THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg [email protected]...

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THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg [email protected] University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012

Transcript of THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg [email protected]...

Page 1: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING?

Robert [email protected]

University of WisconsinApril 20, 2012

Page 2: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.
Page 3: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

FUNDAMENTAL DISAGREEMENTS

• Over what farms should look like

• Over the most important challenge to farming

• Over farming’s proper relationship to nature

• Over who should make decisions about food and agriculture

Page 4: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

ADVOCATES FOR CONVENTIONAL AGRICULTURE

ADVOCATES FOR ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURE

Large, specialized farms are OK.

Large, specialized farms are not OK.

WHAT FARMS SHOULD LOOK LIKE

Page 5: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

ADVOCATES FOR CONVENTIONAL AGRICULTURE

ADVOCATES FOR ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURE

Produce much more food by 2050

Preserve traditional rural livelihoods, protect biodiversity, and provide ecosystem services.

THE MOST IMPORTANT CHALLENGE TO FARMING

Page 6: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

ADVOCATES FOR CONVENTIONAL AGRICULTURE

ADVOCATES FOR ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURE

Protect nature by generating high yields, to reduce the area being cropped.

The best systems are those that imitate nature.

FARMING’S PROPER RELATIONSHIP TO NATURE

Page 7: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

ADVOCATES FOR CONVENTIONAL AGRICULTURE

ADVOCATES FOR ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURE

Governments, technical experts, and the market.

Governments, experts, and markets are not to be trusted.

WHO SHOULD MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT AGRICULTURE?

Page 8: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

THE CAMP SYMPATHETIC TO CONVENTIONAL AGRICULTURE

THE CAMP SYMPATHETIC TO ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURE

•Commercial Farmers•Agribusiness Companies•Ag Committees of Cong.•Scientists•Economists

• Environmental advocates• Social justice advocates• Anti-corporate activists• Anti-globalization activists• Cultural elites

THE OPPOSING CAMPS

Page 9: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURE DOMINATES THE CULTURAL MARKETPLACE:

Page 10: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

LOCAL FOOD: OUTCOMES IN COMMERCIAL MARKETPLACE

• Number of farmers markets in US has doubled since 1998

• Number of CSA’s has risen from 400 in 2001 to at least 4000 today

• Even so, food sales through farmers markets and CSA’s make up only 4/10 of 1% of all agricultural sales in the United States

Page 11: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

ORGANIC FOOD: OUTCOMES IN COMMERCIAL MARKETPLACE

• In 2010, only 4% of food sales organic

• Only 7% of these organic food sales took place at farmers’ markets

• 45% of organic production in just two states, with large, specialized farms

Page 12: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

Harvested Organic Cropland in 2008 was 0.51% of the US Total Cropland

Remaining US Cropland Acres,

308,010,736

Harvested Organic Cropland,

1,596,865

Page 13: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

Vegetable Crops: Relative YieldsRelative Yields for Organic Vegetables

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

Artichokes

Lettuce

Carrots

Spinach

Cabbage

Garlic

Bell Peppers

Celery

Cantaloupes

Onions

Tomatoes

Watermelon

Cauliflower

Potatoes

Broccoli

Squash

Sweet Corn

Snap Beans

Sweet Potatoes

Percent of Overall Average

100%

Page 14: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

Row Crops: Relative YieldsRelative Yields for Organic Row Crops

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Safflower

Proso Millet

Sorghum

Spring Whet

Durum Wheat

Rice

Winter Wheat

Peas, lentils etc

Soybeans

Flaxseed

Cotton

Corn

Peanuts

Dry edible beans

Oats

Rye

Canola

Percent of Overall Average

100%

Page 15: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

IS CONVENTIONAL AGRICULTURE FALTERING?

