• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.151-163
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• 2022

This study was conducted to promote organic fertilizer(s) that sustain soil productivity for corn production and protect the environment as required by the Act on the promotion of eco-friendly agriculture. It was conducted at the research station of the Organic Agriculture Division of the National Institute of Agricultural. The treatments consisted of Compost (Com), Bokashi as fermented organic fertilizer (FOF), and mixed expeller pressed cake (PC). They were applied at 174 kg N /ha to field corn, together with a 'no fertilizer' check in Randomized Complete Block Design. At eight weeks after transplanting (WAT) corn, compost increased soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) to 7.48 and 0.76 g/kg respectively, while other fertilizers maintained the initial levels (before treatment application). At corn harvest (13 WAT), soil chemical properties (total C, total N, pH, electrical conductivity, P₂O₅, Ca, K, and Mg) were similar among all organic fertilizer treatments. For soil respiration, FOF increased soil CO₂ respiration by 31-76% above other fertilizer treatments. However, there were no prominent changes in the trends of CH₄ fluxes following the two mechanical weeding operations. Fermented organic fertilizer affected N₂O emissions between 87-96% lower than other fertilizer treatments. Compared to the initial microbial densities, FOF increased fungi and actinomycete colony foming unit by 25 and 16% at harvest. Therefore, the additional potential of improving soil biological fertility and local availability of raw materials make FOF a better option to sustain soil productivity while protecting the environment.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.391-404
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• 2021

This study developed a long-term prediction model for the potential yield of garlic based on a genetic algorithm (GA) by utilizing global climate reanalysis data. The GA is used for digging the inherent signals from global climate reanalysis data which are both directly and indirectly connected with the garlic yield potential. Our results indicate that both deterministic and probabilistic forecasts reasonably capture the inter-annual variability of crop yields with temporal correlation coefficients significant at 99% confidence level and superior categorical forecast skill with a hit rate of 93.3% for 2 × 2 and 73.3% for 3 × 3 contingency tables. Furthermore, the GA method, which considers linear and non-linear relationships between predictors and predictands, shows superiority of forecast skill in terms of both stability and skill scores compared with linear method. Since our result can predict the potential yield before the start of farming, it is expected to help establish a long-term plan to stabilize the demand and price of agricultural products and prepare countermeasures for possible problems in advance.

• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.251-265
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• 2004

The agricultural sector's economic structure in Korea is regarded to encounter major barriers on the way toward revitalizing its economic prosperity. Among many, the energy-related problem is one of prime nuclei embedded in the country's agricultural sector. The ought-to-come structural changes in the country's agricultural energy system hinge upon the central government's policy direction as well as efforts of local governments and local farming community members. The indirect aids via 'cross subsidy' of electricity tariff rate and 'tax-exempt price' of oil fuels are two notable causes of the unsustainable energy consumption pattern in the country's agricultural sector. As measures, demand-side management(DSM) and energy-efficiency promotions are regarded to be the most attractive methods for energy conservation and economic productivity as well. Development of renewable energy sources are also receiving a great deal of attention for the long-term alternatives to the country's existing oil-based agricultural production mode. This study examines the contributive potential of DSM approaches and renewables-based technologies. With the critical evaluation on the concurrent adversities of the country's agricultural energy system, various sources of renewable energy-solar power, wind power, biomass, etc.-are examined for the purpose of technological and economical viability. As sufficient potentials of renewable energy sources are being estimated, both the system production cost and the installation cost for the county's rural areas are expected to lower in the long term. DSM options are also evaluated to be fruitful even in the short term. Both the public and civil arenas must galvanise each side's effort in order to promote these policy options and community potentials.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.586-596
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• 1998

The relevance and importance of buffalo production under coconut plantations in the North Westen Province of Sri Lanka was studied in three districts (Bingiriya, Pannala, Kuliyapitiya). The objective of the study was to collect baseline information on socioeconomic and cultural aspects of buffalo production, with a view to promote and disseminate new technologies. The survey technique used consisted of a formal survey using a structured questionnaire (71 households) and rapid appraisal (55 households). The results indicate the existence of a wide stratification of dariy farmers which ranged from skilled dairy operators with high levels of production and management of efficiency to marginal subsistence farmers with low levels of productivity. The most frequent family size of households ranged from 4-5 members (58%), and the average family size was 4.7. The actual average land ownership accounts to 2.4 ha of upland and 0.5 ha of lowland, but when their accessibility to common property resources are taken into account, the land availability was assessed at 13 ha and 0.7 ha of upland and lowland, respectively. The highest average monthly income (Rs. 13,590) was received by farmers with off-farm employment (primary) who are also engaged in livestock production (secondary), and livestock contributed 43% of the total income. Livestock farmers who practised integrated crop farming as a secondary source of income received a monthly income of Rs. 10,843, and those involved in crop production as the primary source received the lowest average income (Rs. 7,295). The survey revealed a high investment cost on concentrate feeds (47%) for milk production. However some farmers obtained higher milk yields (11 litres/cow/day) at lower ration costs, and this could be attributed to the entrepreneurship skills and management efficiency. The study area had a well developed market infrastructure for fresh milk, principally due to the existence of the Nestle's company and the Coconut Triangle Milk Union. On an average the producer collected Rs. 10 per litre of milk marketed.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2018

