Recent changes to farming.

Aims of this lesson To find out what changes have taken place in farming since the 1940s to present day. To find out what these changes mean to farming. To find out the positives and negatives of these changes.

Look at the pictures and list the changes that have taken place

Large fields with few hedgerowsLarge fields with few hedgerows Large fields with few hedgerowsLarge fields with few hedgerows Lots of machinery used on the farm.Lots of machinery used on the farm. Lots of machinery used on the farm.Lots of machinery used on the farm. Modern buildings and storage facilities.Modern buildings and storage facilities. Modern buildings and storage facilities.Modern buildings and storage facilities. Farm used for leisure activities such as camping.Farm used for leisure activities such as camping. Farm used for leisure activities such as camping.Farm used for leisure activities such as camping. Chemical stores on farm and lots of chemicals used in the farming.Chemical stores on farm and lots of chemicals used in the farming. Chemical stores on farm and lots of chemicals used in the farming.Chemical stores on farm and lots of chemicals used in the farming. Holiday homes where farm buildings used to be.Holiday homes where farm buildings used to be. Holiday homes where farm buildings used to be.Holiday homes where farm buildings used to be.

Recent changes to farming.

Recent changes to farming? Do you know any?

Changes Growth of organic farming EU policies Availability of woodland grants Growth in demand for bio-fuels Mechanisation Removal of hedgerows Diversification

3 things you need to know…… 1.Why the changes have happened. 2.What are the positives of this change for farming. 3.What are the negatives of this change for farming.

Changes Growth of organic farming EU policies Growth in demand for bio-fuels Mechanisation Removal of hedgerows Diversification

Change 1: Mechanisation

Mechanisation increases the efficiency on a farm enabling the farmer to plough, sow, spray, etc more quickly, covering larger areas. It also speeds up harvesting and results in the product being delivered to markets fresher and at a higher premium (eg Bird’s Eye peas). It also allows for a smaller work force and therefore lower wage bills for the agribusiness usually involved in these farms. It allows for the use of satellite technology/ computers to control the application of fertilisers to particular areas of fields to improve yields (yet decrease the cost and waste) as only the required amounts are delivered to each segment according to the soil quality there.

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Problems caused by mechanisation People in the environment – this leads to depopulation and derelict buildings, deserted rural villages. Farm sizes – increasing ‘agribusiness’ type farming with amalgamated farms, larger fields, fewer hedgerows or boundaries to allow for machinery and increase yields. More or larger buildings for storage of machinery. These are often modern and don’t fit in with the rural countryside look. Pollution – air and water pollution from machinery itself (exhaust fumes/ noise/accidents with diesel) and run-off from over application of fertilisers.

Problems caused by mechanisation Soil compaction – The large machinery is very heavy and this has meant that a lot of the soil that it is used on has been compacted. This causes the soil to be less permeable and can cause puddling. Soil erosion – Soil is also eroded making it less fertile and this leads to the increase use of fertilisers. Removal of hedgerows - to use machinery more effectively hedgerows have been removed. This has been met with negative comments from environmentalists as they say this has destroyed animal habitats. development-of-agri-businesses/13389.html development-of-agri-businesses/13389.html

Selection of some of the many birds, insects and animals that live or depend on hedgerows

Make a list of the advantages and disadvantages of mechanisation

Change 5 Increased use of chemical fertiliser.

The increased use of chemicals on the farm. As well as mechanisation on farms another big increase is in the use of chemicals such as pesticides and fertilisers. These chemicals can mean a greater yield of crops and a near guarantee of healthy pest free crops. They also mean that land can be farmed over and over again without needed time to fallow.

The increased use of chemicals on the farm. This increase use of chemicals was originally seen as a great positive to farming but in recent years people have begun to see negatives in their use. The increased use of chemicals means that the people eating the crops will ultimately have contact with the chemicals, even if it is in a small way. Scientific tests have shown that humans now have traces of 500 chemicals in their bodies than they did have 60 years ago. ment-policies-aimed-at-reducing-the- environmental-effects-of-high-impact- farming/13393.html ment-policies-aimed-at-reducing-the- environmental-effects-of-high-impact- farming/13393.html

The increased use of chemicals on the farm. The increased use of pesticides also means that other animals and insects are often harmed too and the massive decrease in the UK bee population is often blamed on this. Increased use of chemicals also means that rivers and lakes can be polluted. This had led to eutrophication (this is when the oxygen levels in water are depleted due to the growth of phytoplankton which in turn kills off fish).

