Introduction to Agricultural Science
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Transcript of Introduction to Agricultural Science
Basic Ag ScienceFall 2010Mr. Parks
Introduction to Agricultural Science
5 Basic Human Needs
AIRWATERFOODCLOTHING - FiberSHELTER - Protect the body from the dangers in the environmentAgriculture provides the last three
Prehistory & Pre Agriculture
10,000 B.C. Hunter/Gather Nomadic Little or no villages End of Ice Age Burst of new vegetation Follow herds
First Farmers
8000 - 7000 BC.Noticed that plants sprouted from seedsIdentified edible plantsTime of year maturedPlanted at right timeObserved which animals would tolerate captivity
Effects of Agriculture
Dependable food supplyDomesticated plantsDomesticated animals
Trading beganEveryone did not have to farmMore free time to pursue other interests
Invented tools
Permanent SettlementsLife expectancy increased
Flint Scythe
Bronowski, J. 1973. The ascent of man.
Wooden Plow
Civilization Begins
Humans could grow their own foodCeased to wanderCities were founded
Egypt, Jericho, Mesopotamia
American Agriculture
European settlers found a system of agriculture in place
Native Americans grew corn, squash, okraIncas & Mayans had irrigation
Envy of the world1 farmers over 129 people
101 in the US & 28 abroadAmericans spend less on food
US-9%Italy-26%India-53%
Scientific Research
1862 – Morrill ActProvided public land and funds for universities to teach practical methods of farming
1872 – Hatch ActAuthorized establishment of experiment stations in states with land grant schools
1914 – Smith-Lever ActEstablished Cooperative Extension Service
1917 – Smith-Hughes ActEstablished Vocational Agriculture in public schools
Quiz
1. List the five basic human needs2. List the three needs that agriculture
provides3. About when (years BC) did agriculture
begin?4. List two benefits of agriculture for society
Answers
1. List the five basic human needsa. Water, Air, Food, Clothing, Shelter
2. List the three needs that agriculture providesa. Food, clothing shelter
3. About when (years BC) did agriculture begin?a. 8000 (or 7000) BC
4. List two benefits of agriculture for societya. Dependable food supply, more free time, invented
tools, permanent settlements (i.e. cities), life expectancy increased (i.e. lived longer)
Identify the Problem
Formulate the Hypothesis
Design & Conduct Experiments
Collect Data
Analyze the Data
Draw Conclusions
Make Recommendations
The Scientific Method
Two types of Research
Basic ResearchWhy or how processes occurNo immediate applicationIncreases knowledge of topic
Applied ResearchUses knowledge gained in basic research to help in practical ways
e.g. Basic – Researching animal hormonesApplied – Using hormones to increase growth of cattle
Milestones in Agricultural Research
Animal Immunization1870’s Louis Pasteur developed animal vaccinations (Anthrax in Sheep)Also led to human vaccinations
Milestones Cont.
Canning & RefrigerationFood spoiled faster than it could be eatenOnly previous way to preserve food was dry or salt cured1795 French government held contest to find a way to preserve food for the armyNicholas Appert placed food in glass bottles & heated them in hot waterLater, food stored in boxes with ice
Milestones Cont.
Agricultural MechanizationOriginally used sharp sticks to plowJohn Deere developed steel plow1831- Cyrus McCormick – Mechanical reaperEli Whitney – Cotton GinInternal combustion engineModern tractors
Plows
Cyrus McCormick Reaper
Milestones Cont.
PesticidesSubstances used to kill pestsHerbicide – PlantsInsecticide – InsectsFungicide – Plant diseasesAvicide – BirdsRodenticide – Rodents (Mice & Rats) Piscicide – FishApplied correctly they protect crops & livestockBad reputation for damaging the environment
Milestones Cont.
GeneticsStudy of how organisms pass on characteristics from one generation to the nextIn the past selection of superior offspringNow use DNA extraction & recombination
Milestones Cont.
Artificial InseminationAllows access to genetics from all over the USMost dairy animals
Embryo transferOne superior female can produce 20 offspring per yearProducers can rapidly increase the quality of their herds at a low cost
Domestication
After animals become domesticated, they become dependent on manMost can’t survive in wildMost poultry can’t flySheep don’t shed woolCows produce 20,000 lbs milk / yearBirds produce 250 eggs / yr. (20 in wild)
Sources of Food
Plant SourcesThe cereal grains of wheat, rice, and corn are the major food items
Animal SourcesFour kinds of animals are raised in large numbers
1. Cattle2. Pigs3. Chickens4. Sheep
Plants Used as food
Leaves - lettuce, cabbageSeeds - beans, wheat, cornRoots -carrots, rutabagasFruits - apples, strawberries, pearsFlowers - cauliflower and broccoliStems – onions, potatoes, celery, asparagusMultiple parts -turnips (leaves and roots)
Animal Use as Food
Meat - (muscle tissue) Beef, Pork, Lamb, Goat, PoultryMilk - inexpensive source of protein
cheese, ice cream, yogurt
Eggs - pastries, mayonnaise, custards
How much do people pay to eat?
United States’ Jobs
What percentage are agriculture and related?
21% or 1 in 5
Agricultural Careers