Modern Agriculture

1. Modern Agriculture Jillian Beaty Agriculture Education Instructor

2. Credentials • Agriculture Education- The Ohio State University • HS Agriculture Education Instructor, 13 years • National Finalist Excellence in Agriculture, 2012 • National Finalist Discussion Meet, 2008 • Secretary, Rock County Farm Bureau • FFA Alumni Member • Grew up on a 500 acre Dairy Farm

3. Why Technology? Why Change?

4. Why Change in Agriculture?

5. Why Should You Care? • We are all consumers of food, fiber and fuel. • We all have a voice in shaping policy for the future.

6. Outline • Define Agriculture and Sustainability • Determine the social sustainability of modern agriculture • Determine the economic sustainability of modern agriculture • Technology in Modern Agriculture • Determine the environmental sustainability of modern agriculture

7. Define Agriculture: • Agriculture is the science of growing crops and raising animals to meet the food, fiber, fuel, and other needs of humans. It includes many areas, such as soil conservation, pest management, and mechanics. -www.mycaert.com

8. Sustainable Agriculture Defined • The term ''sustainable agriculture'' (U.S. Code Title 7, Section 3103) means an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will over the long-term: • Satisfy human food and fiber needs. • Enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agriculture economy depends. • Make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls. • Sustain the economic viability of farm operations. • Enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole. • That definition is a central element of the legislation of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program of NIFA. USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

9. Sustainable Agriculture • In simpler terms: • Meeting consumer demands for food, fiber and fuel • Conserving and enhance natural resources • Maintain farm profitability for the economy and farm life

10. Social Impact • Monsanto ~ Some Food for Thought • http://www.americasfarmers.com/about/food-for-thought/

11. Social Impact • Some Food for Thought • Jobs from Agriculture- 24 million • Growing population- 9 billion by 2050 • Preserves a way of life

12. Jobs • 24 million jobs • 1 in 10 jobs in WI in agriculture

13. Growing Population • Food security • “produce more food in the next 50 years than the last 10,000” • 24,000 people die each day from hunger • This is down 40% from 20 years ago • www.msu.edu

15. Feeding the World • Norman Borlaug- improved seed technologies to increase grain production by 70% • This saved millions of peoples lives! AFBF Farm Facts

16. Family Farms • 98% of all farms are family farms • Rebout Farms- 4 families work together to maintain a way of life and make the farm viable in the future -Wisconsin Farm Bureau- Farm Facts

17. Economic Impact • Monsanto ~ Webisode 16 • http://www.monsanto.com/newsviews/Pages/video-webisode-16-growing-the-economy.aspx

18. Economic Impact • World wide market for American Agriculture products • Agriculture uses local businesses to run their business

19. Global Market • US Ag Exports- $115.8 billion • US Ag Imports- $81.9 billion • Positive trade balance of $33.9 billion dollars to America’s economy - AFBF Farm Facts

20. Local Economies • Buy supplies locally • Fertilizer, seed, fuel, feed, animals, employees • Sell products locally • Grain elevators, farm produce stands

21. Technologies in Modern Agriculture • US Farmers and Ranchers Alliance- expanded conversation

22. Technologies in Modern Agriculture • Animal Nutrition • Today’s dairy cow is 40% more feed efficient than a cow 30 years ago • Less feed, more product • Less land and water -AFBF Farm Facts

24. Technologies in Modern Agriculture • GPS Systems • Pinpoint fertilizer applications based on yields • Improved seed technologies decrease need for pesticides/ herbicides • A combine with GPS system- $435,000 base price

25. Technologies in Modern Agriculture • Nutrient Management Systems • Larson’s Acres- Sand/ bedding recycling • Reuses recycled water • Safer application of waste solids - Larson Acres

26. Technologies in Modern Agriculture • Animal Comfort • Bedding • Fans, water sprinklers • Cooling pads in barns http://www.larsonacres.com/enviro_bmp2.html Video- Larsons Acres

27. Environmental Impact • 50% decline in soil erosion since 1982 • 63% of soil is farmed with conservation tillage • More than 50% of farmers intentionally leave food and shelter for wildlife AFBF Farm Facts

28. Modern Agriculture= Sustainable • My farm- soil better than 50 years ago • Crop yield increased more than 360% since 1950 while using 15% less land • Modern agriculture continues to create high quality, affordable food for America and World AFBF Food and Farm Facts

29. Resources to Check Out • US Farmers and Ranchers Alliance • American Farm Bureau Federation • Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation • Larson’s Acres