Modern Agriculture
Jillian Beaty
Agriculture Education Instructor
Credentials
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Agriculture Education- The Ohio State University
HS Agriculture Education Instructor, 12 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
Why Technology? Why Change?
Why Change in Agriculture?
Why Should You Care?
We are all consumers
of food, fiber and
fuel.
 We all have a voice in
shaping policy for the
future.
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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
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Define Agriculture:
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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
Sustainable Agriculture Defined
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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 onfarm 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.
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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
Sustainable Agriculture
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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
Social Impact
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Monsanto ~ Some Food for Thought
Social Impact
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Some Food for Thought
– Jobs from Agriculture- 24 million
– Growing population- 9 billion by 2050
– Preserves a way of life
Jobs
24 million jobs
 1 in 10 jobs in WI in
agriculture
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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
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– www.msu.edu
Feeding the World
Norman Borlaugimproved seed
technologies to
increase grain
production by 70%
 This saved millions of
peoples lives!
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AFBF Farm Facts
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
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-Wisconsin Farm Bureau- Farm
Facts
Economic Impact
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Monsanto ~ Webisode 16
Economic Impact
World wide market for American
Agriculture products
 Agriculture uses local businesses to run
their business
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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
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- AFBF Farm Facts
Local Economies
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Buy supplies locally
– Fertilizer, seed, fuel,
feed, animals,
employees
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Sell products locally
– Grain elevators, farm
produce stands
Technologies in Modern Agriculture
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US Farmers and Ranchers Allianceexpanded conversation
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
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-AFBF Farm Facts
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
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Technologies in Modern Agriculture
Nutrient Management
Systems
 Larson’s Acres- Sand/
bedding recycling
 Reuses recycled water
 Safer application of
waste solids
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- Larson Acres
Technologies in Modern Agriculture
Animal Comfort
 Bedding
 Fans, water sprinklers
 Cooling pads in barns
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Video- Larsons Acres
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
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AFBF Farm Facts
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
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AFBF Farm Facts
Resources to Check Out
US Farmers and Ranchers Alliance
 American Farm Bureau Federation
 Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation
 Larson’s Acres
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