© 2011 pearson education, inc. m4/1/13; f3/23/12 agriculture in mdcs (ch. 10.3 – pp. 322-329)

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.

M4/1/13; F3/23/12

Agriculture in MDCs

(Ch. 10.3 – pp. 322-329)


Intro

– 6 major types of agriculture in MDCs– Each grown in distinctive regions– Mostly based on climate


I. Mixed Crop and Livestock Farming

– most common in U.S. midwest & Central Europe• b/w Appalachian and Rocky Mtns.

– most of land is devoted to crops• crops used mostly for livestock, • little for human consumption

– although used in some food products – oil, margarine, corn syrup, etc.

• corn most common crop

– most profits derive from the livestock– use crop rotation to maintain nutrients

• switch from 2 to 3 to 4-field system historically


Corn (Maize) Production

Figure 10-15


II. Dairy Farming

– Done more in MDCs• Dairy products relatively expensive

– Regional distribution based on milkshed• Milkshed = area in which dairy can be shipped safely• traditionally near urban areas• Pasteurization & other technologies also helped

– Increasingly more from LDCs – esp. India, China & Pakistan

– Two primary challenges• Labor-intensive• Expense of winter feed


Milk Production

Figure 10-17


III. Grain Farming

– The largest commercial producer of grain = USA• Mechanization greatly helped commercial nature of grain• McCormick reaper (1830s), combine, tractor

– Most common crops: wheat, corn, oats, barley, rice & millet

– Most grain farming in US & MDCs is commercial– Grain farming in LDCs in subsistence

• Often used for other products: alcohol, bread, pasta, cereal, etc.

– Two seasons: • 1. winter-wheat – harvest in beginning of summer• 2. spring-wheat – harvest in late summer


Wheat Production

Figure 10-19


IV. Livestock ranching

– Requires lots of land– Practiced in marginal environments– Beginning in 19th century, moved to stockyards (RR’s) for

delivery to east coast of U.S.• Kansas was usual destination• Chicago was major slaughterhouse area (The Jungle)

– Range wars b/w farmers & ranchers– Similar patterns throughout world


Meat Production

Figure 10-21


V. Mediterranean Agriculture

– perfect climate for certain crops• wine, olives, grapes, dates, etc.

– Mediterranean seacoast – • N. Africa, S. Europe, SW Asia (aka Mideast)

– Similar climates• California, SW Africa, SW Australia

– also use horticulture• fruits, vegetable, flowers


VI. Commercial Gardening and Fruit Farming

– Truck farms – exchange of commodities (not modern trucks)

– Most common in SE U.S.• Lots of fresh produce• Relative proximity to NE markets

© 2011 pearson education, inc. m4/1/13; f3/23/12 agriculture in mdcs (ch. 10.3 – pp. 322-329)

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