Crops and Livestock in England and Wales

Abstract

THE Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has recently issued the first part of its publication, “Agricultural Statistics, 1934”, entitled “Acreage and Production of Crops and Number of Livestock in England and Wales” (London: H.M. Stationery Office, 1s. Qd. net), a report which summarizes the annual returns from all holdings exceeding one acre. An outstanding feature is the arrestx of the continuous change from arable to grass that has been going on since the Great War, the area under permanent grass showing a reduction on the previous year, whereas the total area under corn has expanded during the same period. As regards roots, the acreage under sugar beet reached a new record figure; that under fodder roots and potatoes, on the other hand, showed a decline. Yields were generally high, being above the average for all corn crops, potatoes, mangolds, hops and several kinds of fruit, though appreciably below normal for hay, turnips and swedes. The numbers of cattle, dairy cows, pigs and poultry have risen since 1933, whereas those for sheep and horses have declined, and as might be expected the output of meat and livestock products, eggs and milk have all shown considerable increases, while the wool clip was substantially reduced. An interesting feature of the report lies in the attainment of many record figures, the yield of wheat and apples being attributable no doubt to the favourable season, and the output of dairy and poultry products to the increase in numbers of cows and birds maintained. Records in area, total production and yield per acre were also reached in the case of sugar beet, while the area under oats, turnips and swedes fell to the lowest figure yet attained, reflecting the changes that are taking place in farming practice.