Micro Course - Managing the Soil Biome

By ACS Bookshop on December 9, 2019 in Agriculture, Farming and Livestock Articles & Horticulture / Gardening | comments

We've developed a new micro course on managing the soil biome.

This is a rapidly growing field of study - critical to agriculture, horticulture and environmental management.

Soil microorganisms were previously "out of sight -out of mind" ....but we are now understanding that they are critical to plant growth, control of carbon emissions, soil stability, and so much more.

Aquaponics at home

By ACS Bookshop on February 12, 2018 in Agriculture, Farming and Livestock Articles & Horticulture / Gardening | comments

Aquaponics is the ultimate system for home food production.

In a small space, you can grow both vegetables, fruit, herbs and edible fish.

It can be as simple or complex, and as small or large as you want

Ungulates are Important to Man

By ACS Bookshop on December 9, 2017 in Farming and Livestock Articles & Wildlife | comments

UNGULATE ANIMALS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO MAN!

Ungulates are mammals which have hooves or structures like hooves on their toes. They include most of our farm animals: horses, cattles, sheep, goats, pigs and others, as well as many very important wild animals.

Animal Learning

By ACS Bookshop on September 5, 2014 in Agriculture, Farming and Livestock Articles & Pets | comments

Nowadays we recognise that animals learn in different types of ways. The following table illustrates learning from simpler mechanisms at the top down to more complex types:

Classical Conditioning - Animal learns by associating a stimulus with a response
Operant Conditioning - Animal learns by positive or negative reinforcement following an action
Learning Sets - Animal learns through trial and error
Insight Animal - Animals learn through understanding the relationships between different parts of a problem
Imitation - Animal learns by watching others and using mental representations to copy them
Cognitive Mapping - Animal learns by using mental representations of the environment

Ducks for Eggs or Pets

By ACS Bookshop on June 30, 2014 in Farming and Livestock Articles & Pets | comments

Ducks are a friendly family pet which can provide garden pest control, delicious eggs or meat. Ducks have a life span of around 10-15 years. A male duck is called a drake, a female is a duck and their babies are called ducklings. They require a little more open space than chickens however they are less maintenance overall. When choosing a breed you must consider the size and temperament which would suit your needs as well as the intended use of the bird –are you intending to keep ducks as pets, eggs or meat production?

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