For undergraduate courses in Introduction to Soils, Fundamentals of Soil Science, and Soil Management. With an emphasis on the fundamentals, this book explores the important world of soils and the principles that can be used to minimize the degradation and destruction of one of our most important natural resources. Fully updated in this edition, it includes the latest information on soil colloids; nutrient cycles and soil fertility; and soils and chemical pollution. This edition is filled with hundreds of new figures and photos and continues to use examples from many fields, including agriculture, forestry, and natural resources. Taking an ecological approach, it emphasizes how the soil system is interconnected and the principles behind each soil concept.

For courses in Introductory Animal Science or Introductory Livestock Management. Scientific Farm Animal Production: An Introduction to Animal Science, Tenth Edition, offers students a comprehensive, science-based approach to managing livestock for food, fiber, and recreation. This best-selling text examines the biological principles, scientific relationships, and management practices of livestock production, providing students the context and foundation upon which they can determine their academic and career focus. Updated with new figures, color photos, and current demographic data, the tenth edition is the best reference and resource available to teachers and students at the introductory level in animal sciences.

For courses in Greenhouse Management. Based on the author's life-long practical experiences both in the industry and in research, Greenhouse Operation and Management, Seventh Edition, offers students a state-of-the-art guide to the operation of commercial flower and vegetable greenhouses. The text presents coverage in the order in which decision-making concerns occur for a person entering the greenhouse business. Exceptionally comprehensive, yet accessible, it provides detailed, step-by-step instructions in layman's terms for ALL aspects of the business-from the physical facilities, to the day-to-day operations, to business management and marketing.

For Animal Breeding and Genetics courses. An experienced educator in animal breeding, Rick Bourdon designed this book to be a modern, technologically up-to-date approach to animal breeding that is less intimidating to students than competing texts. The book is meant to be a learning text or guide as opposed to simply a reference. Understanding Animal Breeding addresses the abstract concepts of animal breeding, presenting the necessary mathematics, but previous experience in genetics and statistics is not assumed. Well organized and readable, the book stresses application, then explains theory for an overall understanding of the material.

The South West Peak is a lesser-known part of the Peak District stretching from Lyme Park in Cheshire in the north to Onecote in Staffordshire in the south, and from Macclesfield in the west to Buxton in the east. This landscape area includes tracts of high moorland, fertile valleys, wooded cloughs, picturesque villages and tiny hamlets. The farmers of the South West Peak are the people who have made the landscape what it is today, and it is their personal accounts of working in this often challenging land that form the basis of The Land That Made Us. Edited by local author Christine Gregory and dairy farmer Sheila Hine, and published in partnership with the Farming Life Centre and the Peak District National Park Authority with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, this book includes the testimony of over twenty farmers, and it is illustrated with photographs of them and their farming landscapes. We hear stories from across the generations of heroic endeavour in difficult terrain, as well as accounts of day-to-day work and family life spanning eighty years of farming history. The land had been farmed in traditional ways for centuries, but the Second World War changed that, and in succeeding years politics and increasing mechanisation have constantly rewritten the rule book for farmers. There is pride in achievement as well as frustration at the often conflicting demands of food production and wildlife conservation. The Land That Made Us asks what makes for sustainability in the short and the long term. The future of this landscape and of the farming communities that sustain it hangs in the balance, and it is the farmers' turn to reflect on their past and speculate about the future.

For all undergraduate courses in plant propagation at the two-year and four-year colleges and universities. The world standard for plant propagation and horticulture for over 50 years, Hartmann and Kester's Plant Propagation continues to be the field's most complete, up-to-date text on plant propagation. It now contains color figures throughout, promoting learning and making it an even more useful working text and reference. It also contains extensive updates reflecting the latest commercial techniques and understanding of propagation biology. Like previous editions, it is organized into paired chapters on principles and practices, so it can easily be adapted for teaching courses that cover only practical topics, and for courses that also cover conceptual issues.

At any given time there are around one billion pigs in the world; that's one for every seven of us. And where would we be without them? Prolific, ubiquitous, smart, adaptable, able to turn garbage into good-quality protein just by eating it, pigs have been our companions since neolithic days when they obligingly domesticated themselves, coming in out if the wild to truffle around our waste pits. It's not all about the bacon: the resourceful pig, now reformatted in micro packages, has developed a whole new career as a portable pet. And thanks to the recent genome mapping we now know that pig physiology is remarkably similar to our own. The Pig: A Natural History covers evolution from prehistoric wild boar to placid porker; anatomy, biology and behaviour; the pig's contribution to our lives; and the high profile of this remarkable beast in popular culture.

