Modern AgriculturePLS 386 Sept. 7, 2005 Outline of topics: I. The art of crop production II. Development of modern agriculture III. Structure of US agriculture IV. The ‘Green Revolution’ in developing countries V. Kentucky agricultural statistics

Modern Agriculture PLS 386 Sept. 3, 2003 pg. 2 The art of crop production: Adoption of technology allows advances in productivity human labor > draft animals > machinery Recent technological eras in US agriculture 1. The mechanical era ( ) 2. The chemical era ( ) 3. The biotechnological and information technology era (1970-present)

Modern Agriculture PLS 386 Sept. 3, 2003 pg. 3 Crop production as a science: Efficient, profitable crop production involves applying theories from several disciplines: Agronomy/Horticulture Soil Science Entomology/Plant Pathology Botany Chemistry Physics Engineering Ecology

Modern Agriculture PLS 386 Sept. 3, 2003 pg. 4 Factors affecting modern crop production: Cost of inputs Weather/climateWorld production ConsumerDisasters reaction Government policies Market prices Demand for produce Crop cultivar Timing of operation Techniques to use Location of operation Acreage to plant

Modern Agriculture PLS 386 Sept. 3, 2003 pg. 5 Development of modern agriculture: I. Era of resource exploitation (before 1900) farming as ‘mining’ the land II. Era of resource conservation and regeneration (early 1900s) crop rotation, green manures, use of livestock manures III. Era of resource substitution (mid-1900s) IV. Era of information (recent and current period)

Modern Agriculture PLS 386 Sept. 3, 2003 pg. 6 Why has US agriculture prospered? Land-grant university system Morrill Act of 1862 Between 1910 and 1970, US doubled agricultural output (on less acreage). US Governmental Agricultural Policy 1. Production resources are readily available, affordable 2. Stable, high(?) commodity prices 3. Innovation is promoted 4. Research and technology are supported

Modern Agriculture PLS 386 Sept. 3, 2003 pg. 7 Structure of US Agriculture: Most US farms are classified as ‘small,” grossing less than $50,000 annually. (A ‘farm’ is any location which sells $1000 or more in a year.) Farm number in US has declined, but acreage has increased. ‘Small family farms’ have sales less than $250,000 per year. Less than 25% of US land is cropland

US Cropland Devoted to Major Crops

US Cropland Use Statistics,

Rank of US States by Agricultural Cash Receipts

Cost of food, by category

Modern Agriculture PLS 386 Sept. 3, 2003 pg. 12 The Green Revolution Between , the Mexican government and the Rockefeller Foundation co-sponsored a program to increase wheat production. Norman Borlaug headed the team. Wheat cultivars adapted to Mexico were crossed with wheats from around the world. In 1953, a high-yielding, lodging-resistant, dwarf wheat was identified.

Modern Agriculture PLS 386 Sept. 3, 2003 pg. 13 The Green Revolution Norman Borlaug received the Nobel Peace Prize for these efforts to ease hunger. During the period, wheat yields in Mexico went from 300,000 tons per year to 2.6 million tons (750 kg/ha to 3,200 kg/ha, or from 11 bu/ac to 48 bu/ac.)

Modern Agriculture PLS 386 Sept. 3, 2003 pg. 14 The Green Revolution How were the yield increases realized? 1. Genetic advance - dwarfing genes in wheat and rice, better hybrids in corn - less lodging - responsiveness to high fertility 2. Improved agronomic inputs - tillage - fertilization - irrigation - pest control

Modern Agriculture PLS 386 Sept. 3, 2003 pg. 15 The Green Revolution International Agricultural Research Centers were created to transfer the successes in corn, wheat, and rice to other crops important in lesser developed countries. Problems: 1. Social effects - only wealthy could afford it. 2. Displaced workers. 3. More monoculture, more pest problems. 4. Women were marginalized 5. Loss of genetic diversity in crop species.

Modern Agriculture PLS 386 Sept. 3, 2003 pg. 16 Kentucky Agricultural Statistics Land area of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 25,388,000 acres Land in farms: 13,600,000 acres (54% of land area) Farm number:90,000 (most have livestock) Average farm size:151 acres Number of farms with gross value of sales greater than $10,00039,000 (43%) Average value of land and buildings (2000)$1, farm receipt ranking of agricultural output in KY: 1. Horses$830 million5. Dairy$248 mil. 2. Tobacco$737 million6. Corn$234 mil. 3. Cattle$550 million7. Soybeans$144 mil. 4. Broilers$363 million