The 11th annual Oxford Farming Conference 2020 set its sights on managing global food systems in innovative and environmentally sustainable ways. In line with the world’s sustainable development goals as outlined by the UN, the conference explored the current challenges the agricultural sector faces, with the need to ensure food security, the duty to protect natural ecosystems, and the necessity to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions. In line with the world’s sustainable development goals as outlined by the UN, the conference […]
The One Planet Fellowship, a $20 million initiative dedicated to supporting research on climate change adaptation, is an academic mentoring scheme which aims to support Africa’s smallholder farmers in adapting to a changing climate. This year, One Planet Fellowship has collaborated with the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) to raise awareness and interest in the value of women engaging in research and development. Launched at the 2017 One Planet Summit in Paris, hosted by President Emmanuel Macron, […]
Our food systems are under unprecedented pressure. With the global population expected to reach 8.6 billion by 2030, making food systems more sustainable will depend on the development and deployment of innovative tools and approaches around the world. Launched in partnership with CGIAR, Farming First’s latest campaign – Innovations for Sustainable Food Systems – features a range of case studies where progress is being made to make food systems more sustainable. Sustainable food systems are interconnected and represent the full agri-value […]
Nominations are now open for the 2021 World Food Prize – a prestigious international award recognising the accomplishments of individuals working to end global hunger. WHAT: A $250,000 prize, awarded to exceptional individuals who have helped advance human development, by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food around the world. DEADLINE: May 1 2020 NOMINATE: http://bit.ly/foodprize21 With nominations for the 2021 award closing on May 1, the World Food Prize Foundation is calling on the global community to submit […]
With its Global Food Security Symposium postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Chicago Council held an online discussion about the global food security challenges posed by the pandemic, hosted by The Washington Post’s ‘Business of Food’ reporter, Laura Reily. Exploring the large-scale impact that COVID-19 has already had on the global food system, the participants covered how agricultural production, supply chains, markets, and labour forces have all been affected and are further at risk. The discussion also touched on […]
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, Farming First is committed to keeping those involved in global agricultural development up to date with relevant news from our community of supporters. We want to extend our thanks to our supporters and the wider agricultural community for keeping food systems running during these challenging times. Preventing a global food crisis amidst this global health emergency is possible if we continue working together. Below are links to how Farming First supporters are responding […]
Although many farmers find it hard to believe, water is a very aggressive agent with building materials. Both the presence of water and humidity can cause degradation of all the elements that make up the farm house’s structure.
In general, the buildings are not exempt from water leaks from the ceiling to the interior of the farm house. These leaks become leaks, cracks, mold, bad smells, bacteria, and even deterioration of our household goods. If not attended to in time, they could represent considerable damage and extra money spent on repairs.
Moisture results in accelerated wear of construction materials and loss of stability in load-bearing walls and foundations, which can be a danger to the farm home’s structural resistance.
The ideal solution is to waterproofing the home to avoid these problems, but what does waterproof consist of?
What does it mean to waterproof a farm house?
Waterproofing is a method of protection for farm houses, against water and other natural phenomena. Keeps ceiling and walls dry, significantly prevents materials from being damaged by moisture. You must consider that with this investment, you guarantee the useful condition of your home and your comfort. Likewise, with waterproofing, you can also protect the entire structure and foundations of the building.
It is essential to carry out this process from the construction stage of our property, since if not, it must be carried out as soon as possible to protect the construction in the future.
According to the damage shown in the house, waterproofing systems can be applied inside or outside it. The most recommended when waterproofing is to hire a specialist; however, some products can be used by ourselves.
Waterproofing increases the value of the property, as it protects from leaks, structural and electrical damage. Moisture also affects the materials from which our furniture is made. The wood rots and the metals rust, translating into a reduction in its lifetime.
Avoid damage to the home’s internal materials—door lintels, tile disunion, rotting wood, bulging plasterboard, etc. In short, the furniture in our home suffers severe damage. All of them are accumulated consequences over time that can be seen in homes without waterproofing.
A well-made and efficient waterproof work will ensure that moisture leaks never affect buildings’ foundations or basic structures. Thus, it is possible to avoid the consequent deterioration and the dangers it entails.
