1. Introduction - Changes in US Agriculture Flashcards
Define: “Characterizing” Value Judgements
Choosing what problems to investigate
What facts to report
Define: “Appraising” Value Judgements
Explicit statements of values and opinions
Statements of “good” vs “bad”
What changes have been made in agriculture and society? (5)
Intensification of agriculture
Industrialization of processes
Urbanization of society
Reduced public/personal involvement in agriculture
Reduced understanding of agriculture
What were major influences on US livestock agriculture?
Morrill Act 1862
Homestead Act 1862
Taylor Grazing Act 1934 and BLM
USDA
Transportation breakthroughs
Numerous public policy instruments (CRP, EPA, PIK, etc.)
Importations of seedstock
Industrial revolution
Green revolution (Norman Borlaug)
Geography and climate
Define: Land Grant Universities
Public universities that were established to focus on educating working class people
Farm Bill
Ominous bill - covers many areas
Typically renewed every 5-7 years
Titles: commodities, conservation, trade, nutrition, credit, rural development, research extension, forestry, energy, horticulture, crop insurance
NOT ag promotion (that is left to private sector)
Primary Economic Sectors
Raw materials and food
Ex: ag, forestry, fishing, mining
Secondary Economic Sectors
Industry and construction
Turn raw products into specialized goods
Industrial revolution - requires “specialization”
Tertiary Economic Sectors
Service provision
Ex: commercial service, shops, repair, banking, IT
Quaternary Economic Sectors
Non-commercial service
Ex: non-profits, education, public transport, healthcare, fire and police, science sector
How has technology impacted US agriculture?
Consequence of science and engineering
Tools, machines, instruments, housing, clothing, communicating & transporting devices, skills, techniques
Use resources to produce desired products, solve problems, fulfill needs, satisfy wants
The means of harnessing resources for human use
New technologies change human culture
What drove improvements in science and technology in ag?
Perceived or anticipated benefits
Supported by success
Unintended consequences
What are important technologies in agriculture?
Machinery
Internal combusion engine
Transportation (railways, highways, farming, hauling)
Feeding equipment, feed processing
On farm movement of materials
Building, housing, storage
Manure management
Water movement (for animals, irrigation)
Land management
Refrigeration
Electricity generation
Chemical, fertilizers, pesticides, disinfectants, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, feed processing
Breeding, reproduction, identification/monitoring, crop breeding
Information, data analysis, process management, field management (GIS), communication (labor, marketing)
What are important technologies in agriculture?
Machinery
Internal combusion engine
Transportation (railways, highways, farming, hauling)
Feeding equipment, feed processing
On farm movement of materials
Building, housing, storage
Manure management
Water movement (for animals, irrigation)
Land management
Refrigeration
Electricity generation
Chemical, fertilizers, pesticides, disinfectants, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, feed processing
Breeding, reproduction, identification/monitoring, crop breeding
Information, data analysis, process management, field management (GIS), communication (labor, marketing)
What is the trend of US beef cattle carcass weight per year per breeding female?
Increased
What is the trend of US milk weight in pounds per year per breeding female?
Increased
What is the trend of US daily cows and milk production?
Number peaked in 1940’s, decreased to present
Less cows produce more milk now
What is the trend of US swine liveweight in pounds per year per breeding female?
Increased (3x)
What is the trend of US broiler production in age to market and weight at market?
Younger age to market
Greater weight at market
What is the trend of US laying hen production in eggs per hen per year?
Increased
What is the trend of US laying hen feed required per dozen eggs?
Decreased
What is the trend of people in the US supplied per farm worker?
Increased
What is the trend of US agricultural labor force as percent of population?
Decreased
What is the focus of changes in US agriculture?
Focus to increase agricultural productivity and efficient use of resources
Interactive with changes in US society, economy, and culture
What are the major changes in agriculture in the US?
Mechanization
Specialization of farms (intensive management)
Shift from country markets to complex food systems
Value-added processing technologies
What are the focuses on productivity and efficiency in US agriculture?
Increased food demand with stable to declining resource availability
Dramatic migration of human resources away from farming
Focus on cost and size efficiencies
Consumers want relatively inexpensive, convenient, and highly available sources of food
What impact does societal change have on US agriculture?
Societal success and affluence
Decreased food costs = decreased resource investment in food
Increased human time = increased personal productivity
Urban, affluent populations = intensive agriculture
Poor, subsistence, rural = produce own food
What issues arise from agricultural system effects?
Environmental impacts
Natural resource use
Food safety
Animal welfare
Chemical and pharmaceutical use
Disease transmission
Biotechnology uses
Sustainability
