Agriculture overview

English II

Declining Farms

Every week 300 farmers are forced to leave there farms. This is a growing problem because there is nearly five million less farms than there were in 1930s. This is a problem with this many farms being shut down because there in no one to take the place of the preexisting farmers. The U.S. loses 3,000 acres of good quality farm land every day to development.

General Overview
Harvesting was the most labor-intensive chore and therefore the greatest challenge for inventors. Sickles and scythes were the first tools used in harvesting for small grains. 20-40 horses pulled the first combines!

 The first labor saving device invented was known as the cradle. People trained to use the cradle could (on average) harvest up to an acre a day. Obed Hussey invented the reaper in 1833.

The first combine was invented in 1834, but wasnt perfected until the 1880s.

 The 1890s saw the more frequent use of steampowered combines that weighed over 40,000 lbs. People agreed lighter materials and alternative fuels should be used in the future.

Craddle

 The tractor was the only innovation in farming that would replace horses. Its enormous impact, however, didnt come until after the 1930s. A tractor would save labor, but unless it could replace horses and mules, it would not be very cost effective.

The only profitable uses for these tractors were for plowing, threshing, or pulling combines.

 In 1900 most farms raised farms 98% had chickens, 82% grew corn for grain products, 80% had at least one milk cow, and a like percentage had pigs. Folks in this time period were self sufficient.

The numbers f farms have declined from the 1950s to present.

Cost of Equipment
It includes not only the initial purchase price, but several other variables. They include fuel, lubrication, and repair costs (given in per hour form). Fuel costs are calculated by engine horsepower. For our example, we will be using a 180 horsepower diesel tractor.

Cost of Equipment

Lubrication costs are a percentage of fuel costs. Repair costs are calculated using a table. For our tractor, the average repair cost is 6.25 per hour. Previous years rates are adjusted for inflation.

The Cost of Equipment

Year 1995 2000 2005 2010 2012 Fuel L $4.73 6.18 9.96 12.39 16.12
Lubrication

Repair $ 4.37 4.90 5.55 6.25 6.25

Total Cost $ 9.81 12.01 17.01 20.50 24.80

$ 0.71 0.93 1.50 1.86 2.42

Average farm size in Kentucky

166 164 162 160 158 156 154 152 150 148 146 1997002007 2 2

In 1997 farm size 153 acres per farm In 2002 farm size 160 acres per farm In 2007 farm size 164 acres per farm

Acres
Column 1 Column 2

Fencing cost
164 Acres is average farm size
Barb Wire Fence $36,000 (high maintenance) High Tensile Fence $90,000 (low maintenance)

Top agriculture commodities For 2010

Broiler (young chickens)

Horses & Mules Cattle and Calves http://www.ers.usda.gov /StateFacts/KY.htm

Chicken cost
Dual Purpose Chickens are used for meat and egg production. Chickens are used for egg production till they quit laying eggs and then are used for meat purposes. Average cost per roster is $2.60 depending on breed

Average cost per hen is $3.75-$4.65

http://www.strombergschi ckens.com/prod_detail_list /dual-purpose-chickens

Cattle cost
Average Bull cost ranges from $500-$800.

Average young Heifer ranges from $500-$650.

Average herd size is about 15-20 head Start up cost would be about $8,000-$10,550 One bull and 15 heifers

