2008 Joint Annual Meeting (5-9 Oct. 2008): Driving the Demand for Accelerated Crop Yields.

Several factors have converged to significantly increase the production demand on global agricultural systems.   These factors include: increased population levels; increased affluence and commensurate increases in demand for diets higher in meat protein; and, utilization of agricultural commodities for renewable fuels.  World population levels are expected to increase by 48% from the current 6 billion level to 8.9 billion by 2050. Concomitantly, by 2050, USEPA estimates that current double proven (50% probability) oil reserves will be depleted.  To meet the accelerated crop yield demand imposed by these factors, the US government estimates that yields of corn, wheat and other small grains will need to increase by 50% over the next several decades.  The current US land base currently in agricultural crop production or pasture and range amounts to 20% and 26% respectively of the total US land base.  Increased agricultural commodity prices will likely drive marginally productive lands not currently managed for agriculture into production.  These marginal lands will present unique challenges for agronomists to enhance yields while maintaining environmental integrity.