Agriculture Management Practices

🌱 Agroecology in Action: Smart Intercropping for Sustainable Productivity This is a practical example of agroecology at work — integrating papaya trees with chili production in a well-planned, diversified farming system. Instead of monocropping, this system demonstrates how ecological principles can improve productivity, income stability, and soil health simultaneously. ### 🌿 Why This System Works 1️⃣ Vertical Layering (Multi-Strata Farming) Papaya occupies the upper canopy while chili grows below. This maximizes sunlight use and increases productivity per unit area without competing aggressively for resources. 2️⃣ Soil Health Management The use of mulching: * Conserves soil moisture * Suppresses weeds * Reduces soil erosion * Enhances microbial activity Healthy soils are the foundation of resilient agriculture. 3️⃣ Diversified Income Streams Farmers harvest chili in the short term while waiting for papaya to mature. This improves: * Cash flow * Risk management * Household income stability If one crop faces market or climate challenges, the other cushions the farmer. 4️⃣ Natural Pest & Disease Regulation Crop diversity reduces pest buildup common in monoculture systems. Agroecological farms rely more on ecological balance and less on excessive chemical inputs. **5️⃣ Climate-Smart Agriculture** This system: * Improves water efficiency * Enhances carbon sequestration * Builds resilience against erratic rainfall Diversification is one of the strongest climate adaptation strategies for smallholder farmers. --- ### 📌 Key Takeaway Agroecology is not just theory — it is practical, profitable, and scalable. By integrating crops strategically, farmers can: ✔ Increase productivity per acre ✔ Reduce production costs ✔ Improve soil fertility ✔ Strengthen climate resilience ✔ Promote food and nutrition security This is the future of sustainable farming — productive landscapes that work with nature, not against it. #Agroecology #ClimateSmartAgriculture #SustainableFarming #SoilHealth #Intercropping #FoodSecurity #SmallholderFarmers #RegenerativeAgriculture #laikipia

In utero heat stress derails mammary development. Permanently. In a breaking study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences, Grace Larsen and Jimena Laporta reveal that the ✨granddaughters✨of late gestation heat stressed dams have impairments in mammary tissue in the first weeks of life. Mind you, these calves were no more than oocytes in the gestated calf when exposed to this challenge. The mammary glands of late gestation heat-stressed granddaughters had: 🐮 Smaller parenchyma area (i.e. future milk synthetic tissue) 🐮 Reduced ductal structures (i.e. future “pipeline” for milk ejection) 🐮 Impaired cellular proliferation and advanced cell death throughout the parenchyma 🐮Altered cell signaling via reduced ductal estrogen receptor expression These granddaughters go on to produce 3-10 lbs/d less milk across their lifetime (as shown in a separate study). It is likely that this reduction in milk yield begins with the these mammary impairments in the pre-weaning period. So what does this mean in practice? Cool your dry cows and pregnant heifers. Employ shade, fans, and soakers* (depending on region) for heat abatement and monitor for signs of heat stress like respiration rates above 60 breaths per minute. By investing in these strategies, we may improve milk performance for the next 10+ years and 3+ generations. #dairy #dairyscience #heatstress #multigenerational #heatstress #sustainability 📷: Figure 2, Larsen and Laporta 2024 Study link: https://lnkd.in/g4CaCKUp

