Most of the landscape we see in the Warwickshire countryside has been fashioned by man. Of course the basic features are the works of nature such as the hills and valleys and geological formations. Nature also works to drain the rain to form streams and rivers and the wind and water have eroded the hills. Nature provides natural ground cover of grass, trees and many other plants. Nature also provides the birds, insects and wild animals which we occasionally see.

But the activities of man have affected every aspect of the landscape from large and small scale quarrying to the creation of towns, villages and country estates. By far the busiest and most influential of men in this process have been the farmers. In early times millions of trees in Warwickshire were felled to create growing areas. As each of these areas became worked out the farmer would fell more trees and plant more crops. In present days the fields, growing crops, farm animals, farm houses and barns have all been created by farmers. In Warwickshire most of us are content for most of the time to enjoy the sight of the farmed landscape. But what are we looking at? How will it change? This page will give an introduction to the subject.

Earliest Times

The earliest form of farming was usually carried out in a clearing in the all-enveloping woodland and scrub. When the land became unproductive another area would be cleared. We can see no evidence of this except by archaeological interpretation. Crops included all the grasses, such as wheat, barley, oats and rye, and potatoes, beans, turnips, Swedes and cabbages. Animals were also kept from earliest times. This has lead to the kaleidoscope of patchwork fields we sometimes see.

The next phase of development was for farmers to mark out small fields surrounding their small settlements. The boundaries were often marked by stones and rocks removed from the fields. Fences and hedges were constructed to stop animals wandering and eating the growing crops. It was found that by moving animals to different fields each year the productivity of the land was improved by the manure. This was an early form of crop rotation.

The next organised style of farming was where groups of people agreed to farm on the open field system. Each member of the group would be allocated strips in the fields surrounding the settlement. There was probably a form of crop rotation and the aim was to give each family a fair share of land to work. The strips in the fields were of a fairly standard size and were initially cultivated by hand. Later the strips were ploughed by oxen and the strips often have a characteristic kink at each end where the plough was turned. Examples of these fields of strips can be seen throughout Warwickshire – good examples are at Napton and Arlescote

Observation, experimentation and experience led to more scientific farming methods. For example, the value of some crops, such as clover and beans, in fixing nitrogen in the soil was recognised and growing these crops in the rotation became well known. Also crops such as turnips were grown to feed sheep in the fields so that the manure was deposited directly onto the land to maintain fertility.

Enclosures

Over a lengthy period of time from the 13th century and especially in Georgian times most villages moved from the open field system to enclosed fields. In the early stages the transition was made by local agreement or often by persuasion of a local who saw the financial advantages of sheep and wool production. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the enclosures were authorised by Acts of Parliament. Instead of each family “owning” strips of land the new fields were “owned” by the more influential people and the local people worked for them.

This enclosing of the fields led to a new pattern of hedgerows which are now so characteristic of this area. In some areas this reorganisation also led to rerouting of streams and ditches and a new pattern of roads. Instead of farmers being grouped in hamlets or villages there was a tendency for new farm houses to be built out in the fields.

As well as cultivation of the land for the growing of crops farmers have kept domestic animals for meat, milk and wool production. In early times the animals were allowed to graze on common land, in meadows and in open fields which were not being cultivated. The value of manure as fertiliser was recognised very early. After the enclosures the animals were allocated to the fields as part of the crop rotation. Some animals, including pigs, were kept in sties by the homes. Many animals are brought inside in the winter and many styles of buildings have been built for this purpose.

Industrialisation

Wooden ploughs drawn by men and then by animals were familiar in the middle ages but the industrial revolution led to much mechanisation. Many strange and wonderful machines were designed. Invention of the steam engine in 1700s led to mechanisation of ploughing and threshing. The internal combustion engine in the late 1800s meant that a variety of machinery from ploughs to combine harvesters were available. This also meant that farming a given area of land required far less people. Steam ploughing by stationary engines meant that hedges were removed to create larger fields.

In the 1830s the importance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in fertilisers became known and artificial chemical fertilisers came into use. This allowed the development of cropping rotation. It was possible for wheat to be grown on the land for three years in succession. This has meant much less diversity of crops on much of the land.

The tractor mounted plough introduced in the 1930s revolutionised farming. It was possible to plough in a wide range of weather conditions and at different times of the year. Again crop choice was extended.

