UK Countryside history - 1960 AD
Another technological revolution was underway as agriculture pursued increased
output and greater security of supply. With rationing still fresh in the
public's mind, the industry responded to government initiatives derived
from the 1947 Agriculture Act. Improved stock and plant breeding, the greater
use of fertiliser and pesticides and a move away from more extensive forms
of production saw yields rise.
- Population
52 million largely urban based.
- Crops
Plant breeding, machanisation and agronomy all led to improved yields with
wheat up 35% in a decade to an average of 4 tonnes per hectare. Inputs of
purchased fertiliser and pesticide complimented a growing understanding
of the science of crop production. Operations were increasingly mechanised
and the arable labour force declined. But in this climate of supported prices
the quest for profit encouraged some farmers to turn their back on good
practice and shelve rotations. Known as the barley barons they resorted
to continuously grown barley - a practice that was common in the 1970's.
- Livestock
Silage as a conserved feedstuff was replacing hay and breeding initiatives
in the beef and dairy sectors saw the demise of dual purpose animals in
favour of higher output specialised breeds. Grants for farmers encouraged
mechanisation and the development of larger more intensive livestock buildings.
The practice of most farms maintaining a few pigs and beef animals declined
in favour of more specialised units and factory farming began.
- Farming Systems
Agriculture was supported by various Acts, initially the 1947 Agriculture
Act and grant funding and price support greatly empowered the modern era
of agriculture with new technology, specialisation, improved breeding and
management all pushing output in the new revolution. Not all was well however,
and Rachel Carson's book "Silent Spring" paved the way for a wider concern
about farming and the environment. In 1972 Britain joined the EEC and after
a transitional period agricultural policy fell within the remit of the CAP
which encouraged wasteful surpluses and amidst only slow reform widened
the gulf between agriculture and consumer.
- Woodland & Hedges
Ancient woodland made way for agriculture and forestry fueled by government
initiatives and a significant proportion was lost between 1950 and 1970.
Hedgerows suffered a similar fate and thousands of miles were lost in the
search for an efficiency and food sufficiency that the post war policy makers
sought. While the enclosure of land and planting of hedges centuries earlier
had been often deeply unpopular, so the removal of the same hedges in the
interests of efficiency was also to prove no less controversial. In 1965
dutch elm disease revisited and within two decades most of the countryside's
most important hedgerow tree was lost.
- Social Economy
Agriculture was still an important industry in the economy and represented
some 3% of GDP, but where output was rapidly rising on the back of new technology
and mechanisation the agricultural workforce declined and rural depopulation
resulted.
- Climate
Slightly cooler than today.
User comments - post
a comment