This vineyard uses ducks to replace pesticides and restore soil health 🌎 For centuries, agricultural practices have relied on nature-based solutions to maintain ecosystem balance and ensure long-term productivity. Vergenoegd Löw The Wine Estate in South Africa exemplifies this principle by deploying Indian Runner ducks as a natural pest control system. This centuries-old technique, inspired by traditional rice paddy farming in Asia, minimizes the need for chemical pesticides, enhancing soil health and biodiversity. By integrating these ducks into vineyard management, the estate not only reduces its environmental footprint but also supports regenerative agriculture, a crucial approach for long-term sustainability in viticulture. The use of animals for agricultural support is not a new concept; from draft animals in plowing to falcons controlling rodent populations, farmers have long leveraged natural processes to optimize yields. By reviving and modernizing these historical methods, Vergenoegd Löw is demonstrating how traditional ecological knowledge can be seamlessly integrated into contemporary sustainability strategies. Beyond pest control, the ducks contribute to soil regeneration by fertilizing the land as they move through the vineyard, a practice reminiscent of rotational grazing systems that have been used for centuries to maintain soil vitality. This approach aligns with global sustainability goals by promoting organic farming principles and reducing dependency on synthetic inputs. Conventional vineyards often rely on pesticides that contribute to soil degradation, water contamination, and biodiversity loss. By contrast, integrating biological pest control measures supports a circular farming system where waste is minimized, and resources are efficiently utilized. The estate further strengthens its commitment to environmental responsibility through complementary initiatives, including a solar power plant and the conservation of a 25-hectare wetland, reinforcing the multifaceted nature of sustainable wine production. Beyond environmental benefits, adopting sustainable practices can enhance the economic resilience of the wine industry. #sustainability #sustainable #business #esg #climatechange

#Dietary_Cation_Anion_Difference_And_Milk_Fever 🐄 🌱 Metabolic acid-base balance affects the sensitivity of bone 🦴 to #parathyroid hormone & the synthesis of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol 🚨 🌱 Balancing the mineral content of the #closeup ration can have an effect on the incidence of milk fever in postpartum cows 🌾 #Applied_Conditions_on_DCAD ✴️ 1️⃣ #Alkalotic_State - This is the state of high dietary cations like Na+ and K+ ✨ - This can reduce the sensitivity of bone to PTH and can limit the release of calcium ion 🔔 2️⃣ #Acidotic_State - This is the state of high dietary anions like Cl- and S-2 💥 - This can increase the sensitivity to PTH and increase the production of 1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol; increase the supply of calcium ion 💫 #How_to_Calculate_DCAD ⭐ ➡️ (Na + K) - (Cl + SO4) OR ➡️ (Na + K) - (Cl + S) 🌻 Recommended target should be around - 100 mEq per Kg (100-150) in dairy cattle 🐮 🌻 Chlorine is more #acidogenic than Sulphur 💥 #Some_Factors_to_Count 🗯️ - Breed 🧬 - Feeding Management 🌾 - Parity Number - Age of Animals 🔥 - Feeding Ingredients 💯 - Roughages Portion of diet #Manipulation_of_Closeup_Ration 🌽 💧 Minimum inclusion of potassium and sodium in diet ✴️ 💧 Avoid the portion of grass silage because of containing high potassium (30-40 g/kg DM) 💡 💧 Must avoid alkali treated grains and #molasses in closeup period because of potassium ⚠️ 💧 Add cereal by-products and brewer's grains because of low in sodium and potassium content 🎇 💧 Provide supplementation of anionic salts to animals for DCAD balancing ⚖️ like; - ammonium chloride - ammonium sulfate - magnesium chloride - magnesium sulfate - calcium chloride - calcium sulfate 💧 Provide adequate amount of #magnesium for effective calcium absorption and mobilization, Mg content of diet should be 3.5 g/kg DM using; - magnesium sulfate - magnesium chloride 💧 Sulphur content of diet should be 4 g/kg DM with using of calcium or ammonium sulfate 🔥 💧 High magnesium is required (approx. 4 g/kg DM), if diet contained higher potassium for the excellent utilization and absorption of magnesium 🍁 💧 Calcium intake should be maintained at 120-150 g/day and phosphorus at 50g/day 💯 💧 Check the urine pH (6.5) on weekly basis for effective DCAD diet ✨ #dairyfarming 🚜 #ruminantnutrition #closeupdiet #transitionmanagement #milkfever #feedingmanagement Pic Source: Agri-King

