There is growing interest within the agricultural industry on how cover crop systems affect soil health and economic productivity in integrated crop-livestock systems. This study investigated the combined effects of cover crop species; no-till and conventional till; and grazed (G) and un-grazed (UG) in a continuous corn (Zea mays) production system in east-central Mississippi. Cover crops were established in the fall of 2019 and 2020 in two separate field studies. Corn yield was not affected by grazing or tillage but was affected by cover crop species. We then compared the difference in cover crop species treatments with their respective corn yield and observed the greatest net return with the control ($252.09 ac-1). Organic matter was greater with the G area (1.03%) as compared to the UG (0.88%). Grazing resulted in bulk densities of 1.45 and 1.47 g cm3-1 for UG and G, respectively.

<p>This study investigates the price premium for labeling of carbon-relevant practices and other potentially relevant labels on meat product, including organic, grass-feeding/-fed, gluten-free, and whether it is non-GMO, etc. Prices and labeling information about beef, pork, chicken, and other meat products in selected stores from 48 states were collected via web-scraping and investigated for product claims and labels directly or indirectly related to carbon. Market-observed price premiums for reduced carbon labels or using sustainable practices were investigated alongside impacts of geography on product prices. </p> <p>Our results showed significant price premiums for almost all of the claims investigated. For beef and chicken products the variable/label with the highest price premium associated was <em>Less greenhouse gas </em>and for the pork products, the variable/label <em>Non-GMO</em> was associated with the highest price premium of those studied.</p>

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This study was done by administering household surveys to 50% of the families in the three communities. Families were selected through stratified random sampling. This allowed us to determine how much families are exploiting species that have a significant level of production as well as whether they use them for a commercial activity or subsistence. With regard to cows, 60.40 ± 4.72% of families use them. Each family has an average of 1.68 ± 0.21 cows. Productive cows make up 36.9% of the above percentage, which is a majority. The measured rate of production was 6.48 ± 0.25 L/cow/day. Overall, 40.16 ± 3.17% of production was used for household consumption while the rest was sold. These parameters as well as the sale of live animals helped San Nicolas have an annual income of 735 US dollars, which shows that this community relies more on commercial activity. On the other hand, San Clemente and San Francisco had annual incomes of 367 and 279 US dollars respectively. This shows that these communities focus more on familial subsistence. Of the major species, sheep are the least exploited with 54.80 ± 8.74% of families using them. The first lambing occurs at 17.79 ± 0.48 months. Newborns are weaned at 5.57 ± 0.11 months by only 27.27 ± 4.47% of families. Of the weaned newborns, 60.69 ± 5.13% are kept and the rest are sold. Every 10.46 ± 0.47 months, 77.96% of the wool produced is sold. Generally, the sheep are sol d at 22.84 ± 1.75 months of age. This generates an average annual income of 40.85 ± 19.26 US dollars, which indicates that this activity is focused on familial subsistence. Swine production is the most common form of animal production. Pigs are exploited by 81.86 ± 7.17% of families with each family having an average of 2.11 ± 0.16 animals. A sow’s first delivery occurs at 16.48 ± 0.48 months and their productive life comes after reproducing 1.98 ± 0.15 times. Each litter has 5.72 ± 0.19 offspring with a post-weaning mortality rate of 28.99 ± 4.82%. Offspring are weaned at 2.90 ± 0.12 months. Overall, 65.13% of the weaned offspring are kept and the rest are sold. Annual revenue from pig production is 63.2 ± 22.46 US dollars which indicates it is used for familial subsistence, acting as a safeguard against economic emergencies at times. Of the minor species, the guinea pig is the most exploited. It is used by 86.11 ± 3.65% of families with each family having an average of 12.04 ± 1.31 guinea pigs. The mothers have an average of 2.44 ± 0.06 offspring per litter with a weaning rate of 75.81 ± 4.33%. Overall, 86.91% of production is used for family consumption and the rest is sold. The annual income generated by this activity is 6.24 ± 0.51 US dollars which indicates that this is an activity dedicated to providing food for the family. Rabbits are used by 49.42 ± 5.23% of families, each having an average of 4.03 ± 0.64 animals. There is an average of 6.57 ± 0.29 newborns per litter with a weaning rate of 41.16 ± 5.20%. Overall, 80.18 ± 4.16% of production is used for family consumption. This activity is similar to guinea pig production seeing as the annual income it generates is only 12.80 ± 1.10 US dollars. Chickens are exploited by 77.33 ± 4.39% of families with each family having an average of 5.88 ± 0.60 animals. Broiler chickens make up 48.22% of the poultry population with the rest being made up of native and field hens. Overall, 68.96% of broiler chickens are used for family consumption while 89.31 ± 3.27% of hens are used for family consumption. The annual income from this activity is 40.13 ± 19.24 US dollars. This makes it appear to have a slight tendency toward commercial use. We conclude that the three communities have different levels of animal exploitation. San Nicolas was the most successful of the three, partially using their livestock production for commercial purposes. San Clemente used part of theirs for commercial purposes as well, but on a lower scale. San Francisco, on the other hand, focuses their livestock production solely on familial subsistence. We recommend that a study be conducted regarding all points involved in the feasibility of production projects in these communities, especially in regard to the organization in each community. This will help improve production levels and make way for a change from a subsistence based economy to a more commercially based economy, ultimately improving the social and nutritional levels of these families.

