Re: Car Craft Ramblings (and Perception)

[farna@xxxxxxx]

Having grown up on a farm, it's more to it than that! Crops depelte the soil, different ones tke different things out. This can be partially compensated for with fertilizer, but it's still not a good idea to plant the same crop on the same plot of land for to long. It's possible to rotate to the point that little (and sometimes no) fertilizer is needed, but not economically feasible to do so. Most farms do rotate to a degree and diversify crops. Demand does play a big role. In order to remain profitable farmers have to judge the market to determine what to plant the next year. If soybeans were low this past year and corn high, it's usually because there were plenty beans and not enough corn. If all farmers switched it would be reversed the next year, so you have to guess as to how many will. Most will still plant both (two big cash crops in some parts of the country), just change up the mix. Or the mix of whatever crops are grown in that part of the country. 

On April 30, 2005 Jim B wrote:

> A: While I agree with you on the other stuff, biodiversity is required for
> all things to survive. Suppose you planted the same crop over 10 states.
> What happens when a fungus comes along that destroys just that type? The
> whole crop can be easily destroyed in one season with nothing left over.
> Like the Florida oranges when they freeze drive the prices up because of the
> scarcity. It's not as much fun when it is something you require to live or
> breath everyday. (or drive to work, or well, you get the idea)
> 


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