Extensive farming

Systems:
– Continuous grazing by sheep or cattle is a common extensive farming system
– Extensive farming includes raising sheep, cattle, wheat, barley, and other crops
– Nomadic herding is an extreme form of extensive farming
– Extensive farming is prevalent in mid-latitude regions and deserts
– In 1957, parts of Western Australia had very poor pastures

Geography:
– Extensive farming requires less rainfall than intensive farming
– Farms in extensive farming are usually large with minimal labor and expenses
– Different regions can be classified based on rainfall, vegetation, and agricultural activities
– Extensive farming is found in mid-latitude sections of continents and deserts
– Basic division of cropping and pastoral activities is common in these areas

Advantages:
– Less labor is needed per unit area in extensive farming
– Mechanization is more effective over large, flat areas
– Animal welfare is generally improved in extensive farming
– Lower input requirements such as fertilizers
– Livestock bred in larger areas develop more efficiently

Disadvantages:
– Yields are lower in extensive farming compared to intensive farming
– Large land requirements limit wild species habitats
– Extensive farming may be less profitable per acre than intensive farming
– Extensive farming was thought to produce more methane and nitrous oxide
– Carbon footprint per billion kg of milk has decreased over time

See also:
– Dehesa in Spain or montado in Portugal
– Herding
– Pastoralism
– Polyculture
– Ranching