Sustainable Agriculture Production | Todd Mayhew | TEDxUWGreenBay

Summary

The script discusses the critical role of sustainable agriculture in food production, emphasizing the balance between meeting current needs without compromising future resources. It highlights the importance of science and technology in advancing agricultural practices, debunks myths about organic farming, and underscores the need for a holistic approach to soil fertility and pest management. The speaker calls for public engagement and policy support for sustainable farming to meet the growing global population's food demands.

Takeaways

• 🌱 The term 'sustainability' is widely discussed across various industries, with a focus on maintaining resources for future generations without compromising the present ecosystem.
• 🍲 Most people consume a variety of food groups daily without often considering the origin and production methods of their food, which is essential for understanding agricultural sustainability.
• 🌾 The speaker's educational journey led to a deep understanding of the relationship between cause and effect in agriculture, highlighting the importance of biology and science in this field.
• 🏛 The concept of sustainable farming is legally defined as a series of farm-specific practices that meet human needs for food and fiber while improving the environment and being economically viable.
• 🈲 The Sri Lankan government's ban on synthetic fertilizers and crop protection products in 2021 led to catastrophic agricultural declines and a food crisis, illustrating the risks of extreme policy decisions.
• 📈 The U.S. agricultural system is efficient and abundant, producing enough food for the domestic population and contributing significantly to the global food supply.
• 🌍 The global population is expected to grow to 10 billion by 2050, necessitating advancements in agricultural technology to meet the increasing demand without expanding into natural ecosystems.
• 🛠️ Agricultural technology and innovation are critical for managing land as a non-renewable resource, with precision farming and data integration playing a significant role in optimizing yields.
• 🌿 Sustainable agricultural practices involve a holistic approach, including the use of cover crops, crop rotation, and synthetic fertilizers, managed under best practices for soil fertility.
• 🌍 The U.S. government has historically invested in agricultural advancements, with the University of Wisconsin-Madison being a key beneficiary and contributor to agricultural knowledge.
• 🚜 Modern agricultural practices are increasingly focusing on biological materials and soil health, with an emphasis on integrating various technologies to support sustainable development goals.

Q & A

What does the term 'sustainability' mean in the context of food and agriculture?

In the context of food and agriculture, 'sustainability' refers to practices that maintain a certain rate or level of production without jeopardizing the ecosystem's ability to meet future needs. It involves an ecosystem-wide approach that ensures the needs of today do not compromise the ability of the ecosystem to be there for tomorrow.

What is the speaker's educational background and how does it relate to their interest in agriculture?

The speaker studied at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Marinette campus and later at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where they developed an interest in exploring outcomes and understanding the relationship between cause and effect. They found that agriculture, being at the core of science and biology, met their criteria for a career with a direct and measurable benefit to society.

What is the legal definition of 'sustainable' in relation to agriculture according to the speaker?

The legal definition of 'sustainable' in relation to agriculture is a series of farm-specific practices that work together to ensure human needs for food and fiber are met while improving the on-farm and all-farm environment. These practices must also efficiently manage non-renewable resources like land and incorporate biological cycles and processes, all while being economically viable for the farmer and improving the lives of the farmer and society as a whole.

What was the impact of Sri Lanka's ban on synthetic fertilizers and crop protection products in 2021?

The ban on synthetic fertilizers and crop protection products in Sri Lanka led to catastrophic declines in harvests across two cycles, reducing the rice harvest by 40 percent and the corn harvest by a similar amount. This resulted in a food and economic crisis, putting growers out of business and causing political upheaval. The impacts are still being felt, with a year-over-year food inflation rate of 94 percent as of August 2022.

How does the speaker describe the role of agriculture in the United States' food supply and global food security?

The speaker emphasizes that U.S. farmers and ranchers produce an abundant, high-quality, and relatively affordable supply of food, which is critical not only for the U.S. population but also for supplying the needs of the rest of the world. The U.S. has an efficient system for distributing annual harvested crops globally, making it an essential part of the global food supply.

