Page 32 of articles about environment

In a study of energy use on Iowa hog farms, Iowa State University (ISU) researchers found a huge drop in the use of nonrenewable energy for pig production over the last 35 years.

Farmers are getting involved in one of the largest studies of its kind to establish the best ways of halting water pollution from agriculture. They will develop an understanding of how pollutants move through river systems and will test up to 80 methods for reducing their impact. These include satellite technology (GPS) to ensure fertiliser is spread in the right places; better-designed farm yards to stop pollution draining into fields and rivers; and designing ditches and ponds to soak up substances.

The Government of Canada is investing in cutting-edge research to grow market opportunities and maintain a bright future for the Canadian organic industry. An investment of $6.5 million will bring together scientific expertise from academia, industry and government to develop more efficient and profitable processes for organic farmers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture published the first edition of a program handbook designed for those who own, manage, or certify organic operations. Prepared by the National Organic Program (NOP), the handbook provides guidance about the national organic standards and instructions that outline best program practices. It is intended to serve as a resource for the organic industry that will help participants comply with federal regulations.

According to the latest estimations from the Biogas Federation (FvB), during the last year the number of biogas plants increased considerably, so much so that there currently exists more than 5,000 fermenting warehouses with a potential that exceeds 2,000 megawatts (MW) installed on farms throughout the country.

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Biological Hazards was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on Lime Treatment of Solid Pig and Poultry Manure. A European association submitted a novel process and asked the European Commission to approve it as a safe means of disposal under Article 5 (2) (g) of Regulation 1774/2002/EC, i.e. as far as Category 2 material are concerned. The European Commission asked EFSA to i) assess the ability of the process submitted to safely dispose of Category 2 animal by-products and ii) in case the process is considered to present a risk, to advice on the risks of the use of that process and on possibilities for addressing them. After an information exchange with the applicant it was clarified that the terms of reference of the mandate were focused only on pig and poultry solid manure treatment and that the solid pig manure consisted of dewatered manure.

Teagasc has proposed twenty-one amendments to the Draft European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) regulation 2010 as part of the consultation process to review the nitrates regulations. The detailed 120-page scientific document has been submitted to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

The problems of river pollution and stench from commercial-scale pig farming activities in Kuching, Sarian and Samarahan can be overcome when the breeders relocate their operations to the 800-hectare integrated, environment-friendly pig-breeding centre, near Balai Ringin in Samarahan.

The area under organic agriculture has increased significantly over the last years and represents about 4.3% of the utilised agricultural area of the EU (in 2008), with particular high percentages in the Austria, Sweden, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Latvia.