Annual Rate of Growth of TFP1970-90 1991-06

North America 1.49 1.91

Asia 1.51 2.62

Page 16: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

FARMING IN USA NO LONGER INPUT-INTENSIVE

Page 17: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

VOLUME OF FOOD PRODUCTION

+ 5 PERCENT

LAND AREA FARMED - 4 PERCENT

IRRIG. WATER USE - 9 PERCENT

EXCESS “N” USE - 17 PERCENT

PESTICIDE USE - 5 PERCENT

G. GAS EM. FROM AG

- 3 PERCENT

INCREASE IN TOTAL EN. USE IN AG

1/6 THE RATE OF INCREASE IN REST OF ECONOMY

SUSTAINABILITY GAINS FROM MODERN FARMING IN OECD COUNTRIES, 1990-2004

Page 18: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

POST-1980 EMERGENCE OF “PRECISION” CROP FARMING

• More precise irrigation techniques

• More precise fertilizer use

• Reduced pesticide use

• Reduced tillage, saving diesel fuel

Page 19: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

GPS Equipped Tractor

Page 20: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.
Page 21: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

Pre-plant Variable Rate Irrigation

Page 22: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

GIS MAPPING:INFRA-RED SATELLITE IMAGE

Page 23: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

UPTAKE OF PRECISION FARMINGOHIO, 2010

All Farms Big Farms($1 million in sales)

(50% of all sales)MOUNTED GPS

DEVICE30.2% 78.5%

YIELD MONITOR DEVICE

25.3% 79.7%

GEO-REFERENCED SOIL MAPPING

22.7% 55.8%

Page 24: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

DRIP IRRIGATION

Page 25: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

Home Made Drip Irrigation

Page 26: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

REDUCING PESTICIDE USE

• Since 1972, U.S. ban on organochlorine insecticides

• Since 1990s, variable rate application

• Since 1996 introduction of Bt corn and Bt cotton (reducing insecticide use)

• Since 1996 introduction of glyphosate-resistant soybeans (replacing herbicides that are more toxic to animals)

Page 27: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

Bt Corn: Protection Against Corn Borer

Page 28: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

2010 REPORT FROM EU COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR RESEARCH:

"The main conclusion to be drawn from the efforts of more than 130 research projects, covering a period of more than 25 years of research, and involving more than 500 independent research groups, is that biotechnology, and in particular GMOs, are not per se more risky than, for example, conventional plant breeding technologies."

Page 29: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

REDUCED TILLAGE AND CULTIVATION TO SAVE SOIL AND DIESEL FUEL

• 1980s: Machines that seed unplowed fields

• 1990s: Glyphosate-resistant crops that allow reduced mechanical cultivation

Page 30: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

Seeding Without Plowing

Page 31: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

ABSOLUTE LEVELS OF FARM PRODUCTIVITY

Production Value Per Agricultural Worker

Cereal Production per Hectare of Land

UNITED STATES$45,000 6.6 tons

THAILAND$705

3.0 tons

KENYA $350 1.6 tons

Page 32: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.
Page 33: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

LIVESTOCK FARMING:A SEPARATE ISSUE?

Page 34: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

CAFOS

Page 35: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

LIVESTOCK FARMING

CAFOs work well for:• Reducing costs to consumers• Reducing the frequency of food contamination

CAFOs work less well for:• Waste disposal• Dependence on antibiotics• Animal welfare

Page 36: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

LEGAL, POLITICAL, AND COMMERCIAL ENVIRONMENT INCREASINGLY HOSTILE TO CAFOs

• Court and FDA actions against growth promotion use of antibiotics

• State level bans on gestation crates and small cage space for hens

• Voluntary phase-outs of pork from sow crates by Hormel, Smithfield Foods, Whole Foods, Chipolte, McDonald’s

Page 37: THE CULTURE WAR OVER FOOD AND FARMING: WHO IS WINNING? Robert Paarlberg rpaarlberg@wellesley.edu University of Wisconsin April 20, 2012.

• Alternative agriculture has recently become dominant in the elite cultural marketplace.

• Conventional crop farming has given up none of its dominance in the commercial marketplace.

• Conventional livestock farming is being forced to accept new restraints from the commercial and political marketplace.

CONCLUSION:WHO IS WINNING?