Farming & Agriculture

Pest Management of Stored Grains

2012-03-03T13:07:00.000+08:00

Courtesy Mr Javed Bhatt

Storing grain properly

Store only clean, dry grain containing less than 12 percent moisture. Grain mixed with green weed seeds, broken kernels, or dirt provides conditions favorable for insect development.

Aerate grain

Moisture condensation can develop in storage bins when unequal temperatures in the grain mass cause gradual circulation of air from the warm to the cold grain. As air passes through the warm center of the grain, small convection currents pick up moisture and deposit it in the cold areas. This can result in spoiled, crusted grain on the surface, in the middle of the bin, on top-center, or along the outside.

To prevent condensation, aeration is needed to keep the grain within 15°F of the average outside temperature.

Inspect grain

Inspect stored grain once a month. Areas that are hot generally indicate an infestation. Watch especially for signs of crusting near the top-center and outside edges. You might see live insects and damaged kernels on the surface, especially at the crown.

Prevention

Good housekeeping and rapid inventory liquidation are key to preventing infestations. Before harvest and grain storage:

Remove grain. Grain stored over 9 months is susceptible to infestation;
Thoroughly clean with industrial vacuum the storage warehouse, floors, walls, ceilings, cracks and crevices, and all equipment.

Infestations may be introduced in contaminated or infested bags of grain or seed, even though these may appear to be clean. Pelleted livestock feed, dry animal foods, feathers, and old hides may also harbor the pests that infest stored grain.

Protection

Insecticides are recommended for treating the interior walls and floor. Malathion products, and Storcide II (chlorpyrifos-methyl+deltamethrin) are registered for surface treatments. Apply according to label instructions. Bin wall and floor treatments should be made at least 1 week prior to filling. If subsequent surface infestations are detected, try to determine the reason (e.g., a leaky roof leading to moistening of the grain) and correct the root cause.

How Phosphorous Affects Underground Water Tables : Research

2012-03-03T02:08:00.001+08:00

Scientists establish links between agricultural phosphorous use and transport to streams

(Lake Country News) Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey have, for the first time, demonstrated how aquifer composition can affect how excessive levels of phosphorous – an essential nutrient contained in fertilizers – can be carried from fertilized agricultural fields via groundwater to streams and waterways.

This finding will allow for more informed management of agriculture, ecosystem and human water needs, according to the agency.

Nutrient transport from agricultural fields, including nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, is one of the most serious environmental problems throughout the world because it can cause adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems and/or drinking water supplies, USGS reported.

Excess phosphorus can stimulate algal growth in streams and lakes, which can lead to decreased levels of dissolved oxygen resulting in the death of sensitive organisms including fish, or can cause changes in the types of algae that are present. Some forms of algae can also release toxins that can negatively impact human health.

“While the widespread use of fertilizer has increased crop yields, excessive application is not only wasteful, but it can also be harmful to water quality, fish, and human health,” said USGS director Marcia McNutt. “New USGS science demonstrates how and when excess phosphorous is moving underground from fields to streams, and what underground conditions can mitigate nutrient transport.”

Researchers examined phosphorus quantities and movement in soils, and groundwater in five agricultural settings across the United States, including California, Washington, Nebraska, Indiana and Maryland.

Sites were chosen to represent common variations in soil geochemistry, climate, irrigation usage and cropping systems found across the nation, allowing for the first time, a comparison of factors that contribute to phosphorus movement in shallow aquifers.

The study included assessment of a variety of agricultural practices, so that factors contributing to phosphorus movement via groundwater could be compared.

“Until now, studies of phosphorus transport to streams have been focused on surface-water pathways because it was previously assumed that phosphorus does not dissolve into soil water and is not mobilized to groundwater,” explained USGS researcher Joseph Domagalski. “Farmers and resource managers can use the study information to better manage the application of fertilizer on agricultural fields and minimize phosphorus contamination in downstream water bodies.”

The study examines how iron and other elements present in particles in an aquifer can immobilize phosphorus and remove it from groundwater.

Under the right conditions, such as in the Maryland site, these processes completely limit phosphorus movement in groundwater. However, if aquifer particles are continually exposed to excess phosphorus and become saturated, the excess phosphorus will eventually be transported to a discharge zone, such as a stream.

Using this information, resource managers can evaluate what types of aquifer systems are more likely to transport phosphorus into surface water bodies.

The study also shows that inexpensive soil tests, routinely employed to estimate fertilizer requirements, can be used on deeper soil samples to evaluate the potential for downward movement of phosphorus below the plant rooting depth in agricultural areas.

The potential for groundwater transport of phosphorus can be evaluated with basic geochemical information, such as measurements of pH, dissolved oxygen, and dissolved phosphorus in samples of shallow ground water.

The study of agricultural chemicals is one of several priority topics currently being addressed by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment Program.

More information about the study is available online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2012/3004/ and in the Journal of Hydrology, “Subsurface transport of orthophosphate in five agricultural watersheds,” http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022169411005403.

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A Composting Science Project - Our Worms Ate Our Garbage

2012-03-02T20:15:00.000+08:00

written by: Finn Orfano

edited by: Laurie Patsalides

(Bright Hub Education) A worm composting project or vermiculture is an interesting and exciting way to explore the life cycle of a worm and to introduce recycling concepts. The initial set up is simple. This is a great project for students in grades 3 through 12.

Worm Composting Project Procedures

This is a quick project to set up, but it will require a significant investment of time and energy from the students. Older students may want to take the project to a school wide level and compost the garbage from the cafeteria. Here is what needs to be done.

Procedures:

First, find an area that is outdoors and sheltered but not in the classroom is required. A sheltered spot in the school’s garden (if you have one) would be great. If not, find a sheltered area near the building that can be easily accessed. Worms can be kept in the classroom as a last resort but there is sometimes an odor (decomposition of food waste) which can be unpleasant.

Decide whether the kids will build a structure for the worms or if one will be purchased. The Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening by Rodale Press has a great set of plans for a worm farm. It is simple and easy to build using basic wood and nails/screws. A worm farm can be purchased from a number of sources; The National Gardening Association offers several that are suitable for school use. These worm farms will cost $100-$150.00.

Next purchase worms. Although night-crawlers will work OK, it is best to purchase the red wigglers specifically sold for worm farms. Although they are less cold hardy than earthworms, they do a much better job at composting. Now you have purchased the worms, have a suitable place for your worm farm and a container to put the worms in has been acquired; the project is ready to begin. If a class made worm farm was constructed, newspapers, soil or other substrate (the bricks of coconut bedding for reptiles works well) will be needed. Place the worms in the top portion of the container. Prior to feeding the worms, measure how much garbage the classroom throws out per day or per week. Compare this amount to the daily and weekly amounts thrown out during the worm composting project.

Every day, collect classroom garbage from snacks and lunches. Items that worms love to eat are breads, vegetable matter, paper napkins, paper towels, coffee grinds and unbleached coffee filters. Avoid meats, juice boxes, anything waxed, cardboard, plastics, and eggshells. The worms prefer smaller pieces, so large items like bananas peels should be torn up. Place the garbage on top of the substrate. There is no need to bury it, the worms will find it. 2,000 worms will eat approximately 8 lbs. of garbage a week.

As the worms eat and grow they will leave behind worm castings (poop). If you have a school or class garden, this is the perfect fertilizer. If not, then the castings can be sold to help offset the cost of the project setup. If using a class made compost, then the worms should be moved to a new container once a month. Just build 2 containers and keep switching. Remove the worm castings at each change. Purchased composts have several levels. The worms start in the lowest level and eat their way up toward the top. They leave the castings behind as they move.

About once a month, clear out the castings and place the empty level on the top of the compost. Some purchased units also have a spigot for worm tea. This is all of the excess water that has dripped through the castings. It is fabulous for plants. Again this can be used for class plants or gardens or it can be sold. As the worms make their advance to the top of the unit, you may notice that their numbers are increasing. If your setup is even marginally successful, you will have worm reproduction.

Make is a School-Wide Project

To bring this project to a school wide level, permission from the administration and possibly the school district may be required. The cooperation of the cafeteria staff will be essential. In addition, more worms and additional composts will have to be added. Using 8 lbs. a week per compost as an average will provide an estimate as to how many worm composts and worms will be required. Sometimes it is easier to get permission if monetary savings for the school can be demonstrated. Worm composting reduces the amount of garbage thrown out by the school. This will reduce the cost of garbage collection and maintenance man hours used to empty and clean trash cans.

This project ties into many disciplines. For science there is the life cycle of the worm, garden ecosystems, the digestive system, and environmental sciences (recycling and earth stewardship). Math, business, and economics are included if the castings or worm tea is to be sold. Older students can learn about price points, supply and demand, writing a business plan (language arts), project management, and accounting. For the very ambitious, there are grants available for classroom and school wide composting projects. The National Gardening Association is one organization that offers grants to schools. Students can research these opportunities and those who are gifted in language arts can write the application (with adult supervision).

As a final note, keep in mind health issues. Hand washing is a must after handling garbage and the worms. Children with food allergies should not be allowed to handle garbage and they should use gloves when handling the castings. This can be a fun project for students in grades 3 through high school. Modify the project to suit the student’s ability and age.