Protecting the family should never be an option, but a priority. Moisture and mold, in the medium and long term, can cause significant health problems—for example, respiratory infections, asthma problems, allergies, worsening of rheumatism symptoms or bone diseases.
It is much more profitable to provide the house with a correct waterproofing than to have to face the expenses for repairs later. It is cheaper to invest in housing for prevention purposes than to keep it standing by putting patch after patch. Rain and other meteorological phenomena end up affecting houses. If the problems are not tackled in time, the final solution will become more expensive.
Also, waterproof home can protect the home from water and cold or heat from outside. In winter the house will be warmer and in summer colder. This will cause the energy bill to be reduced considerably. With the significant economic savings that this entails
When should you consider waterproofing your home?
Ideally, perform waterproofing work during construction. If you need to hire someone you should do a Google search. For example if you lived in Bourbonnais, Illinois you should do a search for, “Waterproofing Bourbonnais IL.” The architects must take into account the most critical risk factors, protecting with particular zeal the interior. This will ensure that no leakage problems occur.
If it is not waterproofed during construction, it is advisable to carry out the work when the first symptoms of damage are observed. These usually come in the form of permanent stains on the wall or ceiling.
If there is no waterproofing in the home, the tenants’ health and the property itself are at stake. Therefore, it is essential to know the most important advantages of waterproofing the house or the communal building and resort to professionals who can guarantee your home’s best conditions.
To identify problems with the ceiling or walls, you should inspect it in detail. They often do low-quality work covering and improving the facade of the place, but they do not eliminate the main problem. So check the following signs to see if your home requires waterproofing or renovation:
Cracks in the walls.
Humidity stains.
Leaks and leaks.
You must consult with specialists in the area because there are many cases where they do not give them the appropriate solution, so you will end up making repairs repeatedly.
So why is to waterproof your home so important?
Waterproofing is achieved through the combination of materials with which water filtration is avoided. Leaks can appear due to internal causes of buildings such as piping systems or external causes such as heavy rainfall during torrential rains. When leaks occur for any of these reasons, it is when humidity appears.
It is essential to know that the humidity does not appear automatically due to a leak, but can appear on the following days on walls, ceilings or floors.
Many homes do not have waterproofing systems, while others, which do have them, do not fully meet the needs. The poor waterproofing of the properties causes the appearance of damp that pose a habitability problem since they can affect the properties’ structure.
When moisture appears, the most important thing is to be quick and take preventive techniques with which to prevent the passage or leakage of water. The faster you act, the fewer procedures and materials will be needed, and the higher the total savings.
Not waterproofing your home has serious consequences, such as:
Decomposition of wood structures and finishes.
Corrosion of metals reinforcement in concrete, steel beams, lintels, metal door frames, etc.
Swelling of the gypsum boards and disunion of the ceramic tiles.
Electrical hazards that may be caused by a possible short circuit in lighting and plugs.
Paint blisters.
Deterioration of the building’s facade.
Health problems due to humidity, which can lead to respiratory problems.
In conclusion, any building needs waterproofing if we want it to maintain its good condition and protect us from moisture. This work guarantees the life of your spaces. However, even if a successful installation is made, its durability depends on the material you choose. It will reach a point where it requires maintenance or a complete renovation to perform its function correctly.
It is always advisable to consult with experts in the construction area to avoid discomfort in the future.
What do you do when you lock yourself out of your farm truck in West Palm Beach? Situations like this happen all the time. You can take precautions to reduce the chances of locking yourself out of your truck. But you can’t completely eliminate this risk. And when situations of this sort manifest, try to keep the following in mind:
1). Attitude
Your attitude matters. People that find themselves locked out of their farm vehicles, especially on deserted roads at the wrong time of day or night make a lot of mistakes because they panic. This is why you are encouraged to stay calm.
If you are calm, you will remember to check every door, including the trunk. If you’re lucky, you might realize that one of your doors is open before you waste time and money contracting the services of a locksmith.
2). Spare Keys
The easiest way to prevent situations like this from developing is to keep one or two spare keys on hand. This will save you a lot of pain. If your farm truck was recently purchased, try calling the truck dealer. They might have a temporary key on hand. Otherwise, you should always make replacement keys for every vehicle you purchase.
