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The best way to preserve tomatoes to reduce post-harvest losses

The best way to preserve tomatoes to reduce post-harvest losses One of the most well-known and popular fruits and vegetables in the world is the tomato. Growers (whether growing tomatoes in an open field, a low-cover tunnel, or a greenhouse) concentrate on improving some cultivation procedures including sowing, watering, fertilization, and plant protection in order to safeguard and raise the final production of their crop. Although the target fruit yield is frequently obtained in the field, incorrect product handling causes a significant amount of the crop to be lost during storage and transit following the harvest. According to research conducted throughout the world, postharvest losses for tomatoes range from 5-25% in wealthy countries to 20–50% in impoverished areas (Kader et al., 1985, 1992). The product's quality attributes (color, aroma, flavor, firmness, etc.) could be negatively impacted by improper preservation, which would lower the product's final market value. I sug...

Nutrient Conservation and Cycling

The loss of nutrients during harvesting can be compensated for by investing in nutrient recycling, soil fertility, and decreasing erosion, nutrient leaching, run-off, and burning. Mandal (2022) devoted a full chapter to discussing soil and water conservation and erosion. A summary is nevertheless beneficial sometimes. The topsoil is where nutrients are concentrated, especially those that are stationary and are not washed (leached) down. Where may it be found: The soil has been washed away from roots and the sides of stones, and can be seen to have been sifted and deposited by water or wind into fine and coarse fractions. Increased surface protection against live, dead, or other objects might lessen erosion risk or intensity throughout the season. Moreover, they can support and maintain the biological activity and organic matter in the soil. Large trees can reduce or prevent wind erosion, but if the area close to the soil's surface is naked and open, the erosive wind or larger, conn...

What to do about climate anxiety

On some days, watching the weather might feel like watching a real-life horror movie due to storms, flash floods, and unprecedented droughts. The economy, the infrastructure, and our way of life are all suffering as a result of the increase in natural disasters brought on by climate change. But, it also compromises our mental wellness. According to the American Psychological Association, more than two thirds of us currently struggle with some form of climate anxiety. According to The Lancet Countdown, close to 60% of young adults (16 to 25) are extremely or very concerned about the future of our world. According to medical professionals, eco-anxiety is real. "Climate change is a serious issue, so it's normal to experience worry and fear about the repercussions," Harvard Medical School reaffirmed. And we cannot let it control how we live. Making use of our tension to take action is a fantastic place to start. Speak about it: We should strive to have fruitful discussions on...

Why Do Farmers Burn Their Fields?

Farmers burn their fields to get rid of existing vegetation and promote new vegetation growth. Because they are intended to enhance the field's health, these burns are frequently called "prescribed burns." What tools are required by farmers for a burn? Farmers must remove any burnable material from the field's margins to control the fire, which typically calls for a lawnmower or other heavy gear. You can treat the burn using a few short, specialized pieces of equipment. A drip torch drips a mixture of gasoline and diesel fuel and is typically used to extinguish flames. A flapper resembling a mud flap with a long rake handle attached may put out small fires. The flapper doesn't need much skill to operate a drip torch. What circumstances are ideal for a burn? A farmer wants to burn in "Goldilocks" circumstances, meaning every aspect must be proper. The fire can readily escape if the wind is sufficiently strong. With wind, the fire may behave correctly. The...

Down is not required. Up is required

Everything excellent has to come to an end. At least that is what is said. The year has had a challenging start. Nobody specifically instructs you on how to handle unforeseen unemployment. But, everyone does count on you to maintain a positive image online and in public. I've been keeping myself occupied and afloat by working a few freelance tasks, including managing social media for businesses, writing a few industry essays, and starting the second year of a leadership program for young ranchers. Yet, going from being on the road 80% of the time last fall to basically none this winter and spring has been challenging for me. I work best under deadline pressure, so having a schedule helps me stay on track. So it has taken some getting used to to having the rug pulled out from under me (not that I am there now). The grass under my feet began to grow too much last week, so I took advantage of a last-minute flight offer and spent a few days in the Arizona desert. I'm glad I accumu...

Why do farmers and ranchers castrate cattle?

Why are cattle castrated by farmers and ranchers? Castrating cattle can be done for a variety of management and welfare reasons. I also think about the neighbors' roving bulls and castration. In the end, this is a management tool used by farmers and ranchers. Why castrate your dog, you ask? When I tweeted for suggestions for a blog post topic, I had a few inquiries concerning castration and the necessity of it. We are not required to castrate our cattle, but like with many other management choices in beef production, this one was motivated by market demand. Customers seek out products that are consistently tasty and pleasant. Hence, manufacturers reply with the means we are aware of helping to achieve it. A few hours after birth, I castrate my male calves using the band technique. Some breeders opt to wait until the animal is 2 to 4 months old before castrating it with a band or a knife. Some farmers and ranchers wait to castrate their animals until they are at least 7 months old....

What is Cattle Guard and how does it protect cattle?

You know, those people who are hired guns in their industry, keeping an eye on the herd. Right? The term lends itself to many jokes, particularly for individuals who are ignorant of agriculture, farming, and ranching. But, it is not necessarily a bad thing just because you might not understand what it means. Explore now. A livestock guard is what? Horses, cattle, and other types of livestock have less accurate vision and have trouble with depth perception. Hence, we can employ visible barriers that allow a vehicle to pass smoothly and prevent animals from crossing instead of installing gates at each road crossing in fencelines. In order to prevent wildlife crossings, we typically see cattle guards where a road crosses a fence line on farms or ranches, on roads or highways in open range areas, or in high-traffic corridors. Typically, cattle guards consist of beams—of steel, concrete, or occasionally wood—crossing a small hole in the ground. Either a ditch crossing or a hole can be dug. ...

Taking Steps to Include Everyone in Agriculture

Why should we be concerned about inclusion and diversity in agriculture? In response, Jennifer Kyle says, "In rural places, it's sometimes simple to suggest that these are city issues that don't pertain to us. "It's crucial for the longevity of our communities and industry, particularly with Homosexuals who have never felt safe being themselves." Several commodity groups have answered that being diverse and inclusive is not part of our mandate. Regrettably, that is necessary when dealing with human concerns, and occasionally you need to outline the business case in order for some individuals to get why. "We will suffer if we alienate people of different backgrounds. When you're able to convey that message, it can make the problem more relatable to people who struggle with comprehension. What options are there for a more inclusive agriculture? Being inclusive need not always entail significant adjustments or the exclusion of people who do not belong t...

Tips from Hartwood Farm for Effective Seed Starting

Tips from Hartwood Farm for Effective Seed Starting Are you contemplating establishing a garden? Are you looking for plants to grow in your yard and around your house? This week's article is all about how to cultivate strong, dependable transplants for gardens and farms in areas with particularly intriguing weather, like upstate New York. My favorite aspect of farming is seed beginning, therefore even if we don't have enough greenhouse room to sell you all our plants directly, we wanted to explain how we do it and inspire you to start your own vegetables and flowers! We had fun planting eggplant in late May with our brand-new Waterwheel transplanter. First of all, why sow seeds into the ground rather than starting them indoors or using transplants? We transplant almost any vegetable that can withstand it (we direct seed some crops like beans, carrots, radishes, turnips, etc. that don't like their roots disturbed). Why do we transplant so much? for a variety of factors... Th...