Father of hybrid rice honoured with Mahathir science award

2012-03-02T19:59:00.000+08:00

The introduction of hybrid rice to the world in 1979 enabled China to feed 70 million more people annually and uplift the status of rice farmers by maximizing output from paddy fields.

“Hybrid rice technology belongs not only to China but also to the world,” said Prof Yuan LongPing, the man behind China’s hybrid rice.

For his achievement, Prof Yuan, who is director general of China National Hybrid Rice Research Development Centre, was awarded the 2011 Mahathir Science Award.

The Mahathir Science Award is bestowed on any scientist, institution or organisation worldwide to recognise the contributions and innovations in solving problems of the tropics using science and technology.

For Humanity

Known worldwide as the ‘Father of Hybrid Rice’, Prof Yuan has come a long way since 1950s. His first job at Anjiang Agricultural School in Hunan Province, China, allowed him to venture into asexual crossings between crops, using Russian theories.

Finding that those theories didn’t work, he secretly read research magazines from countries outside the Communist block and learned of different methods.

The famine that China suffered from 1958 to 1961 led Prof Yuan to focus his research on the development of high-yielding rice. At the same time, he decided to switch from asexual crossing to artificial hybridisation in search of a high-yielding rice variety.

Scientists then did not believe that there was a way to create a variant of self-pollinated crops like rice that produced high yields.

Going against the odds, Prof Yuan proceeded with his research and in 1979 he introduced Chinese hybrid rice to the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines, where it was initially viewed with skepticism.

The institute used to conduct its own hybrid rice research in the 1960s but eventually gave up. However, with Prof Yuan’s findings, it renewed the hopes of coming up with a high-yielding variety.

Blessing in Disguise

It was a tough road for Prof Yuan, as the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution in China posed a serious challenge for his research.

As an intellectual who dared to voice different opinions, he was branded as rightist and counter-revolutionary. His experimental seedlings were seized after he added the term “time” to President Mao Tse-tung’s eight-word constitution on agriculture.

He then moved his research work from Hunan to Hainan, which led him to an important breakthrough when he found a natural male sterile wild rice plant (wild rice with flowers containing no pollen) in 1970.

The finding led to rapid progress in the development of hybrid rice, and in 1972 the China State Science and Technology Commission listed hybrid rice as key national research project.

Yesterday, his finding have helped China feed more of its people. The country’s annual production rose from 5.69 billion tonnes in 1950 to 19.47 billion tonnes in 2000. Hybrid rice cultivation covers an area of 16 million hectares, accounting for 57 percent of total rice area in China.

China’s rice production is the highest in the world. Other major rice producers include India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Myanmar.

Worldwide Resilience

Speaking at the award presentation ceremony recently, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir noted that technologies used in tropical countries were mostly researched elsewhere or originated from other regions and thus might not suit the local requirement.

Therefore, he called on scientists from tropical countries to conduct more research to produce high-technology products that are globally suitable regardless of climate differences.

“We have to ensure what we produce here can be resilient worldwide. For example, Malaysia produces Proton cars that have been successfully tested in a cold country like Sweden,” he said.

Challenge for Localn Scientist

Tun Mahathir also urged Malaysian scientists to boost their efforts to come out with findings that produce critical impacts on the nation and as well as the region, stressing that the award was not exclusive for internationals.

“The prize money has been raised from USD32,000 (RM100,000) to USD 200,000 (RM300,000), which should encourage our local (Malaysian) researchers,” he said.

Of the five previous MSA laureates, two of them were local institutions. University of Malaya’s Faculty of Medicine was awarded the MSA in 2006 for its outstanding contribution to the understanding and treatment of the Nipah virus that caused Japanese Encephalitis.

In 2009, the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia received the MSA for its technology and development of the rubber wood furniture industry in Malaysia and globally.

No stopping

In spite of his achievement, Prof Yuan said that he will continue to do his best to promote the development of hybrid rice in China and overseas with special emphasis on developing countries, for the welfare of the world.

Hybrid rice is being grown in dozens of countries in Africa, America and Asia, thus providing a reliable food source in areas at high risk for famine.

In 2004, Prof Yuan came to Malaysia to share his knowledge and was appointed chief consultant to the Perlis Hybrid Rice Research Centre.

Having produced about 60 articles on his research, Prof Yuan has received numerous awards and honours, including World Food Prize and Wolf Prize in 2004, Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service in 2001, and National Supreme Scientific and Technological Award in 2000.

The Mahathir Science Award Foundation (MSAF) has entrusted the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) to conduct the selection of winners, picked through voting by the Fellows of ASM, based on scientific breakthrough, impact and contribution to solving the problem of the tropics.

A total of 19 nominations were received for the 2011 MSA. — Bernama

Biosecurity Basics for Poultry Growers

2012-03-02T11:26:00.001+08:00

Dan L. Cunningham1

Brian D. Fairchild1

Biosecurity refers to procedures used to prevent the introduction and spread of disease-causing organisms in poultry flocks.

A Healthy Poultry Flock

Because of the concentration in size and location of poultry flocks in current commercial production operations and the inherent disease risks associated with this type of production, it is imperative that poultry producers practice daily biosecurity measures. Developing and practicing daily biosecurity procedures as best management practices on poultry farms will reduce the possibility of introducing infectious diseases such as Avian Influenza and Exotic Newcastle as well as many others. Contract poultry growers should be familiar with the specifics of their company’s biosecurity protocols and work closely with company representatives to implement those programs. Before implementing biosecurity programs, contract producers should check with poultry company personnel to be sure the measures taken are consistent and compatible with their company’s policies.

How Microorganisms Spread

The primary method of spreading disease causing microorganisms between poultry flocks is the use of contaminated equipment or exposure to contaminated clothing and footwear of humans. Infected animals, such as wild birds and rodents, can also be a source of disease for poultry flocks. Disease causing viruses and bacteria can be transported from one flock to another on bird transporting equipment, trucks, tractors and other farm equipment as well as egg flats and cases. Humans and animals are also important ways of transporting disease causing organisms. Disease causing microbes have been found on human’s clothes, shoes, skin, and hair. As a result, many hatcheries and breeder facilities utilize shower in and shower out protocols as part of their biosecurity programs. Animals such as dogs, cats, mice, rats and free flying birds are also known to be carriers of disease organisms. Insects such as flies, beetles, and mosquitoes are well known to be carriers of disease microbes as well. Another, but less risky form of transmission is through the air.

The following steps are a summarization of standard measures that poultry producers may use on their farms to increase the biosecurity of their flocks:

Keep Visitors to a Minimum

Human transportation of microorganisms is one of the more serious threats to biosecurity. Restriction of unnecessary human traffic is a major component of a sound program. Growers should restrict visitors and make sure that any visitor to their farm has a good reason to be there. Growers should provide protective covering such as boots, coveralls, and headgear to any visitors that work with, or have had recent contact with poultry. This would include friends, neighbors, relatives, equipment and utility service personnel. Visitors should never enter poultry houses unless approved by the grower or company personnel. Traffic through poultry houses should always flow from younger to older birds. One useful measure is keeping records of visitors that have been on the farm. If a problem arises, knowing who was there will help in limiting additional flock infections. Growers may post signs at the entrance to the farm indicating that entry to the farm and facilities is restricted. Poultry producers work to educate members of the local community of the risks to their flocks and the need to restrict traffic on their farms. This can be done by attending local community meetings or social events and speaking to groups and individuals about this subject. Print an article in the local newspaper about the importance of biosecurity for your farm and others. This can also help educate people regarding the seriousness of this issue.

Limit Visitations to Other Poultry Farms

Poultry growers should refrain from visiting other poultry operations unless absolutely necessary. When-ever it is necessary to visit another farm, growers should be sure to exercise additional precautions such as showering and changing clothes before arriving and washing any vehicle before entering a farm. It will be very important for growers to wear protective clothing including boots, coveralls and headgear and to clean and disinfect all clothing and equipment before returning to their facilities. Showering and changing into clean clothes will also be necessary.

Keep All Animals Out of Poultry Houses

Animals can be carriers of poultry disease causing organisms. Growers should not allow pets such as dogs, cats or other animals in their houses. Some growers will allow their dogs to walk the houses with them, but this is risky because the dogs may have been exposed to other animals or birds that have been contaminated with disease organisms. Poultry houses should be kept as closed as possible to prevent wild birds from getting inside. Wild birds utilizing the feeders and defecating in the houses can be a source of disease.

Practice Sound Rodent and Pest Control Programs

Rats, mice, and insects such as flies and darkling beetles can carry and spread microorganisms. Growers should consult with their poultry company and practice effective rodent and insect control programs. Eliminating or reducing as many of these pests as possible will reduce the risk of contracting or spreading a disease.

Avoid Contact with Non-Commercial Poultry or Wild Birds

Poultry growers should avoid all contact with non-commercial sources of poultry including backyard flocks, fanciers, fairs, poultry shows, and markets. These types of poultry are seldom fully vaccinated for the major poultry diseases and they are often exposed to many types and flocks of birds. Non-commercial birds represent extremely high-risk contacts. Employees should not be allowed to own their own poultry and neighbors with backyard flocks should be informed of the importance of getting sick or unhealthy birds to a diagnostic lab as soon as possible. Growers should also avoid wild birds such as ducks, geese and turkeys. Growers with farm ponds should be particularly concerned with the potential of carrying droppings from wild birds around ponds into their poultry houses. Wild birds are well known to be carriers of the avian influenza virus as well as other poultry diseases. Hunters should be sure they take the same biosecurity precautions as if they were visiting another poultry farm (i.e. showering, changing clothes, sanitizing vehicles, etc.).

