What practice in agriculture can help prevent disease, as evidenced by cowpox protecting against smallpox?

The practice in agriculture that helps prevent disease, as highlighted by the example of cowpox protecting against smallpox, is immunization through vaccination. This approach is based on the fundamental principle of using a less harmful agent to build immunity against a more serious disease. In the context of agriculture and livestock, similar principles can be applied, where vaccination can help protect animals from various diseases, thereby preventing outbreaks that could also affect humans.

This concept is crucial in maintaining the health of livestock, which in turn is essential for food production and overall public health. By vaccinating animals against specific diseases, farmers can reduce the incidence of these diseases within herds, ensuring a healthier agricultural system and safer food supply.

Other options, while relevant to agricultural practices, do not directly relate to the concept of disease prevention through immunization. For example, crop rotation can help manage soil health and pest populations but does not involve immunity building like vaccination does. Organic farming focuses on reducing chemical inputs and promoting biodiversity, and intensive farming is characterized by high-input systems that may lead to disease spread rather than prevention. Therefore, immunization through vaccination stands out as the most directly related practice to disease prevention in connection with the concept of using a less harmful agent for protective benefits.