The conversion to Organic Agriculture corresponds to the transition phase towards certification in “Organic Agriculture”. From the beginning of this phase, the producer’s practices must strictly comply with Organic Agriculture regulations.
For each production, a minimum duration of land conversion has been defined. This conversion period triggers changes in the life cycles of animals, plants and organisms living on and in the soil. The conversion of agricultural land is also used to cleanse the soil of possible old chemical residues. It allows the farmer to begin to learn about organic production methods, to adapt his production tools and to find new markets for his products.
Organic production is a global system of food production and farm management. It combines best environmental practices, high biodiversity, protection of natural resources, a way of production that respects the needs of certain consumers for products using natural substances and methods. Currently, the consumption of organic products has increased. In organic production, the use of mineral nitrogen and chemicals is prohibited.
Conversion is the transition from traditional agriculture to organic farming. Farmers’ practices must strictly comply with organic farming regulations. For each production, the minimum duration of soil conversion has been determined. This conversion period leads to changes in the life cycles of plants, animals and organisms living in the soil and on the land. Conversion to agricultural land is also used to clean the soil of old chemical residues. It allows the farmer to start learning about organic production processes, to refine his production tools and to discover new markets for his products.
Going organic is a huge project that takes time to grow. It’s an option that changes the marketing strategy, the way it works, the work organization, and even the income. The first step in building an organic conversion project is to visit the farms, learn about the specifications and meet the producers who are committed to the process. In each department, there are structures that can advise farmers who want to learn about organic farming: producer organisations, organic producer networks, Ceta, Chambers of Agriculture…An economic analysis is necessary to get a better idea of the cash flow required by the first year of conversion. Training sessions have also been set up in the departments.
Producing without harming the environment is nowadays the most demanded approach in any production sector. The environmental balance sheet of production in general is in a critical state, with greenhouse gas emissions, loss of biodiversity, over-consumption of water and soil degradation. The new trend is therefore to move towards ecological and environmental production. The question arises as to how to produce better and preserve the environment.
Production inevitably has an impact on the environment, particularly the use of fossil fuels. On the other hand, actions are possible to participate in the mitigation of environmental degradation while maintaining high productivity.
Energy expenditure for each production process increases the cost of production and has a real impact on the environment, such as the thinning of the ozone layer due to the emission of greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide. This situation leads to climate change and systematically harms the environment such as the disappearance of species that do not adapt. In addition, renewable energies such as solar energy, hydropower and wind power reduce the cost of production in the long term and help to preserve the environment. Recycled products thus provide a competitive advantage in terms of price-performance ratio for product sales.
Human waste is a raw material that is in great demand to preserve the environment. Among other things, they contribute to the degradation of biodiversity in the world, especially species living in the ocean.
In addition, 75% of human waste is recyclable or reusable, especially non-degradable waste. This means that plastic, paper, glass, steel, copper, aluminium and other biomass waste can be reused or re-processed to produce combustible energy. Labels for the sale of recyclable products are very accessible and the consumption of the products contributes to the preservation of the environment. Recycled products have become a marketing trend due to the fact that they are cheaper and the consumers who buy them already participate in the preservation of the environment.
For the preservation of the environment, agriculture also takes a very important place not only in terms of its contribution to environmental degradation, but above all in terms of its potential to provide a sustainable solution. In this case, the aim is to produce agricultural crops that are both organic and environmentally friendly, such as the natural and biodynamic wine production system, for example. Consumers are turning more and more towards organic and ecological consumption which becomes an advantage in the sale of products and therefore more profitable for producers, but, above all, the preservation of the environment is popularized.
In the era of their first experiments, the use of chemical fertilizers had reached a certain golden age. Of course, agriculture had even achieved enormous success in production and yield. However, it was only after years of use that it began to feel dangerous. Adverse consequences appeared and had an impact on the health of consumers of agricultural products. The same is true on the environmental side through the rapid degradation of the soil and damage to the atmosphere. There are indeed alternative solutions for reducing the use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture.
This is a very important question, the use of chemical fertilizers has become a major issue in modern agricultural production. Indeed, it is an international recommendation for the preservation of the environment. The programme that has been put in place is expected to be completed within the next three decades.
The use of chemical fertilizers constitutes dangerous agricultural pollution. The effects are very insidious, because although we see an increase in green spaces following the use of chemical inputs, there is a significant emanation of nitrogen and CO2. This is a great threat to the environment through the emission of greenhouse gases.
The first solution for reducing the use of chemical fertilizers is to use organic inputs as an alternative. The products are available on the agricultural accessories and supplies market. Shops and producers offer organic materials from ashes, guanos or even rock phosphate.
It is also possible to personally make organic fertilizers such as compost or by using products from livestock farming (animal excrement: rabbit, zebu, dove…), crop residues or even algae.
