LIVESTOCK AND MIXED FARMING Standard Grade Geography The Human Environment

Mixed farming Mixed farms are farms that produce both crops and animals. They are the most common types of farm in Britain and are found in areas where some of the farmer’s land is good enough for crop growing and some is only suitable for livestock.

Dairy farming Dairy farming (dairying) is a type of livestock farming in which cows are reared for their milk. What factors do you think would be import to a farmer before starting to take up dairying?

Before deciding to take up dairying, a farmer has to consider the following factors: 1. Temperature: it must be warm for the grass to grow well, so the cows produce a lot of milk 2. Rainfall: there must be sufficient rainfall for the grass to grow well 3. Soil: the soil has to be quite fertile to produce good grass 4. Slope:the land should be quite flat so that the dairy cows can graze 5. Nearness to market: the farm should be near to a town so the milk can be delivered fresh to the dairy

Dairy farming location The most important dairy farming area in Scotland is Ayrshire.

Pastoral Farming Animal farming such as dairy or sheep ArablePastoral Market Gardening Hill

Hill sheep farming A sheep farmer rears sheep for their meat and wool. Sheep are handy animals and can live in cold, wet uplands on steep slopes. They can also live in lowland areas, but here it is more profitable for the farmer to grow crops and keep cattle. What factors do you think would be import to a farmer before starting to take up hill sheep farming?

Factors to take into account when starting hill sheep farming. Relief: The land will usually be steep. This is because the crops would be grown on flat land. Fertility of the soil: The soil will often have a low level of fertility. If it was very fertile crops would be grown. Temperature: The climate can be cold and wet. Sheep can live in these conditions. Rainfall: If it is too wet to grow crops sheep could be farmed.

Hill sheep farming location The most important hill sheep farming areas in Scotland are the Southern Uplands and the lower slopes of the Grampians.

Hill Farming Sheep ArablePastoral Market Gardening Hill

Factors to take into account when starting arable farming Relief: The land will usually be flat, this is so machinery can be used. Fertility of the soil: The soil will often have a high level of fertility, this means it is more likely for crops to be a success. Temperature: The climate can be warm, depending on the heat different crops will grow. Rainfall: It will be generally dry, but with enough rain to water the crops naturally.

Why would you want to have a mixed farm? Think about this question and discuss positives and negatives of having a mixed farm. (3 mins)

Turn to page 102 of the Human Environment Book. Complete the core questions 1-10 Page 102

Make your own copy of Figure 13.1 : Land-use on a valley side, from the Human Environment Book. Page 110

HODDOMTOWN FARM DUMFRIESSHIRE Standard Grade Geography The Human Environment

Introduction Hoddomtown farm is located besides a small tributary of the river Annan, 2km south-west of the village of Ecclefechan in south-west Scotland.

Location Map River Annan River Nith Dumfries Annan Gretna Lockerbie Ecclefechan Hoddomtown Farm English-Scottish Border A74(M) A75 Solway Firth

Farm Facts! The main farm is 170 hectares in size It is a mixed farm due to the varying quality of land The farmer sells many products. The prices of farm goods change all the time. Eg: Since the start of BSE (mad cow disease) in the early 1990’s the price of beef cattle has dropped. The effects of foot and mouth in 2000/2001 has also had an effect on farm prices. Why?

Land use at Hoddomtown Farm BarleyRotation grass Permanent pasture Set-aside hectares Animals Beef cattle Sheep

Land use at Hoddomtown Farm Barley - 69 hectares Rotation grass - 62 hectares Permanent pasture - 26 hectares Set-aside - 13 hectares

Reasons for land use Barley Rotation grass Permanent Pasture Beef cattle Sheep Dairy Cattle

Improvements to the farm The farmer does rotate his crops in some of the fields, but keeps them fertile chiefly by adding lime to them. The farmer has installed drains in those fields with the flattest land where the water does not easily drain away.

Grants and Subsidies (1) Set-aside - the farmer is paid by the European Union not to grow crops on 5% of his land. So he has set-aside the field with the poorest soil and drainage of all of the arable fields.

Grants and Subsidies (2) The farmer is also given EU subsidies. Two payments of over £90 for each of the 90 cattle on the farm and a payment each year for the sheep. The amount varies, but in 1996 was £13 for each sheep.

Your turn Read page Answer either the F & G or G & C questions on page 112 & 113 or 113 & 117.