Outdoor Farm Research Articles

Automatic wild bird repellent system that is based on deep-learning-based wild bird detection and integrated with a laser rotation mechanism

Wild bird repulsion is critical in agriculture because it helps avoid agricultural food losses and mitigates the risk of avian influenza. Wild birds transmit avian influenza in poultry farms and thus cause large economic losses. In this study, we developed an automatic wild bird repellent system that is based on deep-learning-based wild bird detection and integrated with a laser rotation mechanism. When a wild bird appears at a farm, the proposed system detects the bird’s position in an image captured by its detection unit and then uses a laser beam to repel the bird. The wild bird detection model of the proposed system was optimized for detecting small pixel targets, and trained through a deep learning method by using wild bird images captured at different farms. Various wild bird repulsion experiments were conducted using the proposed system at an outdoor duck farm in Yunlin, Taiwan. The statistical test results of our experimental data indicated that the proposed automatic wild bird repellent system effectively reduced the number of wild birds in the farm. The experimental results indicated that the developed system effectively repelled wild birds, with a high repulsion rate of 40.3% each day.

Multi-period optimization of water planning for a sustainable agriculture: carbon footprint and water footprint assessment

Abstract The State of Qatar has undergone significant changes impacting water resources in recent years, with rapid population growth being a significant factor. The government has implemented several policies and initiatives to manage water resources effectively, including introducing a water conservation strategy investing in desalination plants and wastewater treatment facilities. However, the expansion of the agricultural sector has driven up demand for water resources, placing additional pressure on limited supplies. Effective decision-making processes are crucial to sustainable water resource management, particularly in water-scarce countries, and multi-period optimization is an important tool for such decision-making. This study presents a five-year period for multi-period optimization of water planning in the agricultural sector to consider short-term and medium-term dynamics. The aim is to minimize the carbon footprint associated with agricultural water allocation, and assess water pollution using the Water Quality Index grey water footprint indicator. The water budget considered includes desalinated water, brackish groundwater, and treated sewage effluent, while the agricultural sector comprises dairy, egg and poultry, red meat production, outdoor farming, and indoor farming. Considering the water conservation importance in the State of Qatar, the three levels of water stress that were considered are 0%, 25% and a base scenario carbon footprint-based water stress. The latter is calculated such that the improved scenario’s carbon footprint is lower than that of the base scenario while keeping a safe annual water stress. Results show that it possible to reduce the water stress from an unsafe average to as little as 13.7%. Similarly, the water pollution estimated using the grey water footprint method is significantly lower compared to the base scenario.

Localization of asparagus spears using time-of-flight imaging for robotic harvesting

PurposeTime of flight (ToF) imaging is a promising emerging technology for the purposes of crop identification. This paper aim to presents localization system for identifying and localizing asparagus in the field based on point clouds from ToF imaging. Since the semantics are not included in the point cloud, it contains the geometric information of other objects such as stones and weeds other than asparagus spears. An approach is required for extracting the spear information so that a robotic system can be used for harvesting.Design/methodology/approachA real-time convolutional neural network (CNN)-based method is used for filtering the point cloud generated by a ToF camera, allowing subsequent processing methods to operate over smaller and more information-dense data sets, resulting in reduced processing time. The segmented point cloud can then be split into clusters of points representing each individual spear. Geometric filters are developed to eliminate the non-asparagus points in each cluster so that each spear can be modelled and localized. The spear information can then be used for harvesting decisions.FindingsThe localization system is integrated into a robotic harvesting prototype system. Several field trials have been conducted with satisfactory performance. The identification of a spear from the point cloud is the key to successful localization. Segmentation and clustering points into individual spears are two major failures for future improvements.Originality/valueMost crop localizations in agricultural robotic applications using ToF imaging technology are implemented in a very controlled environment, such as a greenhouse. The target crop and the robotic system are stationary during the localization process. The novel proposed method for asparagus localization has been tested in outdoor farms and integrated with a robotic harvesting platform. Asparagus detection and localization are achieved in real time on a continuously moving robotic platform in a cluttered and unstructured environment.