3). Roadside Assistance
Call for help. Most regions have companies that offer roadside assistance to stranded farm vehicle owners. If you have car insurance, talk to your agent to find out whether or not your policy covers roadside assistance.
Some people presume that roadside assistance is automatically covered by their insurance but that is rarely the case. If your policy covers roadside assistance, identify the particular services it will cover. Again, you cannot presume that every aspect of roadside assistance is covered by your policy.
For instance, if you lock yourself out of your farm truck in West Palm Beach, the company in question will either dispatch a local automotive locksmith West Palm Beach or contact a towing company. However, your location is going to affect the cost. Remote areas are associated with long travel times which is why they attract hefty price tags.
Either way, if you ever lock yourself out of your truck in West Palm Beach, don’t forget that roadside assistance companies are just one call away.
4). DIY
It sounds like common sense to call for help whenever you lock yourself out of your vehicle. But some farm vehicle owners prefer to resolve this situation on their own. While the layperson might struggle in this area, it is definitely possible to unlock your car door by yourself, especially if you have the right tools.
For instance, if you have a blood pressure cuff, you can slide it into the top corner of the driver’s side door. Once you blow it up, the cuff will create a small gap. By reaching through this gap with a long, thin object such as a wire hanger, you can unlock the door.
Expanding the cuff too much will bend the door. Keep that in mind. It is more expensive to repair a door than it is to hire a locksmith.
5). Window
If you have no interest in waiting for an automotive Locksmith in Florida but you don’t have the tools or the skills required to carefully unlock your door, you have the option of simply breaking the window.
Like the door, a window is costly where repair and replacement are concerned. Therefore, you should only pursue this approach if you have an emergency. But if you have an emergency, for instance, if a child is trapped in the car, you should call the authorities.
Though, in such cases, if you cannot wait for emergency services to arrive, you should go ahead and break a window. Don’t bother with the windshield. The chances that you will successfully break it are low.
Focus on the side windows. Most people think that you need a heavy object to break a car window. But you are better off using a sharp object like a screwdriver. A hammer will also work. Attack the window near the edges where it is weakest.
DIY or Hire an Automotive Locksmith in West Palm Beach?
While people are often tempted to open their own locked car doors, you should consider leaving such work to a locksmith. They bring so much more to the table, for instance:
1). Locksmiths offer a variety of services. They don’t stop at simply opening locked doors. They also provide key duplication, key cutting, and ignition repair, to mention but a few. By hiring a locksmith, you have the option of taking advantage of their various services.
If your key broke in the lock, they can remove the broken key without ruining the lock. If your keys are lost, a locksmith will rekey your car door. Even if you don’t have the original key, a locksmith can make you a replacement.
If your vehicle has a transponder key that is responsible for locking you out, a locksmith is still in a position to assist you. If the batteries are dead, he will replace them. If the programming is faulty, the locksmith can connect you to an expert that will resolve this issue. They have a lot to offer.
2). Locksmiths are trained professionals. They have a keen understanding of locks. They have also encountered multiple locked doors during their career. As such, you can take comfort in the fact that they have answers for every problem you might have regarding your farm vehicle’s locks. Their experience will prevent them from making the sorts of mistakes you are more likely to encounter in your attempts to unlock your truck.
3). Locksmiths don’t need hangers, blood pressure cuffs, screwdrivers, or any of the other random items you have to gamble with. They have special tools that are designed to open your car door quickly and easily without causing any damage.
4). It is cheaper and safer to use a locksmith, especially if you simply locked your keys in the truck. Even if they make a mistake, they are expected to pay for the damages, either out of their pocket or through their insurance. That makes using these locksmith professionals the less risky option.
Logistics and transportation systems are the wheels of trade. They let you house and move products as per changing customer needs. Not just that, they keep the products and sales in line with market demands. For these reasons, the fleece business carries a high demand all throughout the year. While diesel truck owners enjoy business, they face numerous issues in due course of time. However, the main problem relates to the vehicle’s performance. To resolve this issue, truck fleet owners constantly seek ways on optimizing fleece performance. If this is your situation, consider investing in aftermarket performance products.
Why buy aftermarket products for fleece performance?
