SEDGWICK COUNTY AGRICULTURE STATS
1,360 farms accounting for 496,568 acres and $118.9 million in crop & livestock sales in 2017
http://agriculture.ks.gov/countystatistics
Top Crops in Acres
Wheat for grain: 166,529
Corn for grain: 50, 331
Soybeans for beans: 125,586
Forage (hay) : 37,337
Agriculture in Sedgwick County
Average size of farms: 394 acres
Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $55,664
Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $135.84
The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 7.48%
The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 36.17%
Average total farm production expenses per farm: $46,625
Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 66.38%
Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $74,462
The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 87.75%
Average age of principal farm operators: 56 years
Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 6.89
Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 9.83%
Corn for grain: 23,652 harvested acres
All wheat for grain: 180,702 harvested acres
Upland cotton: 1,738 harvested acres
Soybeans for beans: 32,809 harvested acres
Vegetables: 126 harvested acres
Land in orchards: 177 acres
Read more: http://www.city-data.com/county/Sedgwick_County-KS.html
OCCUPATIONS IN AGRICULTURE
While jobs in agriculture certainly include farmers and ranchers, there are many more occupations included in this field.
Agronomist - Crop research scientist, Plant Breeder, Plant Pathologist
Agriculture Grader - Sort agricultural products according to their size, quality and type.
Animal Scientist - Research animals, Animal husbandry, Animal Nutritionist
Dairy Scientist - Research of dairy cattle, Animal breeder, Dairy management specialist, Dairy nutrition specialist
Dairy Technologist - Dairy manufacturing technologist, Dairy products technologist
Farm Equipment Mechanic - Service, repair and maintain the equipment
Farm Management - Decisions related to the financial and practical operation of a farm
Fiber Technologist - Study nature of plant, animal and synthetic fibers
Forest Ecologist - Research forests, class, history, cycle requirements
Forester - Manage and develope forest land; Entomologist, Plant pathologist, Soil conservationist, Forest examiner, Consulting forester, Forest ranger, Forest recreationist, Forest supervisor, Research forester and Timber management specialist
Greenhouse Manager - Oversee the daily operations of facilities that cultivate plants for research and commercial use
Horticulturist - Experiment and investigate fruits, nuts and berries, vegetables, flowers, trees and more
Landscaping Supervisor
Pesticide Technician - Pest control, Pesticide handling
Poultry Scientist - Research and examine poultry
Range Manager - Range management specialist
Soil Conservationist - Plan and develope practices for soil
Soil Scientist - Study soil characteristics
Laboratory Technician
Seed Analyst - Farm seed specialist
UNDERSTANDING GMOS
GMOs are a valuable technology used in science, medicine, and agriculture that are misunderstood and misrepresented. Utilizing GMOS allow those in agriculture to be more efficient, effective, and productive.
For more information, visit GMO Answers
When people refer to genetically modified organisms - GMOs - they are referring to crops developed through genetic engineering, a more precise method of plant breeding. Genetic engineering, also referred to as biotechnology, allows plant breeders to take a desirable trait found in nature and transfer it from one plant or organism to the plant they want to improve, as well as make a change to an existing trait in a plant they are developing.
The nine genetically modified crops available today include: sweet and field corn, soybeans, cotton, canola, alfalfa, sugar beets, papaya, potatoes, and squash. GM apples have been approved and will be commercially available in Fall 2017. GM crops were created for insect resistance, drought tolerance, herbicide tolerance, disease resistance, enhanced nutritional content, reduced food waste, and improved manufacturing processes.
And yes, GMOs are safe to eat. The overwhelming consensus of scientific experts and worldwide authorities, including the World Health Organization, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and American Medical Association, have all concurred on the safety of GMOs.
(https://gmoanswers.com/gmo-basics)
HOROMONES & YOUR BEEF
Confusion and concern have arisen concerning beef produced with additional hormones. The development and use of hormone implants is highly regulated by the U.S. FDA, and in reality, the amount of hormones in beef is minuscule compared to amounts naturally occurring in other foods we eat. Continue below to learn more.
Each pint jar of M&M’s represents the amount of nanograms found in different kinds of food and in the human body naturally in comparison to the amount found in beef. In the pint jar furthest to the right, there is a sixth of an M&M. This sliver of an M&M represents the amount of hormones found in a 3-oz. serving of beef from cattle that received an implant. In the two middle pint jars are the amount of hormones found in a 3-oz. serving of potatoes, about 20 M&Ms, and a jar showing the hormones in peas containing a few more M&Ms. The pint jar on the left end, which is full of M&Ms, showcases the amount found in a 3-oz serving of cabbage.
