U.S. and World U.S. and World AgricultureAgriculture

What makes U.S. agriculture so productive? Some key elements:

1. High quality __________ resource• 450 million arable acres • 200 million in crop production

2. Favorable __________ photosynthesis

3. ______________—quality and quantity

4. Reliable, economical _____________

5. Effective research & __________________

6. Good ____________________

7. Productive _________________

U.S. Agriculture—2003 Top valued U.S. Agriculture—2003 Top valued products (Total=$211.6 billion)products (Total=$211.6 billion)

1. Cattle and calves (beef) 21.3 %

2. Dairy products 10.0 %

3. Corn 8.7 %

4. Soybeans 7.5 %5. Broilers (chickens) 7.2 %

US - Top 5 agriculture commodities, 2005

  Value of receipts

thousand $

Percent of UStotal value

1. Cattle and calves

49,208,683 20.6

2. Dairy products

26,737,882 11.2

3. Broilers 20,901,934 8.7

4. Corn 19,124,879 8.0

5. Soybeans 16,792,696 7.0

US - Top 5 agriculture US - Top 5 agriculture commodities, 2006commodities, 2006

  Value of receiptsthousand $

Percent of UStotal value

1. Cattle and calves 49,148,366 20.5

2. Dairy products 23,421,987 9.8

3. Corn 21,716,106 9.1

4. Broilers 18,851,949 7.9

5. Soybeans 16,920,732 7.1

US - Top 5 agriculture exports, estimates, FY 2005

 Valuemillion $

1. Soybeans and products 8,843.4

2. Feed grains and products

6,944.7

3. Other 6,922.2

4. Wheat and products 5,866.8

5. Vegetables and preparations

5,606.1

Overall rank62,369.4

 

Top 5 agriculture exports, estimates, Top 5 agriculture exports, estimates, FY 2006FY 2006

 Value

million $

1. Other 9,955.3

2. Feed grains and products 8,689.8

3. Soybeans and products 8,296.1

4. Wheat and products 6,187.4

5. Live animals and meat 5,841.9

ILLINOIS - Top 5 agriculture commodities, 2005

  Value of receiptsthousand $

Percent of state total

farm receipts

Percent of US value

1. Corn 3,563,646 40.3 18.6

2. Soybeans 2,645,691 29.9 15.8

3. Hogs 977,692 11.1 6.5

4. Cattle and calves

602,610 6.8 1.2

5. Greenhouse/nursery

298,647 3.4 1.8

 

All commodities 8,846,896   3.7

ILLINOIS - Top 5 agriculture commodities, 2006

Value of receiptsthousand $

Percent of state totalfarm receipts

Percent of US value

1. Corn 3,594,141 41.6 16.6

2. Soybeans 2,509,651 29.1 14.8

3. Hogs 803,417 9.3 5.7

4. Cattle and calves 595,751 6.9 1.2

5. Greenhouse/nursery 304,986 3.5 1.8

ILLINOIS - Top 5 agriculture exports, estimates, FY 2005

 Rank among

statesValuemillion $

1. Soybeans and products

2 1,272.6

2. Feed grains and products

2 971.0

3. Other 4 344.6

4. Live animals and meat

3 327.3

5. Wheat and products

14 149.1

Overall rank 4 3,282.1

 

Top 5 agriculture exports, Top 5 agriculture exports, estimates, FY 2006estimates, FY 2006

 Rank among

statesValue

million $

1. Feed grains and products 2 1,378.8

2. Soybeans and products 2 1,255.3

3. Other 4 448.1

4. Live animals and meat 5 365.9

5. Wheat and products 18 122.3

http://www.ers.usda.gov/StateFacts/IL.htm

U.S. Agriculture—2004 Top valued U.S. Agriculture—2004 Top valued exportexport products (Total=$62.3 Billion) products (Total=$62.3 Billion)