Many truck fleet owners stick to traditional options. Whenever their truck gets damaged, they just buy parts recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. However, most of the parts of the truck might be poorly-made. Plus, they may not be optimized for better performance. As such, many fleet owners finish up with higher repairs and maintenance expenses. That puts a heavy strain on the profitability of the venture. No smart transporter would like to go through such hassles. So, why not improve fleece performance through alternative options? Here are the perks of choosing aftermarket products.
Ease of availability
You can’t predict when a particular truck may sustain damages. Fleet owners know this point very well. To handle potential issues, they keep a stock of particular parts. In case something goes wrong with the parts, they can make a quick replacement to keep the vehicle running. What if you’re out of stock? What will you do if multiple trucks get damaged due to a natural disaster or harsh weather?
Obviously, you’ll place your order through the truck manufacturer. However, the manufacturer might be out of stock due to a surge in demand. Even other truck owners may place big orders amid a natural disaster or undesirable climatic conditions. If this is the scenario, your vehicles may be out of roads until you get the parts.
Aftermarket or fleece performance products come as a rescue for your help. These parts are readily available compared to OEM or manufacturer parts. You can find a wide range of these products on the market. All you should do is keep yourself updated about stores that offer such products. Within no time, you could replace the damaged parts and keep your vehicles up and running.
More options
When your trucks are new, they run like a breeze. Even long distances are covered effortlessly with no problems. However, things don’t remain the same all the time. When the vehicles get old, many parts wear out. Not just that, the areas where you fit the parts widen due to constant usage and time. In the case of major damages, you may need a part bigger than the usual one.
However, you don’t have any choice. To fix the issue, you may be compelled to change the other parts. Fleece performance products can avert such issues. They come in a wide variety. Whether you need a unique size or shape, there are parts to match your specific requirements. That helps you fix an unusual problem easily.
Better quality
Many truck manufacturers offer quality vehicles. However, they lag in terms of the quality of the parts. The body of the vehicle is strong, but many smaller parts are fragile. They wither out due to weather and time. If this is the case, you’ve to replace the parts every now and then. As well as affecting your working capital, it’ll keep the vehicle from running on roads.
Do you want to face such scenes? Of course, no! So, why not depend on quality parts for better performance? Fleece performance parts are well made. They can withstand regular usage as well as time. Consequently, your expenses come down. Plus, there are minimum interruptions of overhauling and damages.
Saves money
Many truck manufacturers sell their parts at a higher price. They know that truck owners will choose their parts. For that reason, they price their items higher. This is more so if they offer high-quality products. You may finish up hurting your finances on replacing the damaged parts.
The situation is different with fleece performance parts. Many reliable suppliers offer these products at reasonable rates. You may even seek discounts on placing a big order. In this way, you can cut down your purchase bill substantially. Low rates also mean less maintenance budget. It’s a win-win scenario for you.
Saves time
Truck transporters face numerous issues while running their venture. At times, they face traffic fines. Sometimes, they’re warned for late delivery. The list of problems could go on and on. As such, no transporter would like to make any blunders on his part. What if a few trucks get damaged and you need replacement parts? Of course, you’ll call the truck manufacturing company for parts.
However, the company might be out of stock for some reason. If this is the case, your venture could get crippled. Relying on fleece performance parts can keep such issues at bay. How? You don’t have to depend on one supplier. Many vendors offer quality parts. If one supplier is out of stock, contact another. You’ll definitely get the required parts within no time.
Improves efficiency
The working efficiency of any truck gets impacted by time and usage. The parts of the vehicle start posing issues. Also, the engine and the body could present problems. In such situations, you need quality parts that will keep major problems from popping.
Fleece performance parts help you overcome these issues. These products are highly efficient. They don’t wear out soon, thus improving the efficiency of your truck. Improved efficiency translates into quick delivery, happy clients, and higher profitability.
Bottom line
The above points substantiate the reasons for buying fleece performance products. Whether you own a single diesel truck or a fleet, aftermarket products are a better bet. Easy availability, improved efficiency, low maintenance expenses, affordability, and quality are the premium advantages of these products. This is why many truck owners and transporters rely on aftermarket products.
An interesting bird called Blue Quaker parrot is beautiful, and it also has some of the most amazing characteristics that you won’t find among similar birds. It is a bird with so many astonishing features that you will definitely want to have one at your home.
