1) Corn (84 million acres)

2) Soybeans (73.8 million acres)

3) Hay (55.7 million acres)

4) Wheat (45.7 million acres)

5) Cotton (9.5 million acres)

6) Sorghum (grain) (3.9 million acres)

7) Rice (2.6 million acres)

South America

Cashews, Brazil nuts, and cacoa are cultivated in South America and are a major source of cash for these countries.

Central America

Manioc, sweet potato, and arrowroot diffused to Central America and eastern parts of South America through vegetative planting.

Percentage of farmers in workforce:

2%

Use of machines:

• In most developed countries, small number of farmers can feed more people because machinery helps perform work. For example, forage harvesters, are used to chop and cut crops such as corn.Transportation improvements aid commercial farming by allowing them to transport crops and livestock farther and faster. Commercial farmers also use scientific advances such as genetically modified plants that are made to withstand pesticides.

Average size of farm: 

The relative farm size is typically large in commercial farming. US farms average a size of 175 hectares. Most commercial farms are family owned and operated (98% in US). In US, 4% of farms make up for more than ½ of the country's total output. One half of US farms make less than $10,000 a year. Large size is partly a consequence of mechanization. The amount of land devoted to agriculture has increased in US.

Relationship between farming and other sectors of economy:

The economy is heavily affected by commercial farming. This has created great success in our history, particularly in the 19th century, which is exposed to many technological advances. The expanding markets gave rise to new economic markets that has strengthened two-thirds of American exports. This has also greatly affected the International markets and the industrialization of companies. Things like John Deere's steel plow and lawn mower benefit from commercial agriculture because it greatly attributes to the functions of the industry. This can also affect the trucking business within produce for scientific research for genetic research.  

• Live primarily in large belt of arid and semiarid land (North Africa, Middle East, pasrts of Central Asia)

• Example of Nomadic groups

• The Bedouins of Saudi Arabia and North AFrica

• Masai of East Africa

Characteristics

• Depend primarily on animals rather than crops for survival

• Animals provide milk, skins and hair are used for clothing and tents

• Nomads consume mostly grains rather than meat

• Animals are commonly not slaughtered but dead ones could be consumed

• Size of their herd is important measure of power and prestige and their main security during adverse environmental conditions

• Some get grain from sedentary subsistence farmers in exchange for animal products

• Women and children in these groups could plant plants in fixed locations

• Might hire workers to practice sedentary agriculture in return for grain and protection

• Some remain in one place and cultivate the land when rainfall is abundant

• CHOICE OF ANIMAL

• Select type and number of animal based on local cultural and physical characteristics

• Depends on relative prestige of animals and ability of species to adapt to particular climate and vegetation

• Camel is most desired in North Africa and Middle East, followed by sheep and goat

• Horse is important in Central Asia

• Camel well suited to arid climates, can go long periods without water, carry heavy baggage, and move rapidly

• Camel is bothered by flies and sleeping sickness and has relatively long period from conception to birth (12 months)

• Goats need more water than camels but are tough and agile, can survive on virtually any vegetation

• Sheep are slow moving and more affected by climate changes

• Require more water and are selective of the plants it’ll eat

• Minimum number of animals necessary depends on particular group and animal

• Typical nomadic family needs 25-60 goats/sheeps and 10-25 camels

• MOVEMENTS OF PASTORAL NOMADS

• Has a strong sense of territoriality

• Each group controls  piece of territory and will invade another group’s territory only in emergency or if war is declared

• Goal: control territory large enough to contain forage and water needed for survival

• ACtual amount of land depends on groups wealth and power

• Migration patterns evolve from knowledge of areas physical and cultural characteristics

• Groups usually divide into units of five or six families and choose routes based on most likely water sources during the various seasons of the year

• Transhumance: seasonal migration of livestock between mountains and lowland pasture areas

1. Define the following terms:

1. Truck farming: Truck Farming is very important to fruit farming. This term is derived from the meaning that farmers are producing fruits for the market to be distributed. They use large amount of production to create and make large amounts of fruits and vegetables. These large quantities are sold so that they can be sent to the processors. Within truck farming, they mostly manufacture and process beans and other vegetables. After processing the food, they send it to be canned or packaged. This type of farming has made large sources of money for farmers and to the point that they can make a large profit.

1. Specialty farming: Farmers are growing crops that have limited by increasing demand among rich consumers. This type of farming represents a profitable alternatice for the farmers in New England, at the time that dairy farming is declinging because of the high operating costs and low milk prices.

2. Labor force: A group of people either employed or available for employment in a country or region. In the United States, if one is over the age of 14, he/she could get a job. However, children of farmers in LDC's enter the labor force from a very young age (5 to 6 years old) to help their parents with planting and harvesting.