What is the projected growth of the world population by 2050, and how does this impact agricultural production?

The world population is expected to grow by 28 percent, reaching 10 billion people by 2050. This growth necessitates agricultural advancement and technology to meet the needs of the expanding population without putting more land that is currently in natural ecosystems into land production.

What is the role of soil fertility management in sustainable agricultural practices?

Soil fertility management is critical to maintaining non-renewable resources like land. Sustainable agricultural practices dictate a holistic approach that includes cover crops, manure, and synthetic fertilizers to manage soil fertility and ensure the land remains productive.

How does the speaker view the importance of agricultural technology advancements in managing land as a non-renewable resource?

The speaker views agricultural technology advancements as absolutely critical in managing land. These advancements allow for innovations that integrate information to drive harvest outcomes, enabling farmers to make better decisions and increase productivity while minimizing off-site movement of nutrients.

What is the speaker's stance on the use of synthetic fertilizers and crop protection products in sustainable agriculture?

The speaker supports the use of synthetic fertilizers and crop protection products as part of sustainable agricultural practices when used according to best management practices. They argue that these tools have been critical in driving farm productivity gains and are essential for meeting the needs of a growing population.

How do sustainable agricultural practices address the management of weeds in crop production?

Sustainable agricultural practices take a holistic approach to managing weeds, which includes the use of herbicides as part of an integrated system. This approach allows growers to use conservation tillage practices that foster soil health while managing weeds effectively.

What is the connection between agricultural production practices and the United Nations' 17 sustainable development goals?

Agricultural production practices touch almost all 17 of the United Nations' sustainable development goals, providing a framework for conversations around metrics and progress towards these goals. This helps foster transparency and understanding of how food is sustainably produced and supports the industry's contribution to global sustainability.

Outlines

00:00

🌱 Sustainability in Agriculture

This paragraph introduces the concept of sustainability in the context of food and agriculture. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the origins and production methods of our food, and the role of agriculture in society. The speaker shares their educational journey and professional experience in the agricultural industry, highlighting the balance needed between current needs and preserving resources for future generations. The paragraph also touches on the legal definition of sustainable agriculture, which involves practices that are specific to each farm, improve the environment, and are economically viable, while also benefiting the farmer and society.

05:02

🌾 The Global Impact of Agricultural Practices

The second paragraph discusses the global implications of agricultural practices, particularly focusing on the United States' role in the global food supply. It presents statistics on the growing world population and the need for agricultural advancements and technology to meet the increasing demand for food. The speaker mentions the historical context of agricultural development in the U.S., the importance of maintaining soil fertility, and the integration of various tools and practices, including synthetic fertilizers, to ensure sustainable and productive farming. The paragraph also addresses the myth about organic farming and the reality of crop protection, emphasizing the role of the EPA and state regulations in governing these practices.

10:02

🚜 Agricultural Innovation and Sustainable Development Goals

This paragraph delves into the role of agricultural innovation and technology in achieving the United Nations' 17 sustainable development goals. It discusses the importance of soil health, the use of herbicides as part of sustainable agricultural practices, and the industry's focus on advancing biological-based materials. The speaker highlights the progress made in agricultural productivity and the need for continued innovation to support the growing global population. The paragraph also touches on the importance of managing weeds and the holistic approach to farm production, including the use of technology and the integration of various tools to support sustainability.

15:04

📈 The Call to Action for Sustainable Agricultural Practices

The final paragraph serves as a call to action, urging the audience to understand and advocate for sustainable agricultural practices. It emphasizes the importance of food production for the current and future population, and the need to avoid negative harvest outcomes like those experienced in Sri Lanka. The speaker encourages the audience to learn about how food is produced sustainably and to use that knowledge to inform policies and practices that support sustainable agriculture. The paragraph concludes with a thank you and applause, indicating the end of the speaker's presentation.

Keywords

💡Sustainability

Sustainability refers to the ability to maintain a certain rate or level without depleting resources, ensuring the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In the context of the video, it is crucial for food and agriculture, emphasizing the balance between current consumption and the preservation of resources for future use. The script discusses the importance of sustainable farming practices to ensure food availability and environmental health.

