We all know the importance of being kind to the planet. Recycling where possible, composting and reducing the amount we use our cars and most importantly, reducing the power we use are all logical steps we can take to do so. But when you run a business, particularly a farming business, you might not think that there’s much you can do about your use of power.
Such heavy duty work requires powerful machinery and vehicles, lots of water and tons of electricity. Right? Well actually, there’s plenty you can do to make your agriculture business more sustainable. The following tips are just a few of the ways you can go about it.
Horse Power Vs Horsepower
The reason most farms use tractors is due to productivity. It allows you to get a job done quickly and efficiently. However co2 emissions are incredibly bad for the environment. Why not consider switching to horse labor instead? If you run a single, organic farm that’s not too large, it could be a practical move to make. Horses are less expensive than tractors to buy upfront, although you will need to factor food and stables into the equation. Sites like http://www.valestables.com/ offer custom bespoke stables, so it’s easy to have something created for your exact specifications. If you’re running a very large farm, switching to horses probably won’t be an option. But it’s something certain farms could most definitely get on board with.
Reduce Chemicals
Herbicides and pesticides are toxic enough keep weeds and pests away, the problem is there are lots of drawbacks. These chemicals have been linked to certain cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, and infertility https://www.nature.com has further information on this. They can also seep into soil and pollute rivers and lakes, meaning they’re bad for the environment and bad for us too. Using techniques such as crop rotation and conservation tillage instead, allows you to stop using harmful chemicals. While these kinds of techniques can be more time consuming and expensive, you’re unlikely to lose money. Consumers are happy to pay more for organic foods, allowing you to recoup costs. As a bonus, it’s far kinder to the environment.
Uphold Animal Welfare Standards
Allowing cattle to roam means they get to eat their natural diet as opposed to grain, and their manure fertilizes the soil (instead of being taken away and disposed of using fossil fuels). Animals get to live a happy and normal life, as opposed to factory farmed animals which https://www.aspca.org states are often confined to pens so small they’re unable to even turn around. Not only is raising animals free range more ethical, but the meat itself is healthier too. Free-range chickens for example have over twenty percent less total fat, thirty percent less saturated fat and almost thirty percent fewer calories. It’s no wonder customers will pay more for it.
Do you take steps to keep your agriculture business sustainable and environmentally friendly? What other ways would you suggest to farm owners?