Another alternative would be to treat the soil. Intelligent agriculture is about polyculture. To do this, crops are assembled or rotated on the soil so as not to totally exhaust the organic elements that contribute to plant development.
For the restoration of soil fertility after long use, enriching plants such as styosanthes guianensis should be cultivated. This is a much more effective and quicker alternative to soil repair than fallowing. It also reduces the use of chemical fertilizers.
The use of biological pesticides and insecticides is also recommended. Otherwise, soil disinfection should not be done very frequently. This will painfully reduce soil fertility and damage plant health.
The unloader is an agricultural machine that allows you to straw a surface and feed your animals quickly. In general, silage is stored in different forms of mulch and contained in silos. While a silage harvester will harvest the silage prior to storage, silage feeders are used later, or in the case of a silage unloader that is used for feeding, to distribute and empty the feed to the animals, or to create bedding.
In order to choose the right silage extractor, it is necessary to know the different types of silage extractors that exist. The first type is the block silage unloaders, which are often carried by a tractor. They come in a parallelepiped shape and carry a fixed quantity of feed, preventing the appearance of mould and leaving a wall of silage. A fork digs into the silage to retrieve it and cut it with a saw. Some of these devices can be used to distribute small quantities. Claw silage unloaders are the second type of silage unloader. They offer several possibilities for picking through more or less neat silage fronts. The whole machine is towed by an agricultural machine. The claw makes it possible to overcome the bucket at the rear and take up the silage by forcing it into this bucket. The distribution is done through a trap door that is often installed on the side. The last type of silage unloader is the rotary tiller, a large tiller installed horizontally at the rear end of a silage handling machine.
First of all, the needs will not all be the same but depend on the size of the farm and the investment will be appropriate for the methods to be used, many criteria such as the number of animals to be fed and the length of the tour. The investment in silage silage unloaders mIt is advisable to use the railcar silo unloader for large farms.
Silage unloaders can also be straw blowers, bale unscramblers, mixers, unrollers, self-propelled, etc. There are therefore many options at the time of purchase. The use of these options varies considerably depending on the operation. The mixer silage unloader can be used to mix concentrates and silage or different types of silage, while the straw unloader can often be used to feed and bed the animals. Depending on your needs, you should think about choosing a silage silage feeder that is capable of travelling at 40 km/h on all roads and lanes on your farm.
Nowadays, there are several organic products of different brands on the market, used to protect and develop agriculture, soils and fields. For the expansion of these products, it is necessary to get the right equipment for each product. A wide range of equipment is available for any farm. There are different types of spreading according to each organic product. In this article, we will talk about spreading, the different types of spreaders and the advantages of spreading.
Spreading is the action of applying organic products such as fertilizers, pesticides, soil improvers, and herbicides to agricultural soils or fields. The role of these products is to fertilize the fields and disperse the treated water in the soil. To set up a spreading system, the soil must be highly permeable in order to infiltrate and disperse water. This requires the use of specific equipment or a spreader. The spreader is used to disperse products, fertilizers or seeds so that they are uniformly distributed over the fields. It is a durable device with several capacities according to your needs.
Numerous pieces of equipment are on sale to perfect the regular and precise spreading of various organic products. There are several models of equipment that are very effective in achieving very good results. The choice of spreading must then be adapted to each type of organic product. Each model of spreader is specific and has its own advantages. For spreaders of powdered or granulated organic products, you have the belt spreader with limited spreading capacity and which is specialized designed for maintenance crops. There is also the pendulum spreader which requires little maintenance and little power. This one is especially suitable for granules. There is the lime spreader, which is specialised for powdery products. There is also the centrifugal spreader, which can be controlled because it is very practical. Finally, there is the machine mounted spreader, which is very imposing, because it has to be attached to an agricultural machine, but the result is remarkable.
With good agricultural products and the right equipment, there are many advantages to a spreader farm. Spreading is done quickly and efficiently with a regular supply. The cost of the spreader as well as its consumption is low. The spreading equipment or material is easy to use, but above all it is easily adapted to all types of terrain. It requires very little maintenance and has a very long service life. The most important thing is that you can spend more time on the essentials, because the spreader will take care of the work. It is therefore the best solution for saving time in absolute efficiency.
To develop your farm, you need equipment that is both efficient and well adapted. Therefore, the choice of your farm trailer must be made with the utmost care. Depending on the intended use, there are different categories of trailers. This article will then help you to take stock of the situation.
Agricultural trailers are designed to transport various agricultural products. As they do not have an engine, they have to be towed by agricultural machinery. For this purpose, the removable extensions must be easy to assemble and disassemble. Each trailer can have one axle or two coupled axles, two axles steered by the kingpin, or three axles with one steering axle and two coupled load-bearing axles. It also has a rear door that can be activated manually, automatically or hydraulically. Its tyres are very resistant and suitable for all types of terrain. To allow easy and quick unloading, the tipping agricultural trailer is the most recommended.
