Sustainable Agriculture Production | Todd Mayhew | TEDxUWGreenBay
Summary
TLDRThe 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
🌱 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.
🌾 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.
🚜 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.
📈 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.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Sustainability
💡Agriculture
💡Food Production
💡Ecosystem
💡Synthetic Fertilizers
💡Crop Protection
💡Land Management
💡Global Food Supply
💡Agricultural Advancement
💡Soil Fertility
💡Herbicides
💡Sustainable Development Goals
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]
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