💡Agriculture

Agriculture is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock for food, fiber, and other products. It is foundational to society, as it directly impacts food security and the economy. The video script highlights the role of agriculture in society, its connection to science and biology, and the importance of sustainable agricultural practices for both current and future needs.

💡Food Production

Food production encompasses the processes and industries involved in growing, harvesting, processing, and distributing food. The script emphasizes the multi-generational aspect of farming families and how they have increased yield per acre with less labor, indicating advancements in food production that are critical for meeting the demands of a growing global population.

💡Ecosystem

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment. The video script discusses the importance of considering the ecosystem's health in agricultural practices to ensure that the needs of today do not jeopardize the availability of resources for future generations.

💡Synthetic Fertilizers

Synthetic fertilizers are chemical compounds used to supply essential nutrients to plants for growth. The script mentions the catastrophic effects of banning synthetic fertilizers in Sri Lanka, illustrating the importance of these products in maintaining soil fertility and crop yields in sustainable agriculture.

💡Crop Protection

Crop protection refers to the measures taken to prevent, control, or mitigate damage from pests and diseases to crops. The video script discusses the use of synthetic crop protection products and the disastrous consequences of banning them, as seen in Sri Lanka, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to crop protection in sustainable agriculture.

💡Land Management

Land management involves the oversight and control of the use of land resources, often with the goal of sustainability. The script talks about the importance of managing non-renewable resources like land through practices such as cover crops and crop rotation, which are part of sustainable agricultural systems.

💡Global Food Supply

The global food supply refers to the worldwide availability and distribution of food. The video script points out the critical role of the U.S. in the global food supply, emphasizing the need for efficient production and distribution systems to meet the demands of a growing world population.

💡Agricultural Advancement

Agricultural advancement refers to the development and application of new technologies, practices, and knowledge to improve farming efficiency and productivity. The script discusses the need for such advancements to meet the food demands of a growing population without converting more natural ecosystems into agricultural land.

💡Soil Fertility

Soil fertility is the capacity of soil to provide nutrients and support for plant growth. The video script highlights the importance of sustainable agricultural practices in managing soil fertility, such as using cover crops, manure, and synthetic fertilizers to maintain and enhance the productivity of the land.

💡Herbicides

Herbicides are chemical substances used to control, kill, or mitigate the growth of unwanted plants, known as weeds. The script discusses the role of herbicides in sustainable agricultural practices, emphasizing their integration with other technologies and practices to support soil health and efficient crop production.

💡Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations to address various aspects of sustainable development, including poverty, hunger, health, education, climate change, and more. The video script connects agricultural production practices to almost all of the SDGs, indicating the broad impact of farming on global sustainability.

Highlights

Sustainability in food and agriculture is a critical topic with nearly 2 billion search results, emphasizing its importance across industries.

The speaker's educational journey at the University of Wisconsin led to an understanding of the relationship between cause and effect in agriculture.

Agriculture is foundational to society, providing a direct and measurable benefit, which is the speaker's career motivation.

Sustainable farming practices aim to maintain or improve the ecosystem without jeopardizing future needs.

Multi-generational farm families in the U.S. are achieving more yield per acre with less labor, indicating sustainable practices.

Sustainable agriculture has a legal definition involving farm-specific practices that benefit both the environment and society.

The Sri Lankan government's ban on synthetic fertilizers and crop protection products in 2021 led to a catastrophic decline in harvests and a food crisis.

The U.S. enjoys an abundant, high-quality, and affordable food supply, with farmers playing a critical role in the global food chain.

The U.S. population is expected to grow by 28% by 2050, necessitating advancements in agricultural technology to meet the demand.

Agricultural innovation and technology are essential for increasing productivity without expanding into natural ecosystems.

The U.S. government has a history of investing in agricultural production technologies since 1839, contributing to societal strength.

Today, less than 2% of the workforce is engaged in food and fiber production, highlighting the efficiency of modern agriculture.

