Exposure to pig farms and manure fertilizers associated with MRSA infections.

Exposure to pig farms and manure fertilizers associated with MRSA infections.Researchers have found an association between living in proximity to high-density livestock production and community-acquired infections with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as MRSA. Researchers from Geisinger's Henry Hood Center for Health Research and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found an association between living in proximity to high-density livestock production and community-acquired infections with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Their analysis concluded that approximately 11 percent of community-acquired MRSA and soft tissue infections in the study population could be attributed to crop fields fertilized with swine manure. The study examine the association between high-density livestock operations and manure-applied crop fields and MRSA infections in the community.

AGRIBUSINESS: Human urine is best fertilizer for fish pond.

Human urine is best fertilizer for fish pond. A new research shows that ponds fed with human urine generate food for fish faster by four days, while saving farmers at least 24kg of commercial fertilizer required after every two weeks. The research, which was published in the Ecological Engineering journal, said that the readiness to release the rich nitrogen and other ions in the human urine quickened the propagation process of the plankton. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) states that at least 24kg of commercial nitrogenous fertilizer must be applied per acre every two weeks to facilitate growth of zooplanktons,which are colonies of green microscopic organisms that are major sources of food for fish. A new research by the University of Kalyani, India, says half a liter of human urine is required for every 4,500 litres of water to trigger multiplication of zooplankton in four days. The research compared half a kilo of human urine with cowdung, vermicompost, chicken drippings and cow urine. In the various setups, Moina micrura plankton grew four days earlier in the human urine than the others. also

Poultry, pig manure used to produce energy in Chile.

Researchers at University of Concepción use waste to produce biochar and thermal energy Researchers at the University of Concepción are using the solid waste from poultry and pigs in the region of Bío Bío in central Chile to produce biochar and thermal energy. Professor Cristina Muñoz and Cristina Segura are exploring the technical and economic issues of using strong heat – pyrolysis – to recovering the energy locked up in organic waste from poultry and pig farms to produce biochar and energy. The process appears to be a green option for the treatment of materials that would otherwise have the potential to add to greenhouse gas emissions or groundwater pollution. Segura explained that large quantities of organic waste – slurry, manure, bedding materials, feathers and spilt feed – are produced by the region’s poultry and pig farms. The pyrolytic process results in a carbon material known as biochar and thermal energy in a safe, environmentally friendly and cost-effective way, say the researchers. Due to be completed in October this year, the project is funded by the Regional Government of Bío Bío. Muñoz explained that the first aim of the project has been achieved, namely to obtain a homogeneous and marketable material. Now, the biochar is being evaluated by the University as a soil improver for a wide range of horticultural applications. contributed by wattagnet.

AGRIBUSINESS: HOW TO TURN WATER HYACINTH TO A GOLDMINE.

AGRIBUSINESS: HOW TO TURN WATER HYACINTH TO A GOLDMINE. Water hyacinth our frenemy!!! Water hyacinth a rapidly growing aquatic plant that clogs the water ways,thus making navigation difficult and also reducing the permeability of the water surface,thus killing aquatic life,but this same plant offers tremendous potential for economic growth if properly harnessed. This aquatic plant has found favorable uses in animal feed production, where its harvested and used as fish feed and also pig feed. The cellulose and hemicellulose makes it suitable as bio fuel, some bio engineered forms have been used to produce aviation fuel and other bio-products. The waste to wealth project is the major benefactor of this water plant.The water hyacinth can be degraded in a biodigester to produce biogas,basically methane. This can be connected to power grid to provide electricity and also cooking gas for domestic and industrial uses. The sludge from the bio-reactor is nutrient rich and hence its a high quality fertilizer for crops.This will prevent the use of chemicals in the soil to stimulate growth,thus ensuring crops and other produce are grown naturally. AGRIBUSINESS: HOW TO TURN WATER HYACINTH TO A GOLDMINE. The aquatic plant can be processed and used for various types of furniture and household pieces that are very durable. This will provide employment for a lot of people which will equally boost the furniture industry. We can start making high quality furniture,with various innovative designs. There will be employment opportunities in various segments ,such as training officers,processors, marketers and distributors all with subsets making the employment opportunities very enormous. The water hyacinth can be produced in house by cultivating them in channels that stimulate the growth to meet growing demands, the invasive water plant is actually our green gold. (pics culled online ) join the train!! green gold # agriculture # economic growth.

