Agriculture and Society Chapter 4 Lesson 4.4
Theme Outline Lesson 4.4 Agriculture and TechnologyAgriculture and Technology Some Important Agricultural AdvancesSome Important Agricultural Advances BiotechnologyBiotechnology
PA Academic Standards for Environment & Ecology Standard D Analyze the efforts of increased efficiency in agriculture through technology. Analyze the efforts of increased efficiency in agriculture through technology. Compare various technological advancements and analyze each for its contribution toward labor and cost efficiency.Compare various technological advancements and analyze each for its contribution toward labor and cost efficiency. Compare the current market value of both natural and alternative energy sources involved in the production of food and fiber.Compare the current market value of both natural and alternative energy sources involved in the production of food and fiber.
Learning Objectives Students will compare various technological advancements and analyze each for its contribution toward labor and cost efficiency. Students will compare various technological advancements and analyze each for its contribution toward labor and cost efficiency. Students will compare the current market value of both natural and alternative energy sources involved in the production of food and fiber. Students will compare the current market value of both natural and alternative energy sources involved in the production of food and fiber.
Agriculture and Technology Today's farmers have a variety of tools not available to previous generations. Global positioning software (GPS)Global positioning software (GPS) Computer applicationsComputer applications Satellite technologySatellite technology Genetically modified plants and livestockGenetically modified plants and livestock
Productivity of Farmers in the United States Year Needed to Produce 100 Bushels (5 acres) of Wheat labor hours labor hours labor hours labor hours labor hours labor hours
Some Important Agricultural Advances Cotton Gin (1793)Cotton Gin (1793) Goal: mechanically separate seeds, hulls, and unwanted parts from cotton fiber Cast-Iron Plow (1797)Cast-Iron Plow (1797) Goal: allow farmers to till soil better Reaper (1831)Reaper (1831) Goal: harvest wheat more efficiently Steel Plow (1837)Steel Plow (1837) Goal: easily till thick, sod- covered soils
Some Important Agricultural Advances Chemical Fertilizers (1849)Chemical Fertilizers (1849) Goal: allow farmers to enrich depleted soils and increase crop production Transcontinental Railroad (1869)Transcontinental Railroad (1869) Goal: opened new areas for agriculture for production and trade Barbed Wire (1874)Barbed Wire (1874) Goal: allow farmers to fence off areas of their land effectively Pasteurization (mid-1880s)Pasteurization (mid-1880s) Goal: preserve foods longer by killing bacteria and other microbes Tractor (1926)Tractor (1926) Goal: allow farmers to work the land faster, leading to an increase in farm production
Biotechnology Definition : management or manipulation of living organisms for the benefit of peopleDefinition : management or manipulation of living organisms for the benefit of people Genetic Engineering Definition : alteration of the physical characteristics of plants and animals by transferring genesDefinition : alteration of the physical characteristics of plants and animals by transferring genes Gene Definition : part of a cell that determines the characteristics that living things inherit from their parentsDefinition : part of a cell that determines the characteristics that living things inherit from their parents
Biotechnology in Agriculture Identify gene Identify gene Change characteristics of the gene Change characteristics of the gene Example: Vitamin A in carrots Transplant gene Transplant gene The federal government must approve the production of all genetically modified foodsThe federal government must approve the production of all genetically modified foods Concern: Genetically modified foods are a recent innovation. Doubt still remains on the possible downsides to their use.Concern: Genetically modified foods are a recent innovation. Doubt still remains on the possible downsides to their use. Future Applications for CropsFuture Applications for Crops Increase pest resistanceIncrease pest resistance Ability to resist drought conditionsAbility to resist drought conditions Ability to tolerate salty soil and water conditionsAbility to tolerate salty soil and water conditions Future Applications for LivestockFuture Applications for Livestock Increase the number of offspringIncrease the number of offspring
Genetically modified food … video clip 1
Genetically modified food … video clip 2