Continuous ag yield growth has benefits and pitfalls

The Modesto Bee yesterday ran a story about the steady yield growth of Stanislaus County agricultural crops over the past 100-plus years.

These increasing yields, wrote reporter John Holland, have enabled farmers to help feed a growing world population and allowed the vast majority of U.S. residents to live in cities and suburbs.

"Efficient farming also has kept food fairly affordable, meaning that consumers have extra money to spend on housing, clothing and other purchases that drive the economy," the story said.

Holland also listed "pitfalls" of the county's high yielding agricultural land:

• High yields can create surpluses that drive down prices for farmers
• High yields might lead some people to think that preserving farmland from development is not quite so important, because the remaining land can produce plenty

The article credited UC Cooperative Extension for helping educate farmers on new agricultural technology that has boosted yields. Holland included a quote from UCCE farm advisor Kathy Kelley Anderson noting an important benefit to farmers of adopting improved practices.

"To farm any crop, there is a certain amount of monetary inputs you have to supply," Anderson said. "If you can increase your yield, you increase your profit."

UCCE research and education has helped farmers boost crop yields.

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