and tanks. With regards to fertilizer and fuel contamination, you especially need to make sure you choose the best liner. Among other qualities, they should be very durable and have chemical-resistant properties. 

Manure Lagoon Liners

For farms and dairies, one particular form of protective covering that has become a huge requirement is having liners for any manure lagoons you have. The reason there are such strict rules regarding this is that you need to provide containment for any manure you keep as well as allowing for waste products to runoff, while also preventing the surrounding land from being contaminated. 

Greenhouses, Aquaculture and Hydroponics

For greenhouses, aquaculture, and hydroponics, there are several ways you can use agricultural liners. Whether you run some kind of fish hatchery and need a liner for that. When choosing liners for these applications you need to make sure they are appropriately certified for use with potable water and are safe for plants and fish. As well as agriculture covers, you may need to also invest in light deprivation tarps and greenhouse covers if you are producing plants and/or food. As well as the uses noted above, there are many other uses for these kinds of covers, such as lining ditches, controlling erosion levels, and preventing the growth and spread of unwanted plants and weeds. 

In all areas, whenever you are choosing liners for the different needs and setups on your farm or agricultural land, you need to ensure that they are not going to contravene any specific environmental regulations.

The post Finding the Right Agricultural Cover for Your Farm to Meet Environmental Regulations appeared first on BBN Community.

A greenhouse is a house filled with plants. It is the natural and modern way of cultivating the plants. Also, the structure of this house is like our living house but the walls and roofs are made by glass to give the natural light effect on the plants. Because the plants grow healthier when they meet natural lights and air condition. Sometimes the climate will play a major role in growing plants. The use of this greenhouse is, it will maintain the whole place that the surroundings will cool for a long time. You will not have any cooling conditioners to cool your surface and also you can create this greenhouse for natural cooling effects. This greenhouse will produce the oxygen and this oxygen is naturally produced and it is healthier too. This is the place that produces the positive energy. Also, if you are visiting this place then your problems like stress and depression are cured naturally and you should not take any medicine for that. The major reason for using this greenhouse is, you can also cultivate the plants in the open places but the excess population will produce the excess heat so only the plants in the open places are burnt easily and quickly. For avoiding this problem, this greenhouse is introduced. This greenhouse is made by the glass so there is no chance for the plants to effect the heat. So these are all the use and effects of this greenhouse.

Using LED lights in the greenhouse and that’s effects

Here you can see the effects of using LED lights to plants. The LED lights are used to grow the plants naturally. And also you can use this LED lights to your greenhouse. The color spectrum in these LED lights is very useful for plants to grow. It will produce low temperatures and it is so effective. Good light is the remedy for plants and also these LED lights are the remedy for indoor plants. If you have an idea about build a greenhouse then you can choose LED lighting for that. It is low cost and most effective way for growing plants. The high-quality white light is the best for plants and these LED lights are normally in white so you do not doubt using these lights to your plants. Sometimes plants are suffered from any disease and the solution for that problem is light. Sunlight is not coming twenty-four hours in the day so LED lights are the one which is available in twenty-four hours in a day. You can order these lights through the internet, and they will supply worldwide and there is no cost for worldwide shipping. Still, if you have not sure about buying these lights then you can visit any of the LED light manufacturing sites and go through the reviews of the people. That will helps you to know more about LED lights and give some hope to you. Greenhouse LED Lights give you the neat and perfect way of growing plants itself.

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Promoting an Eco-friendly environment was never easy because we have eased into lifestyles that are damaging our environment. However, Greta Thunberg just flipped the coin for all of us trying to make this world worth living. A kid has shown to us that we can not only promote an eco-friendly environment but also live 100 pc eco-friendly. Here are some ways which will not only change your own lives for the better but also promote an eco-friendly environment.

        1. Save Energy

The first thing that you can easily do is switch off the lights or any electric appliance if it is not in use. A lot of times the television stays on even when no one is watching it. So, turn it off. Many times, we use an appliance and leave the plug on. If all of us can take care of these little things, not only will we be saving energy but also decreasing our utility bills. If you are conscious about it, your family members and friends would start noticing and will learn it from you. 

        2. Buy appliances that save more energy

With the awareness regarding climate change, brands are also more aware and trying to put out their efforts to help save the earth. We should not remain unaware of this fact. Instead, next time we need a new appliance, opt for energy-efficient machines. You will also see a decrease in your utility bills with this move. Moreover, it is a great way to show that you care for the universe and so should everyone around you. 

        3. Go completely eco-friendly while shopping

This will change the game for you and your family members. By doing eco-friendly shopping consciously, you will realize that the whole market is filled with stuff harmful to the earth. So, if you want to break that toxic cycle, you have to buy less or buy only the necessary things. The good thing is that you can also buy eco-friendly products. They are everywhere but you have to look closely for them. This will also help you go cheap on grocery shopping and reduce midnight visits to Walmart. 

        4. Do not waste food 

One of the greatest ways to not waste food is to not buy a lot of food just on impulse. Make a list of what you are going to be eating for the next week. Then, go and do your grocery. Also, if you like cooking, do not cook an ample amount of food. Cook many dishes if you want but cook in small quantities, so that you and your family can finish the food before it gets stale. Also, if that has happened, learn to compost the food by yourself instead of throwing it out. This way, you will be doing a huge favor to mother earth. 

        5. Grow trees

You can grow more of the trees in your garden or backyard. If there is no space for that, you can join the non-profit organizations as a volunteer and grow trees in your community along with a team. This will not only make the air around you fresh but also promote a healthy eco-friendly environment. 

Growing trees is a deed that goes a long way. It is okay if you cannot go out of the way to volunteer to grow trees. You can always donate to the organizations which promote an eco-friendly environment. 

It does not matter how you are choosing to help the environment as far as you are doing something. Moreover, you can look up the benefits of growing as many trees as possible because the need for more greenery cannot be emphasized enough. 

        6. Do not use plastic 

Another most important way to promote an eco-friendly environment is by going plastic-free. You will be amazed at how much you use plastic once you start cutting out on it.

Everything that you have ever bought has come in plastic. You eat in plastic dishes. You are basically breathing plastic. All the snacks that you eat, all the clothes you wear, all your dishes, all your makeup, and essential toiletries: it is all plastic. So, the first step is to cut out on one-use plastic. Once that is out of your life, you can opt for the products which are packed in glass or biodegradable plastic. 

Another important thing is to go completely free of plastic bags and start using cloth bags. Remember that there are myriad benefits of cutting on plastic.

        7. Use public transport

Drive less. Instead, try to wake up early for the office and take public transport and do the same on your way back home. You will not only be benefitting the earth but also saving money on gas and parking tickets. In fact, this is a lifestyle change that will make your life more open and social. This will let you out of your comfort zone and see what lies beyond your house and office. 

Also, if you aim to drive less for the sake of the environment, you will see that you will start avoiding driving to marts, restaurants, parties a little less which will also impact your life. 

         8. Grow your own garden

Growing your own garden is the most fun thing you can do to promote an eco-friendly environment. Plants are naturally healing, so even if you are not into growing plants, you will end up loving this activity anyways. All you have to do is start with basic knowledge of growing a small garden by yourself. You will need a few tools to start with, and then you will be good to go. This way, you will be able to eat 100% natural and eco-friendly vegetables. This will also help you reduce meat intake in your food. It is a healthy life choice which will not only help your environment but also your body and mind. 

Conclusion:

It is essential to promote an eco-friendly environment in these times because the climate is changing fast. Everyone has to put his share to save the earth, which continues to die a little every day. So, let’s hope and make an effort for a better and safer climate tomorrow. 

The post Ways to Promote an Eco-Friendly Environment appeared first on BBN Community.

The 1st revolution during the 18th century brought in new farming practices that were focused to improve the fertility of the soil. For the first time, scientific tests were conducted to see the effects of crop rotation and manure usage on total crop yield. The 2nd revolution took place post WW1 when tractors and other mechanized farming equipment were used instead of manual labor. The efficiency of farmers thus improved considerably resulting in a rise in global grain output.

During the 1990s, nitrogen and sulfate infused fertilizers along with pesticides were used to enhance the productivity of fields. With the enhancement in biotechnology, hybrid seeds were developed that helped farmers to cultivate a field of vigorous crops. Processes like genetic modification and multiple cropping were implemented to grow crops of different breeds on a single farm simultaneously. This era of agricultural intensification was the era of the 3rd revolution in the agricultural sector, also generally called the “Green revolution“.