OPTIMIZATION OF LIVESTOCK MONITORING SYSTEM IN OUTDOOR BASED ON INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT)

Livestock businesses are often underestimated by the public because they are associated with less hygienic working environments. However, the demand for livestock products such as meat and milk is increasing, providing significant business opportunities. Several obstacles, such as livestock loss and the capital required for cage construction, are barriers to starting a livestock business. Livestock losses, especially in outdoor farms, often occur because of the lack of proper monitoring and data collection. Therefore, technology is required to overcome this problem. The application of IoT technology is an effective solution for overcoming this problem. By utilizing sensors, such as GPS, temperature, and heart rate, farmers can monitor farm animals remotely using Android applications. In this study, a U-blox Neo6m GPS sensor was used to track the location of farm animals, a temperature sensor was used to monitor the temperature conditions of farm animals, and a heart rate sensor was used to determine the health of farm animals that had been tested. The use of a 1500 mAh LI-ION LITHIUM battery as a power source proved to be sufficient for 7 h. The results showed that this IoT-based Outdoor Livestock Monitoring System can provide information on the last location of livestock as well as real-time heart rate and temperature data in the database. This innovation opens opportunities for farmers to improve livestock management and monitoring efficiently, minimize losses, and increase the productivity of their livestock business

Microbiological analysis strategies for detecting pathogens and assessing biosecurity practices in outdoor earthen shrimp farms

The need for rapid and reliable on-farm bacteriological test methods to detect pathogens and assess the success of biosecurity practices in fish and shrimp farms has been increasing. This study compared on-farm and in-laboratory (after refrigerated transportation) analyses for black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) cultured in two outdoor earthen ponds in low-resource settings on the southeastern coast of Bangladesh, using basic bacteriological facilities. Water quality parameters, including temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH and salinity were determined at monthly intervals during summer (April to June). Water temperature in two farms ranged from 26.3°C to 29.3°C (27.7±1.6°C in Farm-1 and 27.4±0.9°C in Farm 2), within suitable limits for shrimp culture. DO levels varied from 5.1±0.2 to 5.4±0.5 mg/l, pH from 7.1±0.2 to 7.1±0.6, and salinity from 14.7±1.2 to 15.7±0.6 ppt, all within optimal ranges for shrimp farming. Bacterial loads showed slight variations between sampling periods. On-farm analyses consistently showed lower bacterial loads in shrimp samples compared to in-laboratory analyses with bacterial counts increasing over transportation time. Water temperature significantly influenced bacterial load as reflected by different sampling periods. The total bacterial load in farm water, sediment and shrimp samples showed notable differences between on-farm and in-laboratory analyses, reflecting the impact of environmental conditions, handling practices and time delays. It is concluded that on-farm microbiological analysis strategy is an effective method for detecting pathogens and assessing biosecurity practices in shrimp farms cultured in outdoor earthen ponds.

Effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on the growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, antioxidative response, and antibacterial capacity of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) reared in outdoor conditions

Unstable outdoor farming conditions weaken fish's health status and immunity, leading to high susceptibility to infectious diseases and low productivity. Feed additives have been applied recently to enhance the growth performance and well-being of striped catfish. This study evaluated the effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on the growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, antioxidative response, and antibacterial capacity of striped catfish. Control and three test diets were supplemented with ginger rhizomes powder at 0.5 %, 1 %, and 1.5 %. After 90 days, the growth performance of striped catfish fed dietary ginger was marginally increased, with the highest being in the group receiving 1 % (p < 0.05). However, the feed conversion ratio was reduced following the same trend, with the lowest being in fish fed at 1 %. Fish fed 1 % ginger had the highest growth hormone level than the remaining groups (p < 0.05). The carcass composition, including total protein and lipids, was meaningfully affected by dietary ginger, while ash and fibers were unaffected. Amylase, protease, and lipase activities were significantly higher in striped catfish fed dietary ginger than in the control. The total protein, albumin, and globulin were significantly higher in striped catfish fed 1 % and 1.5 % ginger than 0 % and 0.5 % (p < 0.05). Superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase were significantly higher in striped catfish fed ginger regardless of the dose. On the other hand, the malondialdehyde (MDA) level was markedly reduced by dietary ginger in striped catfish, and those who received 1.5 % had the lowest MDA level. The Vibrio spp. and fecal coliform were markedly reduced by dietary ginger in striped catfish intestines. Interestingly fish fed 1.5 % had the lowest count for Vibrio spp. and fecal coliform. Overall, based on the regression analysis results, dietary ginger should be added at 1.02–1.58 % in the diets of striped catfish to show the best performance and well-being.