Inspect Flocks Daily

Growers are required by their contract to inspect their flocks every day. Mortality should be picked up daily and disposed of in a timely and approved method. Stock-piling mortality and allowing carcasses to decompose before disposal increases the risk of spreading disease via rodents and insects. Growers should report increases in mortality or signs of health problems to their service representative immediately. This is required by contract and will ensure a rapid detection and response should a disease be present. Growers should check with their poultry company before using any vaccines, medications or drug treatments for a flock health problem. Timely reporting of health issues on a farm will not only help restrict additional infections, but will minimize losses to both the grower and the company.

Maximize the Environment

Maintaining litter in a relatively dry condition (i.e. 20%-30%) and providing good ventilation will help control microorganism numbers. Wet conditions combined with warm in-house temperatures provide a good growth environment for most disease causing organisms. Good ventilation also helps reduce microorganisms as fresh air entering and leaving the house dilutes microbe populations and removes them from the house. Poor ventilation can result in irritation of the respiratory tract of birds making them more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections.

Keep Areas Around Houses and Feed Bins Clean

Keeping grass and weeds cut around poultry houses and removing used equipment or trash is beneficial in keeping rodent and insect populations under control. Thick grass or weeds and old equipment provide refuge and habitat for rats, mice and insect pests that can spread disease. Spilled feed should be cleaned up regularly and not allowed to collect for long periods of time. Spilled feed around the feed bins will attract birds, rats, mice and insects.

Recognizing Disease Symptoms

It is important for poultry growers to be aware of signs of disease in their flocks. Early detection of contagious diseases can greatly reduce the impact and spread of that disease to other flocks. Clinical signs associated with the possibility of a disease in a poultry flock are:

Lack of energy and appetite
Decreased egg production
Soft-shelled eggs or misshapen eggs
Swelling of the head, eyes, comb, wattles and hocks
Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs and legs
Nasal discharge
Coughing, wheezing and sneezing
Lack of coordination in mobility
Diarrhea
Sudden or excessive mortality without clinical signs

Contract poultry growers should notify a representative of their poultry company immediately if any symptoms of a disease condition is observed. Non-contract producers can contact a poultry veterinarian associated with the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network or Poultry Diagnostic Research Center (PDRC), Athens, Georgia. The Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network maintains diagnostic laboratories throughout the state and will assist non-commercial poultry producers with poultry health problems. Locations and phone numbers for the laboratory network and PDRC are listed below:

Oakwood, Georgia ( 770-535-5996 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 770-535-5996 end_of_the_skype_highlighting )
Bowden, Georgia ( 770-258-0300 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 770-258-0300 end_of_the_skype_highlighting )
Camilla, Georgia ( 229-336-0001 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 229-336-0001 end_of_the_skype_highlighting )
Canton, Georgia ( 770-479-2901 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 770-479-2901 end_of_the_skype_highlighting )
Carnesville, Georgia ( 706-384-2387 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 706-384-2387 end_of_the_skype_highlighting )
Dalton, Georgia ( 706-278-7306 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 706-278-7306 end_of_the_skype_highlighting )
Douglas, Georgia ( 912-384-3719 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 912-384-3719 end_of_the_skype_highlighting )
Forsyth, Georgia ( 478-994-1219 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 478-994-1219 end_of_the_skype_highlighting )
Montezuma, Georgia ( 478-472-9904 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 478-472-9904 end_of_the_skype_highlighting )
Glennville, Georgia ( 912-654-0504 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 912-654-0504 end_of_the_skype_highlighting )
PDRC, Athens, Georgia ( 706-542-5629 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 706-542-5629 end_of_the_skype_highlighting )

Summary

Protecting poultry flocks from microorganism contamination is an extremely important component of commercial poultry production environment. The introduction of a highly pathogenic, contagious disease organism into poultry flocks could result in serious economic consequences for producers. The effectiveness of a biosecurity program can be optimized by regional participation. While any level of biosecurity is helpful, if all poultry producers in a given area utilize best management programs, the program as a whole will be more effective. Practicing sound biosecurity procedures every day as part of a best management program will help reduce the possibility of contracting a disease and will reduce the spread of disease should an outbreak occur.

Agriculture Department of University of Georgia

1Department of Poultry Science

The Joy Of Growing Mushrooms

2012-03-01T23:04:00.000+08:00

(Manila Bulletin) Mushrooms have always been surrounded with tales of mystery, magic and supernatural qualities. They have been part of the human diet in many parts of the world, where their spell has gone beyond the kitchen and into the medicine cabinet.

The Chinese are credited with having cultivated the mushrooms systematically for thousands of years, drying most of the harvest for consumption during harsh vegetable-starved winters. The Japanese value the matsutake, harvested from pine forests and sold for prices rivaling the world-famous black truffles cherished by French chefs but which, technically is not supposed to be a mushroom.

The prices paid for matsutake mushrooms vary according to origin and shape. The association of matsutake with pine trees, the Japanese symbol of longevity, has created a close connection with their cultural identity, which is probably a significant reason for matsutake being the world’s most expensive mushroom, retailing at up to US$2,000.00 per kilo. Although many attempts have been made for the cultivation of matsutake, none to date have been commercially successful. Although methods have been developed for increasing matsutake yields from forests where it occurs naturally, methods for its cultivation remain elusive.

The most popular variety in the whole world is the white button mushroom, with a rounded cap and edible stem. In temperate countries it is grown in caves which provide the perfect temperature and humidity. In the Philippines, fresh button mushrooms used to be very rare, and chefs had to resort to mushrooms canned in brine.

Although city-bred Pinoys still consider mushrooms a foreign ingredient for expensive dishes, barrio residents all over the Philippines have been feasting on mushrooms (kabute in Tagalog) since time immemorial. The most common Philippine mushroom is the Kabuteng Saging (Rice Straw Mushrooms) which sprouts around the base of banana plant clumps after a thunderstorm.

These days, though, the most widely available is the oyster mushroom, sometimes called abalone mushroom, which started to appear in the local market three decades ago.

Travelers to Tagaytay and Batangas are very familiar with the first Mushroom Burger store right on the national highway along the ridge overlooking Taal Volcano, a few kilometers west of the Mendez junction. Thirty years ago, it was a regular stop for our large family during weekend forays to Batangas; all of our five kids (ages 4-10) would not stop screaming until each got a large-size mushroom burger with cheese.

Behind the burger joint, at the edge of the cliff that provided a magnificent view of Taal Lake and Volcano, were five long and tall greenhouses where the oyster mushrooms were grown by the agri-corporation called Biofoods. We often peeked as the gardener on duty picked a kilo of mushrooms for us to take home.

One day, the burger restaurant and take-out stand put on display what it called a Starter Kit, a portable greenhouse for growing mushrooms indoors, in the comfort of one’s home. Basically, it was a wooden box 18 inches wide, 13 inches high and 13 inches deep, with one side open, protected by a lift-up transparent plastic cover.

To start the mushroom garden, there were a dozen plastic bags filled with growing medium and mushroom spores. A small pamphlet explained the simple watering (with a sprayer) and harvesting (twist the clump and pull out) instructions. The whole kit and caboodle cost only P200, or roughly $14 at the time.

As instructed, we placed the box in the most humid area in our flat (the bathroom) by anchoring two metal braces to the wall to hold the mini-garden in place. The kids took turns spraying water after lifting the plastic cover. The cover, when in place, maintained the right heat and humidity levels.

The mini garden was so productive we had to give a lot of mushrooms away to friends and neighbors. After several months, the growing material and spores were finally spent and we emptied the plastic bags into flower pots to enrich the soil.

Spoiled by a constant supply of freshly-harvested mushrooms with our meals, we returned to the Mushroom Burger farm and bought a dozen ready-to-grow oyster mushroom bags, which were then only P7 a piece. Our kids grew up, got married and left home. But I never threw out the mushroom starter kit box, which now serves as bathroom stock box for tissue paper rolls, soap, detergent, cleansers, shampoo and conditioners.

I remembered our mushroom garden last month when a nature-loving neighbor’s unique Christmas gift turned out to be a large bag of medium and large oyster mushrooms growing out of a hole on one side. Unfortunately, the bag had dried out (probably from being displayed too long without upkeep) and no amount of soaking and spraying could coax the spores to come back to life.

We have emailed the supplier, Ministry of Mushrooms {ministryofmushrooms@gmail.com), and also sent text (0917-5006874) to make arrangements for a dozen bags to re-start my 30-year-old mushroom garden.

Found out that each fruiting bag is P175, delivered free anywhere within Metro Manila on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The bags are also sold at the Salcedo Market every Saturday.

The Pearl Oyster Mushrooms harvested from the bag are much larger and have thicker flesh than the kind sold in 100-gram styropacks in supermarkets and upscale vegetable markets. The Lipa-based organic farmers also sell fresh mushrooms at P300 per kilo, delivered with a new recipe every week.

As a cook and gourmand, I thank the enterprising trio of Marco Lobregat, Jose Javier and Nano Sala for giving everyone a chance to experience the awe and joy of growing our own food.

