Discuss combine harvester and its historic and current impact on the Essay

Discuss combine harvester and its historic and current impact on the economy, the environment, relationships, education, and morals. Give examples to support your discussion - Essay Example In addition, the remnants after using the combine harvester may be fed to farm animals or cut and spread throughout the field to add nutrients. This papers explores the history and the environmental and economic impacts of the combine harvester The combine harvester was invented in the U.S by one Hiram Moore in 1834. Notably, the early versions of the machine were pulled by mule, bulls, and/or horse teams. Although invented in the U.S., the idea of combine harvester was evident in other regions. In fact, an Australian, Hugh Victor McKay developed the first commercial combine harvester in 1882. Later combine harvester would be pulled by steam engine as seen in George Stockton Berry’s integration of the combine harvester with a steam engine using straw to heat the boiler. Later, sophisticated combine harvesters such as Massey Ferguson’s would emerge, drawn by tractors (gas or diesel engines). Attached to these combine harvesters are shakers, which separate grain from the chaff and straw-walkers to eject the straw and retain the grain (Quick & Buchele, 1978). One of the economic impacts of the combine harvester is the execution of multiple tasks such as grain threshing, winnowing, and collection in harvest in fa ster and more efficient ways. The machine has also created its own industry and jobs, thus improving the economy. The combine harvester has also led to reduced crop losses, time conservation, good turn around time for next crop, and reduced labor shortages during peak times thereby positively affecting the economy and living standards. Thus, due to these many advantages, the combine harvester has economically empowered not only its manufacturers but also farmers. Unfortunately, the price of the machine has prevented some farmers from using it. Additionally, poor transport facilities in rural areas, fragmented land holding, inaccessibility of farms and lack of local manufacturers and repairing facilities have also