Understanding Agronomy

1. Understanding Agronomy

2. Discuss the relationship between agriculture and the environment; • Describe issues with water associated with crop production; and • Explain how conservation practices protect the environment Objectives

3. Environment: external conditions that affect an organism or community and influence its development or existence • Ag crop production happens in the environment • Is there a demand for food? • Fiber? • Shelter? • Yes Ag. and the Environment

4. What drives that demand? • Population growth • Ag. production has had to expand a lot since agriculture began 10,000 years ago • Forests cut down; wetlands drained; prairies plowed • What happens to wildlife in those areas? • Some become extinct, endangered, or threatened • Is that just animals? • No • Native plants as well Ag. and the Environment

5. The major cause for an animal or plant to become extinct, endangered, or threatened is habitat loss • That is the alteration of the environment causing an organism to adapt or die • Another cause is competition • New species are introduced with few natural enemies to control them. • Native species are also viewed as pests and controlled as such Ag. and the Environment

6. What are some issues associated with crop production’s impact on our water supply? • Pollution is the #1 issue related to crop production • In some areas over-use is an issue Water and Crop Production

7. Pollution can occur in both surface and groundwater • Groundwater is found under the surface usually in porous rock, sand, and gravel and must be accessed by drilling a well • Two types of water pollution • Point Source • Pollutant added directly to body of water • Non-Point Source • Pollutants come from a wide area and travel through something else first Water and Crop Production

8. What can pollute our water supply? • Chemical pesticidesand fertilizers • Usually dissolve in water and soak into soil and drain naturally with the water • Concentrations of nutrients and other chemicals interupt natural balance • Some areas are more susceptible than others • Erosion • Sediment in water can be detrimental to aquatic life Water and Crop Production

9. The Ag industry is the largest user of the world’s fresh water supply • Ultimately we are using more water from aquifers than is being replaced • So what do we need to do? Water and Crop Production

10. Production methods have been discovered that reduce and in some cases eliminate pollution • Which is easier to correct: point source or non-point source pollution? • Point source • These issues can be taken care of • Some land can actually be taken out of production and – here is the key • Put back into a natural state • Is this always economical? • No Protecting the Environment through Conservation

11. Erosion can be reduced by creating terraces, grass waterways and conservation tillage • Technological advances in irrigation practices have cut down on water use and waste • Pumps, application, sensors • Conservation tillage and genetically engineered crops reduce the number of times equipment has to be used • Less emissions pollution and lower fuel use Protecting the Environment through Conservation

12. Genetic engineering and biotechnology • Plants that can resist pests on their own • less pesticide use • Could genetic engineering have a negative impact on the environment? • How? • Cross pollination • New genes • Pest resistance Protecting the Environment through Conservation

13. Agronomy Presentation • Choose a partner • Choose a topic from the list • Research that topic • History • Development • Technology • How it is done • Why it is done • Present the ins and outs • Cite your sources • Must use visual aides (pictures, videos, or models) • Do not plagiarize! (I don’t want to see huge chunks of ‘copy/paste’) Assignment