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CHAPTER 17 AGRICULTURE FINE-FEATHERED FARMING Creative solutions to feeding the world
CHAPTER 17 AGRICULTURE
FINE-FEATHERED
FARMING
Creative solutions to feeding the world
FINE-FEATHERED FARMING Creative solutions to feeding the world
At the end of this chapter you will know:
• About pros and cons of modern industrial and organic methods and of agriculture.
• The advantages and disadvantages of the Green revolution 2.0 and how it may help meet global food needs.
• Sustainable alternatives for production of crops and animals.
Learning
Outcomes
Industrial and sustainable agriculture will be necessary to feed our increasing population. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages, but some techniques increase productivity with less environmental impact.
Main
Concept
FINE-FEATHERED FARMING Creative solutions to feeding the world
Greg and Raquel Massa manage their third-
generation rice farm in California. In three
generations, the farm has gone from traditional
to chemical, and now to organic agriculture.
Case: Azolla is a weed that has often gotten the better of California rice
producers. As an alternative to chemicals, the Massas have been
using environmentally friendly, organic methods for control.
FINE-FEATHERED FARMING Creative solutions to feeding the world
Combination of HYTs and technology resulted in success:
• 1000% increase in global food production
• 20% reduction in famine
• Gains come with trade-offs
TERMS TO KNOW: Organic agriculture Green revolution Eutrophication Food miles
The 1940s–1960s Green Revolution was an effort to eliminate hunger by improving crop performance through use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, modern irrigation and equipment, as well as high-yield varieties (HYTs) of crops.
The 1940s–1960s Green Revolution was an effort to eliminate hunger by improving crop performance through use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, modern irrigation and equipment, as well as high-yield varieties (HYTs) of crops.
FINE-FEATHERED FARMING Creative solutions to feeding the world
Fertilizers increased soil
productivity, but runoff
pollution often results in the
death of many aquatic
organisms and systems.
TERMS TO KNOW: Organic agriculture Green revolution Eutrophication Food miles
TERMS TO KNOW: Organic agriculture Green revolution Eutrophication Food miles
FINE-FEATHERED FARMING Creative solutions to feeding the world
Fertilizers help crops grow where
they wouldn’t otherwise but lead
to chemical dependence to enrich
nutrient-depleted soil.
The 1940s–1960s Green Revolution was an effort to eliminate hunger by improving crop performance through use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, modern irrigation and equipment, as well as high-yield varieties (HYTs) of crops.
FINE-FEATHERED FARMING Creative solutions to feeding the world
TERMS TO KNOW: Organic agriculture Green revolution Eutrophication Food miles
Use of pesticides create toxicity threats to human and ecosystem health, while the pests themselves can become resistant.
Greg Massa, right, with rice plants
The natural world holds answers to some
environmental problems
Alternatives from around the world Looking back to ancestral methods—ducks in rice paddies
Problems to overcome 1. Adult ducks eat seeds before the seeds have a chance to grow. 2. Foraging ducks trample young seedlings, leaving patches of
water that are attractive to more ducks.
Ducklings (rather than adult ducks) don’t come with these problems. They are too small to cause much damage, can’t take seeds from the mud, and love to eat bugs and azolla.
Self-regulating,
multiple-
species system
naturally
meeting the
needs of a farm
ecosystem.
The natural world holds answers to some
environmental problems
Alternatives from around the world Looking back to ancestral methods – ducks in rice paddies.
Problems to overcome 1. Adult ducks eat seeds before the seeds have a chance to grow. 2. Foraging ducks trample young seedlings, leaving patches of
water that are attractive to more ducks.
Ducklings (rather than adult ducks) don’t come with these problems. They are too small to cause much damage, can’t take seeds from the mud, and love to eat bugs and azolla.
Self-regulating,
multiple-
species system
naturally
meeting the
needs of a farm
ecosystem.
The natural world holds answers to some
environmental problems 18 Alternatives from around the world Looking back to ancestral methods – ducks in rice paddies.
Problems to overcome 1. Adult ducks eat seeds before the seeds have a chance to grow. 2. Foraging ducks trample young seedlings, leaving patches of
water that are attractive to more ducks.
Ducklings (rather than adult ducks) don’t come with these problems. They are too small to cause much damage, can’t take seeds from the mud, and love to eat bugs and azolla.
Self-regulating,
multiple-
species system
naturally
meeting the
needs of a farm
ecosystem.
The natural world holds answers to some
environmental problems
Alternatives from around the world Looking back to ancestral methods – ducks in rice paddies.
