Thanks to the efforts of scientists and farmers alike, the world continues to get greener. Due to constant farming, transport and technological development, issues have been erupting in countries all over concerning eco-friendly means of agricultural development. Some have done intensive study on the benefits of wind turbines while others have sought out the benefits of agricultural storage buildings. When it comes to grain storage, construction companies and farms work constantly to provide more sound options to ensure the safe harvesting of crops without the fallout of negative environmental impact.
How Many Farms Are In The United States?
The United States is still considered a worldwide leader in agricultural production, thanks in no small part to the wealth of land and varied climates. There are a total of two million farms in America, with the average size amounting to nearly 440 acres. Ongoing studies have discovered that American agriculture generates an average gross output of $374 billion alongside employing 750,000 people around the country. As such, advanced grain storage technology is one of the most important issues facing farms today. This has lead to studies and statistics observing payment and production trends in the industry.
How Is The Farming Industry Faring?
Farming and ranching are industries that will always be in high demand as populations continue to grow. Both farmers and ranchers generally receive 16 cents out of every dollar spent on food at home and away from home. This has changed significantly compared to a few decades ago, where farmers and ranches received 31 cents out of every dollar spent. This includes, but is not limited to, production, marketing, transportation and distribution.
What Eco-Friendly Options Are Available?
Scientists keep a close eye on yearly emissions from cars and factories, taking constant note of the changes it has on the surrounding environment, ozone layer and animal life. Wind power is becoming an increasingly viable option for farms around the country due to its energy efficient model and very small carbon footprint. The University of Wisconsin, for example, found that wind power farms generate anywhere between 17 and 39 times as much power as they consume — compare this to nuclear plants and coal plants, which create only 16 times and 11 times as much, respectively.
What Are Common Agricultural Goods?
While the United States produces hundreds of different agricultural goods every year, some enjoy widespread popularity for both quality and quantity. Wheat, for example, is grown in 42 states — it’s the primary grain used in all grain products, with an estimated three-quarters using wheat flour as a base. A single acre of wheat yields an average of nearly 40 bushels of wheat. Five states in particular (Nebraska, Texas, Arkansas, Idaho and California) account for 52% of total irrigated acreage. As of recent years there are nearly 230,000 farms in the United States with 55 million irrigated acres.
Which Technology Is Becoming More Widespread?
Agricultural technology and grain handling equipment needs to keep updating in order to meet the demands of the surrounding population as well as the needs of the environment. More than 21 million American workers (an estimated 15% of the total American workforce) produce and process the nation’s food. Grain storage, wind power and advanced irrigation processes all create a more habitable environment for everyone involved. Potential wind energy production by the year 2020 is going to power more than 25 million homes on a yearly basis. With eco-friendly technology on our side, the future is looking healthy, indeed.
