#Farming News

[intersectionalpraxis]

"If a pig catches both a human influenza A virus and an avian influenza A virus at the same time, it can spark a process known as viral reassortment — a genetic exchange in which flu viruses swap gene segments." "Those swaps can introduce dramatic changes, producing a new virus with certain properties of a non-human strain coupled with the capacity to infect and spread between people." "The death rate in humans may be upwards of 50 per cent, World Health Organization data suggests, though it's possible that milder infections are getting missed, skewing the case fatality ratio. Still, in a population that's never been exposed, the global impacts could be dire." "More human cases could also be happening under the radar among farm workers who've moved to the U.S. from abroad, don't speak English as their first language, and may be hesitant to seek medical help, he added." "So I think there's probably underreporting on both sides," Armstrong said." "If [H5N1] gets into a population where there's constantly animals going in and out … it might not ever leave."

I've been watching this develop for the past several days, and apart from being terrified most people will not take this seriously (I've seen a handful of people already shout conspiracy on social media and it's alarming to see, as always). What I wanted to point out is that pandemics are going to continue to be our 'normal.' I watched a great video on YouTube a while ago (I believe it was by Vice?) that touched base on how this is going to become our new reality because of multiple factors (such as our proximity to animals, and environments/etc). It was when Covid hit and they did a piece debunking some of the misinformation floating on the internet. If I can find it I will post it here because it was informative and relevant to pretty much any world crisis we will see around any virus that spreads among a human population.

This post isn't trying to fear monger anyone, I just hope more people are aware of what is happening because this is important to talk about. There are already cases (of cows getting this bird flu) in the US, and I won't be surprised if there will be instances in more countries around the world. As usual, keep washing your hands/keeping good hygiene practices, masking up (and if you aren't I hope you consider it), and taking precautions if you do happen to visit/work or go near a pig or poultry farm too:

I'll keep track of this here of course, but please stay informed folks. And also FU to any governments who will try to minimize this or try to diminish the severity until it's too late and community spread happens like Covid because their actions are influenced by capitalistic interests.

Update (April 7th, 2024, 9:32pm EST): to anyone wondering where some of the source information originates from -here is a link to the CDC. They are tracking documented avian virus outbreaks in the US and the public can access it here:

[setaflow]

Gay pride happens in June and gay wrath happens whenever hbomberguy drops a 3+ hour video essay about a specific topic

[mysharona1987]

[awildes]

Jumped on the trend and painted my favorite townies! Krobus is such a little sweet thing I love him 🤧

[breesperez139]

Dc x Dp Prompt #6

“I’m a twin”, Damian said one night. He could feel the narrowed eyes of his family drilling holes on his back in disbelief. Not that he could blame them. Damian had never so much as implied being raised with a companion, much less a sibling.

“I had a brother”. Damian paused to recollect himself. He had not said his brother’s name out loud in over 8 years.

“His name was… Danyal”. Damian hated the way his voice wavered, but he could not help it. Danyal was everything to him, his other half. Their heart beat as one and when one heart stopped beating, the other one died with it. At least until his family put his heart on metaphorical life support without ever realizing.

“Where is he now?” His father asked, voice filled with knowing grief and a hint of betrayal. It had in fact been 6 years since Damian first showed up on his doorstep.

“Up there”. All eyes shifted towards the specific star he was pointing to. “Right before he died, he promised me he’d guide me from the stars. Unfortunately, the stars are not visible in Gotham, so my brother is unable to be of much help unless I leave the city.”

“Your brother is Polaris, the North Star?” Tim questioned warily, most likely in attempts to not offend him. Damian was aware of how stupid it sounded, but Danyal had promised, and his brother never broke his promises.

“Yes. Danyal is with the stars now, just as he always wanted”

[butteriish]

hats on cats!!!

[kisanofindia]

Horticultural Crops: बागवानी फसलों के उत्पादन का नया रिकॉर्ड बनने का अनुमान, जानिए आंकड़े

बागवानी फसलों का बढ़ता दायरा

भारत बागवानी फसलों और फलों के सकल उत्पादन में दूसरे स्थान पर है। उत्तर प्रदेश के बाद मध्य प्रदेश और पश्चिम बंगाल बागवानी उत्पादन में शीर्ष राज्य हैं।

Horticultural Crops: बागवानी फसलों के उत्पादन का नया रिकॉर्ड: भारत सरकार के कृषि एवं किसान कल्याण मंत्रालय ने, राज्यों/संघ राज्य क्षेत्रों और अन्य सरकारी एजेंसियों से प्राप्त जानकारी के आधार पर एकीकृत, बागवानी फसलों के क्षेत्र और उत्पादन के संबंध में साल 2021-22 के अंतिम आंकड़े और साल 2022-23 के पहले अग्रिम अनुमान जारी किए हैं।

साल 2021-22 में कुल बागवानी फसलों के उत्पादन का रिकॉर्ड 347.18 मिलियन टन रहा, जो साल 2020-2021 के उत्पादन से 3.76 प्रतिशत की बढ़ोतरी = के साथ 12.58 मिलियन टन ज़्यादा है।  2022-23 में अनुमान लगाया जा रहा है कि साल 2021-22 के अन्तिम आंकड़ों की तुलना में 3.69 मिलियन टन (1.06%) की बढ़ोतरी के साथ कुल बागवानी उत्पादन रिकॉर्ड 350.87 मिलियन टन होने की संभावना है।

बागवानी फसलों के क्षेत्र और उत्पादन के आए इस नए अनुमान पर केंद्रीय कृषि एवं किसान कल्याण मंत्री नरेंद्र सिंह तोमर ने कहा कि प्रधानमंत्री के कुशल नेतृत्व और मार्गदर्शन में हमारे किसान भाइयों-बहनों के अथक मेहनत, वैज्ञानिकों की कुशलता और केंद्र सरकार की किसान हितैषी नीतियों व राज्य सरकारों के सहयोग से देश में रिकॉर्ड उत्पादन संभव हो रहा है।

बागवानी फसलों के क्षेत्र और उत्पादन के संबंध में 2021-22(अंतिम आंकड़े) की मुख्य बातें:

2021-22 में कुल बागवानी फसलों के उत्पादन का रिकॉर्ड 347.18 मिलियन टन हुआ, जो वर्ष 2020-21 के उत्पादन से लगभग 12.58 मिलियन टन (3.76%) ज़्यादा है।

2021-22 में फलों का उत्पादन 107.51 मिलियन टन हुआ, जबकि 2020-21 में 102.48 मिलियन टन का उत्पादन हुआ था।

सब्जियों का उत्पादन पिछले साल के 200.45 मिलियन टन की तुलना में, 4.34% की बढ़ोतरी के साथ, 2021-22 में 209.14 मिलियन टन हुआ।

2021-22 में प्याज का उत्पादन 31.69 मिलियन टन हुआ, जबकि 2020-21 में 26.64 मिलियन टन का उत्पादन हुआ था।

वर्ष 2021-22 में आलू का उत्पादन 56.18 मिलियन टन हुआ, जो इसके गत वर्ष करीब इतना ही था।

2022-23 (पहले अग्रिम अनुमान) की मुख्य बातें:

वर्ष 2022-23 में कुल बागवानी फसलों के उत्पादन 350.87 मिलियन टन होने का अनुमान है, जो 2021-22 (अंतिम) की तुलना में लगभग 3.69 मिलियन टन (1.06% अधिक) की बढ़ोतरी है।

फलों, सब्जियों, मसालों, फूलों, सुगंधित और औषधीय पौधों और वृक्षारोपण फसलों के उत्पादन में पिछले साल की तुलना में बढ़ोतरी का अनुमान है।

और पढ़ें.....

[azuneekun]

drew my farmer althea with march (for scale)

[nordsea-horizons]

if you ever feel crushed by the burden of modern life…

theme for my new island☀️ a farming sim inspired farmcore island🥕complete with a terrible job you can leave and a neglected farm you can work on turning into a beautiful one🪴

[the-commonplace-book]

been a while since the genshin fandom's collectively gone this apeshit over a character

[dandelionsresilience]

Good News - July 22-28

Like these weekly compilations? Tip me at $kaybarr1735 or check out my new(ly repurposed) Patreon!

1. Four new cheetah cubs born in Saudi Arabia after 40 years of extinction

“[T]he discovery of mummified cheetahs in caves […] which ranged in age from 4,000 to as recent as 120 years, proved that the animals […] once called [Saudi Arabia] home. The realisation kick-started the country’s Cheetah Conservation Program to bring back the cats to their historic Arabian range. […] Dr Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the NCW, said: […] “This motivates us to continue our efforts to restore and reintroduce cheetahs, guided by an integrated strategy designed in accordance with best international practices.””

