Question

Which of the following is/are the chief characteristics of commercial grain farming of the middle latitude grasslands?
1. The size of farms are generally large.
2. Cultivation is highly mechanized.
3. It is a type of extensive farming.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 only
C) 1, 2 and 3
D) 1 and 3 only

Answer 1

Hint: Imaginary lines are drawn on the map. They are geometric only which means they don’t exist physically. It is used to find the exact location of any place. These lines are drawn around the globe and help in navigation and finding geographical data.

Complete answer:
Commercial grain farming is a highly mechanized and vast type of agriculture. This is a new trend in the mid-latitude continental lands, which were originally inhabited by nomadic herdsmen.
Characteristics:
i) Single-crop specialization: Commercial grain farming is extremely specialized, with a single crop being farmed in most cases. Wheat is the crop of choice in most commercial grain regions. In these places, both winter and spring wheat are farmed.

ii) Farms are very large: Wheat farms in the mid-latitudes are enormous, ranging in size from 240 to 16,000 hectares. Despite the fact that the average size of a farm in the United States is around 400 hectares. The land is cheap in many locations, making it easy for a farmer to acquire enormous estates.

iii) Highly mechanized: Commercial grain farming is heavily automated. From ploughing to harvesting, agriculture is frequently mechanized. Tractors, drills, and combines harvests that reap, thresh, winnow, and sack the grain all in one operation are prevalent.

iv) Low yield per acre but high yield per man: Wheat yields are comparatively low in this farming. The average output is rarely more than 1,700 kg per hectare, while in many countries, the yield is higher under intensive farming. However, because of mechanization, less labour is required, resulting in a high output per man.

So, the answer is Option ‘A’ i.e, 1 and 2 only.

Note: Plants having higher production, flavour, and nutritional value are chosen by farmers. They also select plants that are resistant to plant disease and drought and plants that are easier to harvest. Crop plants have evolved over centuries of controlled selection and breeding. The crops generate a higher yield.