From Basic Fundamentals to Advanced Design Applications A culmination of the author's more than 20 years of research efforts, academic papers, and lecture notes, Combine Harvesters: Theory, Modeling, and Design outlines the key concepts of combine harvester process theory and provides you with a complete and thorough understanding of combine harvester processes. Utilizing a wealth of experimental data to promote validated mathematical models, this book presents the latest stochastic and deterministic modeling methods, evolutionary computational techniques, and practical applications. Highly focused on engineering and mathematics, it incorporates the use of simulation software (including MATLAB (R)) throughout the text and introduces a unified approach that can be used for any combine harvester functional structure. The book addresses modeling, simulation, evolutionary optimization, and combine process design. Breadth of coverage includes general technical specifications, developing machine layout as defined by engineering calculations, and design considerations for major subassembly processes. Comprised of 15 chapters, this text: Provides examples of current combine systems/elements design throughout the book Incorporates applications/exercises inspired by the author's engineering and research experience Uses both SI (metric) and imperial/U.S. measuring units throughout Combine Harvesters: Theory, Modeling, and Design contains principles, calculations, and examples that can aid you in combine process modeling and simulation, the development of combine process and driving task-based control systems by considering a top-to-bottom design of combine assembly and components.

Urban tree management is the key basis for greener cities of the future. It is a practical discipline which includes tree selection, planting, care and protection and the overall management of trees as a collective resource. Urban Tree Management aims to raise awareness for the positive impacts and benefits of city trees and for their importance to city dwellers. It describes their advantages and details their effects on quality of urban life and well-being aspects that are increasingly important in these times of progressing urbanisation. With this book you will learn: * fundamentals, methods and tools of urban tree management * state of the art in the fields of urban forestry and tree biology * positive effects and uses of urban trees * features, requirements and selection criteria for urban trees * conditions and problems of urban trees * governance and management aspects * environmental education programs. Edited by the leading expert Dr Andreas Roloff, Urban Tree Management is an excellent resource for plant scientists, horticulturists, dendrologists, arborists and arboriculturists, forestry scientists, city planners, parks department specialists and landscape architects. It will be an essential addition to all students and libraries where such subjects are taught.

About 15 years ago, we asked ourselves why the methods developed by the research institutions for the management of pests were almost not used by small landholder farmers. It seemed obvious to us that conventional pest control -called "Integrated Pest Management"- was based on a reductionist approach. In reviewing the literature on the subject, we found that our concern was not new or unique. The agreement of some authors with our ideas reinforced our efforts to find a holistic approach to pest management. We took two central ideas to develop the holistic approach: First, pest management actions must put the farmer at the center of the system. Second, pest management must consider not only both pests but the other important components of the system in question. This approach based on the farmers and the systems in which they are immersed, is called "Holistic Pest Management" or HPM. In this book, I present the philosophy and practice of HPM, a new paradigm of pest management.

The updated seventh edition of the classic text on wood science and forestry The seventh edition of Forest Products and Wood Science: An Introduction offers a fully revised and updated review of the forest products industry. This classic text contains a comprehensive review of the subject and presents a thorough understanding of the anatomical and physical nature of wood. The authors emphasize its use as an industrial raw material. Forest Products and Wood Science provides thorough coverage of all aspects of wood science and industry, ranging from tree growth and wood anatomy to a variety of economically important wood products, along with their applications and performance. The text explores global raw materials, the increasing use of wood as a source of energy and chemicals and environmental implications of the use of wood. This edition features new material on structural composites, non-structural composites, durability and protection, pulp and paper, energy and chemicals, and global raw materials. This seventh edition of the classic work: Contains new information on a variety of topics including: structural composites, non-structural composites, durability and protection, pulp and paper, energy and chemicals and global raw materials Includes a fully revised text that meets the changing needs of the forestry, engineering, and wood science academics and professionals Presents material written by authors with broad experience in both the private and academic sectors Written for undergraduate students in forestry, natural resources, engineering, and wood science, as well as forest industry personnel, engineers, wood-based manufacturing and using professionals, the seventh edition of Forest Products and Wood Science updates the classic text that has become an indispensable resource.

Tea is big business. After water, tea is believed to be the most widely consumed beverage in the world. And yet, as productivity increases, the real price of tea declines while labour costs continue to rise. Tea remains a labour intensive industry. With a distinguished career spanning over 50 years and rich experience in diverse crops, Mike Carr is eminently qualified to indulge in an intelligent discourse on tea agronomy. In addition to a comprehensive review of the principal tea growing regions worldwide in terms of structure, productivity and principal constraints, he has attempted to question and seeks to find the associated experimental evidence needed to support current and future crop management practices. The book will assist all those involved in the tea industry to become creative thinkers and to question accepted practices. International in content, it will appeal to practitioners and students from tea growing countries worldwide.

