Document Type
Thesis - Open Access
Award Date
2013
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department / School
Geography
First Advisor
Darrell Napton
Keywords
Corn Belt, maize, food security, energy, sustainability, agriculture
Abstract
Technological and scientific innovation has transformed agricultural production. Corn production methods changed from a sustainable, nutrient recycling production system to one reliant on imported fossil energy inputs. Located in the Western Corn Belt, Union County, South Dakota was chosen as the study area. Changes in production methods are represented by four technological epochs: 1) The Draft Horse Epoch, 1890-1920; 2) The Tractor Epoch, 1920-1950; 3) The Fertilizer Epoch, 1950-1980; and 4) The Biotechnology and Precision Agriculture Epoch, 1980-2010. The energy budget method was used to measure the energy sustainability of corn production. The findings show that the volume of corn grain yield credited to fossil fuels and inorganic fertilizer energy inputs represents the magnitude of the corn crop that is neither sustainable nor renewable.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Corn -- Yields -- South Dakota -- Union County -- History
Energy crops
Renewable crops
Sustainable agriculture
Description
Includes bibliographical references (pages 133-149)
Format
application/pdf
Number of Pages
161
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Rights
Copyright 2013 Matthew Bernau. All Rights Reserved.
Recommended Citation
Bernau, Matthew, "Energy in the Corn Belt: Is Maize Production Sustainable?" (2013). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1011.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/1011