Tag Archives: farming

Bitter Honey Review: New Scientist’s Eye-Opening Report on the Impact of Bee Farming

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Bees transport pollen balls in corbicula on their hind legs.

Jenny Durant

Bitter Honey
Jenny Durant

Princeton University Press (US, May 26; UK, July 28)

Industrial farming often invokes grim scenarios of livestock crammed in warehouse-like settings, recipient of antibiotics, and suffering neglect. However, the plight of bees has now risen to similar levels of concern.

In Bitter Honey: Big Ag’s Threat to Honeybees and the Fight to Save Them, environmental writer and social scientist Jenny Durant uncovers the industrialization of honeybee colonies in the U.S., revealing their harsh realities—such as being stored in cold storage and fed sugar syrup and protein bars. Each year, around 3 million bee colonies travel the country on rented trucks for crop pollination, many teetering on the brink of collapse and necessitating frequent replacements. This alarming trend poses significant risks to our food systems, but Durant emphasizes that there is still hope.

Humans have managed honeybees for over 8,000 years. Ancient Spanish cave paintings depict the act of honey collection, while Indigenous peoples noted that honeybees often preceded settlers, referring to them as “white man’s flies.”

Presently, honeybees in the U.S. are emerging as competitors to native bee species, potentially increasing their populations fiftyfold without the competition for nectar and pollen.

Beekeepers prepare honeybees to be transported across the U.S. as key pollinators.

Jenny Durant

With the advent of artificial hives in the 19th century, bees have been transformed into domesticated creatures. Yet, a combination of excessive pesticide use, monocrop farming, and various pathogens has led to the loss of over a third of U.S. honeybee colonies since the mid-2000s. Instead of addressing these core issues, beekeepers became “pesticide springboards,” as Durant describes, further exacerbating the plight of these colonies.

Durant contends that beekeepers should not shoulder all the blame. The influx of cheap and adulterated honey from abroad during the 1990s forced many beekeepers to pivot toward offering pollination services for survival. Drawing from her extensive fieldwork with commercial beekeepers, Durant provides a unique insight into their lives and the challenges they face.

Many of these families have operated in this field for generations, demonstrating a deep care for the bees. For instance, one beekeeper would traverse miles searching for lost hives and could discern the health of a hive just by the sounds its inhabitants make. It was heartbreaking to learn of one individual who lost half his hive to a toxic pesticide application conducted by his farm’s pest management advisor.

The principal challenge facing the honeybee population, according to Durant, originates from the almond farming sector. With honey prices becoming unviable, beekeepers shifted their focus to California’s lucrative almond industry, which boasts a staggering annual export value of $4 billion. Each February, approximately 99% of U.S. honeybees are transported to California to pollinate almond trees. Yet, like previous industrialized crops, this monoculture system prioritizes yield and profit over biodiversity and ecological health.

Moreover, the fossil fuels powering the global food system further strain bee populations. Strategies like storing bees in massive refrigeration units are merely temporary fixes to counter unpredictable weather patterns and seasonal variations.

While Durant presents a rather grim outlook, she also provides potential solutions in the latter portion of her book. These include innovative tree planting initiatives, regenerative agricultural practices, and rewilding efforts. There exists space for wildflower growth beneath long stretches of almond trees or solar panels, and employing managed burns grounded in Native American land management traditions can help restore grasslands. Such measures could significantly bolster the chances for bees and their native counterparts.

Nevertheless, the successful implementation of these strategies relies heavily on government investment and overcoming the economic constraints faced by farmers. At times, Durant delves into intricate state-level environmental policies, providing insight into the complex and frustrating nature of reforming harmful practices.

Numerous environmental issues, such as climate change and water scarcity, possess straightforward remedies. Yet, these solutions often struggle to gain traction due to outdated economic systems. Many share in this predicament, much like how I currently have a pack of cheap almonds—grown in the U.S., processed in Germany, and sold in the UK—on my desk. Durant advocates for a reconnection with nature among gardeners and farmers, yet does not appear intent on vehemently challenging the status quo.