Quick Tips for Urban Beekeepers

2012-03-01T13:14:00.000+08:00

These tips I got from Linkedin regarding urban beekeeping

One of the major issues in urban beekeeping is swarming. Careful monitoring of the hive is essential.

Many cities and small towns do have ordinances that prohibit beekeeping, it's important to know the laws and be able to live within them.

A third factor for new Beekeepers is to understand the amount of time and demands that beekeeping entails and be prepared for the long haul, or have someone who will takeover for you in the event that you decide beekeeping is not your cup of tea.

Be nice to other people otherwise there will be so many complaints which might alarm local authority about the justification of your small bee camp :)

Soil Testing Atleast Every Three Years : Professional Advice

2012-03-01T00:18:00.002+08:00

The agriculture professionals advice the farmers to test the composition of their lands before rabi/kharif cultivation.

They suggested that the ideal time period between the testing every year or atleast once in every 3 years. Only after analysis of the soil expert can suggest the right amount of fertilizer.

They warn that the inappropriate selection , or random application of the fertilizer or water can restrict or even ruin the true potential of the seed.

Nation's biggest-ever huddle on organic growing

2012-02-29T23:42:00.000+08:00

U of M hosts gathering on vital area of study

By: Martin Entz

The modern organic agriculture movement started 100 years ago.

Sir Albert Howard was an English mycologist who served as the imperial economic botanist to the government of India between 1905 and 1924. He was fascinated by the indigenous practices of Indian farmers, whom he called his professors.

His 1940 book, An Agricultural Testament, has become a classic organic farming text. Lady Eve Balfour supported Howard's ideas and was instrumental in starting England's organic governing body, the Soil Association. Similar beginnings occurred in Europe and the United States. Even Justis von Liebig, the German scientist who is credited with helping usher in the era of petro-chemical-based fertilizers in the late 1880s, saw organic systems as having distinct advantages.

Fast-forward to the present.

Submitted photo Prof. Martin Entz says
organic agriculture is a vital part of
sustainable food systems.

This week, the University of Manitoba will be home to the largest-ever gathering of organic agriculture scientists in Canada's history. Starting today, over 130 scientists and about 30 farmers will spend three days sharing ideas and research findings.

There are currently 4,000 certified organic farms in Canada covering two per cent of our nation's agricultural lands. The 250 or so organic farmers in Manitoba produce certified organic grains, cooking oils, vegetables, fruit, meat, dairy products and more. Canadian organic farmers are true pioneers. They developed their farming systems with virtually no assistance from universities or government departments, relying mostly on each other.

Looking for new ideas for sustainable food production, I attended organic farmer meetings after starting my job as an assistant professor at the U of M. Meetings were held in church basements, hockey and curling arenas and in farm kitchens. I met fascinating people, and I knew these people were on to something good. The combination of entrepreneurial spirit and respect for nature and community was inspiring. I was sold.

Starting an organic agriculture research program at a major Canadian university in 1990 was not popular. This was, after all, the dawn of the agriculture biotech era, where nature would be either ignored or subdued. But, we lucked out when then-U of M vice-president James Gardner supported the idea of agriculture-sustainability research. We conducted our first experiments in 1990, and in 1992 we turned the sod on the Glenlea long-term organic plots, now Canada's oldest organic agriculture field experiment.

Like all good researchers, we made lots of mistakes. But we learned from our mistakes. In the past 19 years, we have identified strengths of the organic system -- like more nutritious food, healthier soils and less energy use. And we are addressing challenges like lack of phosphorous in certain organic soils. We are also developing no-till organic systems by adopting ideas and machines developed by Brazilian farmers.

In 2003, we converted 12 acres of the Ian N. Morrison research farm at Carman to organic production. This organic "mini-farm" has been invaluable for showing people a living, breathing organic system and has helped advance the art and science of organic farming on the Prairies. Each summer, we host about 300 visitors. This site has provided an invaluable opportunity for students to exchange ideas with farmers -- carrying on Sir Albert Howard's legacy.

Many other things have changed in 20 years. In 2001, the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada was established. From its base at the Nova Scotia Agriculture College, the centre has facilitated research and education for organic producers and consumers to build sustainable communities across Canada. In 2009, founding director, Dr. Ralph Martin and current director Dr. Andy Hammermeister organized a national "Organic Science Cluster" and secured over $6 million from Agriculture and AgriFood Canada for organic agriculture research in Canada. The Organic Science Cluster involves over 50 researchers plus 30 collaborators in approximately 45 research institutions across Canada.

And we are not done. Organic agriculture is important in our evolution to more sustainable food systems. The involvement of farmers in the development of the national and international organic standards has meant much local, indigenous knowledge is built right into the current certified farm practices. As governments search for best-management practices, they have only to look at organic agriculture.

Martin Entz is a professor in the department of plant science at the University of Manitoba.

The Learning Curve is an occasional column written by local academics who are experts in their fields. It is open to any educator from Winnipeg's post-secondary institutions. Send 600-word submissions and a mini-bio to julie.carl@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 21, 2012 A16

Costly jeeps, sophisticated weapons and dog fights

2012-02-29T21:55:00.000+08:00

No one had the permission to film the event, even on a mobile phone camera. However, there are always some exceptions. — Dawn.

Sunday was not a routine day for the residents of Chak 310-JB, Thatha, a remote village in the district, as it was playing host to an ‘All Pakistan dog fight tournament’ participated by connoisseurs of the banned sport from all over the country.

The participants, hailing from areas as far as Azad Kashmir, alighting from their Land Cruisers and Prados, along with their costly canine fighters and guards laced with sophisticated weapons, was a scene many of the village residents might have watched in movies only.

The village has never been a host to such contest which, according to sources, is held every year at a new place to avoid legal action as the sport is banned under the law.

The organisers seemed to be conscious about the legal issues involved, so no one among hundreds of spectators, who were feeling obliged as they were allowed a free entry to the tented arena, had the permission to film the event, even on a mobile phone camera. However, there are always some exceptions.

The ‘camera ban’ did not mean that these canine contests were going totally undocumented. The owners of the contestants had their own camera crews to capture the fights.

Huge expenditures, the risks involved and no ticket; one naturally becomes curious about the motive behind organising such an event. Is it for the love of sport? No, it is betting, that according to sources, totals up to millions of rupees. The pride the owners of the winning fighters take in their victories seems to be a ‘fringe benefit’.

When some media people reached the village to cover the event, the organisers barred them from doing so, some of them even threatened with dire consequences.

Reporter of a private TV channel told this correspondent that when he reached the venue and started covering it, some men approached him and barred him from doing so by capping the lens of his camera and deputing a man to keep a watch on his movement throughout the event.

The contest was held rather ‘openly’ despite clear directions from Faisalabad Regional Police Officer (RPO) Aftab Cheema that the station house officer concerned would be held responsible if any dogfight was held in his jurisdiction. Gojra Sadar police failed to execute the orders.

The Dawn

Beyond chickens and bees: Urban farmers try goats

2012-02-29T19:50:00.000+08:00

Jennie Grant scratches the neck of Eloise in the
backyard of her home in Seattle.

Snowflake the goat has cornered me, nuzzling my hand as she nibbles on my jacket's zipper.

"They're very affectionate," says urban goat pioneer Jennie Grant, who owns the 99-pound, white miniature LaMancha.

Distracted by Snowflake, I hardly notice a smaller black goat closing in on me until she takes a bite out of my notebook. Behind the roughhewn milking platform, the view stretches out past pavement, streetlights and cars. This is the city, and these are city goats.

Urban goat farming is part of a nationwide movement to eat food produced locally — sometimes as locally as our backyards. Successful efforts to legalize chickens in cities such as Chicago and New York paved the way, with ducks and bees gaining ground in many places too.

But goats? It's been two hooves forward, one hoof back as the idea has spread to more cities. For every pro-goat Portland, Ore., or Oakland, Calif., there's been a Kansas City, Mo., or Minneapolis shutting the barn door on backyard ruminants.

Grant, a mother, student and writer in Seattle, didn't set out to be an urban goat farmer.

"I always thought it would be fun to have a mini cow when I was growing up," Grant says. "Then I visited my cousin and his girlfriend in California, and my son and I got to milk her goat. I didn't want to taste it but when I did, I loved it. And I thought, 'here's my mini cow.'"

Besides gathering up to a gallon a day of fresh milk per goat, Grant uses their manure to fertilize her vegetable garden.

Keeping goats in the backyard does, however, mean a fair amount of work and expense, warns Laura Covert of Charlottesville, Va., who has two dairy goats.

While she loves their social nature and says "goats are like dogs, but even better," Covert reminds prospective owners that goats need routine veterinary care, including booster shots, worming and hoof maintenance. Their hay can be costly in the winter, and isn't something you can just grab at the supermarket. And they need daily milking; vacations for the responsible goat owner are rare.

Covert also makes the case for good fencing: She made the mistake of building her fence with the crossbars on the inside. The goats used it like a ladder and jumped right out.

"You can't leave hardware around or they'll eat it," she said. "They're like toddlers — they like to try everything."

No stranger to urban farming, Grant already had chickens, bees and a large vegetable garden before she added goats to her lineup. After doing some research, she cleared a 20-by-20-foot patch of her yard, fenced it in, and added a shed, feeding stations and the goat equivalent of a jungle gym. Then she drove to a farm in a suburb of Seattle and loaded the back of her station wagon with her two new charges.