Salmonella infections in livestock industry cause various problems such as worsening animal welfare and productivity, damaging consumer confidence in the food safety of animal products. Chicken meat and eggs are known as major source of pathogen causing human foodborne infections. Therefore food safety concerns have prompted the poultry producers and governments to introduce the strategy and regulation to control these pathogens. Salmonella can persist for long periods of time in a wide range of spaces including feed bin, feed processing facilities, poultry farm, slaughterhouse, processing plants, etc. For the effective and constant Salmonella control, combination of pre-harvest, harvest and post-harvest measures should be considered comprehensively. The control measures would be most effective at farm level where the contamination initiates. Transmission of pathogen from feed origin to the live poultry and finally to the products was proven already. To control bacteria in the feed ingredients and formula feed, thermal processing, irradiation or chemical treatment may be applied. Chemical treatments to inhibit Salmonella in the feed involve the use of products containing organic acids, formaldehyde, or a combination of such compounds. However, recontamination which might occur during storage and transport process and/or by other various factors should always be under control and eliminated. Feed additives used to control Salmonella in birds' gastrointestinal track can be of various types, including prebiotics, probiotics, organic acids and bacteriophages. Although their mode of action varies, they ultimately inhibit the colonization of Salmonella in the gut and improve the performance of birds. This review describes the strategies that could be adapted to the management of feedstuffs and the use of feed additives in pre-harvest stage to control Salmonella contamination in poultry farming.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.92-95
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• 2016

The black soldier fly is economically important because its prepupae are used as feed for many animals, including fish and swine. In Korea, black-soldier-fly farms have attempted to increase annual breeding and mass egg production for use in animal feed, as well as the decomposition of organic waste. Such efforts require an understanding of optimal mating and oviposition techniques. Specifically, adult densities and cage size may both improve the efficiency of mass egg production. Our study used four sizes of nylon cages ($1.0{\times}1.0{\times}2.5m$, $1.5{\times}1.5{\times}2.5m$, $2.0{\times}2.0{\times}2.5m$, $2.5{\times}2.5{\times}2.5m$) and three density treatments (4 kg, 8 kg, and 10 kg of pupae) to investigate optimal habitat size and adult density. We found that cage size (independent of density) did not significantly influence female fecundity (number of egg clutches and egg weight), whereas higher densities increased egg number and weight regardless of cage size. Thus, we recommend manipulating adult density to enhance productivity in commercial black-soldier-fly farming. However, we also propose further detailed research to develop methods that account for seasonal changes and environmental conditions, as climatic variables (temperature, sunlight) likely influence female fecundity as well.

• ALGAE
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.249-265
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• 2014

As with land crops, cultivated algae are affected by various diseases ranging from large outbreaks of a disease to chronic epiphytes, which may downgrade the value of the final product. The recent development of intensive and dense mariculture practices has enabled some new diseases to spread much faster than before. A new disease is reported almost every year, and the impact of diseases is expected to increase with environmental change, such as global warming. We observed the incidence of diseases in two Pyropia sea farms in Korea from 2011 to 2014, and estimated the economic loss caused by each disease. Serious damage is caused by the oomycete pathogens, Pythium porphyrae and Olpidiopsis spp., which decreased the productivity of the Pyropia sea farms. In Seocheon sea farms, an outbreak of Olpidiopsis spp. disease resulted in approximately US $1.6 million in loss, representing approximately 24.5% of total sales during the 2012-2013 season. The damage caused by green-spot disease was almost as serious as oomycete diseases. An outbreak of green-spot disease in the Seocheon sea farms resulted in approximately US $1.1 million in loss, representing 10.7% of total sales in the 2013-2014 season in this area. However, the causative agent of green-spot disease is still not confirmed. "Diatom felt" is regarded as a minor nuisance that does not cause serious damage in Pyropia; however, our case study showed that the economic loss caused by "diatom felt" might be as serious as that of oomycete diseases. Bacteria and cyanobacteria are indigenous members of epiphytic microbial community on Pyropia blades, but can become opportunistic pathogens under suitable environmental conditions, especially when Pyropia suffers from other diseases. A regular acid wash of the Pyropia cultivation nets is the most common treatment for all of the above mentioned diseases, and represents approximately 30% of the total cost in Pyropia sea farming. However, the acid wash is ineffective for some diseases, especially for Olpidiopsis and bacterial diseases.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2013

