How Much Was Agriculture Changed By the War in The Years 1939-1950
HOW MUCH WAS AGRICULTURE
CHANGED BY THE WAR IN THE YEARS
939-1950
HOW MUCH WAS AGRICULTURE CHANGED BY THE WAR IN THE YEARS 1939-1950
In 1939, when the war began, Britain was importing 70% of its food. Soon German submarines and U-boats were sinking large numbers of merchant ships.
Agriculture became as important to Britains survival as the manufacture of armaments. The greatest need was for more home-produced grain. In 1939 the British Government set up a War Agriculture Committee in each county. The committee laid down targets for individual farmers, while the Government paid welfare of £2 per acre to farmers who ploughed up grassland and sowed corn crops. Arable land was thus increased by half. Wastelands and playing fields could be cleared with bulldozers and planted with rows of potatoes. Roadside borders were used in emergency. Farmers were encouraged to reduce stocks of poultry, sheep and pigs. Cattle was to remain the same, as they were necessary to maintain the milk supplies. If farmers objected to the demands of the Government and the committee they often found that their petrol ration was cut or they had their land confiscated. From 1950-1957 more state marketing boards were created, to control the sale of wool, cheese, fatstock, eggs and tomatoes.
The number of Tractors and Combine Harvesters, which were given to us by America in a lend-lease, quadrupled. A lend-lease, was the idea that you could borrow at one time and pay what you owed later, nowadays in the year 2000, we're still paying the score.
Government controlled chemical factories turned out fertilisers and weed killers. Scientists helped farmers with advice, if required.
Britain by 1945 produced 80% of its own food, -and it had not done that since the 18th Century. In 1939 Britains own food production was a mere 30%. British farming became ...
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The number of Tractors and Combine Harvesters, which were given to us by America in a lend-lease, quadrupled. A lend-lease, was the idea that you could borrow at one time and pay what you owed later, nowadays in the year 2000, we're still paying the score.
Government controlled chemical factories turned out fertilisers and weed killers. Scientists helped farmers with advice, if required.
Britain by 1945 produced 80% of its own food, -and it had not done that since the 18th Century. In 1939 Britains own food production was a mere 30%. British farming became the most highly mechanised in the world. 50,000 Tractors were in use in 1939; fifteen years later the numbers increased by eight times and there were 400,000. The numbers of Combine Harvesters and Milking machines rose in even greater proportions. By 1957 the typical dairy cow was producing 30% more milk than before the war began. These swift developments in British farming had not been seen since the introductions, of the New Leicester sheep by Robert Bakewell and the sheep shearing contests held by Thomas Coke. These two men had changed views on the way that farming could be done. Thomas Coke held the sheep shearing contests as more of a social event. Farmers could share their stories on problems and discoveries. The Second World War developments almost amounted to a second revolution. Machines generally did more work with a higher efficiency, but they still didn't make up for the numbers of farmers missing during the war, farmers were given the choice of whether to stay and farm, or to join the forces.
The Government couldn't rely wholly on prisoners of war and children to help the farmers. Women were encouraged to join the Women's Land Army. The 'land girls' lived on the farms they were allocated to. The women did the work of thousands of farm labourers who had joined the armed forces. To join the land army, you had to be aged 17-40 and be strong and healthy. You also had to be fully committed to the service. The women's land army was started in 1917 and added 33,000 women to the 80,000 already working as agriculture labourers. The promotion of the W.L.A was that it was romantic. The truth was, women worked 5o hours a week, with only one-week holiday a year.
They received little wages, but their social status was benefited. Men began to realise that women could be used for purposes other than housewives, secretaries, telephonists, hairdressers' etc.
Working women often wore trousers or dungarees as an alternative for a skirt. They also tied scarves to their head to promote the slogan "Cover Your Head for Safety".
Music bellowed continually throughout the working factories. The BBC's 'Music while you work' provided daily rations of British music to the working women.
The sight of women on Tractors, became a common sight for country people, as did the sight of gangs of Italian and later German POWs, working on the fields. The Italians began to work on the farmlands guarded by British soldiers, but as time passed by, restrictions lapsed. The Italians were able to work and live in a comfortable surrounding. In 1944, German POWs were also working in the fields. Their work was remarkable and very efficient. They never worked alongside the Italians, so to avoid a conflict.
A poem written by Daphne J. Poole was published, and talks of the first efforts made by the women on the land; they soon developed their skills.
Her First Attempt
O Daisy, need you look so stern?
I know it's early in the day,
But Land Girls have a lot to learn,
(That's what I heard the farmer say).
O Daisy, must you swish your tail,
And look at me with eyes of scorn?
For if you overturn the pail-
I'll get the blame, you'll only yawn!
O Daisy dear! That moo must mean:
"You've never milked a cow before!"
I know I've not, but still, I'm keen-
Good-bye, I'm off to milk some more!
Daphne J. Poole
W.L.A 36759, Herts
Magazines played a big part in women morale. They suggested advice in difficult
situations, and advised on fashion items etc.
Agricultural benefits were continued throughout the war and thereafter. Britain was producing more livestock than ever and was manufacturing three times as much of its own home-grown grain.
Additional benefits were also available. Farmers could be given a grant for things such as the improvement of land drainage and the reconstruction of bombed buildings etc.
In an attempt to secure farmers into agricultural developments such as buying further advanced equipment, i.e. machines and tools etc. The Government passed 'The Agricultural Act 1947'. This act, was a set plan for the future. Guaranteed prices for a range of products on offer were laid down. By 1950 Britain was probably the most mechanised farming industry in the world.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Robottom
Cootes
Anna Remington
History Coursework
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