 |
| I’d be willing to bet a whole lot of money that all of these individuals use smart phones on a daily basis. |
Why is it that opponents of modern agriculture are so skeptical of technology in food production, but more than happy to pick up the last version of the iPhone? It doesn’t make sense – as the world progresses, farmers are the only ones expected to revert back to out-of-date technology and production methods.
President Bob Stallman of American Farm Bureau Federation addressed this in a recent article.
He said:
Technology is changing the way we do just about everything, and by all accounts we can’t get enough of it. Until we start talking about food technology, often referred to as biotechnology, and then our mindsets revert to the Dark Ages.
Bob hits the nail on the head and this idea is hypocrisy at its best.
There has never been a single scientific study to show biotech is bad for the environment or human beings. And, yet, people are terrified of them.
President Stallman goes on to explain that technology in agriculture is essential for the future:
For years, farmers and ranchers have used technology to produce more food, feed, fiber and fuel, while using less acreage, chemicals and water. Now, facing quite possibly the biggest challenge of our generation—to produce 100 percent more food by 2050—we need technology to feed far more than our brains and our Facebook accounts. In fact, in doubling the amount of food grown in the next 37 years, 70 percent of that additional food will have to come from efficiency-enhancing technologies that will compensate for one of the few things technology can’t produce: farm and ranch land.
Through advancements in science and technology, agriculture production has made tremendous strides. Consider the improvements to corn yields since the mid-to-late 1800s. In 1870, the national corn yield was 29 bushels per acre. This year, corn yields are projected to be 155.3 bushels per acre. The advancements in science and technology have resulted in a roughly 436 percent increase in the nation’s corn yields since 1870.
We need to rearrange our thinking. We need the food technology to improve yields and feed a hungry world. To do otherwise is, quite frankly, selfish.
Finish reading President Bob Stallman’s comments here.
I have used this argument many, many times before when dealing with the antis. They don't want agriculture to advance while complaining on their iPhones, driving cars, using electricity…
For those that question "all the nasty hormones used in beef cattle" the more pertinent question that will hit them where it hurts is to ask them if they take the pill. Someone taking the pill takes more hormones every day than can conceivably ever be passed through meat.