agricultural regions in mdc’s

Agricultural Regions in MDC’s

Six Types of Commercial Agriculture• Mixed crop and livestock farming• Dairy farming• Grain farming• Livestock ranching• Mediterranean agriculture• Commercial gardening and fruit farming

Mixed Crop and Livestock Farming• Integration of livestock (sheep, cattle,

goats, chickens etc.) and crop farming.• Most crops raised are fed to animals.• Most land is devoted to crops.• Most money is generated from animals

and animal products.• Crop rotation is common.• Advantages:

– Livestock supply manure to fertilize the crops.

– Workload and income can be more evenly distributed throughout the year.

Agriculture Regions in MDC’s

Dairy Farming• Dairy products (butter, cheese, etc.) are

extremely valuable.• Mostly produced in Western Europe,

North America, Russia, Australia and New Zealand.

• Because milk is extremely perishable, dairy operations traditionally located near markets – in the milkshed.

• Today, transportation makes it possible for milk producers to locate hundreds of miles from markets.

• However, the further from markets, the less likely dairy operations are to produce fluid milk.

U.S. Dairy Production

2005

Fig. 10-9: Milk production is widely dispersed because of its perishability, but cheese production is far more concentrated.

Grain Farming• Globally, the most important crop grown is wheat • Wheat is usually produced in areas where it is too

dry for mixed farming.• The US is the largest grain producing region on

earth.– Winter wheat region (wheat planted in fall,

dormant through winter, grows and is harvested in late spring or summer).

– Spring wheat region (wheat planted in spring, harvested in late summer).

– Other wheat regions (Eastern Washington).• Other major producers include Canada, Argentina,

Australia, France and the UK.• Large scale production only became possible in the

19th century, with the development of mechanized agriculture.

Livestock Ranching• In some ways, it’s commercial

version of pastoral nomadism.• Adapted to areas which are too dry

for other agriculture.• Not as profitable per acre as farming

– if irrigation makes farming possible, ranching usually ends.

• Cattle ranching in the US:– In the 19th century, rapidly expanding

cities became a major market for beef.

– In the Western US, arid areas that couldn't be used for anything else could be used to produce beef cattle – the problem was getting the beef to market.

Livestock Ranching– The solution – long-distance cattle

drives.– By the end of the 19th century, cattle

drives were basically over.– Has changed to mostly fixed location

ranching.• Some cattle are still raised on

ranches, but most on shifting pastures.

• Many cattle now shipped to feed lots for fattening near their market.

• Ranching is also practiced in other developed countries:– Spain and Portugal.– Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay.– Australia.

Mediterranean Agriculture• Adapted to the Mediterranean

climate region – places with warm dry summers, and mild wet winters

• Most grown for human consumption – not animal feed.

• Primary source of the world's olives, grapes, etc.

• Wheat and other grains also grown but mostly for local consumption.

• Animals and animal products of less importance traditionally.

Commercial Gardening and Fruit Farming “Truck Farming”

• Truck farming has nothing to do with trucks or trucking! The word “truck” comes from an old English word meaning “to carry” or “to exchange.”

• Specialty fruit and vegetable farming – very similar to “market gardening.”

• Fresh fruits and vegetables –• Farmers tend to specialize in a few

profitable crops.• Traditionally grown near markets.• Specialty farming in New England• Modern transportation has created

several truck farming areas in the U.S.

Access to Markets

• Von Thunen Model– Market location influences the farmers choice of

crop to plant.– Must compare two costs, Land vs. Transportation– Demonstrates that farms closer to market produce

crops with higher transportation costs

Von Thünen Model

Fig. 10-13: Von Thünen’s model shows how distance from a city or market affects the choice of agricultural activity in (a) a uniform landscape and (b) one with a river.

Challenges for Commercial Farming

• Overproduction– Low incomes because they produce too much– U.S. policies to address this

• Farmers encouraged to avoid producing crops in excess supply

– Encourages planting fallow crops• Pays farmers when commodity prices are low• Buys surplus production


• Sustainability– Three practices distinguish sustainable agriculture

• Sensitive land management• Limited use of chemicals• Integrated crop and livestock


Sustainable agriculture• Sensitive land management

– Ridge Tillage• Planted on same ridge year after year• Lower production costs• No need to plow every year• Minimal soil disturbance• Improved soil properties


Sustainable agriculture• Limited use of chemicals

– “Roundup Ready” seeds allow conventional farmers to drench their fields with herbicide

– Sustainable uses limited herbicides• Farmers can control weeds without chemicals• Combining mechanical with some chemicals• Ridge Tillage promotes decreased use of chemicals


Sustainable agriculture• Integrated crop and livestock

– Individual farm raises its own feed– Complexities of interdependence

• Need correct number and distribution of livestock• Animal confinement• Extreme weather conditions

Challenges for Subsistence Farming

Population Growth• Rising population means subsistence farmers

must produce more food– Must intensify production

• Leave land fallow for shorter periods– Stages of intensification

» Forest Fallow» Bush Fallow» Short Fallow» Annual Cropping» Multi Cropping


Population Growth• Rising population means subsistence farmers

must produce more food– Must intensify production

• Adopt new farming methods– Plows– Weed control– More manure– More terraces– Increased irrigation


International Trade• The idea of “subsistence” and “trade” seems

contradictory– Many must figure out a way to get needed

supplies• High-yield seeds• Fertilizer• Pesticides• Machinery

– No money so must trade agricultural products


International Trade• No money so must trade agricultural products

– Some LDC’s choose to export crops that can be converted to drugs

• Opium poppy plant• Coca leaf• Cannabis sativa

Strategies to increase food supply

Four Strategies• Expand land area used for agriculture• Increase production of existing land• Identify new food sources• Increase exports from other countries


Expand land area used for agriculture• Not a practical solution

– There is not that much suitable land available– Lack of water– Desertification– Excessive crop planting exhausting nutrients– Excessive water (irrigated land becomes water logged)– Urbanization


Higher Productivity• Green Revolution

– Introduction of new higher-yield seeds» Allow countries that used to import a crop now produce a

surplus– Expanded use of fertilizers– In the 19th century scientists identify nitrogen, phosphorus,

and potash as elements that increase fertility• This prevented a food crisis in the past but will new

breakthroughs continue?


Identify New Food Sources• Cultivate the oceans

– Ocean is not a limitless resource– Over fishing is already a problem

• Develop higher-protein cereals– Scientifically modified hybrids– Fortified processed foods

• Improve palatability of rarely consumed foods– Encourage consumption of foods that are avoided for social

reasons


Increase exports from other countries• Help countries become net exporters

– Very few countries are major exporters– Former importers have become exporters

» South Asia» South East Asia

– Thailand has replaced the U.S. as the #1 exporter of rice• Sub-Saharan Africa is one area that is not keeping up

with population growth

agricultural regions in mdc’s

Documents

wheat wheat

crop farming

spring wheat region

winter wheat region

farming possible

beef cattle

mixed farming

fruit farming mixed