The Scope of Agriculture Topic #0007A Sarah Barry (Microsoft ClipArt)

Early Ag  1930’s – one producer could feed up to ten people  Most people lived in rural areas & were involved  Avg. towns consisted of 2,500 people  Technology was almost nonexistent

Present Ag  One producer can feed hundreds  Only 2.5% of population is involved in production ag  Most people live in urban areas  Technology and efficiency vastly improved

Farmer Responsibilities  Understand plowing techniques  Proper crops to plant  Time of planting  Fertilizer & Pesticide usage  Irrigation methods

Rancher Responsibilities  Livestock choice  Breeding seasons  ( Estrus synchronization)  Selling times  Selling locations  Health programs  Estimate costs

Modern Ag  Conservation  Research  Improved storage

Ag Product Processing  Raw products transformed to packaged & prepared products  Highly technological  Control measures are used  Jobs available in food & health science

Ag Product Marketing  All business activities require moving a product to the consumer  Computers have become very important  Satellite communications also important

Steps in Ag Marketing  Prepare budget  Commodity groups increase demands for products  Advertising  Selling techniques  Transportation

30% of jobs in the agricultural sector are in the marketing area.

Ag Research and Development  Most significant area  New frontier in ag