Product% of Total Ag Exports

1. Soybeans and products 14.5%2. Feed grains and products 13.0%

3. Wheat and products 10.6%

4. Vegetables 8.3%

U.S. agriculture—Leading statesU.S. agriculture—Leading statesBased on 2005 ProductionBased on 2005 Production

________: Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Minn., Indiana

________ : Illinois, Iowa, Minn., Indiana, Nebraska

U.S. agriculture—Leading statesU.S. agriculture—Leading statesBased on 2005 ProductionBased on 2005 Production

Wheat: Kansas, ND, Mont, Wash., SD

______: Iowa, N. Carolina, Minn., Illinois, Indiana

U.S. agriculture—Leading statesU.S. agriculture—Leading statesBased on 2005 ProductionBased on 2005 Production

Dairy Cows: Calif., Wis., NY, Penn., IdahoDairy Cows: Calif., Wis., NY, Penn., Idaho

Beef Cattle: Texas, Kansas, Neb., Calif, OK Beef Cattle: Texas, Kansas, Neb., Calif, OK

Sheep: TX, CA, WY, S. Dakota, ColoradoSheep: TX, CA, WY, S. Dakota, Colorado

U.S. agriculture—Leading statesU.S. agriculture—Leading statesBased on 2005 ProductionBased on 2005 Production

Eggs: Iowa, Ohio, Penn., Calif. Eggs: Iowa, Ohio, Penn., Calif.

Broilers: Georgia, Ark., Alabama, Broilers: Georgia, Ark., Alabama, NC, Miss. NC, Miss.

World Agriculture LeadersWorld Agriculture LeadersProductProduct Contribution to Contribution to

Total Food Total Food Demand (%)Demand (%)

____________ 3030

WheatWheat 1818

CornCorn 1313

CassavaCassava 1212

Notice: These four crops account for nearly 75% of world food demand.

World Agriculture LeadersWorld Agriculture Leaders

Rice: “___________________” Leading Producers (2005)

1. ______2. India3. Bangladesh4. Vietnam

Facts about RiceFacts about Rice

In low income Asian countries, rice provides more than 50% of caloric intake

________ people rely on rice as their food staple than any other crop

Most rice is consumed in the country where it is produced

RiceRice Native to both Asia and Africa but has Native to both Asia and Africa but has

been cultivated in Asia much longer been cultivated in Asia much longer (7,500 years vs. 3,500 years)(7,500 years vs. 3,500 years)

________________________crop, although ________________________crop, although fully mechanized in the U.S.fully mechanized in the U.S.

Requires a lot of waterRequires a lot of water– Can be grown in paddies but will also grow Can be grown in paddies but will also grow

as __________________cropas __________________crop– Flooded paddies provide ______ controlFlooded paddies provide ______ control

Labor intensive: Rice seedlings harvested for re-planting in paddies.

Terraced rice fields in China

Rice and PoliticsRice and Politics Japan

– Rice is considered their staple food and demanded “_____________________”. It was illegal to import rice into Japan—until severe drought reduced harvest in 1993.

Side note: agriculture is a highly _________ industry in many countries because no one wants to depend on another country for their food. Have you ever been hungry?

Rice and PoliticsRice and Politics Japan

– Government buys rice from farmers at about 10X world price.

– Government then ___________________ consumers—but they still pay about 4X world price.

– Policy keeps land in rice farms even though it would be highly valued for homes

Rice, Vietnam and PoliticsRice, Vietnam and Politics

Leading rice exporters are Thailand, Vietnam, and U.S.…

Remember, leading producers are 1. China2. India3. Bangladesh4. Vietnam

Rice, Vietnam and Rice, Vietnam and PoliticsPolitics

Vietnamese communist government imposed __________ controls on rice so it would be cheap for consumers

Country suffered severe rice shortages

Rice, Vietnam and PoliticsRice, Vietnam and Politics

In 1988, price controls were lifted and production soared

Vietnam is now #4 leading producer and #2 exporting country in the world—important lesson about markets and prices.

Some concerns about rice…Some concerns about rice…

Stagnation of yields Limited opportunity for

_______________ acreage _______________ of water supplies Genetic uniformity disease

susceptibility Relatively _____ nutritive value (low

in calcium, iron and B-vitamins)

Rice ControversyRice Controversy Scientists developed

____________________ (1992-2000); genetically modified to produce beta carotene, the precursor to vitamin A, to fight/reduce blindness.

Controversy– Whether the amount of beta carotene

would be enough to matter– Whether genetically modified foods are

desirable.

Golden RiceGolden Rice Goal of helping children who suffer from Goal of helping children who suffer from

__________________ deficiency (VAD). __________________ deficiency (VAD).

At the beginning of the 21st century, 124 At the beginning of the 21st century, 124 million people, in 118 countries in Africa million people, in 118 countries in Africa and South East Asia, were estimated to be and South East Asia, were estimated to be affected by VAD. affected by VAD.

VAD is responsible for 1-2 million deaths VAD is responsible for 1-2 million deaths and 500,000 cases of irreversible and 500,000 cases of irreversible blindness annually.blindness annually.

Golden RiceGolden Rice Children and pregnant women are at Children and pregnant women are at

highest ________. highest ________.

Vitamin A is supplemented orally and Vitamin A is supplemented orally and by injection in areas where the diet is by injection in areas where the diet is deficient in Vitamin A.deficient in Vitamin A.

Golden RiceGolden Rice

Most children with VAD are in areas Most children with VAD are in areas where rice is the staple foodwhere rice is the staple food

Golden rice seen as a simple and less Golden rice seen as a simple and less expensive alternative to vitamin expensive alternative to vitamin supplements or an increase in the supplements or an increase in the consumption of green vegetables or consumption of green vegetables or animal products.animal products.

Golden RiceGolden Rice

Golden rice can be considered as the Golden rice can be considered as the genetically engineered equivalent of genetically engineered equivalent of fluoridated water or or iodized salt. .

Golden RiceGolden Rice

Golden Rice 2 developed in 2005 by Golden Rice 2 developed in 2005 by SyngentaSyngenta

23 times more Vitamin A precursors than 23 times more Vitamin A precursors than Golden riceGolden rice

144 grams per day of Golden Rice 2 144 grams per day of Golden Rice 2 estimated to meet the Vitamin A estimated to meet the Vitamin A requirementrequirement

Research suggests that field grown Golden Research suggests that field grown Golden Rice produces 3-4 times the Vitamin A Rice produces 3-4 times the Vitamin A precursors as greenhouse riceprecursors as greenhouse rice

Golden RiceGolden Rice

Although golden rice was developed Although golden rice was developed as a humanitarian tool, it has met as a humanitarian tool, it has met with significant with significant _______________________ from _______________________ from environmental and anti-globalization environmental and anti-globalization activists. activists.

Neither variety is currently available Neither variety is currently available for human ___________________for human ___________________

World Agriculture LeadersWorld Agriculture Leaders Wheat Wheat Leading producers Leading producers (2003)(2003)

1.1. ChinaChina

2.2. IndiaIndia

3.3. U.S.U.S.

4.4. RussiaRussia

Facts about wheatFacts about wheat

Grown on _________ acresGrown on _________ acres (land) than (land) than any other cropany other crop

Originated in Asia (the Fertile Crescent)Originated in Asia (the Fertile Crescent)

Considered to be the Considered to be the ____________________________ grain____________________________ grain

Facts about wheatFacts about wheat

Grain makes flour for bread, pastries Grain makes flour for bread, pastries and pastaand pasta

Plant can be used as ___________ for Plant can be used as ___________ for livestocklivestock

Stalks can be used for livestock fodder Stalks can be used for livestock fodder or construction materialor construction material– Also as a biofuel stockAlso as a biofuel stock

Facts about wheatFacts about wheat

Grows well in temperate regionsGrows well in temperate regions

Fairly short ____________________Fairly short ____________________

Generally requires supplemental Generally requires supplemental nitrogen ______________, especially to nitrogen ______________, especially to achieve good yieldsachieve good yields

Facts about wheatFacts about wheat

Europeans fertilize wheat much more Europeans fertilize wheat much more than we do in the U.S.than we do in the U.S.