2. In sub-Saharan Africa, ‘forgotten’ foods could boost climate resilience, nutrition

“[A study published in PNAS] examined “forgotten” crops that may help make sub-Saharan food systems more resilient, and more nutritious, as climate change makes it harder to grow [current staple crops.] [… The study identified 138 indigenous] food crops that were “relatively underresearched, underutilized, or underpromoted in an African context,” but which have the nutrient content and growing stability to support healthy diets and local economies in the region. […] In Eswatini, van Zonneveld and the World Vegetable Center are working with schools to introduce hardy, underutilized vegetables to their gardens, which have typically only grown beans and maize.”

3. Here's how $4 billion in government money is being spent to reduce climate pollution

“[New Orleans was awarded] nearly $50 million to help pay for installing solar on low to middle income homes [… and] plans to green up underserved areas with trees and build out its lackluster bike lane system to provide an alternative to cars. […] In Utah, $75 million will fund several measures from expanding electric vehicles to reducing methane emissions from oil and gas production. [… A] coalition of states led by North Carolina will look to store carbon in lands used for agriculture as well as natural places like wetlands, with more than $400 million. [… This funding is] “providing investments in communities, new jobs, cost savings for everyday Americans, improved air quality, … better health outcomes.””

4. From doom scrolling to hope scrolling: this week’s big Democratic vibe shift

“[Democrats] have been on an emotional rollercoaster for the past few weeks: from grim determination as Biden fought to hang on to his push for a second term, to outright exuberance after he stepped aside and Harris launched her campaign. […] In less than a week, the Harris campaign raised record-breaking sums and signed up more than 100,000 new volunteers[….] This honeymoon phase will end, said Democratic strategist Guy Cecil, warning the election will be a close race, despite this newfound exuberance in his party. [… But v]oters are saying they are excited to vote for Harris and not just against Trump. That’s new.”

5. Biodegradable luminescent polymers show promise for reducing electronic waste

“[A team of scientists discovered that a certain] chemical enables the recycling of [luminescent polymers] while maintaining high light-emitting functions. […] At the end of life, this new polymer can be degraded under either mild acidic conditions (near the pH of stomach acid) or relatively low heat treatment (> 410 F). The resulting materials can be isolated and remade into new materials for future applications. […] The researchers predict this new polymer can be applied to existing technologies, such as displays and medical imaging, and enable new applications […] such as cell phones and computer screens with continued testing.”

6. World’s Biggest Dam Removal Project to Open 420 Miles of Salmon Habitat this Fall

“Reconnecting the river will help salmon and steelhead populations survive a warming climate and [natural disasters….] In the long term, dam removal will significantly improve water quality in the Klamath. “Algae problems in the reservoirs behind the dams were so bad that the water was dangerous for contact […] and not drinkable,” says Fluvial Geomorphologist Brian Cluer. [… The project] will begin to reverse decades of habitat degradation, allow threatened salmon species to be resilient in the face of climate change, and restore tribal connections to their traditional food source.”

7. Biden-Harris Administration Awards $45.1 Million to Expand Mental Health and Substance Use Services Across the Lifespan

““Be it fostering wellness in young people, caring for the unhoused, facilitating treatment and more, this funding directly supports the needs of our neighbors,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. [The funding also supports] recovery and reentry services to adults in the criminal justice system who have a substance use disorder[… and clinics which] serve anyone who asks for help for mental health or substance use, regardless of their ability to pay.”

8. The World’s Rarest Crow Will Soon Fly Free on Maui

“[… In] the latest attempt to establish a wild crow population, biologists will investigate if this species can thrive on Maui, an island where it may have never lived before. Translocations outside of a species’ known historical range are rare in conservation work, but for a bird on the brink of extinction, it’s a necessary experiment: Scientists believe the crows will be safer from predators in a new locale—a main reason that past reintroduction attempts failed. […] As the release date approaches, the crows have already undergone extensive preparation for life in the wild. […] “We try to give them the respect that you would give if you were caring for someone’s elder.””

9. An optimist’s guide to the EV battery mining challenge

““Battery minerals have a tremendous benefit over oil, and that’s that you can reuse them.” [… T]he report’s authors found there’s evidence to suggest that [improvements in technology] and recycling have already helped limit demand for battery minerals in spite of this rapid growth — and that further improvements can reduce it even more. [… They] envision a scenario in which new mining for battery materials can basically stop by 2050, as battery recycling meets demand. In this fully realized circular battery economy, the world must extract a total of 125 million tons of battery minerals — a sum that, while hefty, is actually 17 times smaller than the oil currently harvested every year to fuel road transport.”

