GRAIN CROPS - World Food: Production and Use - page 77

Figure 3.1. Donio and a laborer transplanting rice.
Commercial Farmer. Steve Murphy and his family cultivate about 1280 ha of
crops each year. Only half is owned by Steve and his brother. The other half is rented
for cash every year. Some years they have more, some years less. It all depends on
the other landowners. They plant a variety of crops including maize, wheat, barley,
and soybeans. A small area is planted to grass and alfalfa to make hay for their beef
cattle in winter. Part of their maize crop is stored to fatten the young beef calves
(steers) before selling them. The rest of their grain crops are sold for cash to a local
grain elevator. To farm all the land they own and rent, they use seven large tractors,
two combines, various planters, and other types of equipment. The total value of their
Figure 3.2. Octavio preparing compost.