Water quality concerns with nitrate Water quality concerns with nitrate ____________________________________

World Agriculture World Agriculture LeadersLeaders

Corn (maize)Corn (maize) Leading producersLeading producers

in 2005 in 2005

1.1. U.S. U.S.

2.2. ChinaChina

3.3. BrazilBrazil

4.4. MexicoMexico

Facts about cornFacts about corn

Originated in Mexico/Central America

Grown in ______ countries than any other crop

Produces _______ tons of food than any other crop

Facts about cornFacts about corn Several types of corn…

1. Dent corn (for processing or animal feed)2. Sweet corn (direct human consumption)3. Popcorn4. Flint (Indian) corn (for processing)5. Flour corn (“food grade” corn for making flour

for human consumption)6. Broom corn (minor crop; for making brooms)7. Silage corn—especially grown as livestock feed

by harvesting entire plant

Facts about corn…Facts about corn…

____________ corn____________ corn– High lysineHigh lysine– High oilHigh oil– High starchHigh starch– Waxy cornWaxy corn– These specialty corns are generally These specialty corns are generally

grown for specific purposes—feed, food grown for specific purposes—feed, food or ______________________ uses.or ______________________ uses.

Facts about cornFacts about corn ____ agricultural commodity in Illinois Large percentage of production is

used for __________________(55% of U.S. crop in 2005/06)

New Holland 6-row Silage Chopper;

515 HP; $325,000.

Facts about corn…Facts about corn…

Growing percentage of production is used for industrial uses (_________ consumed about 14.5% of the 2005/06 U.S. crop and is projected to expand further)

Requires supplemental _________ In virtually every U.S. ___________

(High Fructose Corn Syrup)

Corn ControversiesCorn Controversies

Biotechnology: Roundup-Ready and Biotechnology: Roundup-Ready and Bt-corn. Is biotech safe? Do you Bt-corn. Is biotech safe? Do you remember “Star Link?”remember “Star Link?”

Should we be converting a primarily Should we be converting a primarily food and feed crop into fuel when food and feed crop into fuel when there are people starving in the there are people starving in the world?world?

World Agriculture LeadersWorld Agriculture Leaders

_________________Leading Producers

1. Nigeria2. Brazil3. Thailand4. Indonesia5. Congo

CassavaCassava Originated in South America

Usually called ____________ in Africa

Can consume both ______ and ________

Rootstock produces what we call ______

Plant root is poisonous prior to processing/cooking—precursors to cyanide

CassavaCassava Highest producer of CHO

per acre among staple crops

Easy to grow “____________________________________”

Also called “_______________________________________”—looks like a sweet potato

CassavaCassava Rootstock will store in

ground up to 2-3 years Will grow in very ________

soils Tolerates _________ Important staple crop in

Africa

CassavaCassava

High in starch (energy) High in starch (energy) Low in proteinLow in protein Leaves have higher protein content.Leaves have higher protein content. Can also be used as a livestock feedCan also be used as a livestock feed

CassavaCassava

Mealybugs and green mites posed Mealybugs and green mites posed serious threat to production in Africaserious threat to production in Africa—up to 80% losses—up to 80% losses

Introduced two insects from South Introduced two insects from South America that effectively controlled America that effectively controlled these pests these pests a good example of a good example of __________________________________________________________

World Agriculture LeadersWorld Agriculture Leaders

Soybeans1. U.S.2. Brazil3. Argentina4. China5. India

Facts about soybeans…Facts about soybeans… Originated in southeast

Asia Soybeans are a

_______________. This means they can “fix” atmospheric nitrogen because of a symbiotic relationship with certain bacteria known as rhizobia that live in nodules on the roots of the plant.