One “rebel gardener,” introduced by Durant, transformed a barren lawn into a thriving ecosystem. This anecdote illustrates that individual efforts can contribute to biodiversity, even in the face of opposition from neighbors adhering strictly to monoculture. Such personal spaces foster new relationships with living organisms, revealing their shared existence with humans.

Observing how bees choose which flowers to visit and pass on crucial knowledge to fellow hive members accentuates their intrinsic value—not merely as pollinators, but as living beings. This kinship fosters a stronger motivation for action than the distressing statistics of bee die-offs that often go unheeded. When combined with Durant’s inquiries about the ideal future of our landscapes and food systems, the need for change becomes undeniable.

She states, “Let’s plant flowers. Let’s minimize pesticides. Let’s share the land.” “Let’s nurture relationships with living beings,” she adds.

3 More Must-Read Books on Nature and Conservation

The Mind of a Bee
By Lars Chitka

Are bees intelligent and capable of basic emotions and consciousness? Whether you agree or disagree with Chitka’s findings, he prompts readers to reconsider how bees perceive their reality and the remarkable complexity of hive life.

Staying with the Trouble
Written by Donna J. Haraway

Donna Haraway presents a balanced view of our environmental challenges, urging readers not to succumb to despair or blind optimism. Instead, she advocates for nurturing complex relationships with all life forms.

The Book of Wilding
Written by Isabella Tree and Charlie Burrell

The inspiring narrative of how the Knepp Estate in southern England transformed from barren land to a vibrant ecosystem provides valuable insights. While not everyone has vast land holdings, this book is rich in practical advice.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

How Farming Transformed Human Evolution: The Impact of Agriculture on Our Development

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Evolution and Agriculture Impact

The Advent of Agriculture and Evolutionary Pressures on Humans

Christian Jegou/Science Photo Library

The comprehensive analysis of ancient genomes has revealed significant insights into human evolution over the last 10,000 years. This research indicates that various populations worldwide have experienced similar evolutionary changes, particularly following the introduction of agriculture.

“Similar traits and genes are being selected in diverse populations,” says Laura Colbran from the University of Pennsylvania.

Evolution happens when genetic variation becomes prevalent in a population—often because it confers an advantage. By comparing genomes, we can identify recent signs of human evolution.

Colbran notes that ancient DNA is exceptionally valuable for this research, stating, “Using ancient genomes allows us to witness genetic history directly, as opposed to relying solely on inferential methods.”

Much of the recent research has primarily focused on European genomes, but Colbran’s team leveraged an increasing collection of genomes from outside Europe, analyzing over 7,000 ancient and contemporary genomes. Ancient genomes mainly originate from the last 10,000 years, while modern genomes are derived from living populations.

The research team utilized ancient genomes to predict possible modern genetic profiles without evolutionary influence, highlighting differences known as selection signals. They identified 31 selection signals, many of which were shared among varied populations, likely due to the independent rise of agriculture around the same era globally.

For instance, less than 25% of ancient individuals possessed the FADS1 gene, which encodes an enzyme that aids in converting short-chain fatty acids (common in plants) into long-chain fatty acids (predominant in meats). Increased production of this enzyme is thought to benefit individuals who adopt a plant-heavy diet. Currently, over 75% of people in Europe, Japan, and northern China carry advantageous FADS1 variants. The strength of selection for this gene has remained stable over the last 300 generations in Europe while intensifying in East Asia over the last century.

The genes impacting the alcohol dehydrogenase 1B enzyme, encoded by ADH1B, have also been critically analyzed. Variants of ADH1B are prevalent in East Asia and are associated with quick alcohol metabolism, leading to symptoms like facial flushing. Colbran stated, “This showcases the strongest selection signal we’ve observed in East Asia,” suggesting that this variant was favored to curb excessive alcohol consumption.

Even though this variant was absent in ancient Europeans, strong selection signals related to the ADH1B enzyme were identified. Colbran emphasized the need for further investigation to discern the involved variants and their specific impacts, indicating a likely adaptation to evolving alcohol consumption patterns.

