Transcript Chapter 10

An Introduction to Human Geography
The Cultural Landscape, 8e
James M. Rubenstein
Chapter 10
Agriculture
PPT by Abe Goldman
Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3
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2nd Agricultural Revolution
Mixed crop and livestock systems
Dairy farming
Grain farming
Livestock ranching
Mediterranean agriculture
Commercial gardening and fruit farming
Plantation farming
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.
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.
Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3
• Mixed crop and livestock systems
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.
Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3
• Dairy farming
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.
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.
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 world’s leading export crop.
Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3
• Grain farming
World Wheat Production
Fig. 10-10: China is the world’s leading wheat producer, but the U.S. and Canada account
for about half of world wheat exports.
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.
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.
Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3
• Livestock ranching
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.
Meat Production on Ranches
Fig. 10-12: Cattle, sheep, and goats are the main meat animals raised on ranches.
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.
Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3
• Mediterranean
agriculture
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.
Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3
• Commercial gardening and fruit farming
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.
Commercial Ag. in MDCs- Issue 3
• Plantation farming