© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. M4/1/13; F3/23/12 Agriculture in MDCs (Ch – pp )

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Intro –6 major types of agriculture in MDCs –Each grown in distinctive regions –Mostly based on climate

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. 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

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Corn (Maize) Production Figure 10-15

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. 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

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Milk Production Figure 10-17

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. 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

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Wheat Production Figure 10-19

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. IV. Livestock ranching –Requires lots of land –Practiced in marginal environments –Beginning in 19 th 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

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Meat Production Figure 10-21

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. 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

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. 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