Basic Ag ScienceFall 2010Mr. Parks

Introduction to Agricultural Science

5 Basic Human Needs

AIRWATERFOODCLOTHING - FiberSHELTER - Protect the body from the dangers in the environmentAgriculture provides the last three

Prehistory & Pre Agriculture

10,000 B.C. Hunter/Gather Nomadic Little or no villages End of Ice Age Burst of new vegetation Follow herds

First Farmers

8000 - 7000 BC.Noticed that plants sprouted from seedsIdentified edible plantsTime of year maturedPlanted at right timeObserved which animals would tolerate captivity

Effects of Agriculture

Dependable food supplyDomesticated plantsDomesticated animals

Trading beganEveryone did not have to farmMore free time to pursue other interests

Invented tools

Permanent SettlementsLife expectancy increased

Flint Scythe

Bronowski, J. 1973. The ascent of man.

Wooden Plow

Civilization Begins

Humans could grow their own foodCeased to wanderCities were founded

Egypt, Jericho, Mesopotamia

American Agriculture

European settlers found a system of agriculture in place

Native Americans grew corn, squash, okraIncas & Mayans had irrigation

Envy of the world1 farmers over 129 people

101 in the US & 28 abroadAmericans spend less on food

US-9%Italy-26%India-53%

Scientific Research

1862 – Morrill ActProvided public land and funds for universities to teach practical methods of farming

1872 – Hatch ActAuthorized establishment of experiment stations in states with land grant schools

1914 – Smith-Lever ActEstablished Cooperative Extension Service

1917 – Smith-Hughes ActEstablished Vocational Agriculture in public schools

Quiz

1. List the five basic human needs2. List the three needs that agriculture

provides3. About when (years BC) did agriculture

begin?4. List two benefits of agriculture for society

Answers

1. List the five basic human needsa. Water, Air, Food, Clothing, Shelter

2. List the three needs that agriculture providesa. Food, clothing shelter

3. About when (years BC) did agriculture begin?a. 8000 (or 7000) BC

4. List two benefits of agriculture for societya. Dependable food supply, more free time, invented

tools, permanent settlements (i.e. cities), life expectancy increased (i.e. lived longer)

Identify the Problem

Formulate the Hypothesis

Design & Conduct Experiments

Collect Data

Analyze the Data

Draw Conclusions

Make Recommendations

The Scientific Method

Two types of Research

Basic ResearchWhy or how processes occurNo immediate applicationIncreases knowledge of topic

Applied ResearchUses knowledge gained in basic research to help in practical ways

e.g. Basic – Researching animal hormonesApplied – Using hormones to increase growth of cattle

Milestones in Agricultural Research

Animal Immunization1870’s Louis Pasteur developed animal vaccinations (Anthrax in Sheep)Also led to human vaccinations

Milestones Cont.

Canning & RefrigerationFood spoiled faster than it could be eatenOnly previous way to preserve food was dry or salt cured1795 French government held contest to find a way to preserve food for the armyNicholas Appert placed food in glass bottles & heated them in hot waterLater, food stored in boxes with ice

Milestones Cont.

Agricultural MechanizationOriginally used sharp sticks to plowJohn Deere developed steel plow1831- Cyrus McCormick – Mechanical reaperEli Whitney – Cotton GinInternal combustion engineModern tractors

Plows

Cyrus McCormick Reaper

Milestones Cont.

PesticidesSubstances used to kill pestsHerbicide – PlantsInsecticide – InsectsFungicide – Plant diseasesAvicide – BirdsRodenticide – Rodents (Mice & Rats) Piscicide – FishApplied correctly they protect crops & livestockBad reputation for damaging the environment

Milestones Cont.

GeneticsStudy of how organisms pass on characteristics from one generation to the nextIn the past selection of superior offspringNow use DNA extraction & recombination

Milestones Cont.

Artificial InseminationAllows access to genetics from all over the USMost dairy animals

Embryo transferOne superior female can produce 20 offspring per yearProducers can rapidly increase the quality of their herds at a low cost

Domestication

After animals become domesticated, they become dependent on manMost can’t survive in wildMost poultry can’t flySheep don’t shed woolCows produce 20,000 lbs milk / yearBirds produce 250 eggs / yr. (20 in wild)

Sources of Food

Plant SourcesThe cereal grains of wheat, rice, and corn are the major food items

Animal SourcesFour kinds of animals are raised in large numbers

1. Cattle2. Pigs3. Chickens4. Sheep

Plants Used as food

Leaves - lettuce, cabbageSeeds - beans, wheat, cornRoots -carrots, rutabagasFruits - apples, strawberries, pearsFlowers - cauliflower and broccoliStems – onions, potatoes, celery, asparagusMultiple parts -turnips (leaves and roots)

Animal Use as Food

Meat - (muscle tissue) Beef, Pork, Lamb, Goat, PoultryMilk - inexpensive source of protein

cheese, ice cream, yogurt

Eggs - pastries, mayonnaise, custards

How much do people pay to eat?

United States’ Jobs

What percentage are agriculture and related?

21% or 1 in 5

Agricultural Careers