Horse cost

Average horse cost is $2,000-$12,500 http://www.kyhorseprop erties.com/blog/

Videos

http://www.youtube.com /watch?v=aUQu7SCe_xM &feature=related

http://www.youtube.com /watch?v=tJpxaWR2J-c

Soucres

"US & World Population Clock." Census Bureau Homepage. U.S. Census Bureau, 03 Feb. 2012. Web. 03 Feb. 2012. http://www.census.gov/population/www/popclockus.html. Van Der Heyden, Johan. "GeoHive - Current World Population." GeoHive - Population Statistics. Geo Hive. Web. 03 Feb. 2012. <http://www.geohive.com/earth/population1.aspx>. "Kentucky Fact Sheet: KY Agricultureincomepopulationfoodeducationemploymentunemploymentfederal Fundsfarmstop Commoditiesexportscountiesfinancial Indicatorspovertyfood Securityfarm IncomeRuralNonmetroUrbanMetropolitanAmericaUSDAorganicCensus of Agriculture." USDA Economic Research Service - Home Page. Economic Research Service, USDA, Washington, DC, 02 Jan. 2012. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://www.ers.usda.gov/StateFacts/KY.htm>. Michael J. Buschermohle, James B. Wills, W. Warren Gill, Professor, Clyde D. Lane, University of Tennessee. Planning and Building Fences on the Farm. January 2, 2012. PDF file. Buschermohle,, Michael J., James B. Wills, W. Warren Gill, and Clyde D. Lane. "Planning and Building Fences on the Farm." University of Tennessee. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <https://utextension.tennessee.edu/publications/documents/pb1541.pdf>. Tractor Supply Company. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <http://www.tractorsupply.com/>.

Sources
"Acreage Calculator." CSGNetwork.com Free Information Calculators, Converters, Apps and Source Code. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. <http://www.csgnetwork.com/lawnacrecalc.html>. "Meat and Egg Chickens, Chickens, Chicks, Chickens for Sale, Dual Purpose Chickens | Dual Purpose Birds | Chicks and Game Birds from Stromberg's |." Baby Chicks, Poultry Supplies, Incubators, Brooders at Stromberg's. Stromberg's Chickens & Game Birds, 2011. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.strombergschickens.com/prod_detail_list/dualpurpose-chickens>. "State Fact Sheets: Kentucky." Kentucky Fact Sheet: KY Agricultureincomepopulationfoodeducationemploymentunemployme ntfederal Fundsfarmstop Commoditiesexportscountiesfinancial Indicatorspovertyfood Securityfarm IncomeRuralNonmetroUrbanMetropolitanAmericaUSDAorganicCensu s of Agriculture. Economic Research Service, USDA, 17 Jan. 2012. Web. 22 Feb. 2012. <http://www.ers.usda.gov/StateFacts/KY.htm>.

Sources

Miller, Catherine. "Sale-topper Freddie Set $8000 Milestone." Sale-topper Freddie Set $8000 Milestone (2012). - State News. Stock Journal, 16 Feb. 2012. Web. 22 Feb. 2012. <http://sj.farmonline.com.au/news/state/livestock/cattl e/saletopper-freddie-set-8000milestone/2458168.aspx>.
"South Eastern Livestock." Web log post. Heifer Cow. 22 Aug. 2010. Web. 22 Feb. 2012. <http://www.southeasternlivestock.com/heifer-cow/>.

Sources
Cleere, Jason. "Buying vs. Raising Replacement Heifers." Beef Cattle, Beef Cattle Health, Welfare, Diseases, Beef Cattle News, Articles, Photos of Beef Cattle, Beef Cattle Photo. Jan. 2006. Web. 07 Mar. 2012. <http://www.thebeefsite.com/articles/862/buying-vsraising-replacement-heifers>. "Lee." Horsefinders.com. Web. 07 Mar. 2012. <http://www.horsefinders.com/horse-for-sale-Quarter%20Horse-inCA_76989_12.html>. Ganzel, Bill. "Shrinking Farm Numbers during the 1950s and 60s." The Wessels Living History Farm, the Story of Agricultural Innovation. 2007. Web. 16 Mar. 2012. <http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe50s/life_11.html>. "Sustainable Family Farming." Family Farms, Why Family Farms Important. Web. 22 Mar. 2012. <http://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/familyfarms/>.

 Ganzel, Bill. "Shrinking Farm Numbers during the 1950s and 60s." The Wessels Living History Farm, the Story of Agricultural Innovation. 2007. Web. 16 Mar. 2012. <http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe50s/life_ 11.html>.