"I had to get two," she explains, "because they're highly social animals."

Most of her neighbors were delighted, she says, or at least amused, by the new kids on the block.

But not everyone. The Seattle Department of Planning and Development paid Grant a visit and ordered her to get rid of her goats. A neighbor four blocks away had complained.

Grant and some friends created the Goat Justice League and appealed to the Seattle City Council to help her keep her goats. After a year of gathering signatures, poring over old city livestock laws, researching what's involved in goat ownership, and even hustling a baby Nigerian goat into the courthouse, she won her fight. The right to own three small animals per household, including dogs, cats, rabbits and now miniature goats, was adopted by Seattle in 2007.

The League was flooded with requests for help from around the country.

Meghan Keith-Hynes, a real estate developer in Charlottesville, Va., was one of those who contacted Grant. Not a goat owner herself, Keith-Hynes took on the project because she "felt it was a natural step forward for the city to take to promote sustainability." In late 2010, Keith-Hynes pushed through legislation based on Seattle's law.

Covert took advantage of Charlottesville's new law, bringing home her two 3-week-old dairy goats this March after attending a workshop for potential goat owners.

"I'm head over heels for them," she says. "Everyone loves them. We're the go-to spot for all the children in the neighborhood." Covert also keeps bees and egg-laying Indian runner ducks, and tends an extensive garden.

"I hardly ever have to buy groceries anymore," she says.

Donna Marykwas is working on a pro-goat campaign in Long Beach, Calif. The director of Long Beach Grows, a group dedicated to promoting urban agriculture, Marykwas says, "My neighbors complained about my two Nigerian dwarf goats and we were fined. Now they're in foster care — backyard hopping until the laws are changed."

Marykwas wants to lift a zoning rule limiting goat ownership to small portions of the city, and to only one animal. She would raise the limit to up to four goats per household anywhere in Long Beach. She also hopes to ease set-back restrictions for goats and chickens, among other issues.

Some people worry that goats are too noisy for a city neighborhood. "I just want to make sure we maintain our quality of life," Long Beach City Councilman Patrick O'Donnell said at a recent meeting.

Marykwas has gathered 1,500 pro-goat petition signatures, and has the endorsements of the local chapters of the Sierra Club and Green Party.

"It's not going to be a nuisance and we're not looking to turn the city into a farm," she says. "Owning goats is a lot of responsibility and it's expensive. But if people want to get back to the basics and know where their food comes from, this is a great option."

DEA officer and Rancher (Fun)

2012-02-29T19:29:00.000+08:00

A DEA officer stopped at a ranch in Texas , and talked with an old rancher.

He told the rancher, "I need to inspect your ranch for illegally grown drugs."

The rancher said, "Okay, but don't go in that field over there.", as he pointed out the location.

The DEA officer verbally exploded saying, "Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me!"

Reaching into his rear pants pocket, he removed his badge and proudly displayed it to the rancher.

"See this badge?! This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish... On any land!!

No questions asked or answers given!! Have I made myself clear... do you understand?!!"

The rancher nodded politely, apologized, and went about his chores.

A short time later, the old rancher heard loud screams, looked up, and saw the DEA officer running for his life, being chased by the rancher's big Santa Gertrudis bull.

With every step the bull was gaining ground on the officer, and it seemed likely that he'd sure enough get gored before he reached safety. The officer was clearly terrified.

The rancher threw down his tools, ran to the fence and yelled at the top of his lungs...

"Your badge, show him your BADGE!!"

Catfish farming business in Nigeria

2012-02-29T11:07:00.000+08:00

Fish farming in Nigeria is currently a very lucrative business and it is mainly boosted by the continu-ous rise in the demand for catfish.

This trend, therefore, makes catfish culture the most popular form of fish farming in Nigeria and it is therefore where the discourse of this article is going to be centred.

Whether you are just starting out in aquaculture with the hope of making just an extra income or going into full scale commercial production, Here you will discover the prospects and the challenges facing the catfish industry in Nigeria.

Overview of fish farming in Nigeria

Let me start by giving you a quick overview of the state of fish farming in Nigeria.

The most common species found in Nigeria are; Clarias gariepinus, Heterobranchus bidorsalis,

Clarias X Heterobranchus hybrid (Heteroclarias) and Clarias nigro-digitatus.

Heterobranchus sp are very common in the south eastern part of Nigeria with clarias spp dominating in the west.

Despite the popularity of catfish farming in Nigeria, the fish farming industry can best be described as being at the infant stage when compared to the large market potential for its production and marketing.

This is mainly due to unavailability of fingerlings owing to lack of adequate infrastructure for hatcheries and fingerling production.

Breeding

If you intend to go into catfish farming in Nigeria, the first thing you have to get hold of is the fingerlings.

The fingerling can be obtained mainly through artificial propagation in the hatcheries through hormonal induction.

If you intend to produce your own fertilized eggs, you can make use of the homoplastic pituitary gland suspen-sion.

In Nigeria, it is usually more affordable than the imported hormonal analogues. Fish Farmers also say that they are more reliable. And I seriously don’t doubt them.

But despite the beauty of induced spawning, there are challenges which you must face: both biotic and abiotic challenges.

These problems all have their root in the extra care needed to be given to the fry during the first week of life. In this regard, you have to battle with provision of zooplankton which serves as feeds for the larvae, fry and fingerlings thus playing a major role on their growth and survival.

There is also the problem of cannibalism, heavy predation by frogs/aquatic insects and the abiotic challenges such as water temperature, dissolved oxygen (>4.5mg/L-1), levels of ammonia. The brood stock to use for the purpose of breeding should be between 0.3kg and 2kg.

Culture System

Next thing on the line is the culture system you will use.

First and foremost, you have to be aware that these African catfishes (especially Clarias gariepinus) are cannibals as such. So you should take great care in sorting them according to size.

If you intend to culture the fingerling outdoor, you should take into consi-deration the prevalence of predatory insects in Nigeria. Therefore, ensure you cover the tanks with mosquito nets so as to keep the predatory insects away.

For the adult, poly culture of clarias gariepinus with tilapia spp is very common in Nigeria and has been known over the years to be productive. This is carried out, using mainly concrete tanks which allow supple-mentary feeding, thus ensuring higher fish yield.

Some few farmers also use indoor water re-circulatory system (WRS). But it is costlier, so most simply use the concrete tanks.

Feed and feeding methods

To achieve maximal yield and growth of catfish in Nigeria, you have to ensure that the feed you are offering contains the essential amino acids such as arginine, methionine and lysine found in crude protein sources.

The richest source of crude protein for this purpose is fishmeal. But due to its high cost, it is advisable not to go for it (i.e. if you are just starting out). Instead, you can use other conventional and sometimes unconventional animal by-products as well as plant residue (such as groundnut cake, soyabean cake etc.) that meet the nutrient requirements of catfish.

This is in order to minimize cost of production as much as possible.

Through development of fish farming over the years in Nigeria, feeding of catfish is predominantly done using pelleted floating feeds. This ensures adequate feeding of the fish thus increased growth rate.

However when feeding, it is advisable to do it on a particular part of the pond instead of just scattering the feed across the water surface. This helps to minimize wastage of feed.

Conclusion

Finally, fish farming in Nigeria is an untapped goldmine based on the fact that there is an ever increasing need for it as the best alternative to meet the protein need of the people.

However, development of aquacul-ture is completely hindered by inherent problems of developing nations such as lack of adequate infrastructural facilities for the production of commercial quantity fingerlings and fry. This major problem not withstanding, there is still a big market for fish farming and investment in aquaculture in Nigeria.

(Courtesy fish farming business.com)
Feedback: It will be good to hear from you if you have invested in the fish farming industry in Nigeria. We want to know what your own personal experiences are and you can also order for a VCD on catfish fingerlings production at a reasonable fee. This will help you with detailed information on how to produce and manage your own fingerlings and sell excess to other farmers.

Citrus is Friend of Women's Heart

2012-02-28T21:43:00.000+08:00

American Heart Association reports eating Citrus Fruit may lower Women’s Stroke Risk

Dallas, TX – A compound in citrus fruits may reduce your stroke risk, according to research reported in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

This prospective study is one of the first in which researchers examine how consuming flavonoid subclasses affects the risk of stroke. Flavonoids are a class of compounds present in fruits, vegetables, dark chocolate and red wine.

“Studies have shown higher fruit, vegetable and specifically vitamin C intake is associated with reduced stroke risk,” said Aedín Cassidy, Ph.D., the study’s lead author and professor of nutrition at Norwich Medical School in the University of East Anglia in Norwich, United Kingdom. “Flavonoids are thought to provide some of that protection through several mechanisms, including improved blood vessel function and an anti-inflammatory effect.”

Cassidy and colleagues used 14-years of follow-up data from the Nurse’s Health Study, which included 69,622 women who reported their food intake, including details on fruit and vegetable consumption every four years. Researchers examined the relationship of the six main subclasses of flavonoids commonly consumed in the U.S. diet — flavanones, anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols, flavonoid polymers, flavonols and flavones — with risk of ischemic, hemorrhagic and total stroke.

As expected, the researchers didn’t find a beneficial association between total flavonoid consumption and stroke risk, as the biological activity of the sub-classes differ. However, they found that women who ate high amounts of flavanones in citrus had a 19 percent lower risk of blood clot-related (ischemic) stroke than women who consumed the least amounts.

