Re: Costs of industrial agriculture

Marjorie Rayburn (mrayburn@chowan.ces.state.nc.us)
Fri, 12 Dec 1997 10:51:32 -0500 (EST)

Janet-
According to the Kiplinger "Farm and Food Facts" in 1993 there were
2,068,000 farms in the United States. That organization may also have some
more current figures.
The North Carolina Department of Agriculutre puts out its "Agricultural
Statistics" every year. Probably other states do the same. For 1996, in
North Carolina, there were 58,000 farms. They also list 2,063.000 as a
preliminary figure for number of farms in the U.S. Another interesting figure
is that average farm size in North Carolina is 159 acres, while average farm
size in the U.S. is 469 acres.
As for fertilizer use in North Carolina: There were 1,076,844 tons of
multi nutrient and 593,691 tons of single nutrient fertilizer shipped to
counties and received by retailers and consumers from manufactures. This
should be a reasonable estimate of amount used. However, please keep in mind
that fertilizer varies in nutrient concentration (500 pounds of 10-10-10 would
contribute the same nutrients as 250 pounds of 20-20-20). These figures are
not just for agricultural use, they include landscapers, homeowners, golf
courses, parks, etc. They also do not include lime or land plaster. A summary
of farm production expenses indicates that $241.6 million was spent on
fertilizer and lime in 1996.
Hope this information helps.
Marjorie Rayburn
On Dec 11, 12:52pm, Janet Bell wrote:
> Subject: Costs of industrial agriculture
> Dear all,
>
> Thanks very much to all of you that took the trouble to respond - what a
> great resource sanet-mg is! Sorry I haven't replied to each of you
> individually, but I am snowed under right now. I will make available the
> final article once it is finished. Meanwhile, I have a couple of quickie
> requests I wonder if anyone can help me with:
>
> 1) How many farms are there in the US today?
> 2) How much do US farmers spend on fertilisers each year (total and/or
> average per farm?)
>
> Thanks again for your help,
>
> Janet Bell
> Earth Matters
> 1633 Gold Run Road
> Boulder CO 80302
>
> tel/fax: (303) 449 3075
> janetbell@earthlink.net
>
>
>
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>-- End of excerpt from Janet Bell

--
Marjorie Rayburn  (Ms. IPM)
E-Mail  : mrayburn@chowan
Internet: mrayburn@chowan.ces.ncsu.edu
Phone   : (919) 482-8431


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