The work elaborated in this thesis is developed for fulfilling the needs of the degreeproject for a Master of Science with major in Energy Systems, organized at the Facultyof Engineering and Sustainable Development at the University of Gävle, Sweden. Theaim of the work is to perform the sizing and simulation of a photovoltaic thermal(PVT) system a livestock farm. This work has been developed within the frameworkof the RES4Live H2020 project. In the introductory section, a background studyregarding energy use in the agricultural sector of the European Union (EU), focusingon livestock farms at the pilot site countries, and its breakdown to the energy vectorscontributing to the energy use is presented. Additionally, a literature review with amarket assessment of global PVT and concentrated photovoltaic thermal (CPVT)deployment along with a market assessment of renewable energy technologiesdeployed in farms, are both performed. The aim of the work performed is clarifiedthrough the presentation of the theoretical principles, the considered practicallimitations and the simulated results. In the theoretical part all the relevant aspects ofthe PVT technology as well as its suitability for electricity and heat generation andutilization in EU livestock farms are elaborated and discussed. Relevant technical andeconomic indicators against which different technologies can be compared areintroduced in this section. Next, the methodological approach followed in this thesisis presented. Several scenarios for the PVT system sizing are simulated in the dedicatedsoftware environment of Winsun. The obtained results are discussed. Conclusionsregarding the potential contribution of the elaborated approach towards thestandardization of the process of PVT systems’ deployment for meeting the needs ofEU livestock farms, are. The operating temperature and the collector area significantlyaffect the renewable share in covering the thermal energy needs of the farm. The useof a heat pump for covering the residual thermal demand within a net-meteringframework for the electricity produced by the PVT system was proved to very highdegrees of thermal self-sufficiency. Finally, the thesis discusses the environmentalimpact and sustainability of the approach for alignment with the SustainableDevelopment Goals (SDGs) #7 on “Affordable and Clean Energy” &amp; #11 on“Sustainable Cities and Communities” of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda forSustainable Development. The thesis results suggest that the incorporation of PVTsystems in the context of livestock farms can significantly reduce fossil fuel demandfor meeting the thermal needs of the farm. PVT technologies and systems can bringaffordable and clean thermal and electrical energy to end-users in developed andemerging cities and communities around the globe and thus support the global energytransition and assist climate change mitigation actions.

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Human-population of the earth exceeding 6 billion and growing at an estimates rate of 1.2% per year (US census Bureau, 2002) will lead to increase in human-wildlife encounters. Attacks on humans are perhaps the least understood of these encounters, but the most interesting and emotionally connected to people (Quigley Howard 2005). The main aim of the study if to understand stakeholders’ perception towards human-wildlife interaction and conflicts in Corbett National park, India. We used a standardized IRB (Institutional Review Board) approved questionnaire to survey 315 household from 15 villages lying within and around Corbett National Park of India using snow-ball technique and stratified random sampling technique.. We also surveyed and analyzed the head of the village, snow-ball technique and stratified random technique survey differently. We used multivariate regression analysis to understand the data obtained from questionnaire survey. Later, we also designed a conceptual model to understand factors influencing human-wildlife interaction; and an empirical model to identify factors affecting human-wildlife conflicts. The results of the study identified that most of the encounters with wildlife occurred while collecting timber or grass from forests. Wild pigs, elephants and cheetal are the species mainly responsible for crop-loss in our study area. Majority of the stakeholders were engaged in timber and grass collection from forested area. Multivariate regression results suggests that stakeholders whose farms were located far from highway, had good fencing and who had better socio-economic status faced least threat from wildlife with respect to crop-loss, livestock loss and human-life loss/injury. The simulation results of dynamic system experiment suggests that habitat loss and poaching play a very significant role in tiger population and its future. The study concludes that a holistic multi-disciplinary conservation approach is needed to address the increasing conflict issues in India. More emphases should be given on community based-conservation strategies and policies. Watch-towers, pits, solar-powered fencing are the best and most effective ways to keep wildlife away from damaging crops and killing livestock. Sustainable development and better higher education is the key to conserving tigers in India.

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