AGR 203: Modern Marvels by https://padlet.com/rtahren/61vyt3xgri3l Advancements in farm technology en-us 2018-07-29 21:51:27 UTC 2018-07-30 02:35:54 UTC hello@padlet.com “The tractor allowed farmers to get rid of approximately 23 million draft animals such as horses and mules” rtahren https://padlet.com/rtahren/61vyt3xgri3l/wish/271384696 The tractor was a major upgrade in the fields over using the plow. By introducing the tractor it eliminated some of the need for grazing lands for horses and could allow for higher production. One article I read about Henry Ford’s  views says that he disapproved of horses and mules because they devoured too much hay and oats while tractors were superior to horse flesh in efficiency, in ease of handling and in cost per unit of work produced (Wik, 79).]]> 2018-07-29 22:15:38 UTC https://padlet.com/rtahren/61vyt3xgri3l/wish/271384696 “Technology renovation hasn’t been restricted to machinery. Arguably the biggest change in agriculture came with the increased use of chemical fertilizer” rtahren https://padlet.com/rtahren/61vyt3xgri3l/wish/271384757 Although fertilizer has positive effects on yields it’s harmful to our environment and public health. Heavy agricultural reliance on synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides is having serious impacts on public health and the environment (Pimentel et al. 2005)(Pimentel, 573). Companies need to figure out a way to find a healthy balance between production and destruction. ]]> 2018-07-29 22:17:00 UTC https://padlet.com/rtahren/61vyt3xgri3l/wish/271384757 “In the mid 20th century scientists created an extremely effective chemical herbicide to kill weeds and pesticides to kill insects. Yields jumped” rtahren https://padlet.com/rtahren/61vyt3xgri3l/wish/271384820 While having high yields is very important to keeping the world fed, it’s also necessary to not destroy the environment or the ecosystems that make up the enviornment. New incentives and policies for ensuring the sustainability of agriculture and ecosystem services will be crucial if we are to meet the demands of improving yields without compromising environmental integrity or public health (Tilman, 418)]]> 2018-07-29 22:18:25 UTC https://padlet.com/rtahren/61vyt3xgri3l/wish/271384820 “Seed companies introduced corn that creates its own pesticide” rtahren https://padlet.com/rtahren/61vyt3xgri3l/wish/271384858 Genetically modified crops have been getting more and more popular. These hybrids provide protection against the European corn borer equal to, and usually far greater than, optimally timed insecticides. Rapid introduction of Bt corn hybrids creates uncertainty about the technology and new questions about its use (Ostlie, 1)]]> 2018-07-29 22:18:58 UTC https://padlet.com/rtahren/61vyt3xgri3l/wish/271384858 “Seed companies also promote herbicide resistant soybeans that require less herbicide” rtahren https://padlet.com/rtahren/61vyt3xgri3l/wish/271384915 Pesticides and herbicides have become a constant in increasing crop yields. Companies are producing crops that are resistant to specific diseases and pests in their genetic code. New techniques, including genetically modified organisms (GMOs) resistant to pests, could halt the massive spread of agrochemicals in agriculture fields (Carvarhal, 7-8). This is key for getting the most out of the land but is it harming the environment?]]> 2018-07-29 22:20:01 UTC https://padlet.com/rtahren/61vyt3xgri3l/wish/271384915 Works Cited rtahren https://padlet.com/rtahren/61vyt3xgri3l/wish/271407552 Agriculture, pesticides, food security and food safety. (2006, October 20). Retrieved July 29, 2018, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462901106001092

P., D., P., H., J., S., & R. (2005, July 01). Environmental, Energetic, and Economic Comparisons of Organic and Conventional Farming Systems | BioScience | Oxford Academic. Retrieved July 29, 2018, from https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article/55/7/573/306755

Ostlie, K. R., Hutchison, W. D., & Hellmich, R. L. (n.d.). Bt corn and European corn borer. Retrieved July 29, 2018, from https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/entomologyfacpub/597/

Wik, R. M. (1964, April 01). Henry Ford's Tractors and American Agriculture. Retrieved July 29, 2018, from https://www.jstor.org/stable/3740673?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
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