10. Peekaboo! A baby tree kangaroo debuts at the Bronx Zoo

“The tiny Matschie’s tree kangaroo […] was the third of its kind born at the Bronx Zoo since 2008. [… A] Bronx Zoo spokesperson said that the kangaroo's birth was significant for the network of zoos that aims to preserve genetic diversity among endangered animals. "It's a small population and because of that births are not very common," said Jessica Moody, curator of primates and small mammals at the Bronx Zoo[, …] adding that baby tree kangaroos are “possibly one of the cutest animals to have ever lived. They look like stuffed animals, it's amazing.””

July 15-21 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[wentian]

FINAL FANTASY XIV: SHADOWBRINGERS "I shall fulfill my duty as the Oracle of Darkness!"

[reasonsforhope]

"Marginal improvements to agricultural soils around the world would store enough carbon to keep the world within 1.5C of global heating, new research suggests.

Farming techniques that improve long-term fertility and yields can also help to store more carbon in soils but are often ignored in favor of intensive techniques using large amounts of artificial fertilizer, much of it wasted, that can increase greenhouse gas emissions.

Using better farming techniques to store 1 percent more carbon in about half of the world’s agricultural soils would be enough to absorb about 31 gigatons of carbon dioxide a year, according to new data. That amount is not far off the 32 gigaton gap between current planned emissions reduction globally per year and the amount of carbon that must be cut by 2030 to stay within 1.5C.

The estimates were carried out by Jacqueline McGlade, the former chief scientist at the UN environment program and former executive director of the European Environment Agency. She found that storing more carbon in the top 30 centimeters of agricultural soils would be feasible in many regions where soils are currently degraded.

McGlade now leads a commercial organization that sells soil data to farmers. Downforce Technologies uses publicly available global data, satellite images, and lidar to assess in detail how much carbon is stored in soils, which can now be done down to the level of individual fields.

“Outside the farming sector, people do not understand how important soils are to the climate,” said McGlade. “Changing farming could make soils carbon negative, making them absorb carbon, and reducing the cost of farming.”

She said farmers could face a short-term cost while they changed their methods, away from the overuse of artificial fertilizer, but after a transition period of two to three years their yields would improve and their soils would be much healthier...

Arable farmers could sequester more carbon within their soils by changing their crop rotation, planting cover crops such as clover, or using direct drilling, which allows crops to be planted without the need for ploughing. Livestock farmers could improve their soils by growing more native grasses.

Hedgerows also help to sequester carbon in the soil, because they have large underground networks of mycorrhizal fungi and microbes that can extend meters into the field. Farmers have spent decades removing hedgerows to make intensive farming easier, but restoring them, and maintaining existing hedgerows, would improve biodiversity, reduce the erosion of topsoil, and help to stop harmful agricultural runoff, which is a key polluter of rivers."

-via The Grist, July 8, 2023

[tanglepelt]

Dc x dp idea 118

Danny, Sam, and Tucker all share one braincell. One that just went on vacation.

A Giw patrol was hunting the trio down.

What else were they meant to do. Not jump in the random natural portal? No they all just convince each others it’s the best option.

Danny can make portals now. Hell maybe wulf was nearby. They were in the woods. He’d left portals open before.

It was probably safe! Better then a continued chase.

Well.

They were somehow seperated. Somehow not in the ghost zone. And was this even there dimension???

Sam was at a lost. Suddenly landing in an alley. In a grim alleyway. She could dig the dark atmosphere. Someplace called Gotham she’s assuming based on the newspaper the Gotham gazette.

Well. If she could handle that ghost prince kidnapping fiasco she could handle this place. Time to cause some trouble.

Tucker wasn’t that concerned about the separation. For now he’d hack into local sites gain some insight. There was no listing of amity anywhere. No doubt Danny would make the news soon enough. He could chill in jump city for now.

Danny. Well Danny was just vibing. He crashed landed on some farm. The two who came up to him were so nice! They gave him pie!! It didn’t even fight him.

He had no idea where they ended up. The vibe was similar to home. He could still make portals easy enough. But he had no idea where to start looking for sam and tucker.

But!! Jon and Martha promised him their son would be able to help! He had connections… apparently. He couldn’t risk the cops. Plus they let him help with the animals!!!!

He is sure that sam and tucker could take care of themselves for a few days. He was apparently out of town.

Jazz for her part. Had been on her way to pick up the three idiots. Only to see them in the distance jump through a portal. Well. She might as well give the Fenton speedster a test drive.

[thunderstruck9]

Eric Sloane (American, 1905-1985), New Hampshire in January. Oil on Masonite, 23 ½ x 31 ½ in.

[mewcrossing]

🌱🌳🌻