In the study, flavanones came primarily from oranges and orange juice (82 percent) and grapefruit and grapefruit juice (14 percent). However, researchers recommended that consumers increase their citrus fruit intake, rather than juice, due to the high sugar content of commercial fruit juices.

A previous study found that citrus fruit and juice intake, but not intake of other fruits, protected against risk of ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage. Another study found no association between yellow and orange fruits and stroke risk, but did link increased consumption of white fruits like apples and pears with lower stroke risk. An additional study found that Swedish women who ate the highest levels of antioxidants – about 50 percent from fruits and vegetables – had fewer strokes than those with lower antioxidant levels.

More studies are needed to confirm the association between flavanone consumption and stroke risk, and to gain a better understanding about why the association occurs, the authors said.

The National Institutes of Health funded the research.

Co-authors are: Eric B. Rimm, Sc.D.; Éilis J. O’Reilly, Sc.D.; Giancarlo Logroscino, M.D., Ph.D.; Colin Kay, Ph.D.; Stephanie E. Chiuve, Sc.D.; and Kathryn M. Rexrode, M.D., M.P.H. Author disclosures are on the manuscript.

Jatropha plantation can now be undertaken on community wastelands

2012-02-28T15:37:00.000+08:00

When it comes to proper utilization of the wastelands, the land of Basehara, and Mahulikala gram panchayats of the district have yielded rich dividend as fruiting of Jatropha (biodiesel) plantation can be witnessed. In fact, Jatropa plantation has currently been undertaken on community lands of Basehara, Siryari, Mahuli, Gadiya, Murlipur, Bhaundar Khurd, Masoli and Goraiya gram panchayats under the Jeevan Jyoti project.

The plantation is being carried out by gram panchayats and Bharat Renewal Energy Limited (BREL ) is here acting as facilitator for technological support for plantation. The plantation is carried out under the scheme of Jeevan Joyti Pariyojna under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarante Act (MNREGA), utilising the wastelands in rural areas under ownership of local panchayats.

Around 330 acres of wastelands under gram sabhas have been currently used for plantation of jatropha or Pongamia Pinnata under MNREGA in 33 districts of the state. The BREL is facilitating the entire process working in coordination with district administration and village panchayats.

District magistrate, Alok Kumar maintained that the Jeevan Jyoti Project has been taken up for implementation in the district in right earnest. This project involves jatropha plantation on gram sabha wastelands, utilising funds and labour under MNREGA. In the same regard, nurseries were set up by the forest and horticulture departments to grow jatropha saplings. The project is beneficial to the villagers as it provides them employment in their own village, uses their wastelands productively and the jatropha produce gives additional earning to the village through marketing of jatropha seeds for biodiesel production.

The project envisages biodiesel crop production on gram sabha wastelands with jatropha and Pongamia Pinnata (locally known as karanj). Karanj, another biofuel crop, would be planted only in waterlogged areas as jatropha can not be cultivated on such lands. Of the two, jatropha is the preferred crop as it is a shrub with lesser gestation period, gives synchronous flowering (flowering at the same time) and hence the seeds are easier to harvest and market. Karanj, on the other hand, is a TBOS (Tree Born Oil Species) with asynchronous flowering which are difficult to harvest, informed the officials.

The price of seeds of these bio-fuel crops have been decided on the basis of the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Officials added that Jatropha offers numerous other uses apart from the seed yield that begins from the third year of plantation. Being bitter in taste, animals do not graze on it leading to better survival. Thus it can be used as a biofence, even against the dreaded menace of Neelgais (blue bulls). Then the branches of jatropha plant can be pruned and used as firewood!

Jatropha should be planted during the monsoon season between 15 July and 15 October. BREL would be taking technical help, like selection of saplings and manner of plantation, from Bio Energy Mission (BEM) department of the UP government. The project is also underway in Pardva, Chandra Mara gram panchayats of the Chitrakoot district. In Chitrakoot, 148 acres of land has been identified for the purpose and work is being carried out by BREL functionaries jointly.

Times of India

Growing Celery

2012-02-28T14:14:00.000+08:00

Celery adds a delicious savoury hint to recipes and by planting ready-grown seedlings in the spring you will be picking fresh, crunchy stems from summer into autumn. Here’s our guide to growing the best.

About Celery

Celery has long been considered a difficult crop to grow, largely because traditional varieties need a lot of work and attention - they have to be planted in deep trenches and require layers of soil added regularly to blanch the green stems. Fortunately modern plant breeding has led to many easier, self-blanching varieties that don't need earthing up to produce tender white stems. Although plants can be grown from seed sown in early spring, it's far easier to buy ready-grown seedlings, which can be planted out in May or June.

Where to Grow

Celery prefers moisture-retentive, well-drained soil in a sunny spot. It's an ideal crop for an allotment, but a short row can be squeezed into a garden, raised bed or you could even try dotting the odd plant into a border. If you have a tiny garden it's possible to grow celery in very deep, long tom style pots.

What to do

Soil preparation

Dig the soil in the spring before planting, removing big stones, weeds and incorporating plenty of garden compost or well-rotted manure.
A week or so before planting, rake a general purpose granular fertilizer (90g per square metre) into the surface layer of the bed.

How to sow seeds

If you have time, plants can be started off by sowing seeds during March and April. To do this, fill a small pot or seed tray - what you use depends on how many plants you want - with fine seed compost, level and tap to settle.
Celery seed is tiny, so take a pinch and lightly sow across the surface of the soil. Watering from the is likely to disturb the seed, so fill a bowl with water and put in the pot. It can be removed once the water has been drawn to the surface.
Finish by covering with a thin layer of vermiculite and putting in a heated propagator on a windowsill or in a greenhouse. Water daily to ensure the compost doesn't dry out.
Take the seedlings out of the propagator when they've germinated. They're ready to be given pots of their own when the first proper leaves have formed.
Use 7.5cm pots filled with multi-purpose compost and keep well-watered. Plants will be ready to go outside about five weeks later, when they're 8cm tall.
Toughen them up first by placing in a cold frame or sheltered, but shaded place outdoors. Plant as for ready-grown plants.

Planting out

For perfect plants with lots of well-branched sticks, plant celery seedlings (there are lots of suppliers) about 27cm apart ensuring the crown of the plant is at ground level.
Plants will grow better if they're arranged in a grid pattern, rather than planted in long rows.

Aftercare

Keep celery well-watered and the area around them free from weeds.
Plants can be given a boost by feeding with a balanced liquid fertiliser about a month after planting.

Harvesting

Celery will be ready for picking from August until the first frosts. To harvest, simply lift plants as required using a hand fork, taking care not to damage neighboring plants.

Five self-blanching types to try

'Galaxy' - crunchy and tender
'Tango ' - long green stems
'Golden self-blanching ' - yellow foliage and cream stalks
'Loretta' - thick, sweet stems
'Green Utah' - crisp, smooth stems

4 tips for starting vegetable seeds indoors

2012-02-28T10:20:00.004+08:00

(News Leader) Spring is just a few weeks away now and local gardeners are eager to get out in the garden and get their hands dirty. Even though it has been a mild winter so far, be aware there are potentially still eight to 10 weeks of frost ahead. Based on records collected over a 30-year period and provided by Virginia Cooperative Extension, the "frost-free" date for Augusta County is May 12. The term "frost-free" is defined as that date when there is only a 10 percent chance of a killing frost.

You can, however, go ahead and start a few vegetable plants indoors over the next few weekends. Spinach, bulb onions, kale and parsnips can be started anytime between March 7 and March 30. You might have to use row cover when it comes time to transplant outdoors, based on weather conditions.

Here are my four tips for starting seeds indoors:

» Follow the directions on the seed packet. This applies especially to us guys, who hate to follow written instructions. Joking aside, it's prudent to follow instructions provided. If the instructions say to start seeds one inch deep in moist growing medium, then do make it happen.

» Make sure seed containers get adequate light. Germination rates increase when seed flats get at least 10 hours of sunlight per day. If using overhead fluorescent lights, ensure the lights are positioned no more than six inches above the top of the plastic dome of the seed container.

» Monitor the potting mix moisture. Research indicates it is much safer to water from the bottom of the container rather than the top. Most seeds are delicate and don't react well to harsh overhead watering. If you are determined to moisten the top of the soil, do so gently with a spray mister. An old rule of thumb is to place your fingertip in the growing medium. If it feels dry, it's time to water.

» Ensure adequate air movement. Constant air movement is critical for young plants, preventing damping-off and fungal diseases.

Help vegetable plants grow robust, stocky stems by using a small fan on low speed placed in the indoor growing area. The fan should run constantly, but should not be aimed directly at the plants.

Write Jeff Ishee at jeff@onthefarmradio.com.

CHOOSING SOFTWARE FOR CATTLE RECORD KEEPING

2012-02-27T19:43:00.000+08:00

Computer and high-speed Internet use both continue to rise on Mississippi agricultural operations. According to the Mississippi Agricultural Statistics Service, as of 2011, nearly 6 out of 10 Mississippi farms had computer access and over half had Internet access.

Although less than a third of Mississippi agricultural operations were using computers in their farm businesses, this statistic had increased by more than 22 percent over the same statistic just 2 years earlier.

