Robotics and Automation for Improving Agriculture

Robotics and Automation for Improving Agriculture

Author: John Billingsley

Publisher: Burleigh Dodds Series in Agricultural Science

Published: 2019

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781786762726

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Robotics has great potential in improving productivity and precision in agriculture. The book reviews advances in technologies such as machine vision and control systems, as well as applications from crop planting, fertilisation, pest and weed management to livestock production.


The Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems

The Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems

Author: Mike Robinson

Publisher: Burleigh Dodds Agricultural Sc

Published: 2020-08-25

Total Pages: 460

ISBN-13: 9781786764300

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This volume reviews recent research on effective support to improve smallholder livelihoods. After discussing the economics of smallholder farming, the book looks at access to key inputs before assessing ways of improving extension and other services to support sustainable production practices.


Agricultural Productivity and Producer Behavior

Agricultural Productivity and Producer Behavior

Author: Wolfram Schlenker

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Published: 2019-11-13

Total Pages: 316

ISBN-13: 022661980X

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Agricultural yields have increased steadily in the last half century, particularly since the Green Revolution. At the same time, inflation-adjusted agricultural commodity prices have been trending downward as increases in supply outpace the growth of demand. Recent severe weather events, biofuel mandates, and a switch toward a more meat-heavy diet in emerging economies have nevertheless boosted commodity prices. Whether this is a temporary jump or the beginning of a longer-term trend is an open question. Agricultural Productivity and Producer Behavior examines the factors contributing to the remarkably steady increase in global yields and assesses whether yield growth can continue. This research also considers whether agricultural productivity growth has been, and will be, associated with significant environmental externalities. Among the topics studied are genetically modified crops; changing climatic factors; farm production responses to government regulations including crop insurance, transport subsidies, and electricity subsidies for groundwater extraction; and the role of specific farm practices such as crop diversification, disease management, and water-saving methods. This research provides new evidence that technological as well as policy choices influence agricultural productivity.


Advances in Crop Modelling for a Sustainable Agriculture

Advances in Crop Modelling for a Sustainable Agriculture

Author: Kenneth Boote

Publisher: Burleigh Dodds Series in Agric

Published: 2019-10-22

Total Pages: 420

ISBN-13: 9781786762405

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Crop modelling has huge potential to improve decision making in farming. This collection reviews advances in next-generation models focused on user needs at the whole farm system and landscape scale.


Advances in Postharvest Management of Horticultural Produce

Advances in Postharvest Management of Horticultural Produce

Author: Chris Watkins

Publisher: Burleigh Dodds Series in Agric

Published: 2019-10-25

Total Pages: 320

ISBN-13: 9781786762887

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Postharvest losses remain a serious problem in the fresh produce sector. This collection reviews advances in preservation and disinfection, monitoring and management techniques to optimise safety and quality of fresh fruit and vegetables.


Advances in Agricultural Animal Welfare

Advances in Agricultural Animal Welfare

Author: Joy Mench

Publisher: Woodhead Publishing

Published: 2017-12-11

Total Pages: 288

ISBN-13: 0081012462

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Advances in Agricultural Animal Welfare fully explores developments in the key areas of agricultural animal welfare assessment and improvement. Analyzing current topical issues, as well as reviewing the historical welfare issues, the volume is a comprehensive review of the field. Divided into five sections, the book opens in Part One by reviewing advances in animal welfare science, examining cognitive psychology, genetics and genomics. Part Two then looks at transdisciplinary research in animal welfare, with coverage of bioethics, welfare and sustainability from both environmental and food safety perspectives. Part Three explores the process of translating science into policy and practice, followed by discussion on the global achievability of welfare standards in Part Four. Finally, Part Five highlights some emerging issues in agricultural animal welfare. This book is an essential part of the wider ranging series Advances in Farm Animal Welfare, with coverage of cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and aquaculture. With its expert editor and international team of contributors, Advances in Agricultural Animal Welfare is a key reference tool for welfare research scientists and students, practicing vets involved in welfare assessment, and indeed anyone with a professional interest in the welfare of agricultural animals. Provides in-depth reviews of emerging topics, research and applications in agricultural animal welfare Provides coverage of topics important to all agricultural animals and complements the wider series, Agricultural Animal Welfare, which will provide comprehensive coverage of animal welfare of the world’s major farmed animals Edited by a world leading animal welfare academic, with contributions from a writing team of both leading academics and practitioners