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Livestock nutrition is arguably the most important thing to producers across the industry. With the new ban on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters, and the increasing strains of antibiotic resistant bacteria, farmers and ranchers are looking for new safe and effective ways to prevent and treat diseases in livestock. Probiotics are one way in which farmers are meeting these goals. The Livestock Industry and Antibiotic Use The global livestock industry is huge. In the United States alone, livestock production is estimated to be responsible for 50% of all antibiotics consumed and 37% of all applied pesticides. The animals themselves were found to consume 95% of oat and 80% of corn production in the United States. With current agricultural practices and ever increasing demand, this... Read More

Productive, nutrient-rich soil is one of earth’s most valuable resources that we often take for granted.  It is known that conventional farming practices strip soil of the microorganisms needed to sustain soil’s vitality and future potential, all the while reducing nutrients in the produce it feeds. Organic farming, in response to this nutritional and environmental crisis created by standard farming practices, has grown substantially over recent years. Growers and consumers are still skeptical though, wondering if the tedium and protocol behind organic farming practices is actually paying off. The consensus from the science community is a loud resounding “yes!” Organic farming practices simultaneously increase soil’s health while boosting nutrients in our food. Organic Farming for... Read More

Traditional methods of composting, like vermicomposting and thermophilic systems, require extensive time and involved maintenance to achieve the perfect hummus. The process can seem overwhelming. So why go through more steps to brew and strain the compost into a tea? Because, in many instances, the quick blast of nutrients and disease fighting ability it gives to plants has great potential for growers. Compost tea is just a few steps closer to growing crops with deeper, impenetrable root systems, disease resistant leaves, and even tastier, more nutritious fruits and vegetables. Being a newer method of fertilization, research is still under way to determine which compost blends work for which plants. The goal of compost tea is not always to replace traditional composting altogether,... Read More

Composting has been practiced for thousands of years around the world to produce richer soil, higher crop yield, and sustainable waste management. While formally farmers had to rely on trade secrets and constant modification, scientists in the past 50 years have extensively studied the composting process, resulting in more precise methodology and advanced options for creating nutrient-dense, disease fighting compost, an indispensable element for growing high quality, high yield produce. What are the most efficient methods of composting in large-scale and commercial farming? A Thermophilic composting system creates ideal conditions for “heat-loving” bacteria to break down matter and kill pathogens and diseases. In all methods of decomposition, the work is done by both micro and... Read More