![Sample our Geography journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5937/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Geography.jpg"})
Abstract
Case studies of two farms in eastern Iowa illustrate changes in the Corn Belt since World War II. The Hoffman farm was a classic example of a traditional operation that used a three-year rotation of corn, oats and leguminous hay on 160 acres of land. These crops were used to fatten feeder cattle from western range areas and hogs that were farrowed on the farm. This farm operation did not take advantage of opportunities to expand, and it has been sold because it is too small for a successful modern family farm. The Mather farm has been operated by members ol the same family lor five generations. Anders Mather was a superb cattleman who raised crops to fatten range cattle and hogs, but his grandson, Kenneth, has eliminated the livestock operation and concentrates on producing corn and soybeans for sale as cash crops. He has enlarged the farm to more than a thousand acres by buying and renting land. It is an excellent example of a contemporary Corn Belt family farm.