Problems to overcome 1. Adult ducks eat seeds before the seeds have a chance to grow. 2. Foraging ducks trample young seedlings, leaving patches of
water that are attractive to more ducks.
Ducklings (rather than adult ducks) don’t come with these problems. They are too small to cause much damage, can’t take seeds from the mud, and love to eat bugs and azolla.
Self-regulating,
multiple-
species system
naturally
meeting the
needs of a farm
ecosystem.
The natural world holds answers to some
environmental problems
In addition to the ducklings, fish can also be raised in the rice paddies. They eat the azolla and provide an additional food crop. With the integrated system, the need for pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides were all eliminated with the added bonus of a more diverse harvest.
Some industrial agricultural practices have
significant drawbacks
TERMS TO KNOW: Monoculture Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Feed conversion rates
Problems with both monoculture crop agriculture and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs)
are addressed with integrated farming.
Input for 1 pound…
Some industrial agricultural practices have
significant drawbacks
TERMS TO KNOW: Monoculture Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Feed conversion rates
Monoculture – A single variety (genetically identical individuals) of a single crop is planted over a large land area.
Easier to plant, maintain, and harvest Easier mass production Bountiful harvest
Heavy contribution to global warming Reduction of carbon sequestration (storage)
by natural vegetation Greenhouse gases from fertilizer
Crops chosen based on highest market demand and value
Heavy dependence on external inputs (water, pesticides, fertilizers)
Soil compaction from machinery Soil erosion and salinization
Some industrial agricultural practices have
significant drawbacks
TERMS TO KNOW: Monoculture Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Feed conversion rates
Monoculture – A single variety (genetically identical individuals) of a single crop is planted over a large land area.
Easier to plant, maintain, and harvest Easier mass production Bountiful harvest
Heavy contribution to global warming Reduction of carbon sequestration (storage)
by natural vegetation Greenhouse gases from fertilizer
Crops chosen based on highest market demand and value – not ecosystem
Heavy dependence on external inputs (water, pesticides, fertilizers)
Soil compaction from machinery Soil erosion and salinization
Some industrial agricultural practices have
significant drawbacks
TERMS TO KNOW: Monoculture Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Feed conversion rates
CAFOs – Livestock is raised in a confined space with the focus on growing as many animals as possible in a small space.
Highly productive Minimize use of land Easy to harvest concentrated manure High contribution to global warming
Food for animals instead of for humans High food conversion rate for animals—
need for more water and fossil fuels More saturated fat and lower levels of
omega-3 fatty acids
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3_A1cg1fvQ
Some industrial agricultural practices have
significant drawbacks
TERMS TO KNOW: Monoculture Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Feed conversion rates
CAFOs – Livestock is raised in a confined space with the focus on growing as many animals as possible in a small space.
Highly productive Minimize use of land Easy to harvest concentrated manure High contribution to global warming
Food for animals instead of for humans High food conversion rate for animals—
need for more water and fossil fuels More saturated fat and lower levels of
omega-3 fatty acids
Some industrial agricultural practices have
significant drawbacks
TERMS TO KNOW: Monoculture Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Feed conversion rates
Input for 1 pound…
Feed conversion rates – How quickly and efficiently an animal converts the food it eats into the body
mass that we eat. High conversion rates mean that a lot of input is required—grain, water, and fossil fuels
to produce feed.
Some industrial agricultural practices have
significant drawbacks
TERMS TO KNOW: Monoculture Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Feed conversion rates
Cows that are grass fed using rotational grazing are raised with methods closer to traditional
ecological systems than conventional farming. Grass-fed animals represent a net gain for the
human food supply—they can convert land unsuitable for human crops into quality protein.
Sustainable agriculture techniques can keep farm
productivity high
Traditional, non-industrial farming methods from around the world help protect the soil and keep productivity high without using synthetic fertilizers. Success can be measured not only by crop yield, but also by the richness and diversity of the entire farm habitat.
Sustainable agriculture techniques can keep farm
productivity high
Traditional, non-industrial farming methods from around the world help protect the soil and keep productivity high without using synthetic fertilizers. Success can be measured not only by crop yield, but also by the richness and diversity of the entire farm habitat.
Contour farming – crops planted parallel to the slope of the land reduce soil erosion
Sustainable agriculture techniques can keep farm
productivity high
Traditional, non-industrial farming methods from around the world help protect the soil and keep productivity high without using synthetic fertilizers. Success can be measured not only by crop yield, but also by the richness and diversity of the entire farm habitat.
Reduced tillage – limited tilling reduces soil erosion, water evaporation, and the amount of tractor use needed.