Why a Blue Quaker Parrot Is Best for You
No matter if you own an apartment or have a house, a Blue Quaker parrot is an ideal companion. The bird requires very few conditions that need to be met at your home. This makes the bird very easy to feed so it can be healthy for a long time.
Here is what is needed to own a healthy and beautiful Blue Quaker parrot:
A cage that is minimum 24x24x24 in size
Cement perches installation
A diet full of seeds, vegetables, and fruits
Daily exercise
If you want to keep the Blue Quaker clean, you must clean the cage and the surrounding area. Most of the time, a spray bottle is quite enough to keep the cage in perfect condition.
The bird is very fond of eating vegetables as daily nutrition. You can go with lettuce, bell or hot peppers, and artichokes. When a bird needs some seeds, make sure that you have a lot of pumpkin seeds.
As you can see, it is easy to keep your bird healthy and in good shape. For all these reasons, we can say that a Blue Quaker is one of the best parrot birds to have at home.
What Is a Lifespan of This Bird?
An average lifespan of this parrot is 15 to 25 years. If you take a bird when it is small, you can expect to have it for a long time. However, the parrot requires having good conditions if you want them to grow and keep a healthy weight.
Your bird mustn’t have any severe medical condition during a lifetime. If this happens, your parrot will live much shorter than you expect.
Having a Blue Quaker is easy, but keeping the bird in great shape is a bit more challenging. That is why regular exercise is needed. Give your parrot an option to take some gym, and install the necessary equipment. A few benches with small obstacles will do the trick. At the same time, you can get a birdcage wheel so that your parrot can have some fun.
How about some bird toys for your parrot? These will be an ideal way to entertain your bird. At the same time, you will enjoy the game with your favorite friend.
A lifespan of a Blue Quaker is sometimes even longer than 25 years, but these examples are sporadic. However, we have birds that live 30 years and more, but this is only an example of their natural ability to live healthily and stay strong.
What Kind of Personality a Blue Quaker Has?
This question is sometimes difficult to answer because each bird is different. We can say that Blue Quaker parrots are playful and cooperative. At the same time, they are prone to have some little moments when they are possessive and defensive in their cage. It is their natural characteristic to protect the cage and all those who live in the cage. This is why you will sometimes see them jumping around or even biting the cage to protect themselves when they are in danger.
These birds are also energetic, and they are never bored. You will always see them in some action, which is why their personality is ideal for kids. The bird will be a perfect family friend that knows when to play and entertain the kids.
With so many favorable treats, we can see why this bird has such a potential to become your favorite bird in the house.
What Is the Cost of a Blue Quaker?
The average cost of this bird is around $400. The prices also depend on where you buy the bird and how you transport it. If you use traditional methods, you can expect to pay much more than for some other birds. On the contrary, if you use your own transportation methods, the bird itself will cost you less money.
Maintenance and feeding of the bird are not too expensive, especially if you feed the parrot with healthy and natural foods. Small amounts of seeds, large numbers of vegetables, and some fruits are not too costly daily, and these habits give your Blue Quaker a possibility to grow healthy and stay strong during an entire lifespan.
When Is the Breeding Season of a Blue Quaker?
For a Blue Quaker, the breeding season is between October and December. During this time, you will have to pay special attention to the parrot. Please provide them with the nest boxes and always keep the cage clean. Ensure that you have enough food for them as the birds are very sensitive during the breeding time.
If you make everything right, the bird will lay between 4 and 12 eggs after breeding. This is an excellent chance to have some baby parrots at your home. Even when the birds are not in the breeding period, it is necessary to maintain the cage’s hygiene and clean the additional equipment inside the cage. By doing this, you ensure that your birds have their natural ability to breed and hatch some eggs.
Natural hatching is happening in 24 days, and this is the time to keep some extra attention to your birds. Your parrot will have some of the most beautiful little birds that are ready to live long and keep up with the new challenges. For a baby bird to develop the strength and personality, you will have to wait for at least two weeks.
As you can see, having a Blue Quaker Parrot is exciting and fun. These parrots are unique for their beauty and have some of the most amusing traits that you will certainly like. Give yourself a great companion and get a Blue Quaker parrot that will undoubtedly enrich your life.
