Plant Science Chapter 2.pdf

8/29/2023 Chapter 2—Agriculture Today Key Concepts Farms are defined by use, stewardship, or economics Farmers are from different backgrounds and economic status Farming is critical to national security and the economy The federal farm policy is designed to support agriculture and reduce risks What...

8/29/2023 Chapter 2—Agriculture Today Key Concepts Farms are defined by use, stewardship, or economics Farmers are from different backgrounds and economic status Farming is critical to national security and the economy The federal farm policy is designed to support agriculture and reduce risks What Is a Farm? 1. Plot of land devoted to agriculture and raising of crops and livestock 2. Place where humans live and practice stewardship of land and nature 3. Place from which $1,000+ of agricultural products are sold annually (USDA) USDA-United States Department of Agriculture · 1 8/29/2023 Farms in the United States 2 million farms /in Us right now) Average size = 446 ac (180 ha) Texas has the most, New Jersey the least Larger size in the west, smaller in the east USDA defines five sales classes of 42 2 %. are · in the I mil. farms South the North Central has the best soil for farming · 446 size acres in - U S. average farm. 446 2 8/29/2023 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiewO3ew4KBAxVr mGoFHRx1DNEQFnoECC0QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nass.usda.gov%2FPublications%2FTodays_Re ports%2Freports%2Ffnlo0222.pdf&usg=AOvVaw2Xf8hBHRG5BB0bhPGoCbUG&opi=89978449 3 8/29/2023 Farmers 1% of the U.S. population is in farming 96% of farms are family-run Can be of any race, gender, or age Average U.S. farm household income is greater than $60,000 (2022 median income was ~$90,000) Have diverse income streams Land Use in the United States Agriculture uses just under 50% of the land area 440 million ac (178 million ha) of cropland – 75% mechanically harvested crops – 10% pasture – 10% idled cropland Use varies by region – Cropland greatest in Midwest – Forestland and urban areas increase in East – Pasture and rangeland greatest in Southwest 4 8/29/2023 Crops and Livestock in the United States 25 primary crops Four crops—corn, soybean, wheat, and hay—grown on more than half of the cropland Beef and dairy cattle, sheep, and goats are fed corn, soybean, and hay Poultry and hogs are fed more highenergy feeds The Importance of Farming Each farmer produces food and fiber for 166 people Americans use only 11% of their income on food Farming contributes about $165 billion or 0.7% to GDP Agricultural exports total $196 billion Agribusiness Includes all firms engaged in producing, processing, transporting, marketing, and distribution Vertical integration occurs when a single firm controls several stages Concentration occurs when a few companies control a significant amount of activities 5 8/29/2023 Organic Agriculture – Ch. 18 System promotes ecologically sound management Organic rules include – No application of synthetic synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or GMOs – Proactive fertility systems and conservation measures – Use of natural inputs – Use of organic seeds when available Doesn't use thindryunnatural chemicals/any when · growing or product · Organic/ producing no a pesticides U.S. Farm Policy Goals Stabilize price of important crops and Stabilize livestock – Providing crop insurance and payments – Preventing commodity surpluses Support agricultural export export industry to ensure a world market : Protect Conserve and Conserve protect environmental resources Federal Institutions Land-grant universities – Morrill Act – Iowa State University USDA, 1862 – Abraham Lincoln Experiment stations – Hatch Act, 1887 Extension education – Smith-Lever Act, 1914 Soil conservation service – 1935 – Now NRCS USDA Mission Areas – Farm and Foreign Ag Service Agencies – Food, nutrition, consumer – Food safety & inspection – Marketing and regulatory – Natural resources & environment – Research, education, economics agencies – Rural development http://www.cprl.ars.usda.gov/ 6 8/29/2023 USDA Expenditures % of $93 billion budget (2007) % of $146 billion budget (2011) % of $197B budget (2023) Food assistance and nutrition 56 70 71 Farm & commodity programs 22 17 16 Conservation and forestry 11 7 7 Research, inspection, and admin. 6 2 3 6 1 Category Rural development International 7