Together with mechanisation, the more sophisticated use of fertilisers and selective breeding of plants and animals meant that land became more productive and prices fell. Imports from Australia and America from the late 1800s also meant that food became cheap. Very little milk was imported so British agriculture tended towards dairy farming.

The first price guarantee for farmers was for sugar beet from 1925. From 1931 there were subsidies for milk, potatoes and pigs.

World War II

During the war every effort was made to grow food. Land was intensively farmed and people were encouraged to use every square yard of land to grow food. Production very nearly doubled. This meant that less meat was need from abroad. Ships importing food were subject to attack by U-boats, the loss of sailors and ships was very heavy. Meat was rationed. Rationing lasted into the 1950s. The maintenance of machinery and buildings was neglected. In some ways this was a golden age when land was well used.
Post War

The experience of trying to import food during the war led to a determination for the UK to be more self-sufficient in food production. Great efforts were made to incentivise food production and encourage more efficient farming. Another factor was a shortage of cheap labour. Mechanisation increased, the use of fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and insecticides increased and new patterns to maximise use of land were introduced. It was a time for the industrial designer, research chemist, plant breeder and ministry adviser. The invention of the tractor hydraulic system of 3 point linkage by Harry Ferguson 3 point tractor in the 1950s was significant. We became virtually self-sufficient and this was a great achievement. But at what cost? This “progress” continued until the implications of the European Common Agricultural Policy were understood.

The drive to keep prices down has led to more efficient farming. This has meant that farms have become much larger and many farm houses are now homes for people who work away from the home.

Intensive farming has required the building of large sheds in the countryside for poultry and pig units. Tall grain silos have also appeared. The increase in use of machinery has led to construction of large modern steel buildings. New functional barns have been built to replace the traditional brick or stone buildings.

Gradually it was found that there was a downside to many of the chemicals being used and stringent testing began and many were prohibited following public disquiet in the 1960s. However more efficient chemicals were soon developed. The effect of run-off of fertilisers on the environment, and especially water courses, also became apparent. These less obvious implications of agriculture have been recognised in recent years. More intensive farming has led to loss of hedges, woodland and smaller uncultivated areas. There is less land left to lie fallow. The land is intensively used – eg wheat is sown in the autumn soon after harvest. There is specialisation in crops leading to less diversity and flexibility. Repeat cropping leads to diseases and the need for more chemical treatments. There is therefore less habitat for wildlife. The use of chemicals has also affected wildlife.

Recent years have seen an increase in organic production which relies on mixed livestock/arable farms using rotations including clover to build fertility, and avoiding the use of artificial fertilisers and pesticides. Very strict rules govern organic production. The market is growing but, at present, UK production does not meet demand, except in milk, leading to imports.

Between 1946 and 1974 200,000 kilometres of hedges were lost. However, in recent years more kilometres of hedges have been planted than taken out.

The farming “crisis” – funding, CAP etc, supermarkets, cheap imports

Now the trend is for supermarkets to drive down prices so that it is no longer economic to produce some foods in the UK. Consumers expect food to be “in season” throughout the year; therefore more food is imported to match this demand. Farmers cannot make a living from the land and seek to diversify. Barns are converted to offices, document storage or craft units.

The Common Agricultural Policy has not always been a great success for the UK. It has led to growth in certain crop types, such as oil seed rape and concepts such as set-aside. The CAP has been reviewed over the years and the latest version contains provisions which will make payments on the basis of the size of the farm rather than the crops produced. Improved treatment of the environment will also be rewarded. Larger uncultivated areas will be left at the edges of fields and hedges will be cut at specified times of the year.

Over the centuries agricultural land has been purchased to create parks for country houses and for hunting grounds. This trend continues with the conversion of land to extensive woodlands as well as country estates.

A farmer works on a three year planning programme and cannot adjust to the rapid changes in demands. Farming remains a precarious way to make a living.

When you look at a landscape you may be interested to consider the history which has created the pattern of fields and woodland and the buildings, crops and animals which you can see.

Just as in the past farming practices have had a big influence on the countryside you see, so future farming practices will continue to contribute to the landscape, it’s flora and fauna. CPRE recognises this, seeing farmers and land managers as essential contributors to the well being of our beautiful countryside.