Changes in pig diet mitigates greenhouse emissions.

Changes in pig diet mitigates greenhouse emissions. A new research has shown that inclusion of agroindustrial by-products in pig feed can reduce the nitrous oxide emissions (N2O) of the slurry used as manures up to 65%. The research undertaken by Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) and Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) shows that the inclusion of agroindustrial by-products in pig feed can reduce the nitrous oxide emissions (N2O) of the slurry used as manures up to 65%. The aim of the study carried was to influence the ingredients of pig diet to modify the composition of slurry used as manures and to assess the possible variations on N2O emissions. Nitrogen fertilizers, organic or mineral, are responsible for most of the N2O emissions from agricultural activity. This gas has a heating potential 300 times higher than CO2, this is the reason why it is essential to develop mitigation strategies. N2O emissions are mainly caused by microbiological processes known as nitrification and denitrification. When a nitrogen fertilizer is added to the soil, it increases its microbiological activity by activating both processes that at the same time they depend on factors such as such as climatic, edaphic and field management. Researchers from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid y Universidad Politécnica de Valencia have focused on the beginning of the chain, where the animal by-products are produced and then are revalued as fertilizers. Two by-products typical from the Mediterranean region were selected to carry out this study, orange pulp and carob. These by-products were added into commercial diets of pigs in substitution of cereals, being respectful with the balance that these diets require to satisfy the animal needs. It was proved that, without a doubt, the excreted components through feces and urine (slurry), for example nitrogenous fractions, lignin, phenolic compounds, etc., varied according to diet. Slurries were used as fertilizers on agricultural soils cultivated with ryegrass, a forage plant used as food for livestock. more

Climate change data is being transformed into beautiful, haunting symphonies.

Climate change data is being transformed into beautiful, haunting symphonies. Data sonification is being used to evoke the sounds of a climate in crisis.What is the sound of a dying planet? Translating hard facts into feeling is the issue of our age - and it is the task Climate Symphony have appointed themselves. A collective of artists and scientists, the London-based team are inspiring action by transforming climate change data into music. Ten years ago, old-school graphs and text-based data were the only way to communicate the growing problem of climate change. But when it comes to inspiring action, a relentless march of charts can disengage many. For Leah Borromeo, co-founder of Climate Symphony, it became clear a different approach was needed. Data sonification is the process of transforming numerical data into sound. Corresponding sounds are mapped onto specific data points and as each section of a dataset evolves the technique can be used to create a complex musical piece. It can mark change over time, rises and falls in specific factors and trends within a certain field.more

Robots are milking scorpions for venom that can be used in cancer research.

Robots are milking scorpions for venom that can be used in cancer research. Scorpion venom are used in immunosuppressants and anti-malarial drugs. A new 'scorpion-milking' robot has been built to extract venom faster and more safely than ever before. Scorpion venom is used in a number of medical fields, including cancer research, and is usually harvested manually in a process that can be potentially deadly."This robot makes venom recovery fast and safe", according to Mouad Mkamel, who designed the robot with a team of researchers from Ben M'sik Hassan II University, Morocco. more

How a philanthropist uses poultry to help families.

How a philanthropist uses poultry to help families. Julius Matendechere, 57, goes about his business inside a bungalow turned a poultry farmhouse with a lot of ease. He is tending to over 5,000 chicks aged between one and three weeks. #poultry The chicks literally occupy all rooms in the four bedroom mansion, including the store, kitchen, dining, washrooms and any other available space. There are 600 lighting points that provide the chicks with warmth and light,and there are 20 charcoal stoves on stand-by. The farmhouse is located at Ishimkoko village in Butere, Kakamega County. Every week, Matendechere stocks 6,000 kienyeji chicks from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO).#poultry Matendechere, an accountant by profession, has perfected the art of brooding, which involves giving special care and attention to chicks to ensure their healthy survival.He ventured into the business three years ago after leaving a lucrative job as a chief accountant in the government. The desire to give back to the people drove him into poultry farming.#poultry Matendechere, said families in Butere Constituency where he hails from can hardly afford two meals a day, so he thought it wise to embark on brooding and give out the birds to groups for free to help improve the living standards of struggling families, more

Nigerian veterinarian, Enahoro, elected WVA councillor for Africa.

Nigerian veterinarian, Enahoro, elected WVA councillor for Africa.A Nigerian veterinary practitioner, Dr Gani Enahoro, has been elected as the World Veterinary Association (WVA) Councillor for Africa in the 2017-2020 executive council. It is the first time in the history of the 154-year-old organisation that a Nigerian will be representing Africa as a councilor. Enahoro, who was honoured as the “Role Model of the Veterinary Profession in Nigeria” by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 2011, also bagged the distinguished alumnus award from his alma mater, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, in March 2017. He was the recipient of Award of Excellence from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in February 2016 for “Excellent contributions to veterinary enterprises in Nigeria.” more

The shared economy is the future of stuff.

The shared economy is the future of stuff, the future of Stuff Is having more and owning Less. If you’re one of the many people who’s embraced the sharing economy, you’ve probably stayed in someone else’s apartment or ridden in someone else’s car. 

 Maybe you’ve also done away with your clutter of DVDs, books, or CDs, since you can watch movies on Netflix, read books on Kindle, and hear music on Pandora. 

 

The concept of having more while owning less sounds paradoxical, but that’s exactly the scenario we’re finding ourselves in. Technology is enabling us to move away from ownership and towards an economy based on sharing and subscriptions. 

Platforms like Airbnb and Lyft or Uber connect renters and riders to landlords and drivers, and digitization means all kinds of media can be stored, streamed, or downloaded in seconds. 

 This concept has also found its way into agriculture,where sharing or leasing is the rule of the game. A platform where investors can lease a plot/ piece of land ,signify interest in an area of agribusiness,pays(subscribes) farming is carried out on behalf of investor and payout is done at the end of contract. see

In a new video from Big Think, author and WIRED founding executive editor Kevin Kelly explores the limits of what he calls the subscription economy and asks, “Is this the end of owning stuff?”

5 steps to set achievable financial goals.

Most people think they should be earning more but have never asked themselves: Why am I not earning this amount of money already? What is holding me back? What could I be doing right now to get to where I want to be? I am always fascinated by stories of successful men and women, and how they made their fortunes, lost them, and then made them over again. They all work with the prosperity consciousness theory. The theory of prosperity consciousness states: You must become a financial success in your thinking long before you can become rich in your reality. The most important single step you can take to increase your wealth, personal finances, and financial independence is deciding to change your thinking and develop an unshakable belief that you can and will achieve all your financial goals. Only after you start believing yourself to be capable of achieving financial independence can you set proper financial goals. Follow these 5 steps to set achievable financial goals: