Physical Conditions That Affect Agricultural Growth

Climate Solar Energy (heat): Some crops need more sunlight than others to grow. I.e. Bananas and Oranges Moisture: Some crops need more precipitation (rainfall) than others to grow. I.e. Rice

Soil Soil that is good for growing plants is fertile. For soil to be productive, it needs decayed organic material (humus) in it. An appropriate amount of moisture helps produce humus.

Topography Flat land is usually the best for farming. Hilly land can result in the erosion of topsoil. Less run-off Better for irrigation Erosion: Wearing away surface soil, which also has the most humus in it.

Biology Organisms: Some are helpful and some are harmful for food crops. Earthworms help move air through soil. Animal diseases, like mad-cow, can kill cows and negatively impact humans.

What Humans Can Do… If There Is Not Enough Moisture Or Water For Crops: Provide irrigation. Grow crops that need less water. Eg. Millet (small- seeded species of cereal crops)

If Soil Is Infertile If There Are Weeds Add natural or chemical fertilizers Use plant rotations If There Are Weeds Use herbicides Manually remove weeds Grow genetically modified organisms with built-in herbicides

If There Are Not Enough Good Insects If There Are Too Many Bad Insects Introduce bees or ladybugs (farmers can buy these off the internet) If There Are Too Many Bad Insects Use insecticides Introduce predator insects Grow genetically modified plants with insecticides

Types of Agriculture

Agricultural activities can be categorized in two ways: 1) Type of Farming 2) Farming Practices

Farming can be described as directed toward either subsistence or cash-cropping

Subsistence Farming: Subsistence farmers grow crops and raise livestock to meet the immediate food needs of their families Produce many different agricultural products, often on small farms Any surplus production may be sold or traded to meet the family’s other needs This is the dominant form of agriculture in developing countries

Cash-crop Farming: Cash-crop farmers’ produce is sold in local and world markets Very large farms They may not use any of the products they grow or raise This is the dominant form of agriculture in more developed countries

Farming practices can be described as either intensive or extensive:

Intensive Agriculture: Involves farming a small amount of land in a concentrated fashion Uses large amounts of labour and capital The application of chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides The purchase and maintenance of planting, cultivating, and harvesting machinery Produces high crop yields per unit of land Typical forms of intensive farming include: fruit and vegetable growing, vineyards, livestock feedlots, hog factory farms.

Extensive Agriculture: Uses large amounts of land with limited amounts of labour and capital The crop yields depend primarily on natural soil fertility, terrain, climate, and the availability of water Produces low crop yields per unit of land Examples include grain and oil-seed farming, ranching, and most forms of mixed farming

AGRICULTURE What we get from cattle….. What we get from cattle….. Gloves Briefcase Purse Slippers Soap Candles Wallpaper Glue What we get from cattle….. Pet food Rawhide chews Perfume Lipstick Shaving cream Boots Shoes Leather jackets Belts

BEEF BYPRODUCTS Blood serum – used as a culture in cancer and AIDS research Hides – leather for clothing, furniture, car upholstery, footballs Intestines – sausage casings, strings for musical instruments Bones – processed into gelatin which is used in photographic film, yogurt, ice cream, marshmallows, adhesives, toothpaste Tongues – used in sausage, head cheese, processed meat Eyeballs – extracted compounds used in eye surgery Gall stones – used in perfumes and medicines Brain – used in cosmetics and blood clotting agents Hooves – glazes for ham Beef tallow – lipstick, toothpaste, cough medicine, face and hand cream, candles Pancreas – extracted insulin used to treat diabetes

Others….. Corn Canola Soap Paint Wallpaper Paper plates Insulation Solvent Pet litter Toothpaste Disposable diapers Shoe polish Spark plugs Power steering fluid Canola Detergent Fish food Pet food Hydraulic fluids Industrial lubricants Biodiesel fuel Suntan oil

Still others….. Wheat Flax Insulation Particle board Creams/lotions Bath oil Mascara Straw hats Ethanol Flax Soap Linoleum Paint Paper/cardboard Linseed oil Shoes Linen fabric Straw hats Car polish Brake lining