Agricultural Types and Practices

Flashcards defining eight major global agricultural types, covering their associated climate, regions, livestock, crops, farming intensity, and economic orientation.

Shifting Cultivation

An extensive subsistence agriculture practiced in tropical climates (Latin America, Sub Saharan Africa, Southeastern Asia) where farmers relocate and move from one farm to another (slash and burn agriculture) when the soil loses fertility. Major crops include corn (maize), rice, millet, and sorghum.

Nomadic Herding / Pastoral Nomadism

An extensive subsistence practice in dry climates (Northern Africa, Southwest Asia, Central Asia, East Asia) where nomads rely upon animals for survival rather than profit, moving herds (cattle, camels, reindeer, goats, yaks, horses) to different pastures and trading meat, milk, and hides.

Livestock Ranching

An extensive commercial agricultural practice in dry climates (Western North America, Southeastern South America, Central Asia, Australia, South Africa) characterized by the commercial grazing of livestock (cattle, goats, sheep) that are eventually sent to feedlots and then to slaughter.

Commercial Grain Farming

An extensive commercial agriculture practiced in mid-latitudes too dry for mixed crops & livestock (United States, Canada, Europe, Russia, Central Asia, China, South Asia), where crops like wheat are grown primarily for human consumption and sold to manufacturers of food products such as breakfast cereals and bread.

Marketing Gardening / Commercial Gardening / Truck Farming

An intensive commercial agriculture located in warm, mid-latitude climates (Southeastern US, California, Southeastern Australia) producing fresh fruits and vegetables (lettuce, broccoli, apples, oranges, tomatoes), where some produce is sold fresh to consumers, but most is sold to large processors for canning or freezing.

Plantation Agriculture

An intensive commercial agriculture in tropical climates (Latin America, Sub- Saharan Africa, South & Southeast Asia) that specializes in one commodity or speciality crop (such as cacao, coffee, rubber, sugarcane, bananas, tobacco, tea, coconuts & cotton) transported for sale on the global market.

Mixed Crops / Livestock

An intensive commercial farming system found in cold & warm mid-latitudes (Midwestern United States & Canada, Central Europe) where crops (corn, grains, soybeans) are grown for livestock rather than sold for profit, and most money comes from the sale of livestock (cattle and pigs).

Mediterranean Agriculture

An intensive commercial agricultural type practiced in coastal climates with mild, wet winters and dry summers (Southern Europe & Northern Africa, Pacific Coast of the US, Chile, South Africa, Southern Australia), where orchards are common and crops such as grapes, olives, dates, and figs are produced for the global market.