The research team also explored traits influenced by multiple genetic variations, such as waist-to-hip ratios, often correlated with fertility. Surprisingly, they found a robust selection process stabilizing women’s waist-to-hip ratios within certain limits. “This is intriguing as it suggests a stabilization of selection,” Colbran remarked, emphasizing that while waist-to-hip ratios can differ across various populations, the ideal measurement likely exists in a balanced range.

As noted by Alexander Gusev at Harvard University, this study is remarkable for its analysis of ancient DNA that has yet to be thoroughly examined. Gusev explained, “The authors found enriched variants being selected within one population compared to others, indicating parallel selection across populations, previously hypothesized but not empirically demonstrated.”

Yashin Souilumi, from the University of Adelaide, emphasized that their novel approach reveals regions of the genome newly identified as subject to selection, complementing previously known areas. “Their innovative method optimally utilizes the vast amounts of available ancient DNA,” Souilumi stated.

Colbran concluded that these findings are merely the initial discoveries. As more non-European genomes are sequenced, we will uncover even more evidence of recent human evolution.

Discovery Tour: Archaeology, Human Origins, and Paleontology

New Scientist frequently covers extraordinary archaeological sites that reshape our understanding of human evolution and early civilizations. Join us on this fascinating journey!

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Source: www.newscientist.com

How Virtual Reality Farming Will Transform the Future of Food Supply

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Agriculture has long been a skilled and high-pressure profession, but modern farmers encounter challenges that even our grandparents could not have imagined.

In the UK, extreme weather is severely impacting agricultural lands. A recent survey revealed that 84% of farmers have witnessed a drop in crop yields or livestock production. This decline stems from a mix of heavy rain, drought, and extreme heat. Coupled with labor shortages, escalating machinery costs, and the demand to produce more food with fewer resources, the outlook for British agriculture appears increasingly uncertain.

As these issues escalate, innovations have surged. One of the most surprising solutions isn’t a cutting-edge tractor, miracle fertilizer, or genetically enhanced supercrops. Instead, it’s virtual reality (VR). This immersive technology, typically associated with gaming, is gradually becoming essential for the agricultural sector.

Here are five ways VR can pave the way for resilient farms and safeguard the food supply for an expanding population.

Life-saving VR Simulator

Operating a tractor is a daily task on the farm, but it can be daunting for new drivers. Tractors may be slow, but they can pose serious risks.

Rural roadways are infamous for narrow lanes, mud, hidden ditches, overgrown hedges, and blind turns, all of which can lead to serious accidents. Statistics indicate higher accident risks.

To combat this, researchers at Nottingham Trent University have developed a tractor-specific VR hazard perception test. Utilizing 360-degree footage from a tractor’s perspective, learners can experience real-life scenarios. Farmers report these situations as highly dangerous: hidden bikes, potholes, tight corners, and vehicles that regard 14-ton tractors as mere obstacles.

In trials with over 100 drivers, many, particularly those with past accidents, struggled to recognize hazards in time. It’s evident that traditional training doesn’t suffice, as tractors have distinct turning radii, slower speeds, and unique blind spots compared to cars.

There’s hope that this VR training could become a standard educational tool in universities and young farmers’ clubs, ensuring safer driving practices before they venture onto the roads.

Hone Your Skills in VR

VR is also training the next generation of vineyard workers safely, minimizing the risk of harming the vines. The Maara Tech project in New Zealand has created a system enabling trainees to practice vine cutting indoors, even on rainy days. Pruning in wet conditions carries significant risks, exposing fresh cuts to moisture, which can lead to fungal diseases.

Researchers at Eurecat, a European R&D center collaborating with several universities on agricultural innovations, have advanced this concept further. They’ve developed VR pruning shears equipped with sensors that guide users on the correct pressure, angle, and technique. It’s not just about speed; precision is crucial.

Accurate cuts result in healthier grapes, leading to superior quality and fewer errors. Since this training is virtual, new workers can build their confidence and help alleviate seasonal labor shortages.

Mindfulness with VR Headsets

Agriculture is not just physically demanding; it’s also mentally taxing. When adverse weather ruins planting schedules, drought devastates fields, and costs soar, even the most resilient farmers can reach their breaking point.

