SKU: 9427991774

Industrializing the Corn Belt: Agriculture, Technology, and Environment, 1945-1972

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Industrializing the Corn Belt: Agriculture, Technology, and Environment, 1945-1972From the late 1940s to the early 1970s, farmers in the Corn Belt transformed their region into a new, industrial powerhouse of large scale production, mechanization, specialization, and efficiency. Many farm experts and implement manufacturers had urged farmers in this direction for decades, but it was the persistent labor shortage and cost price squeeze following WWII that prompted farmers to pave the way to industrializing agriculture. Anderson

From the late 1940s to the early 1970s, farmers in the Corn Belt transformed their region into a new, industrial powerhouse of large-scale production, mechanization, specialization, and efficiency. Many farm experts and implement manufacturers had urged farmers in this direction for decades, but it was the persistent labor shortage and cost-price squeeze following WWII that prompted farmers to pave the way to industrializing agriculture. Anderson examines the changes in Iowa, a representative state of the Corn Belt, in order to explore why farmers adopted particular technologies and how, over time, they integrated new tools and techniques.

In addition to the impressive field machinery, grain storage facilities, and automated feeding systems were the less visible, but no less potent, chemical technologies--antibiotics and growth hormones administered to livestock, as well as insecticide, herbicide, and fertilizer applied to crops. Much of this new technology created unintended consequences: pesticides encouraged the proliferation of resistant strains of plants and insects while also polluting the environment and threatening wildlife, and the use of feed additives triggered concern about the health effects to consumers.

In Industrializing the Corn Belt, J. L. Anderson explains that the cost of equipment and chemicals made unprecedented demands on farm capital, and in order to maximize production, farmers planted more acres with fewer but more profitable crops or specialized in raising large herds of a single livestock species. The industrialization of agriculture gave rural Americans a lifestyle resembling that of their urban and suburban counterparts. Yet the rural population continued to dwindle as farms required less human labor, and many small farmers, unable or unwilling to compete, chose to sell out.

Based on farm records, cooperative extension reports, USDA publications, oral interviews, trade literature, and agricultural periodicals, Industrializing the Corn Belt offers a fresh look at an important period of revolutionary change in agriculture through the eyes of those who grew the crops, raised the livestock, implemented new technology, and ultimately made the decisions that transformed the nature of the family farm and the Midwestern landscape.



Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Northern Illinois University Press
Published: 02/15/2016
ISBN: 9780875807416
Pages: 248
Weight: 0.79lbs
Size: 8.80h x 6.00w x 0.70d
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SKU: 9427991774

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Rhys Jones
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
Perfect for young pups who get bored easily!
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Our pup recently turned 1 and gets bored very easily, so she’s always looking for something new to chew or play with. We got her this little alligator toy and she is OBSESSED with it! She carries it everywhere and plays with it constantly. I’m honestly surprised by how durable it’s been considering how much use it gets. If you want to help save your furniture and household items from becoming chew toys, do yourself a favor and grab this for your pup!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2026
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Stacy Corder
New York, US
★★★★★ 4
Extremely durable but too large for our Aussie
Color: Bacon -Blue
This toy is very solid and seems like it would hold up well for aggressive chewers, but it ended up being too large and heavy for our Australian Shepherd. He had trouble comfortably holding it in his mouth and wasn’t very interested in chewing on it because of the size and weight. The quality itself seems good, but I would recommend it more for larger dogs with bigger jaws that enjoy heavier chew toys.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2026
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janet black
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
Indestructible toy
Color: Bacon
This is a great toy. I have a husky pit bull mix puppy that can chew anything. I swear that dog can chew the varnish off a furniture. He cannot chew this up.I highly recommend
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Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2026
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Jea9
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 3
Indestructible?
Color: Bacon, Color: Bacon
This is after 1 week of arrgressive chewing. Not sure if it's safe for my dog.
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Marybeth
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 4
Beloved But Beware Microplastic Chip-Offs
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My doodle adores this thing and gnaws on it constantly. He has not been able to harm it, which is great. That’s the best part. Things to be aware of: 1. This is mostly molded plastic; it is a bit heavy and very hard. My dog tosses it into the air and if it lands on him, it HURTS. A lot. 2. While it’s sturdy, sharp teeth eventually gnaw pieces and little shavings off the toy. These are microplastics and could be harmful if your dog swallows them.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2026

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