AGRIBUSINESS: FERTILIZERS AND FERTILITY IN MAN.

A recent study by scientists at the universities of Nottingham, Aberdeen (UK) and Paris-Saclay (France), The James Hutton Institute (Aberdeen) and UMR BDR, INRA, Jouy en Josas (Paris, France) and published in the journal Scientific Reports, has shown striking effects of exposure of pregnant ewes and their female lambs in the womb to a cocktail of chemical contaminants present in pastures fertilized with human sewage sludge-derived fertilizer. Eating meat from animals grazed on land treated with commonly-used agricultural fertilizers might have serious implications for pregnant women and the future reproductive health of their unborn children. The study highlights potential risks associated with the common practice of grazing livestock on pastures on which human sewage sludge-derived fertilizer has been used. While low-level chemical exposure poses a threat to human reproductive development but the consumption of products from animals grazing such pastures proves to be a considerable environmental concern. The research group investigated development of ovaries in the fetal sheep, which is very similar to ovary development in humans. The pregnant sheep was exposed to sewage sludge-derived fertilizer to simulate 'real-life' exposure. Since the number of eggs present in the ovary at birth is determined while still in the womb, the research shows that the implications of disrupted ovary development could be significant. It suggests that chemicals that interfere with this development process, particularly those that mimic sex steroids, may have long-lasting effects on adult female fertility. The researchers report that the number of eggs in the fetus' ovary was reduced even if the period of exposure was limited to 80 days corresponding to early, mid or late gestation. However, a period of mid or late gestation exposure had a greater effect on the development of the fetus and the number of altered genes and proteins in the fetus' ovary. The biggest effects on the fetal ovary were seen when the sheep were switched to sewage sludge fertilized fields in the last two to three months of pregnancy. This suggests that changing exposures to chemical mixtures may be worse than always being exposed to these mixtures. The role of the environment is spread of diseases and impact on health status can not be ignored ,hence steps to reduce contamination of sewage sludge-derived fertilizer are important and proper sanitation protocols must be enforced.

QUAIL TO THE BANK.

QUAIL BUSINESS! QUAIL BUSINESS!! QUAIL BUSINESS!!!. The quail business is a venture with small capital start up, but huge financial return within a short time. The business trend now is short term investment with huge financial return, and quail business offers such opportunity. The business could be done on a plot of land; a new site, or any empty space around your living quarters. The key is that the area should be draught proof, rodent proof, and pilfering proof. The business outline; Raise 100 birds all female@600/ bird =60000 Naira. Cage; a four tier cage , with four compartments and 4 birds per hole. The cage should be placed in well ventilated areas. The floor of the cage is made of cross wire which allows droppings to pass through to the collecting tray under the cage, which are pulled out and cleaned at specific intervals. The droppings are poured in a compost bin to make fertilizer; these are bagged and sold to farmers. Feeders and drinkers are made available to the birds. Vitamins are added to the water @ regular intervals. Cost implications. 100 Birds purchased @ 4 week@600-----------------------------60,000 naira. Cage@ 12,000naira, 2 will be needed-----------------------24,000naira. 1 bird consumes 25g of feed a day, thus 100 birds will consume 2500g / day. 2500gx 30days =75000g. 1000g= 1kg 75000g=75kg A Bag=25kg 75kg=3bags.. A Bag of feed costs 2500 naira. 2500x 3= 7500naira. The birds starts laying @ 6weeks 100 birds will lay 100 eggs a day which will translate to 3 crates a day with extra 10 pieces that will make an additional crate on day 3. THE outline is explicit, with an initial investment of 100,000 naira; you can rake in 2400 naira from sale of 3 crates/day. The investment keeps on increasing, turning around your capital without stress. The next dimension will be to get about 10 males and take 20 females from your farm @ 8WEEKS and start a small hatchery, make your own dayolds ,you need to purchase a small incubator to hatch the eggs. The birds can be processed and packaged for stores; they can be sold raw, smoked or fried. The final aspect will be to sell the processed waste as fertilizer. I believe you agree with me, you have your personal ATM MACHINE IN YOUR BACKYARD.