National Agriculture Week: Equipment for the Farming Industry
National Agriculture Week is a special occasion that happens annually in March to celebrate how the agriculture industry plays such a huge role in our daily lives by providing necessities such as food, raw materials for textiles and accessories, and even fuel additives. Running March 15–21 this year, National Agriculture Week seeks to raise awareness for how farmers, ranchers, and other agribusinesses contribute to our overall economy.
As one example of impact, you may know that ethanol can be produced in a fermenting process using corn, sugarcane, or wheat to create a gasoline booster that lowers emissions and improves octane ratings. However, did you know that ethanol also is used in disinfectants and antiseptics such as hand sanitizers, surface cleaners, and medical wipes? It can be used in industrial solvents; personal care products such as lotions, hairsprays, and perfumes; in the medical field as an ablation agent for tumors; and even in beer, wine, spirits, and flavoring agents.
And that’s just one portion of the overall industry. So, as you can see, agriculture has a far wider reach than just putting food on our tables. With that in mind, Equipment Trader is placing a spotlight on those in the agricultural realm to express a big thank you for continuing efforts in the workforce. Here is a list of just a few of the services and equipment that keeps agriculture moving.
Shop online for new and used agriculture equipment for sale.
What Is Agriculture?
Technically, agriculture is defined as the science or practice of farming, which includes the cultivation of soil for growing crops or rearing animals. However, as noted in the example from above, there are clearly a number of subcategories within the family of farming that fit within the industry.
In addition to crop and animal production—which can include raising livestock for food (beef, chicken, pork, mutton, eggs, or milk) and textiles (leather and wool)—agriculture also includes:
- Support—companies that provide seed, pesticides, fertilizer, irrigation systems, and farming equipment.
- Processing—manufacturers that transform raw commodities into food, beverage, textile, and fuel products.
- Distribution—transportation, storage, and selling of products.
- Logging—land management of forestry and timber for paper products such as cardboard, toilet paper, and paper towels.
- Fishing—managing and cultivating fish farms and harvesting sustainable wild-caught fish and seafood.
- Science—creating the products and solutions that help manage pest control, stable growth and health of crops and livestock, as well as proper soil management.
Even though farms directly contribute to less than 1% of the Gross Domestic Product—the total annual monetary value of all domestic goods produced within the U.S.—the products and services related to farming and ranching touch almost every facet of our everyday routines. It would be hard to imagine life as we know it without the people who pour their hearts and souls into moving us forward.
Can You Dig It?
When you think of farms, the machines you probably most commonly associate with the lifestyle are tractors. That’s probably because tractors were essentially created to work the land, and they offer so many services when it comes to farm functions. They can help clear the land for crops by removing large rocks, trees, stumps, and further obstacles. Once the land is clear, they can nurture the dirt with a variety of attachments such as plows, discs, seed drills, and cultivators. Once the crops have grown, they help with harvesting with attachments that are designed specifically for the crop. For example, there are sickle bar mowers, hay rakes, and square baling machines for hay, straw, and cotton, and there are thresher attachments that can separate grain from plant shafts on crops such as wheat, rice, and corn.
Compare listings online for new and pre-owned harvesters for sale.
During the growing season, tractors can also be used with irrigation equipment to help nourish and protect the crops. With a rear-mounted boom sprayer, farmers can spray water, liquid fertilizer, or liquid pesticides to keep the plants happy and healthy throughout their growth cycle.
And while tractors are closely aligned with the agriculture industry and make up a large percentage of the equipment used in farming and ranching, a lot of other types of equipment are also involved, from combines and livestock trailers to boom lifts and telehandlers (which can be described simply as a cross between a forklift and a crane).
Supporting The Cause
Equipment Trader is proud to be included in the agricultural family by supplying the largest online resource for new and used equipment designed for farming purposes. We offer a wide range of products so farmers, ranchers, and others involved in the agriculture industry can have the tools they need to make the work they do a little easier and more efficient. We thank you all for your Herculean efforts during National Agriculture Week.
Barrett Baker
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