Photographer: Frank T. Wilson Case Tractor Cultural Evolution of Agriculture: A Historical Assay FOR 460, 2006 J.Tyndall Corn Harvest – Iowa

Vegetation Types = F(?) = F (Abiotic & Biotic)

What about culturally speaking? Vegetation Types = F(?)

111 miles of track in Illinois in 1850 increased to over 10,000 by 1890 Maps:

Photo: MS® > 93% of Iowa’s land area has been converted to fairly homogenous crop production

Central Iowa

Central Illinois

Systems Hierarchy in Agriculture field scale - agronomic farm scale - microecon Watershed/ landscape scale – politico-ecological National/ transnational level – politico-macroeconomic Dominance of constraints :

Harvested Acres –

YearAcres harvested (000’s) Bushels /Ac 1900’s95, ’s72, ’s60, ’s63, ’s70, US Corn Production History Data Source - NASS

US Production of Corn (this relates to other crops too…) The gasoline tractor – ‘20s and ‘30s Changes in Performance, Parentage, and Genetic Diversity of Successful Corn Hybrids, 1930–2000 Post WWII – new technology Increased production in corn belt 1960 and beyond– Why? –Land grants (Purdue & ISU); Research $ = i.e. hybrids, pest control, fertilizer inputs that are tested in Midwest; growing power of agribusiness corps. Larger contiguous acreages – economies of scale Limited crop diversification = stronger infrastructure Rise in Predicate Industries & clustering of concomitant industries Subsidy programs usda

U.S. Corn Use By Segment (bushels) Feed/Residual 5.8 billion (56.8%) Exports1.9 billion (18.6%) Ethanol (fuel)1.2 billion (11.7%) High Fructose Corn Syrup530 million (5.1%) Corn Starch271 million (2.6%) Corn Sweeteners228 million (2.2%) Cereal/Other187 million (1.8%) Beverage Alcohol132 million (1.2%) Total10.2 billion bushels Source: USDA, industry statistics.

Corn Subsidies by year, Iowa Year Corn Subsidies 1995 $596,197, $325,359, $556,282, $928,223, $1,376,230, $1,529,407, $1,015,844, $371,750, $532,368, $867,720,362 Total$8,099,385,172 Source: EWG Farm Subsidy Database.

Harvested Acres –

US Soybean Production History YearAcres harvested (000’s) Bushels /Ac 1920’s ’s8, ’s16, ’s55, ’s72,50038 Data Source - NASS John Deer

US History of the SB Introduced around 1765 – Samuel Bowen - EIC 1930’s – Surplus of cotton and wheat – SB meal became important in animal feed. –The gasoline tractor - general use in the ‘20s and ‘30s 1940 – US was importing 40% of oils & fats – WWII 1941 – US production doubled 1949 – Became net exporter Major component of the Marshall Plan food aid program Rise in ‘Value Added’ Predicate industries –Livestock 1995 RR beans Graphic from the US Soybean Association

Soybean Subsidies by year, Iowa YearSoybean Subsidies 1995 $ $ $ $96,418, $449,128, $558,355, $718,334, $94,946, $195,358, $154,412,851 Total$2,266,955,234 Photos: J. Bishop

Amount of Subsidies received ( ) Over $4.2 billion over 10 years $ $4.2 billion over 10 years $600 million - $1.84 billion over 10 years $100 - $600 million over 10 years Under $100 million over 10 years Source: EWG Farm Subsidy Database.

With the steady increase in crop yields over time due to technological advances, the relative reduction of yields per centimeter of soil loss has declined.

General Likelihood of Soil erosion Source: FAO

What does all this mean with regards to….? Habitat change? Fragmentation? Pest/predation dynamics? Resource use – i.e. water? T & E species? Path dependency? What else?

The NAS is a measure of the physical characteristics of a county area that enhance the location as a place to live. The scale combines measures of climate, typography, & water area that reflect environmental qualities most people prefer. (NAS)

Source: Mike Duffy, Leopold Center, 2005

Photos: ISU Agronomy Dept Erosion…

Sustainability, Agriculture & Technology The following are all tech that sprang from the notion of Sustainable Ag (Approaches &/or BMP’s): Precision Ag GMO’s Riparian buffers Shelterbelts and livestock odor Organic farming All are direct responses to patterns of land use –Which were largely dictated by Government Policy at various levels (notably the Farm Bills, 1980…2002) & CES

Riparian Buffers – Water Quality Remedy What is the Micro Environmental story?What is the Macro Environmental story?

Integrated Wet Lands – Water Quality Remedy What is the Micro Environmental story?What is the Macro Environmental story?

Shelterbelts – Odor Remedy What is the Micro Environmental story?What is the Macro Environmental story?

The following photos: T. Schultz, ISU Bear Creek,

The following photos: