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Challenges to Agriculture. What is our future?. Challenges. Feeding the world/food security Understanding what G x E x M means Increasing the efficiency of plant and animal production Promoting the soil as a resource Developing effective linkages with pest specialists
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Challenges toAgriculture What is our future?
Challenges • Feeding the world/food security • Understanding what G x E x M means • Increasing the efficiency of plant and animal production • Promoting the soil as a resource • Developing effective linkages with pest specialists • Focus on product quality (grain, forage)
Optimism of US Corn Production Expect yields to continue to increase
Reality of World Wheat Production Wheat and Rice show a leveling in yield increases in the past 20 years
Soil Water Availability Hudson, 1994
Insects, Diseases, and Weeds • Weeds are showing a positive response to rising CO2 concentrations • Insect and disease pressure increase with more favorable environments over the winter and more humid conditions during the growing season.
Pests • Increasing temperatures will expand the range of overwintering insects • Additional stress on plants will create a condition of potential susceptibility to pathogens and insects
Product Quality • Within season conditions will affect the quality of the grain, fiber, or fruit. • Examples • Protein content in wheat • Aflatoxin in grains • Wine quality • Raisin quality
Challenges • Feeding the world/food security • Understanding what G x E x M means • Increasing the efficiency of plant and animal production • Promoting the soil as a resource • Developing effective linkages with pest specialists • Focus on product quality (grain, forage)
Challenges • Agronomists are positioned to address these challenges • Need to focus on the system with its moving parts to fully develop solutions applicable to producers