Alternative ground covers and strip-tilling in CBD hemp production

ObjectiveLittle research has been done on managing soil health for large-scale, outdoor hemp production, contributing to the possible overuse of black plastic for weed suppression. Our experiment aimed to understand the performance of alternative ground covers including forage crops and hay as well as a less disruptive tilling method called strip-tilling compared to black plastic.ResultsYield and soil health data were taken from three experimental plantings from two different outdoor CBD hemp farms in Vermont, USA. We find that hay may be a competitive alternative to black plastic in terms of producing heavier plants. Our research also found that clover seed and hay are both more cost-effective options than black plastic which may sway some farmers to adopt these alternative ground cover options.

THE ROLE OF INDOOR SMART GARDENS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMART AGRICULTURE IN URBAN AREAS

The increasing global population and urbanization have led to a growing interest in urban farming to provide sustainable food production. Indoor smart gardens, a new form of urban farming, have emerged as an innovative and technology-based solution to urban agriculture. This paper explores the role of indoor smart gardens in modern urban farming and their potential impact on food production, environmental sustainability, and human health. Consequently, comparison was used of traditional outdoor farming vs. indoor smart gardening. Also, a comparative study was conducted using the case study of two leading brands of indoor smart gardens: Aerogarden and Click &amp; Grow. The research’s results show that smart gardens have significant potential to revolutionize urban farming practices and address the growing demand for food production in urban areas. Our review of the literature and case study showed that smart gardens can significantly increase food production, improve environmental sustainability, and enhance human health in urban areas.

The Role of Wildlife and Pests in the Transmission of Pathogenic Agents to Domestic Pigs: A Systematic Review.

Wild animals and pests are important reservoirs and vectors of pathogenic agents that can affect domestic pigs. Rapid globalization, anthropogenic factors, and increasing trends toward outdoor pig production facilitate the contact between domestic pigs and wildlife. However, knowledge on the transmission pathways between domestic pigs and the aforementioned target groups is limited. The present systematic review aims to collect and analyze information on the roles of different wild animal species and pests in the spread of pathogens to domesticated pigs. Overall, 1250 peer-reviewed manuscripts published in English between 2010 and 2022 were screened through the PRISMA framework using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. A total of 84 studies reporting possible transmission routes of different pathogenic agents were included. A majority of the studies (80%) focused on the role of wild boars in the transmission of pathogenic agents to pig farms. Studies involving the role of rodents (7%), and deer (6%) were the next most frequent, whereas the role of insects (5%), wild carnivores (5%), wild birds (4%), cats (2%), and badgers (1%) were less available. Only 3.5% of studies presented evidence-based transmission routes from wildlife to domestic pigs. Approximately 65.5% of the included studies described possible risks/risk factors for pathogens' transmission based on quantitative data, whereas 31% of the articles only presented a hypothesis or qualitative analysis of possible transmission routes or risk factors and/or contact rates. Risk factors identified include outdoor farms or extensive systems and farms with a low level of biosecurity as well as wildlife behavior; environmental conditions; human activities and movements; fomites, feed (swill feeding), water, carcasses, and bedding materials. We recommend the strengthening of farm biosecurity frameworks with special attention to wildlife-associated parameters, especially in extensive rearing systems and high-risk zones as it was repeatedly found to be an important measure to prevent pathogen transmission to domestic pigs. In addition, there is a need to focus on effective risk-based wildlife surveillance mechanisms and to raise awareness among farmers about existing wildlife-associated risk factors for disease transmission.

