Modern Agriculture
Farming experienced little change from the end of the medieval age until the middle of the twenty-first century. (Baker, 2014) When the tractor became the common farm tool and replaced the horse, crop yields remained much the same. (Baker, 2014) From 1866 until 1938, corn yields in the United States were reported at 30 bushels an acre. This, when compared to medieval yields, is not much higher than a good growing year in medieval times. (Baker, 2014) Innovation was drastically stalled by the Second World War and the Korean conflict. However, by 1951, crop yield began to steadily increase as new technologies like fertilizer and hybrid corn breeds became more readily available in the United States.(Baker, 2014) After the introduction of these innovations, corn yields in the United States, from 1952-present, showed an increased yield of 2 bushels an acre per year. (Baker, 2014) This simple increase, not only of corn, but other grain sources has led to a huge increase in the population of the world.
The population has increased more rapidly in the last 200 years than any other time in history. This may seem like a relatively short time, but when compared to the history of agriculture this is a very short time period. Consider that it took over 1000 years for the world to reach a population of 1 billion and only 207 years to reach 7 billion. This is an exponential explosion in the population. Throughout history, agriculture, through several revolutions, has made it possible to sustain the world population. Through innovations such as the plow, crop rotation, and fertilizer, yields have grown and supported the population. But how will modern agriculture support a population of 7 billion people? There is n...
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12,000 years ago, the discovery of agriculture triggered such a change in society and the way in which people lived that we now call this important era in time the “Neolithic Revolution.” Traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyles were cast away in favor of more permanent settlements and a reliable food supply. Agriculture helped form cities and civilizations, and because crops and animals could now be farmed to meet growing demand, populations skyrocketed from around five million people 10,000 years ago, to more the more than seven billion people that walk this earth today.1
Crops can kill thousands and build millions. During the Potato Famine, an infamous crop failure, “1845 to 1947, more than one million people died of starvation or emigrated. Additionally, over 50,000 people died of diseases: typhus, scurvy, dysentery” (American University). For thousands of years crops have fueled large societies allowing for mass population growth and human expansion. But the transition from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to an agricultural reliance bered many consequences along with its pros. Switching to an agricultural way of life provided health issues among humans, drastic changes socially and culturally, as well as ecological implications. This paper examines the changes accumulated by this transition including its enduring
The 1920’s were the singularly most influential years of farming in our country. The loss of farms following the war, and new agricultural practices resulted in the dawn of modern agriculture in our country. The shift from small family to big corporation during this time is now the basis for how our society deals with food today. Traditional farming in the 1920’s underwent a series of massive transitions following WWI as the number of farms decreased and the size of farms increased.
Thesis Statement: In early America, agriculture was a significant part of society and America’s early development.
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...ne farmer in the U.S. (“Historical” 76).With a 25 ft self propelled combine, a few trucks, a tractor, a 30 ft drill, and a 35 ft sweep disk it took 3hrs of labor to make 1000 bushels, 3 acres, of wheat. To produce 100 bush of corn , 1 ⅛ acres with a 12 ft combine, a few trucks, a tractor, a 20ft sprayer, a planter, a 20 ft tandem disk, and a 5-btm plow it took 2 ¾ hours of labor in 1987 (“Historical” 78). By 1990 100 people were taken care of by one farmer in the U.S. (“Historical” 80). More and more information technology and precision techniques were being used in agriculture production in the 1990s (“Historical” 81). In 1994 satellite technology was introduced and used on farms more and more. Also the use of low-tillage techniques kept rising (“Historical” 82). In 1997 the first crops that were resistant to weeds and insects was introduced (“Historical” 83).
Chetty, L., and C. D. Viljoen. “GM Biotechnology: Friend And Foe?.” South African Journal Of Science 103.7/8 (2007): 269-270.Academic Search Premier. Web. 2 Nov. 2011.
