mdc agriculture
Post on 22-Dec-2014
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Commercial agriculture, found in more developed countries is the production of
food for sale off the farm
Value of Agricultural Products Sold (2002)
Over $5.5 billion annually
$3.9 - $5 billion annually
$2.3 - $3.9 billion annually
$600 million - $2.3 billion annually
Under $600 million annually
Source: USDA, Census of Agriculture.
Most common form of agriculture in the US west of the Appalachians and east of 98’ West
Europe from France to Russia Integration of crops and livestock
Grains for animal feed some human consumption
beef, milk and eggs animals provide manure to enhance soil
fertility ¾ income derived from animal sales Almost 100% of land devoted to crops
Evenly distributed workload Consistent income throughout year Crop rotation rather than shifting
cultivation Extensive agriculture Corn #1 in US due to higher yields
per acre Consumed by both people and animals
Soybeans #2 in US Mostly consumed as animal feed
Root Crop-Cereal Crop-Rest Crop
Consider: transportation factors and Von Thunen’s model
Most important type of agriculture practiced on farms near large urban areas in the US
Milk shed: 300 miles The average size of a
dairy cow herd in the US is 135 cows
Labor intensive all year long Declining revenue
and rising costs Milk products vs
cheese and butter The farther the farm
from the urban area the smaller percentage of output devoted to milk
Wisconsin vs Pennsylvania
Since 1970, milk production has risen by almost half, even though
milk cow numbers have declined by about a fourth
Milk is produced in all 50 States. The top 10 producing States in 2008 were:
CaliforniaWisconsinNew YorkIdahoPennsylvaniaMinnesotaTexasNew MexicoMichiganWashington
Food grains: off site consumption by humans Grain sold to manufactures of food products
Breakfast cereals and snack foods Commercial grain farms generally found in
areas too dry for mixed livestock and crop farming
US is world’s largest commercial producer of grain
Wheat, oats, corn, barley, rice, millet (unless you have a beak…buy only hulled millet for human consumption)
Wheat! Sold for higher prices than other grains More uses for human food Stored easily without spoilage Transported a long distance
Wheat is world’s leading export crop and grown specifically for international trade
Spring wheat region vs winter wheat region
Highly mechanized
Millet Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri, South Dakota
Commercial grazing of livestock over an extensive area
Semi arid or arid land where vegetation too sparce and soil too poor to support crops
Extensive agriculture World wide concentrations in Spain,
Portugal, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay
Named for mild climate surrounding the Mediterranean Sea in Europe
Generally found on West coasts of continents
Food for human consumption
Horticulture: science and art of gardening and of cultivating fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers
Olives, grapes (viticulture), cereals, citrus, cork (Portugal)
Portugal: winter wheat and sheep
Olives…oil, fruit Europe,
Australia, New Zealand, California
Viticulture: the cultivation of grapes
Mediterranean Europe, Australia, US west coast
Portugal produces 50% of world’s cork
Bottle corks, flooring, ceilings
9 years Ecologically
friendly
Urban agriculture Intensive agriculture High land rents Truck farming Apples, asparagus, cherries, lettuce,
mushrooms, tomatoes Migrant workers
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