Soil fertility management is critical to maintaining non-renewable resources, and sustainable practices involve a holistic approach.

Agricultural technology advancements are integrating information to drive harvest outcomes and improve decision-making.

Investments in rural broadband and climate-smart agricultural practices are part of the innovation agenda for 2050.

Organic production is a myth when it comes to pesticide use; it simply uses natural sources and processes.

The EPA governs all crop protection products, ensuring human and environmental safety before registration.

Agricultural innovation has led to significant productivity gains, supporting a growing global population.

The UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes goals that agricultural practices can help achieve.

Weed management is an essential part of sustainable agricultural practices, often involving a holistic approach.

The industry is investing in biological-based materials and focusing on soil health for sustainable development.

Transparency in how food is produced sustainably is key to fostering understanding and supporting UN sustainable development goals.

The speaker urges the audience to learn about sustainable food production and advocate for supportive policies.

Transcripts

sustainability

we hear this word all the time all

across multiple Industries

a quick internet search of the term

returned almost 2 billion results

so we're going to explore tonight just a

little bit about what that means in

relation to food and agriculture

like most of you today like most days of

your life you've probably had a couple

meals they were made up of a variety of

food groups fruits vegetables grains

proteins all accordions here dietary

preferences and choices

did you ever stop to think about where

that food came from

how was it produced and will it be there

tomorrow

like 98 of the population United States

I didn't grow up on a farm or a ranch

I'd always been interested in exploring

outcomes and understanding the

relationship between cause and effect

and as my educational path unfolded

first here at the University of

wisconsin-green bay Marinette campus and

later at the University of

Wisconsin-Madison

I came to understand that science in

general and biology specifically allowed

me to explore those relationships

between cause and effect

after transferring to the University of

Wisconsin-Madison I determined I found

agriculture to be where science and

biology were at its core and agriculture

also fit one of the other criteria I had

for a career and that was to work in an

industry that had a direct and

measurable benefit back to society and

there's nothing more foundational to

society than food

I've been fortunate to spend the last 30

years of my career engaged directly in

the U.S Ag and more recently the

Canadian agricultural markets and I'm

passionate about the role agriculture

has in society

so with regard to sustainability in in

farming

the word sustainable means that to

maintain a certain rate or level the

other definition is to look at an

ecosystem's wide approach and ensure

that the needs of today don't jeopardize

the ecosystem such as that it will not

be there for tomorrow

there are several multi-generation Farm

families in the United States today the

current generation is getting more per

acre than their grandparents and

great-grandparents were and doing it

with far less labor they'll tell you

that their Farms are sustainable

but sustainability as it relates to

agriculture has a specific legal

definition

it is a series of practices that are

Farm specific and work together to

ensure that the needs for of human the

human needs of food and fiber are met

that the practices do this in a way

that

improves the the improves the on-farm

and all-farm environment

they also look at efficiently managing

the non-renewable resources such as the

land incorporating biological cycles and

processes such as and such as cover

crops crop rotation and so forth

all these systems come together in a way

that is economically viable for the

farmer and they also should improve the

lives of the farmer and society as a

whole

what sustainable agricultural production

practices are not are doing just one

thing like Banning the use of synthetic

fertilizers and synthetic crop

protection for products

unfortunately we have a recent example

of what happens when that's done on a

Country-Wide basis in April of 2021 the

Sri Lanka government adopted policies

that banned the importation in use of

all synthetic fertilizers and all

synthetic crop protects materials

and unfortunately the results were

catastrophic

according to a joint report issued by

the United Nations food and agriculture

organization and the world of food

program the results of those policy

decisions to outright ban the use of

synthetic fertilizers and synthetic crop

protection products caused a

catastrophic decline across two Harvest

Cycles such that the rice Harvest was

reduced by 40 percent this is the main

calorie crop for the people of Sri Lanka

the corn crop was reduced by 40 percent

that was a primary food source for their

animals which provide protein to the

people

the results of those policy decisions

were a food crisis an economic crisis

that put Growers out of business and a