Semi-Quantitative Risk Assessment of African Swine Fever Virus Introduction in Outdoor Pig Farms.

In a previous study, a semi-quantitative risk assessment was developed to rank pig holdings in terms of likelihood of introducing African swine fever virus (ASFV) by assessing their compliance with biosecurity and exposure to geographical risk factors. The method was initially developed for confined pig holdings, but given that ASF is endemic in wild boar of several countries, we modified the approach to make it suitable for free-range farms as well. In the current study, a total of 41 outdoor pig farms were assessed in an area where exposure to wild boar was generally high (density from 2.3 to 10.3 wild boar per Km2). As expected, non-compliance with biosecurity measures was frequent in outdoor farms, and the frequency of non-compliance indicated that the absence of adequate separation of pigs from the external environment was the major weakness in the farms assessed. In 46.3% of them, there was no fence or, if present, it was not adequate to avoid contact with wild boar. However, the approach adopted proved to be suitable for identifying intervention priorities to mitigate the risk of ASFV spread in free-range pig herds and for identifying the weaknesses of individual farms, as recommended by EFSA in 2021, which suggests implementing tools to improve biosecurity by favoring higher-risk farms.

Trastornos respiratorios en la especie porcina resultantes de la producción en sistema intensivo: Revisión

The expansion of pig production is due to the intensification of the animal’s breeding process. Outdoor farming systems have been replaced by intensive systems with limited space and high animal density. Due to confinement, a greater number of animals in a smaller space, in addition to greater animal turnover, there was also an increase in the frequency of certain diseases, including respiratory diseases, due to their form of transmission, pathogenesis and epidemiology.

Assessment of the factors for the presence of wild boar near outdoor and extensive pig farms in two areas of Eastern Europe

Assessment of the factors for the presence of wild boar near outdoor and extensive pig farms in two areas of Eastern Europe

Water and sludge resource planning for sustainable agriculture: An energy-water-food-waste nexus approach

The population rise and expected increase in global food demand will stress natural freshwater resources. It will also result in increased emissions if proper resource planning is not implemented and unconventional water and energy resources are not exploited. There is a need to assess the potential of these unconventional resources, such as wastewater and sludge in alleviating carbon emissions and water stress. This study aims to do so by assessing the use of treated wastewater and sludge for food production and optimizing their planning using a multi-objective optimization model embedded within an energy-water-food-waste nexus approach applied to a case study on the agricultural sector in the state of Qatar. It is demonstrated that the use of treated sewage effluent as a water resource can supply the fodder farms in Qatar with all their nitrogen fertilization requirements almost throughout the year. Furthermore, the use of both treated sewage effluent and sludge as a source of energy has the potential to reduce the carbon footprint and water stress level by 62 % and 57 %, respectively. It is thus recommended to include treated sewage effluent in the agricultural water budget and to suspend outdoor farming not only during the summer but also in the hot month of March, as the latter can result in an additional 7 % and 30 % reduction of carbon footprint compared to the base-scenario when the water stress level is set to 0 % and 75 %, respectively.

Evaluation of Biosecurity Measures in Pig Holdings in Slovenia as a Risk Assessment for the Introduction of African Swine Fever Virus.

African Swine Fever (ASF) is persistently spreading and hindering pork production in Europe. Slovenia is one of the last countries in Central Europe without a confirmed ASF case in domestic pigs or in wild boar. The aim of this study was to assess the current biosecurity implementation on different types of pig farms. Internal and external biosecurity status was determined in 17 commercial (CF), 15 non-commercial (NC), and 15 outdoor (O) farms. Data were collected using the Biocheck.UGent questionnaire and assessed in combination with the latest information on the wild boar population in Slovenia. Biosecurity was compared between farm types based on the assessment of 12 subcategories. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in six subcategories: (i) purchase of pigs and semen, (ii) visitors and farmworkers, (iii) vermin and bird control, (iv) finishing unit, (v) measures between compartments and use of equipment, and (vi) cleaning and disinfection. The highest total biosecurity score (0-100%) was determined on CF with 64.59 ± 16.47%, followed by NC with 55.73 ± 10.67%, and O with 48.47 ± 8.20%. The density of the wild boar population was estimated from the number of wild boars per km2 per year, with 3 or more hunted wild boars per unit representing the highest density. Geolocation of farms on the wild boar population map showed that two O farms are at high risk and seven farms (1 O, 5 NC, and 1 CF) are at medium risk for disease transmission from wild to domestic pigs. Biosecurity measures must be tightened in some subcategories, especially in areas with a high density of wild boar.