As more cattle and other agricultural producers recognize the value of computer and Internet usage for their businesses, questions follow about what software would be beneficial for their operations.

Keeping records on herd inventories, progeny histories, breeding, calving, health, performance data, input use records, expense records, sales records, and business contacts can be very valuable for producers who then use those records in making management and marketing decisions. For records to be meaningful, they must be accurate and in a usable form. Hand-written records are common on cattle operations. Electronic and handwritten records can serve as a backup to each other in case records are lost or otherwise compromised. Record keeping software facilitates electronic data recording, organization, searches, and reporting.

Record keeping software can be as simple as a custom spreadsheet. It could also incorporate commercial cattle record software. To determine the appropriate electronic record keeping tool to use, first determine the purposes of record keeping for the operation. Will the data be used for genetic improvement efforts? Will financial data need to be kept in addition to production data? Will the data be used for tax reporting purposes? How does the operation type, size, and management level influence the record keeping and reporting needs? Is there a need to manage records for multiple livestock species or to also manage crop data? Record needs may vary according to seedstock vs. commercial herds, cow-calf vs. stocker operations, small vs. large herds, and diversified vs. single-enterprise agricultural operations.

The desired report features and details are another important consideration. Who will be the end user of the data? Will entities outside the farm such as breed associations receive some of the data? What will the data be used to accomplish? Custom reporting features provide flexibility in data organization and reporting. Find out if the software product chosen integrates or interfaces with specific accounting software, breed association databases, electronic identification systems, and livestock scales. Some of these interfaces required software add-on purchases or purchases of specific software products. In addition, not every breed association and every livestock scales model is supported by software products with these types of interfaces. Check with the software companies and breed association, for example, to determine data interface compatibility. Also, determine how the software product integrates with common word processing and spreadsheet software in terms of importing and exporting data. Ease of mass data entry is crucial for many operations.

Consider the record keeping and computer skills of any persons who will be responsible for entering or using the records. Make sure that the software chosen fits both user capabilities and needs. On-screen or printed input forms, as well as on-screen or printed summary reports, are generally available with cattle record keeping software. User manuals, online discussion forums, frequently asked question answers, newsletter, training videos, training workshops, and direct technical support can be helpful. Sometimes these services are free or included with a software package purchase, whereas some services are fee-based. Learn not only the type and cost of software support options but also any potential restrictions such as time restrictions on services.

Know the limitations of electronic technology for managing cattle operation records. Hardware and software compatibility, power outages, Internet connection disruptions, and data losses are all potential challenges. It is essential that cattle record keeping software is compatible with computer hardware and peripheral devices such as printers and monitors. Check hard drive space, random access memory, processor type and speed, and operating system for compatibility with a given software product. Do not assume compatibility just because the computer is relatively new. Some newer computers require additional downloads for proper functionality of cattle record keeping software. An Internet connection may be required to receive critical downloads, or users may have to request discs with these files. Some software products for portable devices are available that facilitate data entry while working cattle or in the field. Data can then be transferred to and from a desktop version of the same application.

Cost is a frequently cited consideration in software purchasing decisions. Commercially available beef cattle record-keeping software programs generally range from $75 to $695 each. Some companies provide several different software products within a brand with a tiered-pricing structure based on product features. Some advanced software features may only be available with higher tiers of a product line. However, users may be able to easily upgrade a software package within a product line for a fee.

Try it before you buy it. Free program trials are often available for cattle record keeping software. Sample data may also be included. These free trials are typically available for download and may offer full functionality of the program for a limited time frame, often 1 to 2 months. Then after the free trial expires, users have the option to purchase the program to continue use of the software. This is a good way to learn about the individual features of individual software programs and to directly compare multiple potential programs for the operation. In addition, it may be helpful to visit with others who have experience using specific software packages. They can provide critiques and use tips and sometimes even pass along referral coupons for software purchases.

The recent Beef Cattle Genetics Learn at Lunch series addressed cattle record keeping software at one of its sessions. All of these sessions are archived online at msucares.com/livestock/beef/beefsc.html for anyone who would like to watch these presentations on their own schedule. For more information about beef cattle production, contact an office of the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Source: Jane Parish – Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, Mississippi State University

What Are the Basics of Sheep Farming?

2012-02-27T17:36:00.000+08:00

(Wise Geek) One of the most basic decisions involved in sheep farming is choosing what purpose will be served by tending the sheep. Many farmers raise sheep to slaughter for their meat or shear for their wool, while others breed or raise sheep to sell them. Another form of sheep farming involves raising dairy sheep for milking. Caring for show sheep and breeding purebreds also are common practices. Additionally, some enthusiasts raise pet sheep as a hobby.

There are many sheep breeds, and identifying which types of sheep to buy is an important part of sheep farming. Certain types of sheep are suitable for meat production, whereas others are prized more for the quality of their wool. Other varieties of sheep, such as certain classes of purebred, are appropriate choices for breeding. Geographical location may play a role in determining what kind of sheep to select, because some breeds are more common in particular parts of the world.

Proper nourishment and a fresh water supply are fundamental concerns in any type of animal farming. Sheep graze naturally and are commonly given access to a portion of grassy land, often referred to as a pasture. The amount of land needed to adequately support nutritional requirements depends on the number of sheep, because a large herd requires more pasture land than a small flock. Commercial sheep farming typically involves the use of an abundant tract of land for the sheep to roam and graze. Small-scale sheep farms utilize a more modest area of land, sometimes used in conjunction with grain or hay for supplemental feeding.

Shelter is another basic consideration for those who raise domestic animals. If sheep farming takes place in a cold climate, the animals may require a structure to protect them, whereas shelter may not be a necessity in areas where the temperature is moderate all year. Sheep may need shelter from the environment before shearing to ensure its wool is dry for the process and after shearing to protect it from the elements.

For any type of sheep farming, maintaining a healthy flock is of the utmost importance. Sheep of any age and breed are susceptible to a wide range of illnesses and health problems. Farmers or veterinarians often give sheep vaccinations when they are young to help stave off diseases. When compared to mature sheep, lambs are more prone to certain illnesses and often require special attention to maintain their health. Consultation with a veterinarian can help sheep farmers prevent and cure sheep diseases.

Sheep farming also involves flock safety, because both mature sheep and young lambs are at risk from predators. Utilizing a guard dog or human overseer, also called a shepherd, may protect sheep from natural dangers and maintain safety. Farmers may also choose to use a shelter to protect the sheep from predators during the night.

Farming for a higher purpose in Pakistan

2012-02-27T16:40:00.000+08:00

The fertile alluvium deposited by the mighty Indus river and its tributaries in Pakistan have given the country’s demographic heartland of Punjab an agrarian edge. Yet, errant canal planning and over-pumping from tube-wells have degraded vast tracts of land. Salinity and water-logging afflicts around 6.3 million hectares of land and an additional 4,000 hectare of land gets affected every year (estimates from University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, November 2011). Climate change and conflicts over hydroelectric impoundment infrastructure have also made the arable lands of the country further vulnerable to flooding, as we saw in the epic floods of 2010 when an estimated 20 million people were displaced.

Amidst all these challenges to the farming economy of the country, there are glimmers of hope that Pakistan’s elite are trying to reconnect with the land in sincere and innovative ways. During my last trip to Lahore – the capital of Punjab province and Pakistan’s second-largest city (after Karachi), I was heartened to see urbanites retreating to farms in the surrounding countryside. Previously such farms were merely ornamental playgrounds of wealthy families but now there is a growing interest in these ranks to reconnect with the earth for societal good.

Zacky Farms, just outside Lahore, is the brainchild of Zafar Khan, a Caltech-educated software engineer who runs one of the most successful information technology companies in Pakistan named Sofizar. What started off as a recreational venture is now a side-business supplying sustainably produced organic milk, vegetables and meat to nearby Lahore suburbs. The farm is modeled on a cyclical model of minimal wastes and multiple product usage. The cows are fed pesticide-free oats, clover and grass and their manure is used to fuela biogas plant which runs the dairy facility. In an era of electricity load-shedding, such an alternative source of energy at a local industrial scale is immensely valuable to replicate as a development path. The residue of the biogas is used to fertigate the fodder fields and vegetable tunnels, which along with green manuring obviates the use of fertilizers. Free-range chickens grace the fields and there is even a fish farm on site. Zafar and his Ukrainian-born wife are committed to sharing their experiences with other farming entrepreneurs in the country.

Further south in a more rural and remote part of Punjab, famed writer and erstwhile lawyer, Daniyal Mueenudin, maintains a mid-size farm which is exemplifying other kinds of innovations. The farm does not boast ecological farming practices, apart from tunnel farming that can help with land conservation and humidity control. However, Daniyal has changed the social landscape of his area through implementing a “living wage” for all his employees. Noting the high level of inequality in Pakistan’s hinterland, the Yale-educated former director of the university’s Lowenstein Human Rights Clinic, is practicing what he preached. He also owns a farm in Wisconsin and could have a comfortable life in the States but his social obligations keep him ensconced in Pakistan for most of the year.

Raising the wage several-fold for works and farm manager, and also offering bonus incentives for performance, has led to positive competition that can help to erode the feudal levels of income disparity which exist in this part of Pakistan. At the same time, Daniyal is also committed to providing new livelihood paths for the agrarian workers as automation reduces farm employment in some areas. He has has fully funded a school and provided a merit-based scholarship for advanced degrees to students from the nearby village. One of the children from this school (the first in her family to even go to school) is now making his way through medical school in Lahore!

