For video gamers, cognitive supplements have an edge over energy drinks

For video gamers, cognitive supplements have an edge over energy drinks: Energy and sports drink companies have heavily invested in marketing towards the video gaming community, a space which the cognitive supplement space may benefit from, according to category experts.

Cause or consequence? Investigating the link between gut bacteria and heart health

Cause or consequence? Investigating the link between gut bacteria and heart health: People with heart failure have been found to have less gut bacteria diversity and lack certain important species groups. So are changes in our microbiome causing heart disease, or visa-versa?

Secret meat site busted by Spanish police

Secret meat site busted by Spanish police: Two people have been arrested after Spanish police swooped on a disgusting covert warehouse storing meat kept in close proximity to mice and dead birds, according to Spanish law enforcement agency the Guardia Civil.

Horsemeat trading ring dismantled by police

Horsemeat trading ring dismantled by police: An investigation by the Spanish Guardia Civil, in co-ordination with Europol, has led to the dismantling of a horsemeat trading ring.

US BSE fears played down by industry

US BSE fears played down by industry: The US beef industry has moved quickly to allay fears over an incident of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Alabama.

Data tool helps farmers earn more cash by mapping profits.

Data tool helps farmers earn more cash by mapping profits. Growers using a precision farming software package from UK crop production specialist Hutchinsons can now compare the profitability of different fields, and even map differences within an individual field. The new Yield Performance mapping feature of the Omnia Precision Agronomy software enables growers and agronomists to analyse multiple layers of field data – including yield maps – to identify areas that are performing less well than others, thereby inform management decisions. “Generating yield maps is no more than an exercise in data collection,” says Omnia services leader Matt Ward. “It’s how this data is interpreted in conjunction with all the other factors that can affect yield that’s valuable.” more

5 steps to start in precision farming.

5 steps to start in precision farming. Many farmers across the world are starting out on their precision farming journey and are looking to make better use of inputs and increase profitability. However, there are some basics to consider before setting out, which can remove a lot of the pain later on. This could be the hassle of setting up A-B lines for a guidance system every time a tractor goes into a field or the problem of duplication of field records, because imported data did not match field records. 1) Importance of measuring Consider why you are collecting data. Basically, if you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it. It’s a term farmers have heard many times, but how much attention has been paid to it and more importantly action taken, based on the results? Getting the tape measure out is as important now as it was seven years ago when I started advising farmers on the fundamentals of precision farming. Taking a few measurements in the field and on farm would make a huge difference to the success of any precision farming investment. Many times I have heard farmers saying: “My tramlines aren’t 24m wide, I must invest in a steering system to help become more accurate.” In theory, this was an understandable observation, but the fundamental measurement hadn’t been taken; the width of the drill. On 75% of occasions, the drill wasn’t as wide as the farmer thought it was. For example, a 4m drill came out to be closer to 3.8m rather than 4m. On that basis, the tramlines were never going to reach 24m, so the farmer may have been 100% accurate without realizing it. Getting the fundamental measurements for all equipment will form the basis for improving accuracy on the farm. 2) Precision agronomy I’m really excited about the potential for precision agronomy using the vast array of sensors and tools available. However, as with the rest of the precision farming process is keeping it as simple as possible. The deciding factor on resolution is the application equipment, which is going to be used to apply the agronomic knowledge. If, for example, the fertiliser spreader has a spread width of 36m, why look at creating variable rate maps with a resolution of 12m? In many instances less will be more. continue