Agriculture

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Chapter 10
An Introduction to Human Geography The Cultural
Landscape, 8e James M. Rubenstein

• Agriculture

PPT by Abe Goldman
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Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3

• 2nd Agricultural Revolution
• Mixed crop and livestock systems
• Dairy farming
• Grain farming
• Livestock ranching
• Mediterranean agriculture
• Commercial gardening and fruit farming
• Plantation farming

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Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3

• 2nd Agricultural Revolution
• In the 18th century, Great Britain consolidated
  individually owned strips of farmland around
  villages to single, large farms owned by
  individuals. Other countries in Europe did too.
  
• The benefit was greater efficiency. Large farms
  benefitted from the introduction of machinery,
  like the seed drill, which regulated planting
  intervals and improved productivity.
• The 4-Field Crop Rotation System developed. In
  it, the farmer planted a root crop, such as
  turnips, in one field, a cereal like wheat,
  barley, or oats in field two, a rest crop in
  field three, like clover, which helps restore the
  soil, and another cereal in field four. The
  rotation through this cycle increased
  productivity.
• Cereals provided sustenance for the people.
  Clover provided grazing and turnips provided food
  for the animals while hay provided bedding.
• Selective Breeding improved the viability of
  herds.

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Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3

• Mixed crop and livestock systems
• The most distinctive part of this type of farming
  is its integration of crops and livestock.
• Most farms of this type devote their land to
  growing crops, but get most of their income from
  the sale of animal products, like milk, eggs, and
  beef.
• The crops are fed to animals rather than being
  consumed directly by humans.
• The livestock supply manure to improve soil
  fertility and to grow more corps.
• This type of system spreads work over the entire
  year- crops are laborious in the spring and fall
  while livestock maintenance is year-round.
• Income is also more balanced as livestock can be
  sold all year.

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Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3

• Mixed crop and livestock systems

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Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3

• Dairy farming is practiced near large urban areas
  of the Northeast U.S., Southeast Canada, and
  Northwest Europe.
• It is 20 of the agricultural output in those
  areas.
• Milk must be produced close to market because its
  perishable. The point beyond which milk can not
  be transported is known as the milkshed. Beyond
  it, other dairy products are produced.
• Today, modern technology has extended the
  milkshed line.
• Workload and profitability have been problems.

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Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3

• Dairy farming

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World Milk Production
Fig 10-8 Milk production reflects wealth,
culture, and environment. It is usually high in
MDCs, especially production per capita, and
varies considerably in LDCs.
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Dairy Production in the U.S.
Fig. 10-9 Milk production is widely dispersed
because of its perishability, but cheese
production is far more concentrated.
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Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3

• Grain farming-Grain is the seed from grasses,
  like wheat, corn, oats, barley, rice, and millet.
  It is the major crop on most farms.
• Grain grown on a grain farm is intended for human
  rather than animal consumption and can be grown
  in dryer areas.
• Commercial grain farmers sell their output to
  manufacturers who make food products like
  breakfast cereals and snack-food makers.
• Wheat is used to make bread. It is sold,
  typically, at a higher price than other grains.
• It can be stored easily without spoiling and can
  be transported a long distance, so it can locate
  far from market.
• Winter wheat is grown in Kansas, Colorado, and
  Oklahoma. Spring wheat is grown in the Dakotas,
  Montana.
• Combine machines reflect the heavy mechanization
  of this farming.
• Wheat is the worlds leading export crop.

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Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3

• Grain farming

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World Wheat Production
Fig. 10-10 China is the worlds leading wheat
producer, but the U.S. and Canada account for
about half of world wheat exports.
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World Corn (Maize) Production
Fig. 10-7 The U.S. and China are the leading
producers of corn (maize) in the world. Much of
the corn in both countries is used for animal
feed.
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Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3

• Livestock ranching- Ranching is the commercial
  grazing of livestock over an extensive area,
  especially arid or semi-arid lands where soil is
  too poor for crops.
• Cattle ranching expanded in the U.S. in the 1860s
  when demand for beef increased.
• From Texas, cattle were driven to Kansas along
  the Chisholm Trail where they boarded trains to
  the slaughter houses of Chicago where they then
  moved to the markets of the east.
• Ranching generates lower income per area of land,
  although it has lower operating costs.
• Most ranches are large and owned by
  meat-processing companies rather than
  individuals.
• Ranching is popular in Spain and Portugal and
  Argentina, southern Brazil and Uruguay.
• Sheep ranching is popular in Australia, Middle
  East, New Zealand, and South Africa.

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Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3

• Livestock ranching

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The Chisholm Trail
Fig. 10-11 The Chisholm Trail became famous as
the main route for cattle drives from Texas to
the railheads in Kansas.
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Meat Production on Ranches
Fig. 10-12 Cattle, sheep, and goats are the main
meat animals raised on ranches.
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Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3

• Mediterranean agriculture-primarily exists around
  the lands of the Mediterranean Sea, but it also
  exists in California, central Chile, and the
  Southwestern part of South Africa.
• Prevailing sea winds in each location provide
  moisture and moderate the winter temperatures.
  Summers are hot and dry, but breezes provide some
  relief.
• Horticulture-the growing of fruits, vegetables,
  and flowers- and tree crops form the commercial
  base. Olives and grapes are the most profitable
  while fruits, vegetables, and grains can be grown
  in Mediterranean areas, too.
• Wine production is common in Mediterranean areas.
• The continued availability of water in more arid
  Mediterranean areas may become an issue.

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Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3

• Mediterranean agriculture

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Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3

• Commercial gardening and fruit farming/Truck
  Farming is the predominant type of farming in the
  U.S. Southeast.
• The region has a long growing season and humid
  climate and is accessible to the large markets of
  New York, Philly, and Washington.
• Truck farmers grow apples, asparagus, cherries,
  lettuce, mushrooms, and tomatoes demanded in
  developed societies. Some are grow for direct
  sale to customers others are grown for sale to
  canners or freezers.
• Operations are highly mechanized and they
  experiment with different types of seeds and
  fertilizer. Migrant workers keep labor costs
  down.

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Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3

• Commercial gardening and fruit farming

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Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3

• Plantation farming is found in the tropics and
  subtropics, especially in Latin America, Africa,
  and Asia. Although plantations are found in LDC
  areas, they are owned by companies headed in MDCs
  and their output is usually sold there, too.
• A plantation is a large farm that specializes in
  one or two crops, like cotton, sugarcane, coffee,
  rubber, bananas, and tobacco. Cocoa, tea, and
  palm oil are common, too.
• Labor populations are often imported to remote
  plantation locations.
• Crops are processed then shipped to reduce bulk.
  

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Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3

• Plantation farming