political upheal and the results of

those impacts are still being felt today

by the people of Sri Lanka on August of

2022 report that issued showed that the

year-over-year food inflation rate was

94 percent

now fortunately the government has re

has rolled back those policies and

removed the ban but unfortunately the

damage has already been done

here in the United States we enjoy

abundant high quality and relatively

affordable supply of food our farmers

and ranchers produce enough food for all

of us and they are critical to supplying

the needs of the rest of the world

Are croplands soil types climate our

Inland Waterway system and railroad

system make getting our annual harvested

crops distribute to the rest of the

world in a very efficient way and we're

critical to the global food supply

the US population today is about 7.8

billion people it's expected to grow by

28 percent

to 10 billion people by the year 2050.

that's just 28 short years from now

we need agricultural advancement

technology to meet the needs of the

growing population none of us want to

put more land that's currently in

ecosystems natural ecosystems into land

into land production so we need to get

more out of the Pharma we already have

under production

the annual crop Harvest cycle is as

important today as it ever has been

throughout human history yes we have

better transportation networks better

storage systems and so forth but we only

need to look at what's happening right

now in the world with regard to the

conflict in the Ukraine

we're seeing pressure on the global

wheat supplies because of uncertainty

around the future wheat crops that

region is critical for supplying the

part of the global needs of wheat we're

starting to see some food and stationary

pressures associated with those concerns

we're also starting to see countries

change their export policies to make

sure that they hold on to this main

calorie crop for their own people

the United States has long recognized

the importance that agriculture

economies and productivity has to a

strong Society

starting all the way back in 1839 the

United States government put in place

legislation in infrastructure

Investments that drove a rapid adoption

and advancement of agricultural

Production Technologies in the United

States

the University of Wisconsin-Madison

which is the land-grant college here for

our state in Wisconsin was the

beneficiary of many of these of many of

these Investments and in fact has

contributed to the vast body of

knowledge available in agricultural

production practices today

there has never been a time when more

has been known about how to grow crops

available to more people in our world

miles Knowlton said that knowledge is

knowing a tomato is a fruit but wisdom

is knowing that a tomato doesn't belong

in a fruit salad

so never before

has the wisdom to use all of that

knowledge

been condensed in such a small

percentage of our population

today under two percent of our Workforce

is engage in food and fiber production

so how can we as an industry have

conversations about Society on

sustainable agricultural production

practices and the sustainability of Our

Food Network

science is at the heart of agriculture

and there are some truths that cannot be

changed

sole fertility management is absolutely

critical to maintaining the

non-renewable resources that is Our Land

each crop Harvest removes nutrients from

the soil and those nutrients must be

returned to keep that land productive

now sustainable agricultural practices

dictate that all of the above approach

is taken so things like cover crops and

manure and yes synthetic fertilizers are

part of the equation to manage soil

fertility

now no matter what source is used best

management practices

follow the four hours of nutrient

management and that is using the right

fertilizer Source at the right rate at

the right time and at the right place

these practices ensure that the crop get

gets what it needs to maximize Harvest

while minimizing the off Farm the the

off-site movement of those nutrients

agricultural technology advancements are

absolutely critical in managing the most

important non-renewable resource we have

and that's our land

we're seeing AG technology advancements

that that are driving Innovations we're

being able to look at what goes on on

the farm and integrate all this

information together to drive Harvest

outcomes

so for example Farmers make decisions

around soil fertility tillage what

varieties they plant what planning dates

they use what Pest Management tools they

use all these can be organized around

global positioning data coordinates and

tied back the yield outcomes this allows

Growers to make better decisions even in

on an in-field basis and dry

productivity gains now additional

Investments need to be made in things

such as Broadband high quality rural

access access to high quality internet

in rural areas

climate smart Agricultural Product

production is is tying Back The Soil

Service the soil carbon capture ability

um of Agriculture production this is an

exciting New Frontier

the United States Department of

agriculture's AG Innovation agenda is

driving towards increasing per acre Farm

productivity by 40 while reducing

environmental impacts by 50 by the year

2050.