Author Lisa Steele is one of the most trusted voices in small-flock poultry keeping. Her first book, "Fresh Eggs Daily," was all about healthy, natural care for chickens. Now comes "Duck Eggs Daily," an equally valuable guide to raising ducks for eggs and companionship. This is also a book for chicken keepers who want to add ducks to their flock. While ducks can live happily with chickens, ducks are different in many important ways. Steele provides an information-packed, beautifully photographed how-to for raising - and living with - happy, healthy ducks. She examines every aspect of her ducks' lives, including duck houses and pools, health care, duck behavior and blending ducks into a chicken flock. She provides a breed chart and a selection of favorite recipes using duck eggs. What's behind the fast-growing interest in raising ducks? An increasing awareness of the superior nutrition and taste of duck eggs (compared to chicken eggs) and a desire for a personal connection with the foods we feed our families. Foodies and chefs are embracing the appeal of duck eggs. And many doctors recommend duck eggs for people allergic to chicken eggs.

If self-sufficiency and raising your own food is important to you, this book will help you pull together a complete farm-to-table experience. Gone are the days when grandma headed to the chicken coop in search of dinner. In this day and age, when fewer and fewer people know where their food comes from, How to Raise Chickens for Meat helps families take control of their food supply once again. Divided into four easy-to-navigate sections, How to Raise Chickens for Meat is packed with practical information. The first section, Getting Started, includes information on breed specifics, timing, and quantity. This section will help you analyze options and make informed decisions as you get started. The second section, Care & Feeding, dives into the specifics of keeping your flock healthy. Learn how to set up a brooder, what to feed your chickens, how to safely pasture them, and how to keep your flock stress-free. The third section, Butchering, prepares you for one of the more challenging parts of raising chickens for meat. It addresses some of the emotions you may feel along with the actual process of butchering and provides practical tips to make it easier. It also discusses alternative options if you don't want to process your own chickens. The book concludes with cooking tips and delicious tried and true farm-to-table recipes to impress even the most doubtful family member! How to Raise Chickens for Meat is the resource your homestead library has been missing.

The grape and wine industry in North Carolina is now worth in excess of $30 million dollars. To assist North Carolina growers in the production of quality grapes for quality wines, a newly revised guide has been written for winegrape growers, called the North Carolina Winegrape Grower's Guide. This publication provides grape growers with practical information about choosing an appropriate site for a vineyard, establishment, and operation of commercial vineyards in North Carolina. It includes a new chapter on spring frost control and examines the pros and cons of active frost protection systems.

Biological control is the suppression of populations of pests and weeds by living organisms. These organisms can provide important protection from invasive species and protect our environment by reducing the need for pesticides. However, they also pose possible environmental risks, so biological control interventions must be undertaken with great care. This book enhances our understanding of biological control interactions by combining theory and practical application. Using a combination of historical analyses, theoretical models and case studies, with explicit links to invasion biology, the authors cover biological control of insects, weeds, plant pathogens and vertebrate animals. The book reflects increasing recognition of risks over the past 20 years, and incorporates the latest technological advances and theoretical developments. It is ideal for researchers and students of biological control and invasion biology.

Ecological engineering is the process of manipulating farm habitats for the purposes of maintaining or increasing food production, restoring wetlands and other ecosystems, and conserving resources such as water and fertile soil. This book focuses on the pest management aspect of ecological engineering: how to make farmland more attractive for beneficial insects and less favorable for pests. This book brings together contributors from around the world who are leaders in habitat manipulation for the purpose of agriculture.Chapters explore the frontiers of ecological engineering: the authors describe methods including molecular approaches, high-tech marking, and remote sensing. They also review the theoretical aspects of ecological engineering and discuss how ecological engineering may interact with genetic engineering.

Raise goats and reap the rewards. "Raising Goats For Dummies" provides you with an introduction to all aspects of owning, caring for, and the day-to-day benefits of raising goats.

"Raising Goats For Dummies "is your How-to guide for" "Breaking down the complicated process of choosing and purchasing the right goat breed to meet your needs and getting facilities for your goat set up. Providing in-depth information on proper grooming, handling, feeding, and milking Covering the basics of goat health and nutrition Offering tips and advice for using your goat to produce milk, meat, fiber, and more

Understand what makes these useful and delightful creatures so popular and gain the knowledge and skills to properly care for and utilize their many offerings.