Make a list of the advantages and disadvantages of using agrochemicals

Change 2: Genetically Modified (GM) Crops

Genetically modified foods Scientists manipulate the genes of cells by adding or deleting DNA. The first commercially genetically engineered food was the Flavr Savr tomato (adding a fish gene gave it a longer shelf life). Since then the developments have concentrated on 4 main crops – oilseed rape, cotton, maize and soya bean. These crops are herbicide resistant (they can tolerate the herbicides that kill weeds) and/or pest resistant (they produce a toxin that kills the pest that would normally eat them). This technology has also been used to improve the taste, nutrition or drought-resistance of the crop.

GM foods: negatives Ethical concerns, health risks, environmental concerns e.g. cross- pollination to produce ‘superweeds’ have led to these crops being limited in area (although it is estimated that 1 million square km of land is given over to the production of GM crops).

Change 3: EU policy changes

EU policies EU policies determine a lot of what goes on in farming in the UK. The EU control quotas and give out subsides to farmers across Europe.

EU policy changes The major change that the EU has brought to farming is the SFP or Single Farm Payment The Single Farm Payment (SFP) has replaced existing support schemes to farmers such as set-aside and the arable payment scheme. The farmer gets a single payment based on historical calculations made to the farmer during 2000 to To qualify the farm must be greater than 0.3 hectares. Farmers must set-aside 8% of their land and farm with careful use of agro-chemicals, limiting the number and amount used. Farmers must also leave a 2m perimeter around all fields uncropped to allow a habitat for wildlife (green corridor). Government inspectors will visit farms to check that conditions are being met. Penalties/fines are imposed if they are not met.

EU policy changes This change came in because too much time and money was being spent on the administration of the old EU system the common agricultural policy (CAP). The SFP is far easier to monitor and it takes the farmer less time to apply for it.

Change 4: Biofuels

Bio-fuels Biofuels are generally produced from oilseed rape, soya, maize, palm oil and sugar cane/beet. They are grown on farmland that would previously have grown grass for grazing or crops. Biofuels are carbon neutral and so don’t contribute towards global warming. They emit less particulate pollution than petrol and diesel and they are renewable.

Bio-fuels: negatives However, it has led to a loss of habitat (areas of rainforest are being cleared to grow palm oil). Also claims have been made that the production of biofuel requires more energy than it actually generates. Another major concern is that there could be less food production which could lead to a big rise in global food prices.

Change 6: Increase in organic farming.

Organic farming Organic farming is where farmers farm in a sustainable way. Farmers must shallow plough, manure soil, rotate crops and use nitrogen fixing plants (clover and peas) to maintain soil fertility. Herbicides are banned and pesticide use is restricted. Natural weed and pest control is encouraged. Farmers who want to convert to organic farming must practice the above methods for two years before it can officially sell crops as ‘organic’. Farmers can be compensated during this period. Organic farming in the UK only accounts for 6% of the total farming area but it is increasing as demand for organic foods increases.

Organic farming Organic farming is less damaging to the environment as it uses very few agro- chemicals (less eutrophication of river systems). It is less intensive and requires a bigger workforce (good for rural populations). Farmers can sell their products at a higher price, although yields may be lower. The crops will be healthier for the people eating them.

Organic farming: negatives The crops take far more work to get a good yield. This means that the farmer has to pay more money and therefore the products can be more expensive for customers.

Diversification Question: In what ways have farmers changed the use of their farms in order to make extra money?

Diversification Change in production of goods – ice-cream being made from excess milk is an example. Selling old farm buildings off as holiday homes for people. This is good because it creates more housing but causes a problem too as it usually raises house prices in the area. Opening a farm shop to sell goods directly to the public.

Diversification Using the farm as an outdoor activities centre. Paintballing, quad biking and campsites are all examples.

Changes Growth of organic farming EU policies Growth in demand for bio-fuels Mechanisation Removal of hedgerows Diversification Q) “The changes that have occurred in UK Farming have only been beneficial to the farming community as well as the people of the UK” Do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer 9KU

Homework: Past paper question. Go onto the Geography department blog and look up the homework past paper question. Date: 16/04/2012 Q7 of the 2010 Higher paper. Found on the SQA website. (Link is on the blog)