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    Earthworm Farming


    2010 - 01.31

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         Earthworm farming is a natural method of composting wastes such as kitchen garbage, fallen leaves and other discarded household wastes. It is also referred to as vermicomposting. The vermicompost obtained from the earthworm farming contains beneficial nutrients and microorganisms for the plants. Hence, it can be used as an excellent nutrient supplement and soil conditioner in gardening. Some people own the business of earthworm farming to supply the compost commercially.

         Earthworm Farming

         Earthworm farming is very easy, provided that the worm farmer understands the worm requirements properly. The thumb rule of earthworm composting is to keep the medium moist and protect it from drying, water accumulation and cold temperature. There are many species of earthworm that differ in their behavior. Hence, selecting a correct earthworm species is very important for a successful farming.

         One of the most commonly employed earthworm species for vermicomposting is red wrigglers. They are not smelly and reproduce faster than other earthworm species. In order to start with farming, you can purchase these earthworms from a bait shop or other pet stores. You can opt for bulk buying of small size worms or fully grown ones that measure about 3 inch in length.

         The next step for earthworm farming is to prepare a good medium for the worms by combining the bedding with manure. Some of the bedding options include peat moss, shredded paper, leaves, sawdust, plain dirt or a combination of these. Though peat moss is favorable for the earthworms, it is comparatively costlier than the other options for preparing earthworm medium. (more…)

    Cattle Farming


    2010 - 01.31

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    Posted in Farming | No Comments »

         There are various ways in which you can implement cattle farming to your benefit. You can either rear cattle for organic farming or dairy purposes or you can raise them to sell directly to beef wholesalers or consumers. You can either take up cattle farming as a sole activity or combine it with other livestock farming activities. However, undertaking only cattle farming means more profit at very less efforts.

         Why Cattle Farming

         If you have tried your hand at any of the livestock farming activities, you must have realized that it is no kid’s play. You have to look after several management issues such as animal feed, disease control, market returns etc. Though, cattle farming does not alleviate any of these issues, it certainly reduces the labor efforts behind each of the tasks. Since, cattle are naturally sturdy, they are less prone to diseases and infections as compared to other livestock. Similarly, since you do not rear cattle in large numbers, the feeding problems associated with every individual cattle are reduced. Moreover, transportation of cattle for buying or selling purpose is also easy.

         Cattle Farming for Beginners

         If you are a novice in this field, then you might need to consult someone who may be able to guide you on cattle farming. Firstly, you need to understand if you have all the resources for cattle farming at your disposal. If not, you’ll have to see if you can arrange for them. Depending upon your purpose, you’ll have to make a cattle farming business plan that will take into account your resources and expenses. A concrete business plan can give you an insight on whether this business is feasible for you or not. If the purpose of your business is to raise calves for meat, then you should buy only a few high quality cows and impregnate them either with artificial insemination or you may require the services of herd bull. The calves should be fed until they attain a weight of 400 pounds. They can be a lucrative option for beef wholesalers if you feed them a little over 400 pounds. Read more about what is a business plan.

         While buying cattle you should take into account a few facts. It is always best to go for regular sized cattle or buy all cattle that is more or less the same size. This can alleviate the animal-specific feeding issues. It is best to avoid animals with abnormal fat as they are likely to gain weight over a period of time. Generally, an alert animal that moves around normally and has bright eyes is considered best for cattle farming. Avoid buying cattle that does not meet these basic requirements. Thus, along with the breed of the animal, one should also focus on its size and quality. More on artificial insemination in cattle.

         Farmers are slowly becoming aware of the myriad attractive opportunities in the cattle farming business. An intelligent insight of market conditions, a good understanding of the needs in your local region, marketing strategies and a sturdy business plan that covers all the possibilities can easily allow you to encash these opportunities.
     
         Get more information here.