Long-term Trends in Population, Farm Income, and Crop Production in the Great Plains

摘要: Despite concern about the social, economic, and ecological viability of agricultural Great Plains, a century-long examination reveals that threats to society, economy, environment are counterbalanced by surprising stability potential for short- medium-term sustainability. Populations in metropolitan counties have grown, whereas rural populations may now be stable; both aging. Technological advances past five decades enhanced production Plains despite periodic adverse economic environmental conditions, increases crop yields, animal feeding, government payments sustained agriculture income. Nonmetropolitan with irrigated farming been more successful than those without irrigation. However, overuse groundwater rising energy costs irrigation affect margins ability sustain integrity. Long-term projections productivity must balance recent risks posed reduced irrigation, higher prices, disruptive demographic changes, further loss