Prioritization of pig farm biosecurity for control of Salmonella and hepatitis E virus infections: results of a European expert opinion elicitation

BackgroundIn the literature, there is absent or weak evidence on the effectiveness of biosecurity measures to the control of Salmonella spp. and hepatitis E virus (HEV) on pig farms. Therefore, the present study aimed to collect, weigh, and compare opinions from experts on the relevance of several biosecurity measures. An online questionnaire was submitted to selected experts, from multiple European countries, knowledgeable on either HEV or Salmonella spp., in either indoor or outdoor pig farming systems (settings). The experts ranked the relevance of eight biosecurity categories with regards to effectiveness in reducing the two pathogens separately, by assigning a score from a total of 80, and within each biosecurity category they scored the relevance of specific biosecurity measures (scale 1–5). Agreement among experts was analysed across pathogens and across settings.ResultsAfter filtering for completeness and expertise, 46 responses were analysed, with 52% of the experts identified as researchers/scientists, whereas the remaining 48% consisted of non-researchers, veterinary practitioners and advisors, governmental staff, and consultant/industrial experts. The experts self-declared their level of knowledge but neither Multidimensional Scaling nor k-means cluster analyses produced evidence of an association between expertise and the biosecurity answers, and so all experts’ responses were analysed together without weighting or adaptation. Overall, the top-ranked biosecurity categories were pig mixing; cleaning and disinfection; feed, water and bedding; and purchase of pigs or semen, while the lowest ranked categories were transport, equipment, animals (other than pigs and including wildlife) and humans. Cleaning and disinfection was ranked highest for both pathogens in the indoor setting, whereas pig mixing was highest for outdoor settings. Several (94/222, 42.3%) measures across all four settings were considered highly relevant. Measures with high disagreement between the respondents were uncommon (21/222, 9.6%), but more frequent for HEV compared to Salmonella spp.ConclusionsThe implementation of measures from multiple biosecurity categories was considered important to control Salmonella spp. and HEV on farms, and pig mixing activities, as well as cleaning and disinfection practices, were perceived as consistently more important than others. Similarities and differences in the prioritised biosecurity measures were identified between indoor and outdoor systems and pathogens. The study identified the need for further research especially for control of HEV and for biosecurity in outdoor farming.

Fattening Iberian Pigs Indoors vs. Outdoors: Production Performance and Market Value.

The current Quality Standard regulating the Iberian pig provides for various differentiated farming systems subject to the type of management implemented and the breed of the pigs. This study attempts to analyse the differences between two of these production systems, i.e., the outdoor and the indoor rearing systems by comparing the main technical and economic factors of six farms, three operating under each system, in order to ascertain the most profitable production system. This analysis is based on the information provided by the farm owners. It also evaluates the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak had on profitability. The results show that both systems spend the same resources on animal feed, which represents nearly 60% of the expense, with the price of purchase of piglets representing 30-32% of the total; however, there are differences in the cost of labour, which is higher in the outdoor variant. In economic terms, outdoor farms obtained a higher gross margin than indoor farms did. Although their production costs are higher, these are offset with larger incomes due to the higher market price of the pigs at the time of slaughter. Lastly, all the farms under study reveal large financial losses on account of COVID-19, given that there was a general decrease in the revenues due to the decrease in the selling price of the pigs, which seems to be the most determinant factor for the economic profits made by these kinds of farms.

