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  1. leon

    Bookkeeping

    A friend once told me that they find bookkeeping boring. Do you let someone handle this for you? One thing I have stuck to over the years is to separate farm transactions from personal transactions. I also use accounting software that I update regularly.
  2. leon

    The frequency of soil testing

    Lack of mineral nutrition in the soil can increase the cost of production and result in reduced crop yield and profitability. Does constant fertilizer use cause mineral depletion? Which is the best soil testing method, and what is the recommended frequency?
  3. leon

    Processed commodities

    Any farmer with an agricultural farm requires feed if they rear animals. If there was demand in your area, would you consider livestock feed production, and what are the risks involved?
  4. leon

    Diversified farming

    I've heard people say that a majority of farmers prefer to specialize in one type of farming. Others grow more than one crop or rear various animals. Who does diversified farming suit, and when is it best to start?
  5. leon

    Are more people getting into farming?

    How is the situation around your area? Some years back, the number of farms around our town was dropping. However, there has been a steady increase in the number of people farming on a part-time or full-time basis. Also, more people are getting into farming, with an eagerness to adopt the latest...
  6. leon

    Long-term investment

    Any farmer will tell you that farming is a risky business. Sometimes, the strategies we put in place don't work, leading to massive losses. In the Netherlands, three to four farmers go bankrupt every day of the week. According to a USDA census, only 43 percent of American farms were profitable...
  7. leon

    Agricultural drones

    As a farmer, to what extent have you embraced technology? My target is to adopt apps that can help me monitor crops each day. What are your thoughts on the use of drones?
  8. leon

    Growing mushrooms

    Mushrooms are among the most profitable crops that you can grow on a small farm. There is usually a high demand for them, especially in my area, and sometimes a lack of supply. I am considering venturing into mushroom farming, but I am unsure about where to start?
  9. leon

    When to pick corn

    Fresh-picked corn tastes much better than grocery store corn. It is advisable to harvest when the ears at the peak of perfection. We usually pick corn 20 days after the first silk appears. Again, corn is best harvested early in the morning.
  10. leon

    Most popular swine breeds.

    If I want to venture into pig farming, which breeds should I consider? Someone suggested Berkshires that are known for reproductive efficiency, fast growth, meat flavor, and cleanliness. Also, who has experience with the Duroc breed?
  11. leon

    Disruption of the supply chain

    When most restaurants and schools closed due to coronavirus, there was a milk surplus around where we stay. Some farmers didn't have an idea of what to do with the fresh lettuce usually supplied to restaurants. What happens when the supply chain gets disrupted, and there is nowhere to take the...
  12. leon

    Farming for profit

    Do you agree that farming can be slow to grow as a business? Most of us start off hoping to make money within a short time, which may not always be the case. It is advisable to include a high-profit venture, which should pay for the initial investment within a short time. The profitable venture...
  13. leon

    Intensive subsistence agriculture

    It is said to be the most abundant type of agriculture globally, commonly practiced in humid, tropical regions of the world. While intensive subsistence agriculture is highly dependent on animal power and is highly labor-intensive, how best can it be adapted with technology in mind?
  14. leon

    Farming and the holidays

    What are some of the answers when asking farmers what they will be doing over the holidays? The truth is that farming never stops for holidays and most, if not all of us, work over this period.
  15. leon

    Managing soil for planting

    The soil, a primary resource for food production, is crucial for farming. How often do you perform soil analysis? I don't have a specific time, but this is something I do from time-to-time. What are some of the practices that can help to enhance soil performance?
  16. leon

    Safety tips during harvest

    We all probably understand the importance of properly maintaining our equipment; they become less likely to break down. I always make a list of what needs to be done and assign specific people to complete those tasks.
  17. leon

    Threats to food security

    The ever-growing world population growth keeps heaping pressure on the food system, thus increasing the demand for food. Apart from the increasing energy and food prices, new plant and animal diseases, and climate change, what are the other threats to food security?
  18. leon

    Raising different birds together

    A few farmers I have spoken to before say that they enjoy having ducks and quail in addition to a flock of chicken. The latter are usually docile and highly domesticated but then are there any birds that you cannot flock together on the farm?
  19. leon

    Extensive vs intensive farming

    Intensive farming covers produce like fruits, dairy products, poultry, and vegetables, among others. On the other hand, extensive farming concerns itself with ranching, cattle farming as well as mixed farming, and so on. Is it advisable to start with the former?
  20. leon

    Backyard poultry

    It is enjoyable to watch a baby-chick grow into an egg-laying egg, and once way to achieve this is by starting a backyard flock. Have you ever considered raising ducks, guinea fowls, geese, chicken, and turkeys all under one enclosure?
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