Abstract:The variety of natural indicators, associated with weather forecasting and climate prediction, as used by farmers in the South-Western Free State province of South Africa, is described. Most farmers in this area were not familiar with the application of weather forecasts/climate predictions for agricultural production, or with other science-based agrometeorological products. They relied almost fully on their experience and traditional knowledge for farming decision making. The indicators for traditional knowledge are demonstrated here in broad terms, relying on the stories and indications from observations and years of experience of their use by the farmers. These means of engagement with the natural environment, are skills not well understood by most scientists, but useful to the farmers. They range from the constellation of stars, animal behavior, cloud cover and type, blossoming of certain indigenous trees, appearance and disappearance of reptiles, to migration of bird species and many others. It is suggested that some short-term traditional forecasts/predictions may be successfully merged with science-based climate predictions. The traditional knowledge and its use, reported on in this paper, is what scientists learned from farmers. Berkes was right that scholars have wasted too much time and effort on a OPEN ACCESSAtmosphere 2013, 4 384 science versus traditional knowledge debate; we should reframe it instead as a science and traditional knowledge dialogue and partnership. The complications of a changing climate make this even more necessary.

Abstract:Extension agrometeorology is applied in agrometeorological extension work to advice and serve farmers. In agrometeorology, response farming has been developed decades ago. Climate change complicates response farming, but does not alter it. This paper reports on new operationalization of that response farming in new educational commitments in agroclimatology. It is explained how "Science Field Shops" are an example in Indonesia. This was based on a thorough analysis of what climate change means for farmers in Asia. For Africa, we report on eying the training of agrometeorological extension trainers ("product intermediaries") in West Africa, based on a thorough analysis of what climate change means for farmers in Africa. We also compare experience with reaching farmers in OPEN ACCESSAtmosphere 2013, 4 238 South Africa and farmer communities in Zambia, as new forms of supporting response farming, all under conditions of a changing climate. The paper, for the first time, connects results from four different programs the senior author is taking part in. There is first and foremost the need for training material to make it possible for the product intermediaries to participate in training extension intermediaries. This should, particularly, bring new knowledge to farmers. With what is presently available and with new approaches, climate extension should be developed and tested with farmers in ways that improve farmer preparedness and decision making.

Rainfall and temperature are one of the key environmental parameters that determines the development of a crop and livestock from one growing stage to maturity. Furthermore, temperature is critical beyond maturity but to post harvesting and storage. Rainfall is fundamental in the selection of planting dates, cultivar selection and planting density. Whereas, temperature is essential for calculation of chill and heat units for determining conducive environmental conditions for crop productivity and livestock well-being. In this study, Instat Plus statistical package is utilized to determine potential planting dates, the growing seasons, maize (Zea Mays) for different planting dates from last dekad of October to 1st dekad of January. The growing period length vary from short (less than 100), medium (above 100 days) and long term (above 120 days) varieties. The correct choice of planting time and crop type in the most important decision a farmer or a researcher can make. Taking considerations of water productivity and thermal time requirement for a selected cultivar lessons the effects of high frost risks and water shortages, which leads to soil water deficit and crop wilting but encourage supporting maize growth and development. The study also looks at how heat stress jeopardizes the growth in crops, and further determine crop suitability whether to be early or late in season based on thermal times. A thorough analysis and interpretation of log-term climate data would enable the intermediaries to understand valuable knowledge for improved productivity. This paper analysed a long-term climate (1922-2020) data analysis for Glen automatic weather station, to determine climate variability and climate change possibilities, calculate heat unit and chill units. Further, develop suitable adaptation strategies relating to maize crop.

No abstract

In the agricultural domain, decision-making is greatly guided by agricultural meteorology, which is the science that applies knowledge of weather and climate to qualitative and quantitative improvement in agricultural efficiency. The study area is challenged with increasing multifaceted agricultural production risks and complex agricultural ecosystems, which require analysis and understanding of local rainfall and temperature patterns. Digital technologies, such as the automatic weather station, play a pivotal role to monitor the physical environment, successively. This study engaged on a thorough analysis and interpretation of long-term rainfall and temperature data. The results would enable farmers and other users to comprehend valuable knowledge for improved productivity. The objectives of this paper were to analyse long-term climate data for Glen automatic weather station. To determine decadal climate patterns and trends, determine seasonal shifts, climate variability and climate change and quantify the frequency of the occurrence of weather extremes and develop suitable adaptation strategies relating to agronomic, phenological and physiological data necessary for crop modelling, operational evaluation and statistical analysis. The applied methods entailed Microsoft Excel and INSTAT Plus statistical software, which used to detect the interactions of environmental factors and suitable agricultural productivity. Understanding of rainfall and temperature patterns is required for agricultural management decisions, on planting date selection, crop suitability, livestock adaptation, ecosystem conservation. Agro meteorological knowledge derived from meteorological parameters, temperature, rainfall, wind and weather extremes, and may enhance agricultural productivity. Analysis of long-term and decadal trends in the time series indorse a sequence of alternately increasing and decreasing in mean annual rainfall and air temperature in Glen Farm.

Assessing the fertility of bullocks preceding to use as breeding animals make apparent economic if it were possible. Fertility is not possible predicted by means of a breeding soundness evaluation (BSE), but by the application of minimum standards to a set of accepted procedures, which supports informed decision makers to the breeding potential of the bullock. An bullocks found to satisfy these criteria in Central Performance Testing (CPT) known as Phase C, is reckoned to be breeding sound (BS). Furthermore, breeding success depends on the reproductive performance of both the cow and the bull. Breeding bull is likely to service a large number of heifers or cows in planned breeding season. The efficiency of a bullock can be based on the average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) but poor breeding sound evaluation can be regarded as infertile. Bull breeding soundness evaluations (BSEs) are significant economic management of beef herd management and depends on adequate semen quality, physical soundness and serving capacity. Furthermore, assessment of scrotal circumference (SC), libido, testicular measurement and semen parameters often not done during a routine breeding soundness examination. The aim of this study was to depict using BSE whether bullocks would be fertile under Phase C. The relationship of BSE and production characteristics in central performance testing is challenging to identify fertility in bullocks within 112 given days of CPT. This study investigated performance data extracted from Integrated Registration and Genetic Information System (Intergis) managed by Agricultural Research Council Glen Bull Testing Centre. There were three breeds investigated, namely, Simmentaler, Santa Gertrudis and Limousin for the period of 2007 to 2017, were analysed to determine the dominance and importance of factors affecting breeding soundness classification.