Rumen Fill is a key measure of close up and fresh cow success. The fuller the cows are the higher the milk solid yield and lower health risk from transition disease. It is a simple measure which looks at the cows left hand side, at the triangle between long ribs, short ribs and hip bone. This is often called the “danger triangle” and warns of trouble ahead just like road signs do. This is the only place that the rumen is visible on the cow and shows how full or empty she is. Photo shows this and a cow with a rumen fill of score 4. Dry cows should have this as a minimum score preferably score 5. The next cow shows an emptier triangle and a rumen fill score of 2. She is too low especially for a close up dry cows. The ration composition, presentation, feed space and feed availability all affect the rumen fill. You can think of body condition score as the battery and rumen fill showing you whether the charger has been plugged in or not. Premier Nutrition TMS measures the rumen fill of close up and fresh cows. As the close up score increases the milk and milk solid yield increases as shown in the attached graph. If your close up dry and/or fresh cows have a low rumen fill there is danger ahead, so look at how you can remedy this as soon as you can.

Farming techniques like hand pollination and grafting deserve more attention for their potential to revolutionize fruit production and diversify our orchards. Hand pollination, the manual transfer of pollen from one flower to another, allows growers to control crossbreeding with precision. This method can create unique fruit varieties tailored to specific climates, flavors, or disease resistance—something nature alone might take generations to achieve. Imagine a crisp apple with the tang of a citrus or a peach that thrives in colder zones. It’s not just about novelty; it’s about resilience and abundance. Grafting, another underappreciated skill, involves joining a cutting from one plant onto the rootstock of another. This technique lets farmers combine the best traits of different species—like a hardy root system with a high-yield fruit bearer. Grafting on its own has already given us wonders like the 40 Fruit Tree, which produces dozens of stone fruits on a single trunk. Yet, its potential remains untapped for small-scale growers and home gardeners who could experiment with custom blends. These methods aren’t new—orchardists have used them for centuries—but modern agriculture often overlooks them for mass production. By exploring hand pollination and grafting more deeply, we can unlock a treasure trove of fruit diversity, boost local food security, and adapt to changing environments.

Rumen-Protected Choline: A Key Player in Transition Cow Metabolism and Performance Choline plays a pivotal role in dairy cow metabolism, particularly during the transition period. As a precursor for phosphatidylcholine, it is critical for lipid transport and hepatic function, yet early lactation cows may struggle to synthesize adequate amounts. Recent research published in JDS Communications reinforces the metabolic and lactational benefits of supplementing rumen-protected choline (RPC) during this crucial window. Key Findings from Two Large-Scale Experiments: ✔ Increased DMI – RPC tended to enhance dry matter intake both prepartum and postpartum, supporting overall energy balance. ✔ Higher Milk Production – In multiparous cows, RPC supplementation increased 3.5% fat-corrected milk (42.8 vs. 44.8 kg/day), energy-corrected milk (38.5 vs. 40.3 kg/day), milk fat (1.52 vs. 1.61 kg/day), and true protein (1.16 vs. 1.21 kg/day). ✔ Improved Hepatic Lipid Metabolism – RPC-fed cows exhibited lower hepatic triacylglycerol concentrations and a reduced risk of hepatic lipidosis, aligning with higher plasma choline concentrations postpartum. ✔ Lower Hyperketonemia Risk – While glucose, NEFAs, and BHB concentrations were not significantly altered, multiparous cows on RPC experienced a lower incidence of hyperketonemia. - Takeaway for Dairy Nutritionists: These findings underscore the value of RPC as a strategic intervention to optimize transition cow health and productivity. Notably, feeding RPC both pre- and postpartum yielded greater benefits compared to supplementation limited to the prepartum period. #DairyNutrition #TransitionCows #RumenProtectedCholine #FattyLiver #MilkYield #Ketosis #DairyScience