With the implementation of computerized practices, the sector of agriculture is undergoing a digital transformation. This digital transformation is been considered as the 4th revolution in the agriculture sector. Collective use of drones, satellite monitoring, and sensor technology have brought in new farming concepts like Smart Farming and Precision Farming. 

Both of these concepts have allowed the agriculture sector to reach new heights and are enabling its corporatization. The advent of IoT in Smart Farming and Precision Farming have elevated different agricultural practices. In this article, we will see the effects that IoT has imparted on Precision Farming. 

What is Precision Farming?

Precision Farming is also known as Site Specific Crop Management (SSCM) or Satellite Farming. It is a method in which farmers optimize different inputs like water and fertilizers to gets better crop quality and yield. This technique is used to observe, measure, and analyze the individual requirements of different fields and crops. By making use of advanced analytics, Precision Farming is optimizing the whole agricultural production process.

This technique focuses on concentrating, observing, and responding to the intra-field systems. By using satellite imagery, GPS (Global Positioning System) monitoring, and other geospatial tools, variability in different portions of a field is observed. These variabilities can be related to the quality of soil, direction of sunlight, slope of the field, or other factors that may affect the overall quality and yield of the crop. Evaluating the information gathered through different tools allow farmers to easily understand the causes of these variabilities.

By working on these variabilities, the farmers can manage their crop in a better way. Precision Farming allows farmers to rake risk-free decisions. It encourages the optimum use of different resources and also reduces waste generation and total production cost.

Internet of Things in Precision Agriculture:

Today, the use of sensors, drones, cloud computing, and mobile applications are powering agricultural corporations and small family farms. Internet of Things has made it possible for the farmers to stay connected with their fields. Let’s dive deep into the benefits that IoT offers to the Precision Farming techniques:

1. Sensor-based field and resource mapping:

Precision Farming incorporates the use of geospatial technologies like GPS and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) to click and monitor real-time images of farms. Even though the accuracy of these systems is commendable, precise sensing devices that are accurate at even centimeter levels are required to sense data accurately. Due to this requirement, sensors are being embedded into the fields to gather information from correct locations.

The data gathered through the sensors can be processed and integrated with satellite images to tell a farmer about the portion of his field that requires attention. Drone monitoring along with sensors can also be used to gather data. Specially designed UAV use thermal sensors to detect heat signatures of the crop and locate problem affected areas that are not easy to spot from ground-level inspections.

1. Real-time crop/soil monitoring and processing:

The sensors used in farms are capable of sensing different attributes associated with crop production like moisture, fertility, and temperature. These attributes are measured and sent simultaneously to a centralized platform. A farmer can access this platform through a smartphone application and take necessary informed decisions.

However, there is more to the use of sensors. Through predictive analysis, data gathered through sensors are used to estimate the quality of the crop and find areas of improvements. The real-time alert system warns the farmers about rodents, change in weather conditions, and an increase in the use of pesticides/insecticides.

With the use of actuators and endpoint data processing, automated actions can be taken immediately. For example, through the use of automated water sprinkler system, portions of fields can be irrigated instantly as soon as the moisture level of soil decreases.

These Smart Farming practices when utilized along with Precision Farming encourages the use of optimum resources resulting in proper waste management and cost-effective farming techniques.

CONCLUSION:

Precision farming is the use of highly precise agricultural practices that cater to the needs of small portions of a farm. Internet of Things has empowered different capabilities of Precision Farming and is helping the agricultural business to reach new heights of global corporatization. With collective usage of sensor technology and satellite imagery, different practices of farming like sowing, irrigation, plowing, and harvesting are being digitalized. The agricultural sector is confirmed to witness a new revolution with the mixed usage of conventional and IoT infused agricultural practices.

Author Bio

Sanjeev Verma is the founder of Biz4Intellia, one of the leading IoT development companies in the United States. He is extremely passionate about the Internet of Things and explores the possibilities unleashed by the IoT on a constant basis. At Biz4Intellia, Sanjeev’s concrete focus is on building a rapid growing, market-driven organization that delivers influential IoT business solutions.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjeev1975/

https://twitter.com/SanjeevVermaIoT

contact email: sverma@biz4group.com

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