geography farming Flashcards
Types of farming
Arable-ploughing and growing crops
Pastoral-leaving land with grass for grazing animals
Mixed-rearing animals and growing crops
Intensive farming-large inputs of labour, money or technology
Extensive farming-smaller inputs and usually larger
Types of crops
Cereal-wheat, barley, oats
Root crops-potatoes and turnips
Fodder crops- to feed the animals, barley, turnips, grass
Market garden crops-fruits and vegetables
North and west farming
More wind Cooler summers Milder winters More rain Thinner soils Steeper slopes More extensive farming
South and East farming
More sheltered Less rain Colder winters Warmer summers Flatter land More intensive farming Deeper soil More gentle slopes
New technology
High-yielding seed varieties
Artificial fertilisers
Use of chemical inputs e.g. Pesticides, herbicides and fungicides
Use of machinery such as tractors, combine harvesters
Organic farming
This is a method of farming which is completely natural, meaning no chemicals or artificial fertilisers are used.
Animal manure is used as fertiliser to improve soil fertility and also clover is grown (adds nitrogen)
Crop rotations are used to keep the soil fertile and control weeds
There is less pollution and a greater number and variety of animals and wild plants
Animals are fed a natural diet and can range freely outdoors
Problems include
Using no chemical fertiliser reduces yields at first
Using no pesticides means more weeding is needed to be done
Organic produce is more expensive
Government
Farmers in Britain are influenced by EU policies and receive a single subsidy (payment) per farm. Agricultural policy was introduced to ensure a stable and affordable supply of food
Subsidies
Farmers wee given a guaranteed minimum selling price for crops so they didn’t lose money
Set-aside
Introduced in 1988 to reduce the overproduction of crops. Farmers were paid not to grow crops on certain fields
Milk quotas
They were introduced to reduce the production of milk and farmers were fined if they produced too much, this is due to be phased out by 2015
Woodland creation grant scheme
Farmers encouraged to plant new woodland areas
ESS (environmental stewardship scheme)
This offers farmers money for effective land management to protect wildlife and the environment. This can be done by protecting woodland and planting and managing hedgerows and leaving buffer strips for wild birds.
GM crops and animals
Greater yields for crops
More meat produced
Crops and animals can be made resistant to disease
Animals can be made to have similiar organs to humans
Can kill/harm animals
Spread of more resistant super weeds and super pests
Diversification
Diversification is when farmers look for other ways to make money if income is low e.g.
Karting Paintball Taking in B&B Running a farm shop Riding Pick your own Renting out holiday homes