Before I became Nestlé’s Global Head of Public Affairs, I had the opportunity to support our teams across Asia, Oceania and Africa developing sustainability projects.    To be successful, we needed to ensure that we were taking the right approach:    - Working on both the environmental and the social impacts of projects together.   - Listening to the farmers we bought from and taking account of their needs.  - Ensuring we had the backing of the local community. This is the best way to achieve a transition to a regenerative food system.   Over the years I spent time with coffee farmers in Vietnam, dairy farmers in Indonesia, and cocoa farmers in the Cote d’Ivoire. Our conversations in their kitchens, in the fields, or on trucks bumping along rural tracks revolved around their needs, concerns and hopes for their families.    Sometimes these conversations were not easy. We are asking farmers to embrace regenerative agriculture practices that may differ from their traditional farming methods passed down through generations.   By providing support and sharing knowledge, our aim is to empower the farmers to preserve and improve soil health, conserve water, and promote biodiversity. Our programs also focus on raising awareness of human rights impacts and how to mitigate risks.     We need to take the farmers with us on this journey. Here are three ways we try to achieve this. In West Africa, our income accelerator program rewards practices that increase cocoa productivity, secure other sources of income for cocoa growing families, and support children’s access to education. The latest impact study shows that participating farmers have seen their incomes rise by 38% enabling more families to reach a living income. School enrollment has risen by 10%.    In Vietnam, our work with coffee farmers on regenerative agriculture as part of the Nescafé Plan 2030 has not only reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 15%-20%, but also reduced water usage by 40% and chemical usage by 20%. Additionally, the farmers’ incomes are between 30% and 100% higher compared to those engaged in traditional farming practices.    In Indonesia, our work with coffee farmers, though still in the initial stages, is already helping drive better productivity and improving incomes. Nearly 90% of the farmers in the RegenTA program who reinvested funds did so to rejuvenate their farms to drive future yields.    There are challenges of course. We work directly with half a million farmers across the world, and to achieve a just transition, we must find locally tailored solutions that address their specific challenges.    We believe this is possible, with farmers being recognized and rewarded not only for the quality of their ingredients but also for the positive impact they have on the environment, and on the communities where they live.  #regenerativeagriculture #regenag #humanrights

Plant breeding as a systems intervention recognizes that developing improved crop varieties must be coupled with the seed delivery, agronomic, institutional, and market systems that determine whether smallholder farmers actually benefit. It maps the feedbacks among genetic traits, local farming practices, seed‐multiplication and distribution channels, and value‐chain incentives to identify leverage points for poverty reduction. By designing both the varieties (e.g. stress tolerance, yield) and the supporting pathways (community seed enterprises, gender‐sensitive extension, market linkages), programs ensure new seeds are affordable, adoptable, and profitable for resource‐poor households. Institutional innovations—such as public–private partnerships and farmer field schools—amplify the impact of genetic gains by strengthening local capacity and trust. A systems‐thinking approach aligns breeding objectives with farmers’ livelihoods, policy environments, and market demands to create sustainable pathways out of rural poverty. The Dryland Crops Program of CIMMYT and the Africa Dryland Crops Improvement Network (ADCIN) embed systems thinking by co-designing breeding goals with farmers, national research bodies, seed companies, and market actors (the Product Design Team!) to ensure traits meet local needs. They share breeding pipelines with national partners to increase ownership, accountability and capacity of NARES, implementing modern breeding schemes. They strengthen seed delivery through community seed enterprises, quality-declared seed production, and training “lead farmers” so improved varieties actually reach remote dryland areas. Participatory varietal selection and gender-responsive extension capture both men’s and women’s preferences, refining breeding targets and maximizing adoption. Finally, they engage with regional policy bodies to speed variety release and link producer groups with buyers, aligning genetic gains with market demands and ensuring sustainable livelihood impacts.

The relation between urine pH and hypocalcemia in the pre-calving period of a cow is as follows : 1- Hypocalcemia (milk fever) in cows can be prevented by feeding an acidogenic diet for approximately three weeks before calving 2- Dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) should be between -50 to -150 meq/kg of diet dry matter for optimal hypocalcemia prevention 3- Urinary pH should be monitored regularly to maintain optimal acidification (mean urinary pH of about 6.5) 4- Urinary pH below 5.5 suggests over acidification, while above 7.5 suggests metabolic alkalosis and inadequate protection against hypocalcemia #DCAD #closeup #dairy #cows #animals #nutritionist #animalfeeding #hypocalcemia #veterinarian