one commonly hear often is that organic

production means no pesticides are used

that's a myth now this is not to take

away in any way shape or form

organic production practices

it just means that the the tools used to

manage the crop need to come from

natural sources

and processes

and it's fantastic that Growers have a

consumers have a chance to purchase the

products that they grow in the way that

they deem necessary and that Growers

have a chance

to produce a product according to their

needs and that there's a Marketplace to

bring the two together

but no matter what the source of the

crop protection product is either

conventional or organic or how that crop

is produced soil fertility in pests like

insects diseases and weeds have to

manage in an agricultural production

system the source of the materials are

from naturally occurring processes

or or sources and they are made

according to organic industry production

standards but no matter how those

products come to Market or what the

source them are the United States

Environmental Protection Agency governs

all of them

and they look at all aspects of the

products including the human and

environmental considerations before

registering additionally States also

require the use of these materials now

these tools are are critical and have

been critical in driving Farm

productivity gains

for example in the year 20s and in the

years from 1948 to 2017 we saw a huge

increase in the number in the in the

productivity per acre off of our U.S

farms and these productivity gains were

driven largely by the adoption of

synthetic fertilizers and synthetic crop

protection materials over that same

period of time the global population

increased by 200 percent

while the Corn Harvest for example

increased by 360 percent

AG Innovation and technology has driven

Farm productivity gains and we need that

to continue in the future

in 2015 the United Nations published the

2030 a Jennifer sustainable development

that's part of that process they

identified 17 sustainable development

goals that were critical to achieving

the desired outcome

agricultural production practices touch

almost all 17 of these sustainable

development goals

this has provided a framework to have

conversations around the line metrics

and progress towards attainment of that

goal

and they help Foster a conversation

between our industry and Society to show

how agricultural production is is going

and how it's sustainable

weeds are plants growing where they're

not wanted they compete with the crop

for soil nutrients sunlight and moisture

and they must be managed if Harvest is

to be made

now those of you that have Garden know

that if you've got a weed growing in

your garden you can take out a hoe and

you can hoe that weed out there but

doing so disrupts the soil surface and

it also can disrupt the soil structure

so sustainable agricultural practices

look at a holistic approach to managing

all aspects of the of farm production

and herbicide use is part of a

sustainable as part of sustainable

agricultural production practices

by looking at how we integrate all

Technologies together such as herbicides

that allows Growers to do things like

use conservation tillage which Fosters

soil health

also we're looking at an industry we're

working in Industry today that spends

almost three billion dollars working to

advance Innovation and Technology to

help Growers manage better manage pests

better and protect their crop

we're seeing some changes in these tools

that that are coming out of our industry

with more of a focus on biological based

materials

for example in 2016 we saw twice as many

biological based products come to Market

as conventional based products

soil Health Focus

allows companies to do things like take

naturally occurring mycorrhizal fungi

turn those into grower friendly

formulations that can be applied at

planting putting those putting those

microorganisms in the perfect place to

form a symbiotic relationship with the

plant that helps pull nutrients out of

the soil protect from drought and

increase soil carbon capture

tying together how all of these tools

work together and support the United

Nations 17 sustainable development goals

will help Foster a level of transparency

to help Society understand how their

food is sustainably produced and how we

in the industry are helping to support

the United Nations sustainable

development goals

everyone eats every day and we need our

farmers and ranchers to continue to

produce the food we need and all of the

above approach to AG Innovation and

Technology to to meet the needs of the

population today and the additional 2

billion people that are expected here in

the next 28 years

the world in the United States

cannot afford a harvest outcome like the

Sri Lankan Farmers had

and we all need to get get engaged and

understand how our policies and

practices are so that we we don't have

those type of outcomes

I asked you to take some time to learn

about how your food is produced

sustainably

take that knowledge turn it into wisdom

and be an advocate for policies that's

that support sustainable agricultural

production practices

I think they could be happy you did so

thank you

[Applause]