Wat conditions are necessary for large scale crop farming?

Question

correct temperature?

sunlight???

plz help...thanx

Answer 1

The climate is the most important thing. Some crops can actually grow in pure sand, but nothing will grow in dry sand. Therefore there has to be a dependable source of moisture.

In America, large scale farming is completely technological. The crops are hybrids specially bred for a particular climate. Corn growing in New York is not the same hybrid as the corn growing in California. There are usually several hybrids to choose from in a particular area however, and I suppose it ends up like preferring one particular beer over another.

The next most important thing is agricultural chemicals. These consist of fertilizers and pesticides. Both depend on the crop being grown and the particular species of pest to protect the crops from. The county agricultural agent is usually a good source of information reguarding pest control.

Of course there is also the machinery needed to work the fields. Most farmers share the expense of a number of tractors, tillers, combines, ect. This is known as a "co-op". The farmers in a particular area get together and work out a schedule of who gets to use a particular piece of equipment on a particular day. There are also co-op stores where agricultural chemicals can be purchased.

Of course there is also time. The agricultural agent can furnish a schedule of tasks necessary to grow a particular hybrid. The crop will need to be fertilized on a certain schedule and if pests occur, there is a schedule for pest management as well. Of course this also depends on the amount of precipitation. Fortunately, all of this has been standardized and this explains why large scale farmers rely on computers to keep track of everything. However, one variable they can't precisely control is the price of their crops. The bane of farming is that overproduction will flood the market and bring down prices. Farmers are businessmen after all, and even the largest farms probably run on a very slim profit margin.

I suspect the attraction of farming is running one's own business and being able to be out in the country and enjoy nature. I doubt anyone becomes a farmer thinking htey will get rich overnight. Curiously, all the great civilizations on earth were based on their agricultural success. Most collapsed when their agricultural productivity collapsed. America can thank its God and its government, but the real key to its success is its agriculture.

Answer 2

I farm 11,000 acres of agricultural land in the Pampas area, in Argentina.

I do not rotate with cattle since price of beef here is political.

I grow wheat, sunflower, soybean and corn.

And a little of barley and canary seed.

We till and plant with our machinery and contract services for spraying and harvesting.

Timing is not usually a big problem since we do not get any snow and the frost-free months are several.

Moisture and weed controls are subjects to watch.

Weeds grow all year around and it takes several applications of herbicides or tilling to keep fields out of them.

Fertility is also a thing to take care about since there are many fields involved with different conditions, the same as weed control.

Machinery managing can be a challenge when farms are separated in different counties as it happens to me.

You can get good prices on expenses because of the amount and the same about selling big quantities of grain.

Lastly, managing people is not always an easy task...

Answer 3

DEPENDS ON  2 THINGS   MONEY    AND AMOUNT OF LAND   TO BE USED    

LARGE SCALE OPERATIONS ARE A GOOD WAY TO GO IF NATURE IS ON YOUR SIDE  RAIN   GOOD SEED    GOOD HARVEST    

8-10 HRS SUN     75 TO 90 DEGREE AVERAGE

Answer 4

The biggest thing you'll need to get into large scale farming is a lot of capital.  If you have to buy land, the better the farm land the more it will cost. Then you'll have to lay out a lot of money for machinery,  fertilizer, pesticides, etc.  If you are in an area that needs irrigation, that's another big expense.  It is very hard to go into large scale farming these days.  Even farmers that already own their farms and machinery are having a hard time making a good living farming.  The most important thing to consider if buying land is the amount of rainfall received per year and/or the  availability of underground water or a source of water for irrigation.

Answer 5

Well-aerated soil and use crop rotatio to prevent the consumption of nutrients from the soil.

Answer 6

Roger S gave you an outstanding answer.  The only thing I would elaborate on is temperature.

Crops can be oddly fussy about temperature.  I live in the very heart of potato country.  Everyone knows Idaho grows a lot of potatoes.  The actual area that potatoes are grown in is pretty small.  70% of the potatoes consumed in the U.S. are grown right here in my county.  30% of the potatoes worldwide are grown here.  

Potatoes need hot sunny days, but like to cool off to just above freezing at night.  That's why they grow so well here in the high mountain deserts of Idaho.  

Some crops like to be warm in the evening also.  Others need the cool off time.

~Garnet

Homesteading/Farming over 20 years