Agriculture Chapter 8

1st Agricultural Revolution

8000 BC: involved the DOMESTICATION of plants and animals.

The Columbian Exchange

A dramatically widespread exchange of animals, plants, culture, human populations between the Eastern and Western hemispheres (Old World and New World). Explorers returned to Europe with maize, potatoes, and tomatoes where Europe introduced the New World to domesticated animals.

Field Crop Farming (arable farming)

Arable land is ploughable land, land used for planting crops.

Intensive Subsistence Agriculture

High yield, and high population density. This is intensive meaning high input for a high yield proportion wise. Small plots of land and high labour units per land. Subsistence so used for themselves or extras to the market for example. Sometimes is the production of many crops in one field because it is subsistence.

Intensive Commercial Agriculture

The production of crops giving way to high yields and high market value per unit of land. (ex dairy and truck farms)

vegetative planting

The term refers to the method of dividing roots or cutting stems to plant certain plants

quinary

executive decision makers

collective farm

agricultural production in which the holdings of several farmers are run as a joint enterprise.[1] This type of collective is essentially an agricultural production cooperative in which member-owners engage jointly in farming activities. (CO-OP)

dry-farming

an agricultural technique for non-irrigated cultivation of drylands.

Mediterranean Agriculture

crops such as grapes, olives, oranges. Grown due to warm climate all year.

Intertillage

planting between the rows of a crop

seed planting

planting crops using seeds

Diversification

shift in agriculture to more industrial/commercial focus ex switching to a more profitable plant etc.

milkshed

since milk spoils quickly a ring of production must surround a major city; distance extended today by refrigerated trucks

Crop Rotation

the practice of growing a series of dissimilar types of crops in the same area in sequential seasons to improve/replenish soil

Ranching

the practice of raising grazing livestock such as cattle or sheep for meat or wool. The word most often applies to livestock-raising operations in the western United States and Canada (extensive commercial)

agribusiness

(extensive commercial) a commercial chain of agriculture production for example meat processing food chain (CHAIN/PROCESS)

Shifting Cultivation/Slash and Burn Agriculture

(extensive subsistence) the ROTATION of FIELDS rather than crops. Much land is required to support a few people therefore it is subsistence, this can be found in the warm, moist, low latitudes (vietnam, thailand, new guinea)

Double-Cropping

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Mixed Crop and Livestock Farming

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2nd Agricultural Revolution

1750-1850: Sprung from the Industrial Revolution it was the industrialisation of agriculture. It IMPROVED METHODS of cultivation, harvesting, and storage of farm produce.

Boserup's 5 stages of intensification

As the population increases, more labour and technology are required to meet the needs of the population. More labour required, work more to keep the same level of income, improvement in tools, investments in land improvement (ex irrigation), shapes land institutions/systems

Extractive industries

Fishing, Forestry, Mining, Minerals

primary economic activity

Beginning of the cycle is in contact with the materials harvesting or extracting something. (ex basic production, hunting and gathering, grazing, fishing, mining, forestry)

The Von Thunen Model

Crops that have both high market price and high transport costs are grown nearest to the market and are generally intensive. Less PERISHABLE crops with lower production and transport costs are grown furthe. Farmland close to the markets iss used intensively for high priced crops and divided into small units whereas farmland far from markets is extensive with large units. Closest = dairy and market gardening. Furthest= extensive grain farming/livestock. What makes this less relevant? Transport advances and preservatives/refrigeration

Urban Agriculture

Generally subsistence agriculture in asia and urban areas. Agriculture produced within cities without expense of storage and long distance transportation. Occupies city land as well as city residents (ex. thailand = 60% of metropolitan area is cultivated) A positive of this system is that it converts waste into resource, but it can also expose people to diseases through using waste as a fertilizer.

Extensive Subsistence Agriculture

Large amounts of land and minimal labour input. The difference between this and commercial is there is a low product per land unit, because only necessary commodities produced/used. (ex Nomadic Herding + Shifting Cultivation/Slash and Burn)

Extensive Commercial Agriculture

Large scale farming used for the primary purpose of profit, on less expensive land that needs to be used less intensively. There are larger farm units due to low cost. (ex large scale wheat farming and livestock ranching)

Organic Farming

Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved

Livestock Farming (pastoralism)

Pastoralism or pastoral farming is the branch of agriculture concerned with the raising of livestock. It is animal husbandry: the care, tending and use of animals such as camels, goats, cattle, yaks, llamas, and sheep. It MAY have a mobile aspect, moving the herds in search of fresh pasture and water.

Feedlot

Places where livestock are concentrated in very small area and raised on hormones and hearty grains that prepare them for slaughter at a much more rapid rate than grazing; often referred to as FACTORY FARMS

transhumance

SEASONAL move of livestock

Plantation Agriculture

The introduction of a foreign element, either a foreign work force or owned foreignly.

Nomadic Herding

Wandering but controlled movement of livestock solely dependant on natural forage. The most extensive land use, this falls under extensive subsistence agriculture. Asian desert areas, sahara etc with camels, yaks, sheeps, goats, etc. A variety of commodities are supplied by the animals.

cash crops

a crop grown primarily for profit (ex plantation crops)

Subsidies

a governmental subsidy paid to farmers and agribusinesses to supplement their income, manage the supply of agricultural commodities, and influence the cost and supply of such commodities. Keeping price of essential commodities from growing too inaffordable.

secondary economic activity

add calue to materials by changing form/combining (ex pottery, electronics, woodwork)

Dairying

branch of agriculture that encompasses the breeding, raising, and utilization of dairy animals, primarily cows, for the production of milk and the various dairy products processed from it.

tertiary economic activity

business/labour SERVICE (ex retail and trade)

Horticulture/market gardening/truck farming

farms that produce a wide range of vegetables and fruits (close to market center)

quaternary economic activity

professional services such as (information research and management)

Animal Husbandry

the agricultural practice of breeding and raising livestock.

Terracing

used in farming to cultivate sloped land. Graduated terrace steps are commonly used to farm on hilly or mountainous terrain. Terraced fields decrease erosion and surface runoff, and are effective for growing crops requiring much water, such as rice.