Where Is Agriculture Distributed? Chapter 10 key issue 3 Where Is Agriculture Distributed?

Today, we are going to examine the characteristics of these regions. DERWENT WHITTLESEY identified eleven agricultural regions in the world. Today, we are going to examine the characteristics of these regions.

Well… really there’s 12. The last region encompasses places too inhospitable to support ANY significant agriculture. Tundra

6 are prevalent in developed countries 5 of these regions are prevalent in developing countries 6 are prevalent in developed countries

Whittlesey’s Agricultural Regions

Whittlesey’s agricultural regions align almost perfectly with Koppen’s climate map.

Whittlesey’s agricultural regions World Climate Map FIGURE 10-18 AGRICULTURE AND CLIMATE REGIONS (right) The major agricultural practices of the world can be divided into those that are prevalent in developing countries and those that are prevalent in developed countries (upper right). Climate plays a large role in the practice of agriculture. Figure 1-40 is a more detailed version of the climate map shown here.

AGRICULTURAL REGIONS in the DEVELOPED WORLD

AGRIBUSINESS In commerical farming, the family farm is not an isolated activity- it is integrated into a larger food-production industry.

AGRIBUSINESS

MIXED CROP AND LIVESTOCK Commercial farming involving the integration of both crops and livestock.

MIXED CROP AND LIVESTOCK Most crops are fed to ANIMALS rather than being consumed by humans. Though most land is used for crops, most profits are derived from animals.

MIXED CROP AND LIVESTOCK CORN is the most important crop on these farms, as it produces high yields of nutritious animal feed.

MIXED CROP AND LIVESTOCK NO fallow periods- REST CROPS renew soil Typically involves CROP ROTATION – The cycling of grown crops to facilitate soil regeneration. NO fallow periods- REST CROPS renew soil

MIXED CROP AND LIVESTOCK Once grown, many animals are moved to FEEDLOTS, where huge amounts of animals are fattened up for slaughter.

Feedlots are known for releasing huge amounts of pollution from animal waste and flatulence.

DAIRY FARMING Raising milk-producing animals in order to sell dairy goods on the market, from fresh milk to ‘products’ like cheese.

DAIRY FARMING Dairies are usually located near population centers in an area called the MILKSHED, because products are so perishable. Today, the average milkshed for a large dairy is a radius of about 300 miles.

FIGURE 10-38 MILK PRODUCTION India has replaced the United States as the world’s leading milk producer. Today, commercial dairying is globally diffused. INDIA is the world’s largest milk producer.

GRAIN FARMING The growing of grain crops for sale on the market or to be refined into products.

GRAIN FARMING WHEAT is the most important cereal crop. It can be held stable for a long time (silos), is affordable, and can withstand harsh shipping conditions.

Grain farming is highly mechanized. Revolutionized by the REAPER in the 1830s, today COMBINES blend reaping, threshing, and cleaning in a single operation.

GRAIN FARMING Today, both China (#1) and India (#2) produce more wheat than the USA -though both do so with far less mechanization.

MEDITERRANEAN AGRICULTURE Growing of certain crops in climate/geographic regions resembling the Mediterranean coast

MEDITERRANEAN AGRICULTURE Located ALONG COASTLINES on the WESTERN EDGES of continents

HORTICULTURE – the growing of fruits, vegetables, or flowers for sale or consumption

OLIVES and AVOCADOS are an important crops, as are GRAPES for wine. MEDITERRANEAN AGRICULTURE OLIVES and AVOCADOS are an important crops, as are GRAPES for wine.

COMMERCIAL GARDENING The growing of highly profitable, in-demand, and perishable crops for sale on the wider market.

COMMERCIAL GARDENING Also called ‘truck farming;’ once dependent on local markets, produce is now distributed to faraway markets by modern transportation. Refrigerated truck

COMMERCIAL GARDENING Labor-intensive- Relies heavily on CHEAP MIGRANT LABOR to save on labor costs.

The commercial grazing of livestock over an extensive RANCHING The commercial grazing of livestock over an extensive area.

RANCHING Well-suited for semiarid/arid land in areas where vegetation is too sparse and soil too poor to support crops

RANCHING Historically, ranchers moved cattle from ranges to cities where they would fetch far higher prices- 10x higher or better.

RANCHING Cattle moved in CATTLE DRIVES. The famous CHRISHOLM TRAIL brought Texas cattle to national market via ABILENE, KS

RANCHING Part of the larger system of food production providing meat to the national market.

Ranching is common in the US West, South America, Australia, and Central Asia. CATTLE SHEEP FIGURE 10-44 MEAT PRODUCTION China is now the world’s largest meat producer.