Over the past fifty years the productivity of many of the world's cropping systems has improved dramatically. A number of key developments, some in seemingly unrelated disciplines, have contributed to this improvement, or have had their impact. Along with increased production, a variety of spin-off consequences have emerged, some of which are viewed negatively by society and the profession. All of this has had a notable influence on producers, on farm-related ecology, and on associated industries and education. Colleagues from around the world have contributed to the content of this paper, and have shared with me their opinions about which production enhancements, and which spin-off consequences, have had the greatest impact on our profession. From their input I have developed a “top-ten” list. Each item on the list will be discussed briefly. I will then offer my summary opinion of what may be important over the next 50 years.