Zafar and Daniyal’s stories of commitment to constructive farming for social and ecological good may appear to be outliers but they are catching on and provide hope to a country which is all too often shadowed by despair. In the suburbs of Islamabad, tax incentives and planning rules to encourage farming by urbanites are leading to a growing culture of reconnecting with the land in residential farms. In rural areas, the disaster caused by the floods of 2010 brought forth numerous aid agencies with new ideas for sustainable farming. The Pakistani diaspora, often known in the West for professions ranging from taxi-driving to engineering, may well find opportunities for reconnecting to their land in far more literal ways. With growing commitment from land-owners it just might be possible to use the existential shock of recent natural disasters that have befallen the country into a proverbial opportunity for positive change.

National Geographic

'Chinese Pompeii' 300m-year-old forest preserved in ash

2012-02-26T10:26:00.002+08:00

Researchers have unearthed a forest in northern China preserved under a layer of ash deposited 300 million years ago.

Preservation of the forest, just west of the Inner Mongolian district of Wuda, has been likened to that of the Italian city of Pompeii.

The researchers were able to "reconstruct" nearly 1,000 sq m of the forest's trees and plant distributions.

This rare insight into how the region once looked is described in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The excavations sampled three sites across a large expanse that was covered with about a metre of ash.

Due to the pristine preservation of some of the plants, the team estimate the ash fell over the course of just a few days, felling and damaging some of the trees and plants under its weight but otherwise keeping them intact.

"It's marvelously preserved," said study co-author Hermann Pfefferkorn of the University of Pennsylvania in the US.

"We can stand there and find a branch with the leaves attached, and then we find the next branch and the next branch and the next branch. And then we find the stump from the same tree. That's really exciting."

The team identified six groups of trees, ranging from low-lying tree ferns to now-extinct 25m trees Sigillaria and Cordaites, as well well-preserved specimens of another extinct group called Noeggerathiales.

Based on the findings, the team worked with a painter to depict what the forest would have looked like before the ash cloud descended.

Prof Pfefferkorn said that, as a particularly complete and well-caught moment in time, the forest would serve as a "baseline" for assessing future finds.

"It's like Pompeii," he said. "Pompeii gives us deep insight into Roman culture, but it doesn't say anything about Roman history in and of itself.

"But on the other hand, it elucidates the time before and the time after. This finding is similar. It's a time capsule and therefore it allows us now to interpret what happened before or after much better."

Osmanabadi Goats

2012-02-26T00:01:00.003+08:00

History
Historically this breed is known to have existed on our Deccan Plateau since decades. It is believed that there is not only extensive literature available in our Veterinary Universities of Southern India but also on Internet. The name Osmanabadi goat is derived from their distribution area Osmanabad in Maharashtra, which is located at a distance of 271 Km from Hyderabad. These Goats are reared mainly in 3 southern states of India and are one of the largest contributors to meat production in southern India as their meat is very tasty when compared with local breeds.

Performance
Osmanabadi breed shows a very efficient reproductive performance and resistance against diseases not only in well managed semi stall feeding system but also in severe drought conditions. The age at the first kidding is around 15 months with the lactation length of around 130 days. The dressing percentage varies from 50- 55 %. In favorable conditions the does will breed twice a year, twinning is common and the milk yield ranged form 700 gm to 1500 gm. In the end the leather of osmanabadi goat is fairly of good quality and its meat is preferred by majority of the rural and urban population in southern India.

Distribution
The breed is spread over the greater part of the central peninsular region, comprising the semi-arid areas of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. It covers the Major part of Southern Maharashtra (especially Osmanabad, Beed, Sholapur, Latur, Parbani and Ahmed Nagar Districts) Western Andra Pradesh and North Eastern Karnataka.

Characteristics
Osmanabadi Goats are mostly medium size animals usually black in color, but in some areas of Maharashtra and Western Andra Pradesh brown or spotted ones can also be seen. Mostly the males (89.5%) are horned and the females may be horned or polled. The ears are medium long with a length of around 18.0 cm and the tail is thin, with a length of around 16.6 cm.
Adult Males Adult Females
Body weight (Kg) 40.6 30.6
Body length (Cm) 69.12 67.51
Height at withers (Cm) 77.87 74.79
Chest girth (Cm) 72.06 72.04

Mortality
Mortality among kids younger than 3 months and from the age 3 to 6 months is around 8.4 % and 4.8%. The mortality is 6% for the kids aged 6 to 12 months and 3.7% for among adults. If the vaccinations against enterotoxaemia, haemorrhagic septicaemia and PPR, Deworming and spraying against Ecto Parasites are carried out regularly heavy economic losses to the farmers can be avoided.

Breeding Seasons
The major breeding season of Osmanabadi does is from May to July, followed by August to October and a small number of does also breed from October to March.

Diseases of Plant Leaves (Picture)

2012-02-25T17:47:00.002+08:00

This picture describes the graphical detail of plant leave disease.

White Flies
Aphids
Spots
Grey Mould
Powdery Mildew
Leaf Fall
Leaf Bronzing
Rust
Mealy Bug
Yellowing of Leaves

Fears for farming's future as students ignore agriculture

2012-02-25T12:52:00.000+08:00

(The Land) FOR the first time in more than a century, there will be no students starting first-year agriculture at the University of Western Sydney's Hawkesbury campus this year.

With only six students applying, the university ''had concerns about the quality of experience we would be able to offer these students'', a spokesperson said.

The university's applications for agriculture have fallen to about a tenth the level of two decades ago, when a typical year's cohort at the one-time Hawkesbury Agricultural College was 70 or 80 students.

The decline in agriculture enrolments is a long-term national trend, which Australia's Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb, said posed a risk to Australia's food producing future and international standing, as well as a challenge to government, industry and the higher education sector.

With the world population expected to grow by 2 billion in the next 40 years, Professor Chubb said the world could not be a humane and safe place if those people were hungry. Australia would need to carefully harness its agricultural talents and skills to retain its position as a responsible global citizen with an influence in world affairs.

''We are going to have to manage activity in agricultural science and support both for internal purposes and for external aid purposes at a very high level, and grow it,'' he said.

Australia produces enough food to contribute to the diets of at least 60 million people and as many as 400 million people if investments in agricultural science, technology and training are taken into account, says the report of a government-appointed panel chaired by Professor Chubb on enhancing the effectiveness of Australia's agricultural research aid.

While Australia is internationally recognised as a leader in agricultural research and education, the $200 billion-a-year industry fears the graduate shortage will hinder the productivity gains it needs to stay profitable, be competitive and meet growing demand.

Professor Chubb said young people could not be forced to study issues of national importance, so incentives were needed. ''Doing stuff in the old way is not working,'' he said.

The number of agriculture graduates now being produced, about 700 a year, is only about one-sixth of what the industry wants, based on an analysis of advertised jobs by the Australian Council of Deans of Agriculture. Meanwhile, the number of Australian university campuses offering agriculture degrees has dropped from 23 in 1989 to nine.

''We have done a lot of soul searching about this,'' the council's secretary, Professor Jim Pratley, of Charles Sturt University, said. ''The general view is that people still think of agriculture in its old image, people sitting on tractors ploughing up the land, creating dust storms.''

But he said that contemporary agriculture was a ''sophisticated and complex'' multi-disciplinary field ranging from microbiology and biochemistry to marketing and nanotechnology which reflected the revolution in sustainable agricultural practice of the past 25 years.

The decline is ''extraordinarily serious'', said Emeritus Professor Richard Bawden, a consultant engaged to look into it by the University of Western Sydney and author of a report on the future of agricultural education for the World Bank.

''Old-fashioned agriculture degrees'' were becoming ''less and less relevant'', Professor Bawden said. ''What we need to do is sit down and recast the whole idea of what does it mean to be an agriculturalist.'

Tomatoes: A natural sunblock for your skin

2012-02-25T03:02:00.002+08:00

Going somewhere warm this winter? Stock up on tomatoes, because they may be nature’s own form of sun block.

Does this mean you can put down the Coppertone, and take a bite of your salad? Not exactly, but for extra protection against the sun’s damaging rays, it can help if you increase your intake of tomatoes.

Research at the University of Michigan recently has shown that lycopene, an antioxidant found in tomatoes, can actually help prevent the skin from being sunburned.

According to the study, people who consumed 40 grams of tomato paste each day, with at least 16 milligrams of lycopene, were better protected against ultraviolet rays than people who hadn’t consumed tomato paste.

That’s right, avoid turning into a tomato by eating red tomatoes!

Think of free radicals, which can be caused by UV rays, as an evil super villain set out to damage the cells in your body. Lycopene acts as a protective shield to defend you from the attack.

Tomatoes not only safeguard your skin cells, but thanks to the pigment luetin, they also help hydrate the skin and increase its elasticity. Talk about a super food.

So go ahead, ask for another side of marinara sauce at dinner, and be safe in the sun!

Tanya Zuckerbrot MS, RD, is a nationally known registered dietitian based in New York and the creator of a proprietary high-fiber nutrition program for weight loss, wellness and for treating various medical conditions. Tanya authored the bestselling weight loss book The F-Factor Diet, and she is the first dietitian with a national line of high-fiber foods, which are sold under the F-Factor name

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