The elements that determine the success of development projects on goats and the prerequisites for ensuring this are discussed in the context of the bewildering diversity of goat genetic resources, production systems, multifunctionality, and opportunities for responding to constraints for productivity enhancement. Key determinants for the success of pro-poor projects are the imperatives of realistic project design, resolution of priorities and positive impacts to increase investments and spur agricultural growth, and appropriate policy. Throughout the developing world, there exist 97% of the total world population of 921 million goats across all agroecological zones (AEZs), including 570 breeds and 64% share of the breeds. They occupy a very important biological and socioeconomic niche in farming systems making significant multifunctional contributions especially to food, nutrition and financial security, stability of farm households, and survival of the poor in the rural areas. Definitions are given of successful and failed projects. The analyses highlighted in successful projects the value of strong participatory efforts with farmers and climate change. Climate change effects on goats are inevitable and are mediated through heat stress, type of AEZ, water availability, quantity and quality of the available feed resources and type of production system. Within the prevailing production systems, improved integrated tree crops - ruminant systems are underestimated and are an important pathway to enhance C sequestration. Key development strategies and opportunities for research and development (R and D) are enormous, and include inter alia defining a policy framework, resolution of priority constraints using systems perspectives and community-based participatory activities, application of yield-enhancing technologies, intensification, scaling up, and impacts. The priority for development concerns the rainfed areas with large concentrations of ruminants in which goats, with a capacity to cope with heat tolerance, can be the entry point for development. Networks and networking are very important for the diffusion of information and can add value to R and D. Well formulated projects with clear priority setting and participatory R and D ensure success and the realisation of food security, improved livelihoods and self-reliance in the future.

• KIPS Transactions on Software and Data Engineering
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.91-98
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• 2018

Automatic detection of pig wasting diseases is an important issue in the management of group-housed pigs. In particular, porcine respiratory diseases are one of the main causes of mortality among pigs and loss of productivity in intensive pig farming. In this paper, we propose a noise-robust system for the early detection and recognition of pig wasting diseases using sound data. In this method, first we convert one-dimensional sound signals to two-dimensional gray-level images by normalization, and extract texture images by means of dominant neighborhood structure technique. Lastly, the texture features are then used as inputs of convolutional neural networks as an early anomaly detector and a respiratory disease classifier. Our experimental results show that this new method can be used to detect pig wasting diseases both economically (low-cost sound sensor) and accurately (over 96% accuracy) even under noise-environmental conditions, either as a standalone solution or to complement known methods to obtain a more accurate solution.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2000

A study was carried out to determine the probiotic effect of Lactobacillus reuteri BSA-131 by investigating the growth performance and fecal microbial population of piglets. Five dietary treatment groups, the basal diet (control, BD), basal diet with antibiotics(BA), basal diet with 2$\times$106/g of probiotics (BP6), 2$\times$108/g of probiotics (BP8) and basal diet with antibiotics and 2$\times$108/g probiot-ics(BAP8) were divised. Each dietary treatment group was consisted of 1 month of age piglets(male 13, female 12). Fecal micro-flora, body weights and feed consumption were measured at before, after and stop feeding of probiotics. The results showed that the CFU of fecal Enterobacteriaceae of piglets of the group BA, BP6, BP8 and BAP8, were reduced (P<0.05) compared to control BA. On the contrary, Lactobacillus counts were increased significan시 (P<0.001) in all groups fed probiotics dites, but not antibiotics. Body weight of probiotics treated piglets were improved 5% (p<0.001) in BP6 group than that of control group and antibiotic treated piglets BAP group was 27% (P<0.001) higher than BA group. The amount of feed consumption value of probiotics treated piglets showed 21-30% (P<0.001) lower intake than the control group, whereas antibiotic treated piglets BAP was 20% (P<0.001) higher than BA group. The results showed that body weights and feed to gain ratios were improves 19% when compared to control piglets for groups fed diets probiotic. It is very suggestive that productivity of probiotic piglets would be economical in pig farming.