Agriculture in Developed Countries

Mixed crop and livestock farming Dairy farming Grain farming Livestock ranching Mediterranean agriculture Commercial gardening and fruit farming Access to markets

Mixed Crop and Livestock All land used to grow crops but ¾ of the

income comes from the sale of animal products

Crop rotationtwo-field- crop grown in one field while the

other is left fallow four-field- root crop in field A, cereal in field

B, “rest” crop in field C, root crop in field D

MDC Agriculture Mixed Crop & Livestock most common

west of the Appalachians, east of 98 degree long., much of Europe from France to RussiaIntegration of crops and livestockMost crops fed to animalsManure improves soil3/4ths of income from sale of animal

products

Dairy Farming Milkshed- the surrounding a city from

which milk can be supplied without spoiling

Regions specialize in “milk products” because of the distance from the markets

Problems: declining revenues, rising costs, and feeding cows in the winter

World Milk Production, 2005

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.

Near large urban areas Increasing in LDCs India: largest milk producer (US-2nd) Increased distance 30 miles 300 miles Milk or Cheese Farther from urban areas: cheese East: Milk, Farther West: cheese New Zealand: Cheese

Dairy Farming

Milk Production in MDCs & LDCs1960-2005

Milk production has grown more rapidly in LDCs than in MDCs since the 1960s.

US decreasing dairy farms 1980-2000: 2/3 less farms Production of milk has increased

Dairy Farming

U.S. Milk Production, 2005

U.S. Cheese Production, 2005

Grain Farming “commercial grain farming” is primarily

for consumption by humans Three regions of grain production

Winter-Kansas, Colorado, and OklahomaSpring- Dakotas, and MontanaPalouse- Washington

Grain: seed from grasses: wheat, corn, cereals, snacks

Winter Wheat: planted in Autumn, harvested in summer

Spring Wheat: planted in spring, harvested in late summer

Grain Farming

World Corn Production, 2005

Fig. 10-7: The U.S. accounts for about 40% of world corn (maize) production. China is the 2nd largest producer. Much of the corn in both countries is used for animal feed.

World Wheat Production, 2005

Fig. 10-10: China is the world’s leading wheat producer, but the U.S. is the largest producer of wheat for sale and the largest exporter.

Wheat = bread flour Sold at higher price than others More uses Doesn’t spoil North American prairies “bread basket” US: largest commercial producer

Grain Farming

U.S. Wheat Farmer

A U.S. wheat farmer in Idaho is selling wheat to Asian buyers.

Farmers can often work on both farms. Move machinery/labor based on season

Grain Farming

Livestock Ranching Open range vs fixed location Longhorns or herefords

Cattle prices: $3-4 in Texas $30-40 in Chicago Transport cattle to market

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.

Cattle Drive on the Chisholm Trail

Cattle ranching declined bc conflict with Sedentary agriculture

“Code of the West”: cattle could graze on open land

US sold “grazing land” Longhorns: poor quality, but durable Hereford: superior meat, not good for

travel

Livestock Ranching

Meat Production on Ranches

Fig 10-12: Cattle, sheep and goats are the main meat animals raised on ranches.

Argentina: cattle-access to ocean, easily transported to overseas markets

Australia: sheep, open grazing

Shift in ranching world-wide Open ranges fixed farming

Livestock Ranching

Mediterranean Agriculture Most crops in Mediterranean lands are

grown for human consumption rather than for animal feed.

Horticulture- the growing of fruits, vegetables, and flowers

Two most important cash crops are olives and grapes

Mediterranean: borders sea Hilly, mountains 2/3 of wine production Olives, grapes Half of land devoted to wheat: pasta,

bread

Mediterranean Agriculture

California, N.Africa, Chile, S.Africa California: losing land to development

Mediterranean Agriculture

Vineyard in Portugal

Grapes loaded in vineyards on slopes above the Douro River in northern Portugal.

US Southeast: long growing season, humid climate

Truck Farming: Jolly Green Giant Produce fruits/vegetables for processing

(canning, freezing)

Commercial Gardening and Fruit Farming

Von Thunen Model Model describes what each zone should

be used for in order to increase profits