 |
|
Great Plains' historical stability vulnerable to future changes
October 01, 2007Aging rural populations, reduced water for irrigation and rising fuel prices are long-term threats
A survey of long-term trends in population, farm income, and crop production in the agricultural Great Plains concludes that threats to society and the environment are counterbalanced by "surprising stability" and the potential for short- and medium-term sustainability.
The survey, published in the October 2007 issue of BioScience, finds that technological advances, such as improved crop varieties, irrigation, and fertilizer use, have greatly increased production of major crops and allowed rural populations to remain stable over the past 50 years even as metropolitan populations have soared. Rural counties with extensive irrigation have slightly increased their populations, although less-irrigated counties, which offer fewer opportunities for farm-associated work, have decreased theirs slightly. The Great Plains' population is nonetheless falling behind that of the country as a whole, and their proportion of people over 55 has grown rapidly.
The authors, William J. Parton and Dennis Ojima of Colorado State University and Myron P. Gutmann of the University of Michigan, note that the increases in crop productivity have had substantial environmental impacts, including loss of soil carbon and high nitrate runoff, especially in irrigated areas. Farms have become more dependent on government subsidies to meet the increased costs of agricultural inputs and fuel.
Plans to develop biofuels could benefit agricultural counties, but increased crop prices also threaten income from livestock production and could accelerate soil erosion while reducing soil carbon. Declining aquifers and increasing fuel costs represent another potentially worrisome trend, since both will add to the cost of irrigation.
American Institute of Biological Sciences
The authors, William J. Parton and Dennis Ojima of Colorado State University and Myron P. Gutmann of the University of Michigan, note that the increases in crop productivity have had substantial environmental impacts, including loss of soil carbon and high nitrate runoff, especially in irrigated areas. Farms have become more dependent on government subsidies to meet the increased costs of agricultural inputs and fuel.
Plans to develop biofuels could benefit agricultural counties, but increased crop prices also threaten income from livestock production and could accelerate soil erosion while reducing soil carbon. Declining aquifers and increasing fuel costs represent another potentially worrisome trend, since both will add to the cost of irrigation.
American Institute of Biological Sciences
Agricultural Current Events and Agricultural News RSSClimate change could boost incidence of civil war in Africa
Climate change could increase the likelihood of civil war in sub-Saharan Africa by over 50 percent within the next two decades.
Impoverished living conditions despite new settlement policy after the genocide in Rwanda
The goal of the new settlement policy for refugees and survivors of the genocide in Rwanda in 1994 was to provide new accommodation for all who needed it.
Switchgrass Produces Biomass Efficiently
A USDOE and USDA study concluded that 50 million U.S. acres of cropland, idle cropland, and cropland pasture could be converted from current uses to the production of perennial grasses, such as switchgrass, from which biomass could be harvested for use as a biofuel feedstock.
Delft breakthrough in bioethanol production from agricultural waste
With the introduction of a single bacterial gene into yeast, researchers from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands achieved three improvements in bioethanol production from agricultural waste material: 'More ethanol, less acetate and elimination of the major by-product glycerol' This week the invention was published in the scientific journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
Flax and yellow flowers can produce bioethanol
Surplus biomass from the production of flax shives, and generated from Brassica carinata, a yellow-flowered plant related to those which engulf fields in spring, can be used to produce bioethanol.
ORNL, Los Alamos pioneer new approach to assist scientists, farmers
Sustainable farming, initially adopted to preserve soil quality for future generations, may also play a role in maintaining a healthy climate, according to researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge and Los Alamos national laboratories.
Maize cell wall genes identified, giving boost to biofuel research
Purdue University scientists have helped identify and group the genes thought to be responsible for cell wall development in maize, an effort that expands their ability to discover ways to produce the biomass best suited for biofuels production.
New map of variation in maize genetics holds promise for developing new varieties
A new study of maize has identified thousands of diverse genes in genetically inaccessible portions of the genome. New techniques may allow breeders and researchers to use this genetic variation to identify desirable traits and create new varieties that were not easily possible before.