To transport products whose total weight does not exceed 900 kilos, the class 1 trailer can be used. The class 2 trailer can transport products up to 10 tons. These two categories of trailers are most often used on small farms, while large farms use class 3 and 4 trailers, which have a maximum gross vehicle weight of 20 to 50 tons.
For specific tasks, such as on a cereal or wine-growing farm, there are trailers that are perfectly suited to the task.
In order to choose the right trailer for your field of activity, it is therefore necessary to take into account certain points such as the required payload (UT), the type of products to be transported, the frequency of use and the power of the towing vehicle. It is also important to consider the braking system. Some models have their own braking system that can be automatically activated when the towing vehicle slows down. The quality of the trailer should also not be neglected.
To help you choose the one that best suits your needs, don’t hesitate to ask for advice from manufacturers, dealers or DIY stores in your area. Moreover, this allows you to visualize the trailer before you buy it. Depending on your budget, you can choose between a new or used model. But no matter what type of trailer you choose to buy, don’t forget to ask the seller to provide you with a warranty, after-sales service and the accessories and spare parts that should accompany each model.
Before you start farming, you need to assess your main needs, taking into account the type of crops and the land to be cultivated. You need to carry out a study in order to get off to a good start in your career. There are several ways to start your life as a farmer.
Not everyone is attracted to farming. Farmers have a passion for ploughing and harvesting the products of the soil. For those who are afraid of urban life, becoming a farmer can be impossible and too complicated. A priori, you have to identify your personality. It is best to choose a crop according to your priorities. In general, farming requires time and investment. On the other hand, farming is a way to be able to work freely. You need to determine your own schedule for daily work. It is crucial to show your leadership side. This is a great way to showcase your creativity while keeping in mind your main objectives. If you want to carry out small-scale farming, you must anticipate the various possible economic difficulties.
To become a farmer, it is strongly advised to find out about websites specialized in the field. It is also possible to contact local institutes. There are agencies that can help you with your project. Don’t hesitate to contact farmers in the region to understand the stakes of agriculture. You will have the opportunity to understand the farmers’ market in your region. With the innovation of technology, you will have the opportunity to visit websites and forums on local agriculture. Online FAQs can connect you with many farmers.
You can start your farming career by volunteering. You will have the opportunity to live the experience without investing capital. You can contact farms to get an internship in the trade if necessary. To get off to a good start as a farmer, you need to carefully determine the crops you want to produce. You must highlight the crops in your region. Finding land to farm can be an important step in getting you started. The choice of locations should not be neglected. The question of financing can become a key element in the success of your project. It is fundamental to carry out preliminary calculations to assess the feasibility of your work. Agriculture has been a very popular field for several years. All you have to do is get your activities off to a good start to avoid future inconveniences.
In pig farming, feeding is very important. Indeed, a good feed and a good dosage are necessary to make the activity profitable. Several categories of feed are available depending on the degree of growth of the pigs. Whether it is pigs for fattening, pregnant sows or piglets, each category must have its own feed. Indeed, the nutritional demands of animals vary according to their age and this must be taken into account to have healthy animals. If you work in pig farming, here’s a little guide to know everything you need to know about pig feeding to help you reach your goals.
Good feeding and proper dosage are the two things that must be respected to fatten the pigs properly. It is therefore very important to choose how to feed the animals, either dry feed or soup feed. Since pigs are omnivorous animals, they can digest both animal and plant foods. However, farmed pigs most often consume feeds of plant origin in the form of pellets. It is important to remember to add minerals and supplements to their feed to maximize performance. Feed supplements for pigs are added directly to their feed. Since this animal has a small stomach, it is necessary to feed it several times a day. Pig farming therefore requires a certain amount of rationality to get the most out of the animals. There are companies that offer pig feeds specially designed to provide all the nutritional needs of the animals in relation to their degree of growth. These pig feeds can be ordered online according to your needs.
Pregnant sows need more nutrients for a healthy litter. In order to obtain piglets that are heavier at birth, but also more resistant, it is important to meet the sow’s feed requirements during gestation. A special feed is therefore administered, this feed is composed in such a way that it is as complete as possible. Vitamins and minerals, present in feed supplements for pigs, are added to promote the sow’s immune defences. The healthier the sow, the healthier and stronger the piglets she will produce. Following this feeding program will not only result in more piglets at birth, but also in a higher weight. Their growth will be faster to reach the weaning weight as soon as possible. Pig nutrition always takes into account the ratio between the kilos of feed given and the kilos gained by the animals, this is done with a view to profitability.
