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The basic unit of agricultural production is the farm. Farms produce different products or outputs, depending on what enterprises they run. Many farms are involved in more than one enterprise.
The basic unit of agricultural production is the farm. Farms produce different products or outputs, depending on what enterprises they run. Many farms are involved in more than one enterprise.
Each farm acts as a system of many smaller, interconnected subsystems. The farm manager organises these subsystems to work together as efficiently as possible to produce agricultural outputs. Inputs are brought onto the farm and, through different processes, are converted into outputs.
Each farm acts as a system of many smaller, interconnected subsystems. The farm manager organises these subsystems to work together as efficiently as possible to produce agricultural outputs. Inputs are brought onto the farm and, through different processes, are converted into outputs.
Farms have several constraints or boundaries. Some are physical boundaries, such as the size of a property, the type of soil, or the steepness of the terrain. Other boundaries might be due to climate or finances.
Farms have several constraints or boundaries. Some are physical boundaries, such as the size of a property, the type of soil, or the steepness of the terrain. Other boundaries might be due to climate or finances.
Ag Tech in Focus, Marshall et al 2019 p20-21
Key Vocabulary
Key Vocabulary
INPUTS – Anything brought onto the farm to be used in an enterprise
INPUTS – Anything brought onto the farm to be used in an enterprise
OUTPUTS – Actions or activities that convert inputs into outputs
OUTPUTS – Actions or activities that convert inputs into outputs
BOUNDARIES – Limitations placed on a farm, including physical, financial, cultural and legal
BOUNDARIES – Limitations placed on a farm, including physical, financial, cultural and legal
In any production system, a farmer or producer should attempt to optimise their outputs with the highest level of sustainability (ongoing profits, minimal effect on the environment, with the greatest consideration for the welfare and ethics involved in their production). The subsystems in any farm are all connected, and therefore, if a farmer or producer considers how they interact, they can anticipate both the positive and negative relationships between the components and endeavor to inhibit the negative aspects and promote positive relationships. This understanding will assist farmers and producers in improving the quality and quantity of their outputs. This method of thinking and representation also allows producers to examine and anticipate the effect of change in their enterprise/s.
In any production system, a farmer or producer should attempt to optimise their outputs with the highest level of sustainability (ongoing profits, minimal effect on the environment, with the greatest consideration for the welfare and ethics involved in their production). The subsystems in any farm are all connected, and therefore, if a farmer or producer considers how they interact, they can anticipate both the positive and negative relationships between the components and endeavor to inhibit the negative aspects and promote positive relationships. This understanding will assist farmers and producers in improving the quality and quantity of their outputs. This method of thinking and representation also allows producers to examine and anticipate the effect of change in their enterprise/s.
Soil Interactions
Soil Interactions
Soil interactions describes the relationship between the soil and other elements on the farm.
Nutrient Cycling: Plants absorb nutrients from the soil, and animals either graze on the plants or consume feed grown in the soil. Their waste products decompose, returning nutrients back to the soil. This creates a cycle that supports ongoing plant growth.
Soil Composition: The health of the soil directly affects plant growth. Factors like organic matter content, mineral availability, and water retention capacity are crucial. Farming practices like crop rotation, cover cropping, and composting can improve soil composition.
Soil Structure: Tilling, grazing, and weather can impact soil structure. Compacted soil hinders root growth and water drainage. Farmers may implement techniques like no-till planting or cover cropping to improve soil structure.
Other soil interactions may be affected by;
Type, texture and composition
Previous land use
Deforestation, degradation, compaction, contamination and nutrient depletion
Soil regeneration - mixed cropping, crop rotation, legumes and Rhizobia, green manures and fertilisers
Macro and microbiology
Stubble retention
No till farming and reduced tillage
Fallow periods
Climatic Interactions
Climatic Interactions
Climatic Interactions:
Climatic interactions describe how weather and climate influence the farm ecosystem.
Temperature and Sunlight: These factors directly impact plant growth rates and animal activity levels. Farmers may choose crops suited to the local climate or use techniques like greenhouses to modify conditions.
Rainfall: Adequate rainfall is vital for plant growth. Farmers may employ irrigation in dry periods or utilize drought-resistant crops. Excessive rainfall can lead to erosion and nutrient leaching.
Extreme Events: Droughts, floods, and storms can be devastating to crops and animals. Farmers may mitigate these risks by using practices like windbreaks, drainage systems, and crop diversification.
Plant Interactions
Plant Interactions
Plant Interactions:
Plant interactions describe how plants interact with each other and their environment. Some examples include;
Competition: Plants compete for resources like sunlight, water, and nutrients. Farmers may use techniques like companion planting to create mutually beneficial relationships between different crops.
Pollination: Certain plants rely on insects or other animals for pollination to reproduce. Farmers may encourage beneficial pollinator populations by planting flowering hedgerows.
Nitrogen Fixation: Leguminous plants like beans and peas have a symbiotic relationship with bacteria that fix nitrogen from the air, enriching the soil for other plants.
Plant interactions can also include;
Summer and winter crops and pastures
Growing and harvesting differences
Ground cover and transpiration rates
Weeds and competition
Natives vs introduced crops and pastures
Green manures
Biodiversity and monocultures
Companion planting
Intercropping and habitat belts
Influence on soils - nutrition and nitrogen fixation
Animal Interactions
Animal Interactions
Animal interactions describe how animals interact with other elements on the farm. Here are some examples:
Grazing: Animals that graze on plants contribute to nutrient cycling by returning nutrients to the soil through their waste products. They also help control weeds and disperse seeds.
Predation: Farms may naturally utilise beneficial insects or birds to control pest populations. This reduces reliance on pesticides and promotes a healthy ecosystem.
Symbiotic Relationships: Some farm animals, like honeybees, provide valuable services like pollination in exchange for resources from plants.
Animal interactions can involve;
Grazing variations eg., sheep vs cattle and dual purpose cropping
Palatability of feeds and nutrition
Recycling of nutrients eg., manure and urea
Soil compaction
Stocking rates, paddock rotation and cell grazing
Weeds and toxicity
Water use eg., lactating cows use 80-100L/day
Herd dynamics, hierarchy, birthing, genetics and culling
Farm Management
Farm Management
Farm Management (Pests, Weeds and Diseases):
Farm management involves the practices farmers use to control unwanted organisms that can negatively impact crops and animals. Here are some approaches:
Preventative Measures: Farmers may use techniques like crop rotation, sanitation, and introducing natural predators to prevent pest and disease outbreaks.
Biological Control: This involves introducing beneficial organisms, like ladybugs, to control pest populations naturally.
Organic Techniques: Organic farmers use non-synthetic methods like hand-weeding and natural pesticides to manage pests, weeds, and diseases.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) combines various methods to control pests, weeds, and diseases while minimising environmental impact.
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