Developed for Introduction to Soils or Soil Science courses, The Nature and Properties of Soils, Fifteenth Edition, can be used in courses such as Soil Fertility, Land Resources, Earth Science and Soil Geography. Help students learn about soils and their connections to the ecosystem The Nature and Properties of Soils is designed to engage today's students with the latest in the world of soils. This hallmark text introduces students to the exciting world of soils through clear writing, strong pedagogy, and an ecological approach that effectively explains the fundamentals of soil science. Worked calculations, vignettes, and current real-world applications prepare readers to understand concepts, solve problems, and think critically. Written for both majors and non-majors, this text highlights the many interactions between the soil and other components of forest, range, agricultural, wetland and constructed ecosystems. Now in full-color, the Fifteenth Edition includes hundreds of compelling photos, figures, and diagrams to bring the exciting world of soils to life. Extensively revised, new and updated content appears in every chapter. Examples include: coverage of the pedosphere concept; new insights into humus and soil carbon accumulation; subaqueous soils, soil effects on human health; principles and practice of organic farming; urban and human engineered soils; new understandings of the nitrogen cycle; water-saving irrigation techniques; hydraulic redistribution, soil food-web ecology; disease suppressive soils; soil microbial genomics; soil interactions with global climate change; digital soil maps; and many others.

In 1999, the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association inaugurated the Bookshelf series in commemoration of the bicentennial of George Washington's death. Each volume in the ongoing collection will provide a concise overview of a specific Washingtonian topic, offering a wealth of valuable information on such areas as the soldier-statesman's domestic life, political and social interests, and service to the new nation.

This volume provides a fresh historical focus on George Washington as a pioneer farmer actively engaged in a new approach to agriculture: one based on a more scientific attitude toward crops, farm animals, and the land. As Alan and Donna Jean Fusonie examined his correspondence and diaries, the emerging profile of Washington was of a tireless experimenter eager to share his results with visitors and with farmers in other parts of the country and abroad. In his correspondence Washington used the power of his pen to convey important agricultural thoughts. He increasingly expressed his concern about the ruinous agricultural practices of many of his fellow farmers. Washington's complex shift to a more self-reliant and integrated system of agriculture proved him to be an informed, forward-thinking decision maker who focused on the long-term productivity and conservation of his land at Mount Vernon. The authors, also practicing farmers, are intrigued by the similarity between Washington's outlook and that of an increasing number of today's farmers who use more sustainable approaches.

A heartwarming love letter to the places, people and creatures of Yorkshire by the county's beloved vet, Channel 5's Peter Wright. The Yorkshire Vet takes us on an enchanting journey through the hidden gems of the most beautiful county in the world, sharing charming tales of his life in Thirsk as well as fascinating nuggets of local history. Packed with engaging tales of the animals, people and places around him, Peter Wright looks back on the bygone ways of his childhood, while also exploring the fusion of tradition and modernity that characterises the Yorkshire countryside today. Peter's passion for nature shines through on every page, as he explains why our environment is so important - and what we can do to protect it for future generations.

The Quick Guide for Sedges of the Northern Forest contains two double-sided photographic charts that allow users to see high-res, close-up images of the more than 200 sedges in the Northern Forest region. The map-sized folding charts are water-resistant and field-friendly, the perfect companion to the Photographic Guide. This product was produced by the Northern Forest Atlas Foundation.

A guide to the diversity of pesticides used in modern agricultural practices, and the relevant social and environmental issues Pesticides in Crop Production offers an important resource that explores pesticide action in plants; pesticide metabolism in soil microbes, plants and animals; bioaccumulation of pesticides and sensitiveness of microbiome towards pesticides. The authors explore pesticide risk assessment, the development of pesticide resistance in pests, microbial remediation of pesticide intoxicated legumes and pesticide toxicity amelioration in plants by plant hormones. The authors include information on eco-friendly pest management. They review the impact of pesticides on soil microorganism, crops and other plants along with the impact on other organisms like aquatic fauna and terrestrial animals including human beings. The book also contains an analysis of pesticide by GC-MS/MS (Gas Chromatography tandem Mass Spectrometry) a reliable method for the quantification and confirmation of multiclass pesticide residues. This important book: Offers a comprehensive guide to the use of the diversity of pesticides and the pertinent social and environmental issues Explores the impact of pesticides from morphological, anatomical, physiological and biochemical perspectives Shows how pesticides affects soil microorganisms, crops and other plants along with the impact on other organisms like aquatic fauna and animals Critically examines whether chemical pesticides are boon or bane and whether they can be replaced by environmental friendly pesticides Written for students, researchers and professionals in agriculture, botany, entomology and biotechnology, Pesticides in Crop Production examines the effects of chemical pesticides and the feasibility of using bio-pesticides.