Soybeans…Soybeans…

Soybeans (and other legumes) are generally high in protein as compared to feed and food grains like corn and wheat

Considered a source of “__________ protein” because it has all essential amino acids required by humans—important for vegetarians

Soybeans…Soybeans…

Second leading ag product in Illinois Commonly used as animal feeds

(mostly as protein meal but also as forage/hay)

Many industrial uses--________, cosmetics, resins, plastics, _______, crayons, solvents, and ________________.

SoybeansSoybeans

Widely used in human foods (soy sauce, tofu, many others) – Proven “health claim” indicates that diet

including soybeans reduces risk of heart disease

– Isoflavones—prevent cancer? Infant formulas for babies who are

lactose intolerant

Soybeans--ChallengesSoybeans--Challenges

Less foliage/plant mass than the other Less foliage/plant mass than the other grains we discussed—higher risk of grains we discussed—higher risk of __________________________________________________

New threat: Asian soybean _________New threat: Asian soybean _________– Already widespread in S. AmericaAlready widespread in S. America– Is present in southern U.S. Is present in southern U.S. – Can devastate yieldsCan devastate yields– Expensive fungicide treatment; Expensive fungicide treatment;

sometimes multiple treatments requiredsometimes multiple treatments required

SoybeansSoybeans

Rapid expansion of acreage in South Rapid expansion of acreage in South America—especially BrazilAmerica—especially Brazil– Infringing on _____________________Infringing on _____________________– Loss of biodiversityLoss of biodiversity

Biotech beans (RoundUp Ready) are Biotech beans (RoundUp Ready) are widely grown in U.S. (about 90% of widely grown in U.S. (about 90% of U.S. soybeans)U.S. soybeans)

World Agriculture LeadersWorld Agriculture Leaders

Coffee1. Brazil2. Columbia3. Ivory Coast4. Mexico

CoffeeCoffee

Originated in EthiopiaOriginated in Ethiopia Second most Second most

commonly _________ commonly _________ commodity in the commodity in the world (measured by world (measured by monetary volume; monetary volume; trailing only crude oil) trailing only crude oil)

CoffeeCoffee U.S. is world’s leading _______________ U.S. is world’s leading _______________

of coffeeof coffee Perfectly legal stimulant, caffeinePerfectly legal stimulant, caffeine Popular in Muslim world due to their Popular in Muslim world due to their

prohibition of alcoholprohibition of alcohol

CoffeeCoffee

Environmental IssuesEnvironmental Issues– Conversion of _____________ habitatConversion of _____________ habitat– Soil erosion and ___________________Soil erosion and ___________________– Chemical use & ________________Chemical use & ________________– Processing effluentsProcessing effluents

World Agriculture LeadersWorld Agriculture Leaders

Cotton1. China2. U.S.3. India4. Pakistan

CottonCotton Most widely used natural _________ Most widely used natural _________

cloth in the worldcloth in the world Fibers are strong, durable, and Fibers are strong, durable, and

absorbentabsorbent Requires ________ growing seasonRequires ________ growing season Needs plenty of sunshine and water Needs plenty of sunshine and water

but dry harvest periodbut dry harvest period

CottonCotton

Heavy fertilizer and insecticide Heavy fertilizer and insecticide requirementsrequirements– Biotech cotton is reducing Biotech cotton is reducing

_______________ needs_______________ needs

World Agriculture LeadersWorld Agriculture Leaders

Beef1. India (however, most Hindus

do not eat beef)2. Brazil3. China4. U.S.