Exploring the Effects of Outdoor Access and Farm Size on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus Diffusion Among Poultry Farms in Southwest France

Exploring the Effects of Outdoor Access and Farm Size on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus Diffusion Among Poultry Farms in Southwest France

Optimal Control for Indoor Vertical Farms Based on Crop Growth

Vertical farming allows for year-round cultivation of a variety of crops, overcoming environmental limitations and ensuring food security. This closed and highly controlled system allows the plants to grow in optimal conditions, so that it reaches maturity faster and yields more than on a conventional outdoor farm. However, one of the challenges of vertical farming is the high energy consumption. In this work, we optimize wheat growth using an optimal control approach with two objectives: first, we optimize inputs such as water, radiation, and temperature for each day of the growth cycle and second, we optimize the duration of the plant's growth period to achieve the highest possible yield over a whole year. For this, we use a nonlinear, discrete-time hybrid model based on a simple universal crop model that we adapt to make the optimization more efficient. Using our approach, we find an optimal trade-off between used resources, net profit of the yield, and duration of a cropping period, thus increasing the annual yield of crops significantly while keeping input costs as low as possible. This work demonstrates the high potential of control theory in the discipline of vertical farming.

Plant species selection and impact on tree resprouts by semi-free ranging pigs in a temperate deciduous forest

Silvopastoral systems with grazing pigs are mainly concentrated in Mediterranean regions, for instance in Iberian dehesas and montados. Conversely, in European deciduous forests, outdoor pig farming has almost disappeared, despite it could provide several environmental and socioeconomic benefits. For instance, pig grazing could be used for habitat restoration and conservation, while providing high quality meat products and promoting local breeds. In this study, we investigated (i) the plant species selection and (ii) the impact on tree resprouts (after a silvicultural cut) by semi-free ranging pigs in a degraded oak temperate forest in Northwestern Italy. We monitored pigs foraging behavior by direct observations and discriminated the plant species into three groups: preferred, indifferently consumed and avoided plants. The impact on the resprouts of six tree species was assessed by modeling the percentage of damaged shoots and their height through time using Generalized Linear and Additive Mixed Models. Swine expressed a selective foraging behavior, which was likely influenced by the forage quality and toxicity of plant species. The leaves and resprouts of Corylus avellana and Castanea sativa were highly consumed, whereas Acer and Quercus species and Fraxinus ornus were avoided. Mature leaves of Robinia pseudoacacia were highly preferred while its young resprouts were only slightly impacted, suggesting that pig grazing may not be effective to control this alien invasive species. Contrarily, pigs consumed Rubus sp. abundantly, suggesting they could be used to clear the understory in degraded forests.

Case study on the aptness of in-pond raceways for pikeperch, Sander lucioperca, grow-out

Pikeperch Sander lucioperca is a species of increasing presence in recirculation aquaculture system and the vast majority of thus far research was dedicated to its indoor farming. Concerning the present pond infrastructure in Central and East Europe, it is of interest to evaluate the intensive pond-connected system for pikeperch rearing. Therefore, the present study evaluated the grow-out performance in recirculation aquaculture system (RAS) and in-pond-raceway (IPR) in triplicated tanks. A 16-week trial with 1-year-old pikeperch (mean weight 215.7 ± 8.1 g RAS and 217.7 ± 2.6 g IPR) was conducted from June to October evaluating both culture and welfare parameters. Significantly higher final mean weight (443.1 ± 17.5 vs 400.6 ± 13.2) and lower feed conversion (2.1 ± 0.1 vs 3.0 ± 0.1) was obtained in fish reared in IPR. Cortisol levels were overall higher in the RAS group throughout the trial being significantly higher at the first and last sampling. Elevated lysozyme levels were found in IPR in the first half of the trial, while further on they were higher in RAS being significantly higher compared to IPR in middle sampling. Thus, both in terms of culture performance and fish welfare, IPR proves aptness for pikeperch rearing. This study presents the first insight into the suitability of pond-connected intensive rearing of pikeperch describing IPR as a promising system for final grow-out during the growing season. More comprehensive studies in terms of stocking densities and growing period are required to explore the full potential of pikeperch outdoor farming.