Ch. 10—Agriculture

1. Ch. 10—Agriculture KI 3: Where are Agricultural regions in MDCs?

2. Mixed Crop and Livestock Farming • Most common form of agriculture in United States west of Appalachians and in Europe • Most crops are used to feed animals, use animals to improve soil fertility • Most land is dedicated to cultivation of crops, but most animals produce the $$$$ • United States—corn is most common crop (higher yields per area) • Most is fed to pigs and cattle • “Corn Belt” from Ohio to the Dakotas • Soy Beans are 2nd most popular crops • http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2012/08/27/corn-drought/

4. CT’D • use crop rotation • Allows use of entire farming area 24/7 • Two-field crop rotation was invented in Europe in the 5th century

5. Dairy Farming • Most important form of agriculture near major urban areas of Northeast U.S., Southeast Canada, and Northwest Europe • Rapid growth of cities increased demand for milk in urban areas—high incomes allowed urban residents to pay for the “luxury”

6. Dairy Farming • For most of 20th century, MDCs produced most of world’s milk • in 1980, LDCs produced on 26% of world’s milk—produced 51% in 2007 • India is world’s largest milk producer • Name top 5 • Dairy farms must be closer to their markets because of transportation factors • Milkshed—ring surrounding city from which milk can be supplied without spoiling (roughly 300 miles in MDCs today)

9. Dairy Farming • Dairy farms also sell products to butter and cheese manufacturers • Ex. Most milk in Wisconsin is processed, whereas most milk in Pennsylvania is sold to consumers. Why? • Countries specialize as well • New Zealand is world’s largest per capita dairy producer, only 5% is sold as liquid milk • In U.K, over 50% is sold as milk • Why? • Problems • Labor intensive, expensive feed during winter

10. Grain Farming • Grain is a seed from various grasses (wheat, corn, oat, barley, etc.) • Grain farming is different that mixed crop and livestock farming because grain farms grow grain for consumption by humans • Farmers sell grains to consumers, and manufacturers of food products (breakfast cereals and snack food makers) • Wheat is world’s leading export crop • United States and Canada account for about 50% of wheat exports (world’s “breadbasket”)

11. Grain Farming • U.S is world’s largest commercial grain producer • Grain farming is usually found in areas to dry for mixed crop and livestock (Canada, Argentina, Australia, Western Europe) • In U.S • Winter-wheat belt (Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma) • Spring-wheat belt (Dakotas, Montana, Southern Canada) • Parts of Washington State • Relies heavily on Machinery—McCormick reaper invented in 1830s led to large scale wheat production

13. Livestock Ranching • Commercial grazing of livestock over an extensive area • Read together pg. 326-327

14. Mediterranean Agriculture • Exists around Mediterranean sea, California, parts of South Africa, Chile, and Australia • Moist and moderate winters, hot dry summers, lack of flat land • Crops are grown for human consumption • Horticulture—the growing of fruits, vegetables, and flowers—is the base of Mediterranean agriculture • Two huge cash crops—Grapes and Olives • 2/3s of world’s wine is produced in countries that boarder the Med. Sea (Spain, France, Italy) • Cereals (for pasta and bread) are also very important in Mediterranean Region

15. Commercial Gardening and Fruit Farming • Huge in Southeast of U.S • Also called “truck farming” • Grow fruits and veggies demanded by developed societies • Sold directly to consumers and to manufacturers for canning and freezing • Very mechanized • Farms usually specialize in one or two crops