Cattle/BeefCattle/Beef

Ruminant animalRuminant animal– Hooved animal with even number of

toes– Has four stomachs (rumen, reticulum,

omasum, and abomasum – Digests its food in two steps, first by

eating the raw material and regurgitating a semi-digested form known as a cud, then “chewing the cud”

Cattle/beefCattle/beef Two stage digestion process makes it

capable of converting low quality feedstuffs (such as hay or grass that is high in cellulose or fiber) into high quality protein source (meat)

Can utilize poor land for grazing

Cattle/beefCattle/beef

Poor conversion of grain to meat High quality but relatively expensive

source of protein

BeefBeef

U.S. cow/calf operations are numerous, U.S. cow/calf operations are numerous, small and widespreadsmall and widespread– Average size (U.S.) is 40 cowsAverage size (U.S.) is 40 cows

Feedlot industry is highly _____________ Feedlot industry is highly _____________ (Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado)(Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado)– ____________ management is concern/challenge ____________ management is concern/challenge

of large feedlotsof large feedlots– Innovation: capture ______________ to produce Innovation: capture ______________ to produce

electricityelectricity

Beef—Environmental IssuesBeef—Environmental Issues

Conversion of forest to grazing landConversion of forest to grazing land– Cattle use more pasture land than all Cattle use more pasture land than all

other domestic animals combinedother domestic animals combined ________________________ from ________________________ from

deforestation and deforestation and

over-____________over-____________

World Agriculture LeadersWorld Agriculture Leaders

Pork (Swine; Hogs; Pigs)1. China2. U.S.3. Germany4. Spain5. Brazil

SwineSwine

Can have 2+ litters per year Litter typically 8-10 piglets More efficient in converting

feedstuffs to meat than cattle—but cannot utilize low quality, fiber crops

SwineSwine

U.S. industry has become more U.S. industry has become more concentrated (_________ but ________ concentrated (_________ but ________ operations)operations)

Manure management becomes an Manure management becomes an environmental challenge due to large environmental challenge due to large quantities producedquantities produced– OdorOdor– Nutrient management (____________ and Nutrient management (____________ and

__________________)__________________)

World Agriculture LeadersWorld Agriculture Leaders

Sheep (Lamb/Mutton)Sheep (Lamb/Mutton)1.1. ChinaChina

2.2. AustraliaAustralia

3.3. New ZealandNew Zealand

4.4. IranIran

SheepSheep

Like cattle, a ruminant animal that Like cattle, a ruminant animal that can graze or utilize low quality, high can graze or utilize low quality, high fiber feedstuffsfiber feedstuffs

Produces Produces fiber crop fiber crop (wool) in addition (wool) in addition to to meatmeat (lamb or mutton) (lamb or mutton)

SheepSheep

More efficient than beef in converting More efficient than beef in converting forage to meatforage to meat

Twins are very common so they are Twins are very common so they are also more prolific than beef cattlealso more prolific than beef cattle

U.S. lamb consumption is quite low U.S. lamb consumption is quite low compared to beef or porkcompared to beef or pork

Roquefort and feta cheese are from Roquefort and feta cheese are from sheep’s milk sheep’s milk

Feed Conversion RatiosFeed Conversion Ratios

Measured as pounds of feed required Measured as pounds of feed required per pound of gainper pound of gain• Beef: about 6:1Beef: about 6:1• Sheep: about 5:1Sheep: about 5:1• Swine: about 3:1Swine: about 3:1• Poultry: about 1.7:1Poultry: about 1.7:1• Fish: about 1:1Fish: about 1:1

Some Useful Websites for Some Useful Websites for Agricultural and Environmental Agricultural and Environmental

InformationInformation

www.fao.orgwww.fao.org www.ers.usda.govwww.ers.usda.gov www.usda.gov/nasswww.usda.gov/nass www.usaid.govwww.usaid.gov www.worldbank.orgwww.worldbank.org www.epa.govwww.epa.gov www.cgiar.orgwww.cgiar.org