Intro to Intro Flashcards
Farming
The science, art, and business of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock
Agribusiness
Farming and off-farming agricultural business
Examples of agribusiness
-Grocery stores/markets
-Developing farming equipment
-Animal care
-Production testing
-Veterinarians
Why is farming important?
-The increase of urbanization in America has led to the further removal of most people from the farm
-200 years ago, 90% of people lived on farms but now only 2% do
-Food production needs to double by 2050 to keep up with the population
How are animals utilized in agriculture?
To provide products
What are some examples of products animals provide?
-Nutritious and desirable food for consumption
-Clothing products
-Power
-Manure
-Cosmetics
-Gelatin, fat, grease
-Pharmaceuticals
-Feed products for other animals
-Research
-Recreation and companionship
Most common animals in agriculture in the US
-Chicken (20 billion)
-Sheep/goats (2.2 billion)
-Cows/buffalo (1.7 billion)
-Pigs (1 billion)
What % of the world’s land is suitable for the production of foods that can be consumed by humans?
11%
What is great about livestock digestion?
They can digest waste materials that cannot be directly consumed by humans and turn it into digestible energy (esp. protein)
What are the greatest threats to the world’s public health?
Hunger and related malnutrition
Zoonotic disease
Diseases that can be transmitted between humans and animals
Vet and Vet Techs play an important role in public health. What is it?
Identifying, preventing, and treating diseases to prevent outbreaks
What are some common zoonotic diseases?
Tuberculosis, brucellosis, e.coli, avian influenza, swine flu
Who is the world’s largest exporter of agricultural products?
The US
How many people does one farm feed annually?
166 people
What % of US landmass is used for the production of livestock?
64%
What % of the US landmass is used for grazing?
36%
What % of US landmass is used for the production of hay, grain, and other crops
28%
Livestock manure is used to…
-Conserve soil fertility
-Methane gas turns into power
Farmers are apart of programs to…
-Improve water conservation
-Create and utilize sustainable energy
-Improve air quality
-Reduce soil erosion
What is also important in the livestock industry?
Customer perspective
Over the years, there has been an increase in what as opposed to what
Increase in large-scale/commercial farming as opposed to small-farming operations
What are the top 10 agricultural products in the US?
-Milk
-Corn for grain
-Hay
-Cattle and calves
-Apples
-Floriculture
-Cabbage
-Sweet corn
-Potatoes
-Tomatoes
What is the role of a vet in agriculture?
Keep the food supply safe by preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases
How do we prevent transmissible diseases from wiping out the food supply?
-Vaccination
-Biosecurity
-Protocols for new animal introduction
-Provide education and care to improve the practices of farmers
What is a farmer’s goal?
Produce the most products of the highest quality at the lowest cost