At birth, piglets suckle their mother’s milk, rich in colostrum, which helps them improve their immune defences. To maximize the presence of colostrums in the sow’s milk, good feeding during gestation is necessary. But at weaning time, even just before, piglets should start eating solid feed. Ideally, piglets should be weaned as early as possible, the gradual introduction of solid feed will help them build up their digestive system. The aim of feeding piglets is to strengthen their immunity, promote their digestive systems and supplement their feed requirements. Well-fed piglets will make better pigs for meat production, and sows for reproduction. That is why they should be given piglet feed supplements. Once again, well-established programs with ready-to-eat feeds are commercially available to ensure better performance.
The design of a cattle and pig farm requires serious study on a few key points. The analysis must be based on financial possibilities. The idea of location is then introduced. Finally, we do not neglect what mainly concerns the feeding of these domestic animals.
To have a good performance, it is necessary to know how to design animal nutrition from the various components of livestock feed, exclusively pig feed. It must contain mainly minerals and vitamins. These two elements improve production and reproduction, as well as calving and even the immunity of cattle and pigs. Other components worthy of mention are phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. Livestock audits concern above all the monitoring of the accounts corresponding to these products. Phosphorus has an impact on the development of the animal’s skeleton, growth and milk production. Calcium develops muscle and blood function and maintains the components of milk. Finally, magnesium takes care of energy and muscle metabolism. In addition, sodium ensures nerve and blood flow. It recovers the loss of appetite in case of deficiency. All these products must be found in the breeding centres, or at the veterinarian’s, just like poultry feed.
Being “omnivorous”, the pig’s organism adapts to any product of animal or plant origin. In principle, French pig farms use plant products known for their nutritional qualities in their feeds. These products are presented in the form of flour or granules. Cereals, oils and minerals are the fundamental basis of their feed. Because their stomachs are small, they need to eat several meals during the day. At birth, piglets must consume colostrum, which provides them with the antibody that guarantees their survival in the beginning. At weaning, its feed is a mixture of milk powder with wheat and cereals. In addition, the pig is also interested in products that have been abandoned and are not used by food companies, but are still clean. These include oil cakes, broken products such as bread, rice, semolina and cereal bran. All these elements make up the raw materials for pork.
Feeding cattle requires a good dietary balance. Its daily ration must be respected if a good yield is to be expected. The requirement is both qualitative and quantitative. Some advice deserves to be analysed in order to understand the concept of a balanced diet. Fodder must be the main basis for cattle feed. There are several types of fodder: more or less dried fodder, dry fodder, green fodder, harvested fodder, silage fodder and dry fodder. In order to be able to hope for a tangible result in terms of the growth of the animal, every farmer must design a cattle feed with a very sufficient quantity of these fodder types, according to the types listed above and taken as bovine raw materials. If we try to put this into practice to some extent, 80% of the feed consists of this fodder. Nevertheless, consumption is not at all sufficient, to the point where the dietary deficiency is still increasing without the intervention of the dietary supplements consisting of vitamin, energy and protein components. Finally, 100 litres of water help the animal to face a good digestion. Beef still needs bovine minerals, which can be found in livestock shops or at the veterinarian’s, as a supplement to the feed.
Sometimes governments sometimes consider farms to be exceptional businesses. Why is this? Well, for the simple reason that these farms make a significant contribution to the country’s economy. But what are the steps involved in passing on my farm, you may ask?
In order to answer the question “how do I transfer my farm? “the first thing to do is to know the person you want to give it to. Be aware that the transferor has three (03) main options in this case. The transferor can choose to just lease his farm to a third party, depending on the lease he wants to propose. For this option, he remains the owner of the property. On the other hand, if you wish to transfer your farm to someone in your family, you can make a simple donation, a spousal donation or a shared donation. And if you decide to transfer your property outside the family, be sure to be well accompanied in your steps.
Before any project, you also need to be able to answer the question: “How can I properly prepare for the transfer of my farm? ». Indeed, the transfer of your farm is a project that requires a lot of research and preparation. There are steps that must be followed very carefully. You can prepare your project during the five (05) years prior to your retirement and in the three (03) years preceding, you must submit your Declaration of Intent to Termination of Activity or DICCA to the Chamber of Agriculture on which you depend, of course. You must also find the ideal buyer. You can find all the necessary information from an advisor or an expert in the transfer.
With regard to the problem of “who can help me with the transfer of my farm? “the ideal solution would be to register on the Répertoire Départ Installation or (RDI). Indeed, this register has been set up in particular so that transferors can get in touch with candidates for installation. The Répertoire Départ Installation (RDI) can help the transferor to broadcast announcements, but the platform can also provide support throughout the transmission process. In addition, the Safer in your region can also help you with your project. It can, among other things, set the sale price, broadcast an advertisement as RDI does and examine applications with you. However, you should also know that you can take the necessary steps on your own.