Farming probably isn’t something you think about every day, but every day, we enjoy the benefits of it. Agriculture is a complex and high-risk industry so we thought we’d give it some time in the spotlight.
These five farming facts highlight some of the most unusual aspects of the agriculture industry.
1. Tomatoes Are the Most Popular Fruit
It’s a strange fact, but tomatoes are actually classed as a fruit. They are also the most popular fruit. Farmers around the world produce an average of 177 million metric tons of tomatoes each year.
Even though tomatoes are scientifically and botanically classed as a fruit, they were legally defined as a fruit by court order in 1893. This was so that tomatoes could have the 10% import tariff waived that applied to vegetables.
2. 55 Thousand Miles = 1 Pound of Honey
A hive of honey bees flies 55 thousand miles to produce one pound of honey. In their brief six to eight week lifetime, a honeybee will fly the equivalent of one and a half times the earth’s circumference.
3. US Trade War With China – Farming Facts
The Trade war between The US and China has cost the farming industry in America’s midwest to lose close to two-thirds of their exports to China. Corn, wheat, and soybean farmers have lost $13 billion because of rising tariffs from China and other countries.
In 2018, $34 billion worth of tariffs were introduced on exports from China, mainly targeting machinery and industrial goods.
This has resulted in less affordable options for farmers to purchase and maintain farming equipment, causing many farmers to hire machinery instead of paying for its upkeep. For more on leasing farm equipment, read on here.
4. Fruit and Vegetables Are Set to Become Part of The Internet of Things
A company called Corveta is working on technology that will let you scan your fruit and vegetables to trace its journey from the farm to the supermarket.
The main reason for this is to give buyers peace of mind about where their food is coming from. Concerns over health, safety, and social impact are believed to be the main decisions driving food purchases.
These “smart labels” are also aimed at consumers who prefer to support local businesses over large supermarkets. Buyers feel good when they support local businesses and believe they are getting a better product.
Being able to trace your food will make fruit and vegetable sales more competitive as people can see how local their food actually is as well as it’s carbon footprint.
5. Agriculture Is America’s Sixth Most Dangerous Occupation
The US Bureau of Labour Statistics puts agriculture down as being five times more dangerous than firefighting. In Wisconsin, there were 30 workplace fatalities in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting in 2018. Between 1992 and 2005, there were 1,412.
Transportation incidences are the number one cause of death on farms, mainly tractors overturning.
Agriculture work is very physical and demanding and requires the use of dangerous equipment as well as managing potentially dangerous animals such as bulls and pigs.
Read On
Farming is an industry that most of us don’t experience up close in our lives. When we think of farming we usually think of milking cows and herding sheep, but these farming facts are just a taste of life in this crucial and technical line of work.
Feel free to check out the rest of our blog for more unusual and entertaining facts.
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