UCR plant scientist's research spawns new discoveries showing how crops survive drought
Breakthrough research done earlier this year by a plant cell biologist at the University of California, Riverside has greatly accelerated scientists' knowledge on how plants and crops can survive difficult environmental conditions such as drought.
Canadians finding it tough to shake the salt habit
Canadians know that too much salt isn't good for their diets, but half still continue to shake it on, according to a new study by University of Alberta researchers.
More Agricultural Current Events and Agricultural News Articles
 |
SP Systems 4-Gallon 120 PSI Agricultural Series The Piston Backpack Sprayer #01TP501-1 by SP Systems LLC The SP Systems Piston 4-gallon 120 psi backpack sprayer comes with an external piston pump capable of generating a maximum 120 psi of pressure. It features heavy-duty adjustable padded shoulder straps, Viton/Nytril seals and O-ring for extended life, a 20-inch brass wand, and adjustable brass nozzle with fanning capabilities. The 4-gallon backpack sprayer also includes 47-inches of industrial hose, a solid steel pump handle, pump handle grip, lid carrying handle, pistol grip and filter, and tank mouth strainer that fits onto the 6-inch tank mouth. The backpack sprayer measures approximately 22-by-15-inches and is capable of applying herbicides, insecticides, liquid fertilizers, and diesel, as well as working with oil or solvent-based products. It is backed by a 6-month limited... |
 |
Fruitless Fall: The Collapse of the Honey Bee and the Coming Agricultural Crisis by Rowan Jacobsen (Author) “Jacobsen reminds readers that bees provide not just the sweetness of honey, but also are a crucial link in the life cycle of our crops.”—Seattle Post-Intelligencer Many people will remember that Rachel Carson predicted a silent spring, but she also warned of a fruitless fall, a time with no pollination and no fruit. The fruitless fall nearly became a reality when, in 2007, beekeepers watched thirty billion bees mysteriously die. And they continue to disappear. The remaining pollinators, essential to the cultivation of a third of American crops, are now trucked across the country and flown around the world, pushing them ever closer to collapse. Fruitless Fall does more than just highlight this growing agricultural catastrophe. It emphasizes the miracle of flowering plants and... |
|
Index Numbers of Farm Prices of Agricultural Products by Statistics Canada/Publ Sls & | |
 |
Industrial Grade 2LGN6 Agricultural V-Belt, L 34 In by Industrial Grade Agricultural V-Belt, Nominal Outside L 34 In, Top Width 1/2 In, 9/32 Thickness, Bias Cut, Cross Woven Envelope, Aramid Fiber Tensile Cord, and Banprene Compound Compression Section Construction, For Use With A Pitch Pulley |
 |
REPORT OF THE WORKINGTON AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY by Old Classics |
 |
T-Shirt Womens Brown " Agricultural Engineer Do it normally ... " Occupations Large by TopExpressions |
 |
Global Science Encounters: Discovering Agricultural Biodiversity Starring: Sam Harris, Zuri Sabir Directed By: Deborah C. Hoard |
 |
Industrial 12-Volt w/ Lighter Plug, Model 735X125 - Solar-powered system designed for heavily-used or stored vehicles and equipment such as cars, trucks, vans, RVs, construction and agricultural equipment. Eliminates sulphur from lead plates and trickle charges all 6- and 12-volt lead-acid batteries. Includes a plug that fits into the vehicle cigarette lighter socket. by PulseTech Solargizer is a proven, solar-powered electronic device that uses our revolutionary ReNew-IT Pulse Technology? to safely prevent the main cause of battery problems and failure: sulfation buildup on lead-acid battery plates. Used extensively by consumers and the U.S. Military worldwide for almost ten years, this technology has been scientifically proven by two major universities to make batteries work harder and last longer than you ever thought possible. |
 |
SP Systems 02SV322175 3-Gallon 40-PSI Agricultural Series Farm/Home 30-Compression Line Tank Sprayer by SP Systems LLC * Farm and Home compression sprayer. * 3 gallon |
 |
Man Doing Agricultural Work Onesie by Shop Zeus |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |