There Are Many Reasons to Celebrate Agriculture Week ( March 18 through 24)
From the Agriculture Council of America
Below are some interesting facts about agriculture today. These points just scratch the surface of the advancements being made in agriculture on a daily basis. All Americans are asked to enjoy and admire the wonders of American agriculture as the National Agriculture Day is celebrated on March 21.
General Statistics
Today’s average farm is 441 acres compared to 147 acres in 1900.
Today’s farmer feeds about 144 people in the United States and abroad. In 1960, that number was 46.
Forty-one percent of U.S. total land area is farmland.
U.S. farmers account for 46% of the world’s soybean production, 41% of the world’s corn production, 20.5% of the world’s cotton production, and 13% of the world’s wheat production.
Almost 99% of U.S. farms are operated by individuals or family corporations.
Nearly 22 million people are employed in farm or farm-related jobs.
U.S. consumers spend roughly 10% of their income on food compared with 22% in the United Kingdom, 26% in Japan, 28% in South Africa and 51% in India.
Farmers and ranchers provide food and habitat for 75% of the nation’s wildlife.
Production Improvements
Farmers and ranchers are producing meat lower in fat and cholesterol. This has resulted in retail cuts that are 15% leaner, giving consumers better value for their dollar. For example, a pork tenderloin has only one more gram of fat than a skinless chicken breast, one of the true fat “light-weights.” Also, much leaner beef cuts are being produced than 20 years ago, resulting in 27% less fat reaching the retail case than in 1985.
Biotechnology has resulted in better tasting fruits and vegetables that stay fresh longer and naturally resistant to insects.
Plant breeding has resulted in crops better able to handle environmental effects of drought and disease insect infestations resulting in higher yields at harvest and lower costs to the consumer.
Technology/Equipment Advancements
A growing number of farmers and ranchers are using computers and modern technology: 90.7% use a computer, 87.4% own a cellular telephone, 51.3% communicate by fax, 72.2% have access to the Internet, and 24.5% make on-line purchases using e-commerce.
New Uses
Ethanol accounts for the largest industrial use of any commodity crop. With a record production of 2.81 billion gallons of ethanol in 2003, 1 billion bushels of corn and 12% of the grain sorghum crop were used to produce fuel for our vehicles. In 2003, 73 ethanol plants were in operation in the United States, with 14 new plants under construction.
Biodiesel made from soybeans is one of the many renewable fuels. Renewable fuels contribute to a cleaner environment, reduce pollution and reliance on foreign oil, and contribute to the stability of the rural farm economy by creating commercial markets for crops.
Soybeans are used in the five major markets currently dependent on petroleum products including plastics, coatings and ink adhesives, lubricants and solvents.