Changes in Agriculture since the Great War

This talk will cover agriculture over the period from after the end of World War 1 up to the present day, with some references to local agriculture; and will therefore cover the period that most people are able to relate to. It will include references to the foundation of the industry, and a review of the future of the industry, with challenges from global warming and changing dietary preferences.

Mike Robinson is an Agronomist who has worked locally for most of his life. He was born into farming and after five years of qualification he moved into production systems for arable crops and grassland, with a particular emphasis on dairy cattle and sheep, and incorporating estate management. Latterly the increased demand for energy required a concentration on high yielding systems and the use of agricultural land for bio-fuels and anaerobic digestion; and here his special interest in plant breeding and genetics has proved most useful.