Sustainable agriculture techniques can keep farm
productivity high
Traditional, non-industrial farming methods from around the world help protect the soil and keep productivity high without using synthetic fertilizers. Success can be measured not only by crop yield, but also by the richness and diversity of the entire farm habitat.
Terrace farming – land on steep slopes can be leveled into steps. Erosion is reduced and flooding can be maintained when needed.
Sustainable agriculture techniques can keep farm
productivity high
Traditional, non-industrial farming methods from around the world help protect the soil and keep productivity high without using synthetic fertilizers. Success can be measured not only by crop yield, but also by the richness and diversity of the entire farm habitat.
Crop rotation – planting different crops every few years to maintain soil fertility and to keep pest levels down.
Sustainable agriculture techniques can keep farm
productivity high
Traditional, non-industrial farming methods from around the world help protect the soil and keep productivity high without using synthetic fertilizers. Success can be measured not only by crop yield, but also by the richness and diversity of the entire farm habitat.
Strip cropping – Alternating crops in strips several rows apart keeps pest populations low.
Sustainable agriculture techniques can keep farm
productivity high
Traditional, non-industrial farming methods from around the world help protect the soil and keep productivity high without using synthetic fertilizers. Success can be measured not only by crop yield, but also by the richness and diversity of the entire farm habitat.
Cover crops protect the field during the off- season to hold soil in place and to improve the soil with nitrogen fixing plants.
Sustainable agriculture techniques can keep farm
productivity high
Sustainable agriculture means depending on farming methods that can be used indefinitely.
Water reclamation system Trees as natural windbreaks and erosion control Nesting boxes for birds and bats
Buying locally produced food contributes to overall sustainability.
Local economies are supported—fresher and healthier food becomes available, and the ecological footprint becomes smaller.
Sustainable agriculture techniques can keep farm
productivity high
Sustainable agriculture means depending on farming methods that can be used indefinitely.
Water reclamation system Trees as natural windbreaks and erosion control Nesting boxes for birds and bats
Buying locally produced food contributes to overall sustainability.
Local economies are supported—fresher and healthier food becomes available, and the ecological footprint becomes smaller.
(farmer and environment)
Sustainable agriculture techniques can keep farm
productivity high
Sustainable agriculture means depending on farming methods that can be used indefinitely. Water reclamation system Trees as natural windbreaks and erosion control Nesting boxes for birds and bats
Buying locally produced food contributes to overall sustainability.
Local economies are supported - fresher and healthier food becomes available, and the ecological footprint becomes smaller.
(consumer)
Genetically modified crops may help feed the world
TERMS TO KNOW: Green revolution 2.0 Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) Transgenic organism
Genetically engineering food may offer part of the solution for food availability on an overcrowded planet.
Manipulating genes makes it possible to grow crops on marginal land, drought-stricken areas, or on land that has become overly treated by fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH3WArl8SSg
Genetically modified crops may help feed the world
TERMS TO KNOW: Green revolution 2.0 Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) Transgenic organism
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms that have had their genetic information modified—often for greater resistance to pests or drought. Some GMOs have been modified in such a way as to bring desperately needed vitamin A (in the form of beta carotene) to developing countries.
Genetically modified crops may help feed the world
TERMS TO KNOW: Green revolution 2.0 Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) Transgenic organism
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms that have had their genetic information modified—often for greater resistance to pests or drought. Some GMOs have been modified in such a way as to bring desperately needed vitamin A (in the form of beta carotene) to developing countries.
Genetically modified crops may help feed the world
TERMS TO KNOW: Green revolution 2.0 Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) Transgenic organism
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms that have had their genetic information modified—often for greater resistance to pests or drought. Some GMOs have been modified in such a way as to bring desperately needed vitamin A (in the form of beta carotene) to developing countries.
Genetically modified crops may help feed the world
TERMS TO KNOW: Green revolution 2.0 Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) Transgenic organism
In the United States, more than 75% of processed food contains GMOs.
Elsewhere in the world, consumers have been very assertive about keeping GMO food off their shelves.
Risks: Allergies, transferring pest-resistant genes to other plants, including weeds
Genetically modified crops may help feed the world
TERMS TO KNOW: Green revolution 2.0 Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) Transgenic organism
So far, 16 weed species have acquired a gene for herbicide tolerance—“super weeds.”
GMO plants stimulate thought, strong opinions, and anger as we continue seeking ways to grow more and more food for a growing population in a changing climate.
http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/fbnmj1/monsanto---seed-patent-laws (after)
Genetically modified crops may help feed the world
MAKING CONNECTIONS 18