It’s perhaps unsurprising that 95% of farmers under 40 believe that mental health issues are the biggest hidden struggle they face in agriculture.

In response, researchers at the University of East Anglia have initiated the Rural Mind Project, employing a 360-degree VR experience to immerse healthcare professionals, policymakers, and support workers in real farming scenarios—addressing issues like isolation, anxiety due to weather, and financial pressures.

This initiative goes beyond fostering empathy; it aims to facilitate tangible change. VR training is equipping practitioners to recognize rural-specific stressors, find effective support strategies, and dismantle the stigma associated with seeking help.

Unlike conventional therapy, where the presence of a psychiatrist may induce anxiety, farmers can practice coping methods in a tranquil virtual setting designed for rural challenges. Initial feedback suggests VR may reach individuals who would typically avoid seeking assistance.

While it’s not a complete solution, it’s a promising step towards making mental health care as accessible as checking the weather forecast.

Learn the Ropes Without the Mess

Not only does VR help in understanding farm life, but it also provides the younger generation a head start without the mess, fertilizers, or early wake-ups.

Through the DIVE4Ag project at Oregon State University, schoolchildren can embark on virtual field trips via their gadgets, exploring dairy farms, urban gardens, and aquaculture facilities.

Meanwhile, at Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Science in India, the AR/VR Experience Center offers agricultural students interactive lessons on crop cultivation, animal care, and modern production methods.

As immersive VR education gains traction, it sparks excitement and confidence, motivating the upcoming generation to consider agricultural careers long before stepping onto a physical farm.

Stepping into the Metaverse

If VR can train farmers effectively, support their mental well-being, and educate them about agriculture, why not extend these benefits to animals? In Turkey, one adventurous dairy farmer has started using VR goggles on his cows while they are comfortably housed in a barn, allowing them to view lush pastures accompanied by soft classical music.

The goal was to create a serene atmosphere to reduce stress and potentially enhance milk output. Early results have been remarkable, as average production climbed from 22 to 27 liters per cow per day.

This approach might seem quirky, but managing cows indoors during extreme climates allows for better control over their feeding, milking, and overall health, suggesting that the future of farming may indeed lie where livestock engage with the metaverse.

From safer tractor operations to calming cows using VR, this technology is demonstrating its value beyond mere gaming. It offers a glimpse into the future of agriculture. EIT Food showcases these innovations, merging visionary concepts with practical solutions to illustrate how immersive technology can make agriculture smarter, safer, and more sustainable for all.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Did Ancient Societies Take Up Farming to Brew More Beer?

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This festive season, whatever you may do, chances are you didn’t have to hunt it or gather it from the wilderness yourself. We owe this to our ancestors, who underwent one of humanity’s most significant transformations around 10,000 years ago, transitioning from a lifestyle of hunting and gathering to one of farming.

The reasons behind this shift remain puzzling, especially since our species thrived for roughly 300,000 years without practices like milking, sowing, or shepherding. Various theories have been proposed. Perhaps agriculture provided a more dependable food source, or it reduced reliance on neighbors. Maybe the significance of a particular location related to spirituality, or perhaps a desire to remain close to buried loved ones played a role.

Or was it social friction that shaped this change? It might sound humorous, but just as today, alcohol could have served as a social lubricant. Maintaining relationships often involves sharing drinks, and if our ancestors wished to facilitate these connections, they would have needed to produce cereals. So could it be that alcohol motivated our ancestors to change their way of life?

Anthropologists have pondered this possibility since the 1950s, but at that time, technology was lacking to test such ideas. One challenge is differentiating between beer and bread, with many believing bread was more likely to kick-start agricultural growth. The archaeological evidence shows that both baking and brewing involved similar processes. Wang Jiajing from Dartmouth College and others needed to figure out how to distinguish the starches from beer and bread and determine which appeared first.

This led a select group of archaeologists, including Wang, on a quest to uncover the earliest known signs of alcoholic beer production.

One promising starting point is ancient settled societies, such as Egypt, where beer production was clearly established. Archaeologists frequently uncover distinctive pottery that resembles fermentation tanks. “They simply refer to it as ‘beer bottle’,” Wang explains. Recently, she and her colleagues confirmed these vessels were used for brewing and storing alcohol by identifying characteristic microscopic remains found inside. At Hierakonpolis in southern Egypt, for instance, fragments of beer bottles were discovered containing starch granules from grains, yeast cells, and “beer stones” made of calcium oxalate. Evidence suggests beer was brewed there from a mixture of wheat, barley, and grasses around 5,800 to 5,600 years ago, predating the first pharaohs by over 2,000 years.

A rice wine pot built 8,700 to 9,000 years ago in Qiaotou, Zhejiang Province, southern China

Wang Jiajing

“They were producing beer on an almost industrial scale,” said Wang. However, these early brews were not like today’s ales or lagers. “They sprouted the grains, cooked them, and used wild yeast to convert sweetness into alcohol,” she explains. The result was not a clear liquid, but rather a “slightly fermented sweet porridge.”

Such findings offer a template for the kind of evidence needed to confirm prehistoric beer production. The next obstacle was identifying how far back such evidence could reach.

In 2016, Li Liu from Stanford University, along with Wang and colleagues, uncovered ceramic vessels at the Mijiayao archaeological site in northern China. They identified traces of beer brewing from 5,000 years ago. This culture used unique plant mixtures for their beer, including broom sorghum millet, Job’s tears millet, barley, and tubers. Five years later, Wang and Liu identified further evidence of ancient drinking at the Xipu ruins near Xi’an, which belonged to the Yang Shao culture. Large pots fermented rice and grains using a fungus called red mold, which is still involved in making fermented foods like rice wine using the starter Kuu. They theorized that elites may have consumed beer at “competitive feasts.”

Oldest Alcoholic Beer

However, the earliest evidence comes from the mountain culture in the lower Yangtze River in southern China, discovered by Liu, tracing back to one of the earliest agricultural societies from approximately 10,000 to 8,500 years ago. In 2021, Wang’s team highlighted findings from the Kaminoyama site, showing that rice and Job’s tears, along with unidentified tuber remnants, were likely used for beer brewing during funerary feasts, indicating a practice highly integrated into their culture.

Just a year ago, Liu and her team described the earliest evidence of brewing in East Asia, analyzing 12 pottery shards from the Kaminoyama site’s deepest layer, dating back 9,000 to 10,000 years. “This depicts the early stages of the Ueyama culture,” she notes. The fragments featured rice, Job’s tears, traces of acorns, lilies, and remnants of carcasses. The Kuu starter included both Monascus and yeast.

At this juncture, Liu confirms, “domestication was already in progress,” and beer production was clearly a factor as well. “When we have surplus grain, we also produce surplus alcohol,” she adds.

Yet while there’s a strong connection, evidence is still elusive. Surprisingly, the oldest bread predates Ueyama beer and actually relates to the establishment of agriculture. Archaeologists discovered evidence of bread-like products, created by the Natufians at Shubaika 1 in Jordan, who generally maintained a foraging lifestyle despite some periods of settlement.

Rice terraces in Guangxi province, China

Sébastien Lecoq / Alamy Stock Photo

To add complexity, evidence has emerged suggesting that these hunter-gatherers may also have brewed beer. At the Rakefet Cave in Israel, a Natufian burial ground with around 30 interred individuals, Liu, Wang, and their colleagues discovered three stone mortars filled with various wild plants, including wheat, barley, and beans, which were fermented to create a porridge-like beer. These vessels date back between 11,700 and 13,700 years, indicating that brewing predates agriculture.

The ongoing debate about which came first, beer or bread, remains unresolved. “We don’t have conclusive evidence to clarify that yet,” Liu remarked. Similarly, it’s uncertain whether beer, bread, or another factor played the most significant role in the agricultural revolution, which ultimately laid the foundation for our food and drink traditions today.

“I wouldn’t be astonished if both were motivating factors,” Wang stated. After all, history is rarely straightforward—especially prehistory.

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Source: www.newscientist.com