We know that soil health plays an essential role in sustainable agriculture. These days, most farmers realise that healthy soil is key to reducing costs, promoting biodiversity and improving the efficiency of their farms. One method used to promote soil health sustainably is mulching. Mulching is proven to suppress weeds and protect the soil year-round. So, what is mulching in …
Plants out of place, or a sign of healthy soil? In a column in Acres U.S.A October 2019 issue, Spencer Smith, Savory Field Professional (for the Savory Global Network) and Californian rancher, says that plants which show up in your fields could be adding value by unlocking nutrients and improving soil structure. The relationship between farmers and weeds is a …
“The soil is the ‘creative material’ of most of the basic needs of life. Creation starts with a handful of dust.” Dr William A. Albrecht Dr William Albrecht was a man ahead of his time. A good twenty years before the phrase ‘environmental concern’ crept into the USA’s national consciousness, Dr Albrecht was lecturing from coast to coast on the …
In the October 2019 issue of Acres U.S.A, consultant Jon Frank explains the pitfalls of the ‘Four Rs’ developed by the fertiliser industry. Frank, the owner of International Ag Labs, based in Minnesota. He is a soil consultant with over 20 years’ experience, and the founder of High Brix Gardens. Like the team at Zylem, Jon is fascinated with the …
What do you think of when you imagine farms of the future? Massive underground hydroponic operations run by robots is one way things could go … but could the sustainable future of agriculture actually look a lot smaller and simpler? Current cultural shifts, and even the Coronavirus pandemic, could lead to more and more food being produced on a small-scale …
As the world tries to find a cure for the new Coronavirus and to reduce its spread, many people are asking the question: What caused the disease? And what can we do to avoid repeat pandemics? So far, these are questions that scientists are still struggling to answer. In this article, we look at the link between viruses, livestock and …
By now, most of us have seen (or perhaps experienced) the kilometre-long queues of South Africans waiting for food parcels. With the lockdown preventing many businesses from returning to work, many people are without an income and the means to buy food. South Africa’s food wastage facts After witnessing these scenes, you may be surprised to learn that about 30% …
Graeme Sait is the co-founder of Nutri-Tech Solutions (NTS), a recognised world leader in sustainable agriculture and one of Zylem’s key partners. Graeme is a sought-after keynote speaker at international conferences and is also a published author and popular columnist. In his latest blog series on the NTS blog, Graeme discusses the most common mineral deficiencies to help us boost …
When it comes to buying your Easter chocolate, it’s important to look past the cute shapes and shiny packaging, as your brand choice can have more of an impact than you realize. Although chocolate can never be described as completely ‘guilt-free’, it is within your power to choose chocolate brands that support sustainable production and ethical labour standards. Here are …
An interview with Dr. Zach Bush linking health, agriculture, and human survival Dr. Zach Bush is a certified American triple-board physician focusing on internal medicine, endocrinology, and hospice and palliative care. He currently runs a rural Virginia clinic focusing on plant-based nutrition and holistic health. Dr. Bush was recently interviewed on Acres U.S.A’s ‘Tractor Time’ podcast. In this blog post, …