Some perspective

[grassfarmer]

I have no idea if the information in this graphic is completely accurate or not but the general thrust of it no doubt is. Something to keep in mind when talking about family farms and BTOs in Canada, their multi-million $ machinery line-ups and whether they will or will not survive a down turn. This "industrial ag" is still a small part of world agriculture and by no means the only game in town.

[Hopalong]

Part about percentage of woman farmers is believable for those who have been to third world countries.

[chuckChuck]

So big farmers are not as important as they think they are?

The most remarkable statistic is that for every calorie of energy used only 1.5 calories are produced in large scale agriculture versus 1-15 calories in small holdings.

Large scale industrial food production is totally dependent on fossil energy but produces only 30 % of the worlds food.

[Hamloc]

So big farmers are not as important as they think they are?

The most remarkable statistic is that for every calorie of energy used only 1.5 calories are produced in large scale agriculture versus 1-15 calories in small holdings.

Large scale industrial food production is totally dependent on fossil energy but produces only 30 % of the worlds food.

So chuck2 are you a small holding subsistance farmer or are you large scale industrial producer? Could you make a living in Canada as a small holding producer?

[grassfarmer]

So chuck2 are you a small holding subsistance farmer or are you large scale industrial producer? Could you make a living in Canada as a small holding producer?

Irrelevant to the discussion. Realize instead that when you whine about Governments not giving your rich first world industrial ag businesses enough "support" in your attempts to "feed the world" the Government gets far better bang for it's buck on cheap, simple solutions in the developing world like increasing the supply of hand tools and making access to better seeds easier. It puts in context that the modern agriculture system in the first world is only responsible for a small part of the world's food supply and historically has only been so for a relatively short period. In the fullness of time humanity may look back on our current systems and deem them a failure.

[blackpowder]

Then we should all be supporting whatever breeding technique available that gives these farmers a better result. But its not happening, why?

[grassfarmer]

Then we should all be supporting whatever breeding technique available that gives these farmers a better result. But its not happening, why?

I guess it depends how you define "better result" - if that's producing more food in a sustainable manner from the resources available I'm all for it. If you are you referring to GMOs where the "better result" could only be achieved by moving the peasant farmer into industrial agriculture and into the position of only getting 1.5 calories back for every calorie expended versus the 15 they produce now I'm not for it. Truth is, as is often discussed on here, the "better result" in industrial agriculture largely accrues to the Monsantos', JohnDeeres' and Cargills' of the world.

[Hamloc]

Irrelevant to the discussion. Realize instead that when you whine about Governments not giving your rich first world industrial ag businesses enough "support" in your attempts to "feed the world" the Government gets far better bang for it's buck on cheap, simple solutions in the developing world like increasing the supply of hand tools and making access to better seeds easier. It puts in context that the modern agriculture system in the first world is only responsible for a small part of the world's food supply and historically has only been so for a relatively short period. In the fullness of time humanity may look back on our current systems and deem them a failure.

Irrelevant to the discussion? I believe the implication is that modern industrialized agriculture is a failure in your opinion and that the majority of the food in the world is produced by small acreage farmers that till the land by hand. So my question was relevant! In your case Grassfarmer do you have just 3 or 4 cows and till the land by hand? Could you make a living doing that in Canada? As for whining for Government support. I despise big government and all the additional taxes and regulations that come with it. The only complaint I have is we need another railroad track to the coast but as far as as government support for my business, no fricking thanks. Interesting this point of view comes from a former resident of Scotland where a good percentage of farmers income comes from EU subsidies. Having said that growing crops in Scotland's climate must be a challenge.

[farming101]

Many of the world's people who grow food provide little more than enough for their families.

World trade in food is very interesting.
For example, Indonesia is the world's single largest importer of wheat. But Indonesia doesn't grow any wheat. Would the 265 million people who live there be better off if they quit eating wheat? Who knows? Highly unlikely that the 147 million or so who live in urban areas all have access to gardens and grow their own food. So, the country buys wheat.
From:
Australia
Canada
Argentina
USA
Russia
Romania
France
Brazil
UK
Moldova
Uruguay
All "industrial agriculture" countries. Interesting

[grassfarmer]

Irrelevant to the discussion? I believe the implication is that modern industrialized agriculture is a failure in your opinion and that the majority of the food in the world is produced by small acreage farmers that till the land by hand.

Yes, irrelevant to the discussion. Canada has such a small population and is such an insignificant player in the total world food supply that it doesn't matter if I have 2 cows or 200 cows. Point being small, simple changes will revolutionize food production in the big population countries where the masses need to be fed. Sitting here complaining because we aren't getting rewarded for "feeding the world" is irrelevant because we never have (and never will) feed the world.

Many of the world's people who grow food provide little more than enough for their families.....

In terms of food security and the survival of the species what else is needed?