Effects of Corn Monoculture on Soils: Models for Change in American Agriculture
According to writer and environmentalist Vandana Shiva, "the crucial characteristic of monocultures is that they do not merely displace alternatives, they destroy their own basis"(1993, p.50). If the self-destruction of a monoculture is really so simple, it seems that continuous cropping agriculture should long have been abandoned for a more suitable method. Unfortunately, the problem is far more complex. This paper will focus on the effects of corn monoculture on soils in general, the development of the monoculture in the United States and the effects this had on soil in this country. Through the exploration of other models, suggestions will then be made on how to modify the continuous cropping system in the United States into a more sustainable one.
The first piece of evidence that the continual cropping system is inefficient, is that it is the least productive growing system. In experiments done in Wooster, Ohio, it was found that a field where crop rotation was used could produce 27.62 bushels of corn per acre, a field with continual cropping produced only 13.33 bushels per acre, and where chemical fertilizer was used on a continuous cropped field, 30.53 bushels per acre were produced (Weir, 1936,p. 502). Though it interesting that these facts are fundamental enough to have been discovered before 1936, it should also be noted that a recent eight year study done at the University of Nebraska, where scientists compared thirteen cropping systems, "the results confirmed the findings of studies done in the first half of the century"(Committee on the Role of Alt. Farm. Methods, 1989, p.229). If continual cropping is the least effective method o...
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In the New York Times article “When a Crop Becomes a King”, author Michael Pollan argues there is an overproduction of corn that does more harm than it does good. He writes this in response to a farm bill signed by then President Bush to increase the budget for corn production which caused much controversy. Pollan uses an infuriated and frustrated tone in order to convince American consumers that corn has taken over their environment and economy. Michael Pollan uses rhetorical strategies to challenge conventional views of corn and to argue against additional corn production.
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In the first third of the book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, by Michael Pollan, he draws the reader in by bringing to light many interesting facts about corn that most individuals may not realize. He states that the majority of food that people consume contains corn. Although people of Mexican descent are usually referred to as the “corn people”, Americans have now surpassed them in the amount of corn consumed in their daily diet. Corn is consumed in a variety of forms and many of the animals that are eaten by Americans, such as the chicken, pig, turkey, and lamb are fed corn. When a person eats these animals, he or she is essentially increasing their corn intake, and in most cases without even realizing it. The corn crop has spread vastly and is massively produced because it is efficient. Unlike other crop plants, corn can survive in harsh weather conditions and it is light and easy to transport. Maize is also self-fertilized and pollinated by wind, and it has evolved over time and continues to evolve, into new forms and new uses.
Corn soon became the crop of choice to Iowa farmers. They found that it was more resistant to disease than the other crops they were growing, such as barley, oats, wheat, and apples. With this newfound “wonder crop”, Iowans found that farming had become the ideal way of life. Working on the farm involved all of the members of the family, which brought them together and made them stronger through hardships and great opportunities.
The country at the time was in the deepest and soon to be longest-lasting economic downturn in the history of the Western industrialized world and this caused years of over-cultivation of wheat, because “during the laissez-faire, expansionist 1920’s the plains were extensively and put to wheat - turned into highly mechanized factory farms that produced highly unprecedented harvests” (Worster 12). The farmer’s actions were prompted by the economic decline America was facing. With the economy in a recession, farmers were looking for a way to make a living and in 1930 wheat crops were becoming very popular. In 1931 the wheat crop was considered a bumper crop with over twelve million bushels of wheat. Wheat was emerging all over the plains.
The Ontario star editorial writer presents a firm opinion by analysing the pot-selling consequences that evidently lead up to a number of serious matters and issues that are to be solved. The author displays multiple premises in support to his/her claims that seem to be mainly in attack to the present illegal sales of marijuana in the streets of Toronto.
The invention of the cotton gin made growing cotton practical, and cotton began dominating the growing fields. Cotton was a crop that could be grown almost anywhere because it seemed to need only the land to grow in. Land that was once left empty because of poor growth capabilities was planted in the lucrative crop of cotton. Growing cotton allowed farmers to grow crops in fields that previously had to rest for a season. The southern farmers were able to realize a profit thanks to Eli’s labor and time saving machine.
1) Introduction: This paper will explain how America’s agriculture was developed and what roles were played to establish settlement.
Corn is not the enemy here. Corn is a valuable resource. Unfortunately, the economic benefits of growing only corn are now outweighing the more ecologically beneficial practice of rotating crops. When we exclusively grow a single crop, it causes many problems, such as Colony Collapse Disorder in our honeybee numbers, malnutrition in our cattle industry from the reliance on cheap corn as a feed; this, in turn, causes the beef production industry to produce lower quality meat products for human consumption. Finally, the soil nutrients are being depleted at an astounding rate and this fact is now affecting the quality of the corn crops.
Organic foods assist to keep healthier lifestyle and also help to attain essential nutrition to the body. More often than not organic foods contain lower pesticides and chemicals. Organic produce consistently has lower levels of pesticide residues than does conventionally grown produce, and a diet of organic produce reduces
When going to the grocery store you come across organic and non-organic food. You may wonder what is the differences between the two. Is organic food a healthier alternative? As well as, you may question what the term organic even means. Well, let me give you some insight when making these kinds of decisions. Organic food is the production of food without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial agents (OED). While non-organic foods are produced by conventional farmers. Conventional farming, is farming that uses synthetic chemicals and fertilizers to maximize the harvest of crops, which are typically genetically modified (Sustainable). Conventional Farming has several cons that has effects on the environment
Leading up to the end of the 1800’s, agricultural was losing its place as the largest economy in the United States. Farmers felt that they were under-appreciated and taken advantage of, even though they produced food to be distributed nationwide. Although agriculture was imperative to the survival of the nation, farmers faced devastating natural causes, outrageously high rates on land and transportation, and unsuccessful tries in politics.
Taking a trip to the grocery store proves to be a tedious and challenging task when multitudes of produce, meats, and dairy products contain certain descriptions and statements of being healthy, natural, and most importantly organic. Without having knowledge of what these labels mean and if their claims are actually true and worth buying, grocery shopping becomes a demanding undertaking. Organic simply means that no man-made fertilizers are used when growing and producing food. (Curtis). The organic food on the market claims to be healthier, safer, and overall better than conventionally grown foods, but this statement proves false. Despite popular belief, organic farming has similar qualities with, and does not provide any great advantages or disadvantages over conventional farming.
Soil is the most important non-renewable resource on any farm. Healthy soil is key to a good