Thesis: Genetically modified organisms have the potential to benefit the field of agriculture as they are continuing to make advancements that should not be hindered. GMO foods should be supported because they are safer, since they utilize fewer herbicides and pesticides, produce larger yields that can reduce world poverty, and can help fight vitamin deficiencies and malnutrition.
This type of intensification on agriculture was achieved by selecting new crop varieties, improving soil quality, improving irrigation, improving tools, increasing labor and improving storage to reduce spoilage of food products. During this era they began to produce massive amounts of wheat, rice and maize that allowed them to convert into a range of other food products. By processing grains it allowed them to be consumed by infants, which shortened the length of breastfeeding, and shorter intervals between births and increasing the number of children that were born(Crowther, 2013). Through agriculture it improved people's lives due to advances in sanitation, medicine and nutrition that declined mortality rate and increased birth rates into greater life expectancy and overall population growth(Crowther, 2013). These eventually lead to the development of communities and states that had the luxury to develop over time and improve life in all aspects from technology and infrastructure to what the world is
First, American agriculture was massively changed by new technology. Many new technologies came out that were big factors in the beginning of commercial farming. The train was a vital role in the production increase in farming. Between 1870 and 1890, the railroad increased in enormous ways, making cattle trails entirely obsolete (Doc B). As transportation became easier, commercial farming became possible and farmers were able to send out more produce. Farmers continued increasing production through the use of new equipment. In 1880, it was possible to harvest wheat in big rows through the use of the combine (Doc D). Commercial farming further changed agriculture by speeding up the process of transporting goods from farmers to consumers. In 1884, Harper’s New Monthly Magazine mentioned a Chicago establishment that combined both processes of shipping and canning beef (Doc F). However, a...
GM crops also benefit the economy and assist in feeding more people. While we struggle with feeding our population, “The population will continue to grow” (Calandrelli 1) For instance, genetic engineering in agriculture can minimize the cost of producing food. Thus, GMO’s in crops can result ...
Corn has always been an essential to American agriculture. Yet the corn grown by our ancestors is unlike the corn we grow today; corn has changed in its quality, quantity, usage, and its inherent compromise. The age of industrialization provided new technology and techniques for farming. Agriculture became modernized in response to increased demand in the job and food markets. However, farming is no longer a way of life but a business. It has begun to attract those more interested in gain than in those actually interested in preserving the American heritage of agriculture.
Genetically modified (GM) foods have become omnipresent over the past decade. They are a technological breakthrough that allows humans to manipulate and add foreign genes to crops to enhance desired traits, but they have also evolved into a controversial issue, especially for Third World countries. Some people believe that GM foods not only provide larger yields to feed hungry citizens in Third World countries, but they can also be a source of great nutritional value. For example, researchers have developed a strain of golden rice containing high amounts of vitamin A and numerous other vitamins and minerals. Additionally, GM crops are laced with herbicides and pesticides, and therefore reduce the need for chemical consumption. Opponents of GM foods claim that they pose a threat to the health of consumers and that these crops could eventually cross-pollinate in an unregulated fashion or lead to the growth of superweeds and superbugs resistant to the herbicides and pesticides woven into the genetic fiber of the crops. Developed nations should promote research and monitoring from an ethical point of view and financial assistance through philanthropic ventures in order to limit environmental and health risks. They should also make sure that limited cultural displacement will result from the introduction of GM crops and that instead, a better livelihood and well-being through collaboration will emerge. Hence, GM crops should be introduced only provided that the developed nations assume the ethical and financial responsibilities for the environmental, health, and social consequences that attend this new innovation.
The most common form of agriculture biotechnology is that it will solve world hunger. This agricultural biotechnology is referred as “environmental revolution” or “evergreen revolution”. Both the terms are linked with “green revolution”. In the view of farmers, citizens, policymakers and political readers, it was a positive event that brought benefits. It increased food production, especially production of cereals. Due to this food imports to India decreased.
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