The tomato army worm and it’s management Every year many gardeners and small farmers will report massive damage from a little culprit known as the tomato fruitworm. Also going by the tomato army worm, these little toasters can ruin what could be a great crop for you...  Their damage can often be seen as neat round little holes on your green tomatoes and sometimes partially ripe tomatoes. When the tomato finally ripens what usually found is that it has begun to rot from the inside out. They are also known to target peppers, eggplant, and okra, The damage is actually the larva of a moth who is related to the Corn Boers, another crop pest. Fortunately, tomato fruitworms do have natural predators. Attracting these to your your garden can be a huge help in controlling these pesky things. parasitic Trichogramma wasp big-eyed bugs minute pirate bugs damsel bugs lacewigs Minimize their food source. Avoid planting near corn or cotton . If you are using the Trichogramma waspLike...

Finishing and Marketing Your Broilers Understanding the optimal slaughter weight and timing for broilers The optimal slaughter weight and timing for broilers is an important aspect of broiler production as it can have a significant impact on the growth, performance, and profitability of the operation. The following are some key considerations for determining the optimal slaughter weight and timing for broilers: Growth targets: The optimal slaughter weight of broilers is typically based on growth targets and production goals. These targets may vary based on the breed of bird, the feeding program, and the desired end product. Feed conversion ratio : The feed conversion ratio (FCR) is a measure of the efficiency of feed utilization by the birds and can be used to determine the optimal slaughter weight. Optimal FCR can vary depending on the breed and production goals, but in general, a lower FCR is desirable. Meat quality : The optimal slaughter weight and timing can also affec...

Health Management for Broilers Recognizing and preventing common broiler diseases Recognizing and preventing common broiler diseases is an important aspect of broiler management, as it helps to ensure the health and productivity of the birds. The following are some of the most common diseases that affect broiler chickens and tips for recognizing and preventing them: Respiratory diseases: Respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, mycoplasmosis, and infectious laryngotracheitis can cause symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge. To prevent respiratory diseases, it is important to maintain optimal humidity levels, provide good ventilation, and minimize stress in the birds. Gastrointestinal diseases: Gastrointestinal diseases such as coccidiosis, salmonellosis, and E. coli can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, weight loss, and dehydration. To prevent gastrointestinal diseases, it is important to provide clean feed and water, and maintain good hygiene practices i...

THE FIRST DAYS WITH YOUR BROILERS The First Days with Your Broilers. Importance of proper temperature control for broiler health and growth Temperature control is critical for the health and growth of broiler chickens. The following are some of the reasons why proper temperature control is important: Thermoregulation: Broiler chickens are unable to regulate their body temperature as effectively as adult chickens. They rely on the environment to provide a consistent and appropriate temperature range for growth and development. Optimal growth: Proper temperature control helps to ensure optimal growth and performance by supporting the metabolic processes that drive growth and feed utilization. Disease prevention: Proper temperature control can help prevent diseases by reducing the risk of pathogens multiplying and spreading in the environment. Heat stress reduction: High temperatures can cause heat stress in broiler chickens, leading to decreased feed intake, poor performance,...

PREPARING FOR YOUR BROILER CHICKEN ARRIVAL Preparing for Your Broiler chicken Arrival. Planning your broiler chicken house Proper broiler housing is essential for the health and welfare of broiler chickens and the success of broiler production. The following steps can help you plan your broiler housing: Determine the number of broilers to be housed: This will determine the size of the housing required and the number of birds that can be accommodated. Choose the type of housing: There are several options for broiler housing, including traditional chicken houses, hoop houses, and deep litter systems. The choice of housing will depend on factors such as the size of the operation, the climate, and personal preferences. Determine the required space per bird: The amount of space required per bird will depend on the breed of broiler and the housing system used. It is important to ensure that each bird has enough room to move and spread its wings. Consider environmental conditions:...

MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING OF BROILER INDUSTRY In recent years, the broiler industry has experienced rapid growth, driven by increasing demand for chicken meat. The industry has become more efficient through the use of modern production methods, improved genetics, and advancements in nutrition and health management. The result has been a significant increase in the production of broiler meat, which is now one of the most widely consumed meat products in the world. However, the broiler industry is not without its challenges. There are concerns about the welfare of broiler chickens, the environmental impact of large-scale broiler production, and the use of antibiotics in broiler management. As such, there is an increasing focus on sustainable broiler production practices and alternative management techniques that prioritize the health and welfare of broiler chickens and the environment. Importance of proper broiler management Proper broiler management is essential for the succe...

MISTAKES FARMERS MAKE  1.Poor Soil Management Any Successful farmer will testify to the fact good soil guarantees a healthy beginning from planting to harvest.Therefore it is important farmers understand that farming in poor Soil is a recipe to failure & an invite to a number of complications. Many vegetables especially Cabbage, Capsicum, Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and the exotic types are heavy feeders and will require plenty of manure in order to grow as expected. As such, it is very important to carry out soil tests before planting anything. 2 . Purchasing Poor Quality Seeds Another top mistakes New Farmers make in vegetables farming is planting of poor quality seeds. The truth is that poor seeds may not grow well or grow at all, some will become stunted if the manage to germinate. While others may not produce healthy produce at all. Some produce scanty fruits. Planting of traditional seeds are gradually fading away & improve seeds are coming up. It is advi...

FACTS ABOUT CUCUMBERS: 1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc. 2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours. 3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance. 4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area. 5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove c...

ETHNOGRAPHY OF PALM WINE RITE IN NGBOEJEOGU By Nwede Chinonso Martin-Ede Palm wine is an indigenous liquor in Ngbo land and best drink in Ngbo. Its significance is enormous. It is used to entertain visitors, visit friends and a bereaved person. It is also used while making sacrifices before the Yam Barn gods, Aliobu, Uzu and others gods. Palm wine is for everybody in Ngbo. Both the male and female consumes it. There are rules guiding Palm Wine which must be strictly observed while drinking or sharing it. Part of it is that, female folks don't share keg of Palm wine in the midst of men nor pray over the Palm wine too.  Importantly, Palm wine is used in different occasions in Ngbo, both exciting events and unfortunate events. It unites people together, foster love and happiness among friends, relatives. And offers the opportunity to crack jokes with one another. One who is buoyant can buy a keg of palm wine for his laborers (Ndu Oru Oguh) to show appreciation. It's mo...

SURFACE IRRIGATION IS WATER THAT IS APPLIED TO THE SURFACE OF A FARM FIELD  Surface irrigation is water that is applied to the surface of a farm field using gravity. As the most used type of irrigation in the world, surface irrigation is ideal where irrigation water is available in plenty. One of the upsides of surface irrigation is it does not need any technology to work. It needs a careful design where the size of the farm field, slope from the water source, soil type, and gradient of the farm field is put into consideration.  With surface irrigation, the farmer will incur high initial costs, mainly labour costs but the cost of maintaining the system is low.  Advantages of surface irrigation. Does not require technical expertise or equipment to construct and run. Can be done by any farmer, including small scale farmers since it does not require much input apart from labour. Disadvantages of surface irrigation. Requires level land and cannot work well on slop...