Intensification of farming

[FarmyStu]

I keep hearing on news reports that one of the main drivers of the reported loss of wildlife in the UK has been "intensification of farming". I've heard it being blamed by news reporters, wildlife experts and environmentalists of all sorts. I've even heard it during pub conversations as a sort of established fact. Yet it is completely at odds with what I've seen in the last 30 years. I've seen miles of hedgerows planted and uncropped margins put in place. Whole fields turned over to bird mixes. Rules on fertiliser and spray use are generally followed and enforced and those chemicals that can be used are far less damaging than those used in the 80's due to numerous bans.

Back in the 80's, I well remember watching large arable neighbours drill, fertilise and spray right up to the very edge (and beyond) of ditches without a thought of what they may be damaging. None of this happens any more. I don't recall seeing any hedgerows pulled up then, but I've certainly not seen any at all in the last 30 years. So when these folk refer to "the intensification of farming", what exactly are they referring to? I don't expect there to be many people on a website for farmers disagreeing with this, but can anyone put down some facts to prove me right or wrong? Are there any farming practises that have only been happening in the last 20 years that are worse for wildlife?

 

[ShooTa]

possibly down to the difference of land being stocked for spring growth rather than winter - thus housing.. more animals than can safely be held on one piece of land...
or is it efficiency - better tech allows more things to happen without manpower?

pigs asnd poultry i guess are the key ones .. vegan propogander always shows the poutlry houses and the indoor pig units.. which always look overcrowded to general public and lack of freedom to move outdoors...

 

[toquark]

There was an article on the bbc website today about the decline in hedgehogs. Now we all know that this decline is directly inverse to the increase in badger numbers - their number one predator threat. The BBC’s answer to the question of their decline? Intensification of farming and ripping out of hedgerows of course.

And they wonder why trust in media is in terminal decline?

 

[Bignor Farmer]

I keep hearing on news reports that one of the main drivers of the reported loss of wildlife in the UK has been "intensification of farming". I've heard it being blamed by news reporters, wildlife experts and environmentalists of all sorts. I've even heard it during pub conversations as a sort of established fact. Yet it is completely at odds with what I've seen in the last 30 years. I've seen miles of hedgerows planted and uncropped margins put in place. Whole fields turned over to bird mixes. Rules on fertiliser and spray use are generally followed and enforced and those chemicals that can be used are far less damaging than those used in the 80's due to numerous bans.

Back in the 80's, I well remember watching large arable neighbours drill, fertilise and spray right up to the very edge (and beyond) of ditches without a thought of what they may be damaging. None of this happens any more. I don't recall seeing any hedgerows pulled up then, but I've certainly not seen any at all in the last 30 years. So when these folk refer to "the intensification of farming", what exactly are they referring to? I don't expect there to be many people on a website for farmers disagreeing with this, but can anyone put down some facts to prove me right or wrong? Are there any farming practises that have only been happening in the last 20 years that are worse for wildlife?

Media and general public are still living in the 1970s. Farming has been very bad at self promotion the last couple of decades.

people also need reminding why farming was intensified post war. I doubt the average millennial gives it any thought at all.

 

[whitefox]

every time i hear the words "intensive farming", John Craven comes to mind

 

[DaveGrohl]

I keep hearing on news reports that one of the main drivers of the reported loss of wildlife in the UK has been "intensification of farming". I've heard it being blamed by news reporters, wildlife experts and environmentalists of all sorts. I've even heard it during pub conversations as a sort of established fact. Yet it is completely at odds with what I've seen in the last 30 years. I've seen miles of hedgerows planted and uncropped margins put in place. Whole fields turned over to bird mixes. Rules on fertiliser and spray use are generally followed and enforced and those chemicals that can be used are far less damaging than those used in the 80's due to numerous bans.

Back in the 80's, I well remember watching large arable neighbours drill, fertilise and spray right up to the very edge (and beyond) of ditches without a thought of what they may be damaging. None of this happens any more. I don't recall seeing any hedgerows pulled up then, but I've certainly not seen any at all in the last 30 years. So when these folk refer to "the intensification of farming", what exactly are they referring to? I don't expect there to be many people on a website for farmers disagreeing with this, but can anyone put down some facts to prove me right or wrong? Are there any farming practises that have only been happening in the last 20 years that are worse for wildlife?

It’s just one of those nuggets that becomes an established "fact" because enough people say it over and over, it’s never based on anything. The world’s awash with these "facts". It;s like the 60 years til we lose our soils fact. No one‘s ever been able to nail who originally said it. And then we wonder why.

 

[Al R]

There was an article on the bbc website today about the decline in hedgehogs. Now we all know that this decline is directly inverse to the increase in badger numbers - their number one predator threat. The BBC’s answer to the question of their decline? Intensification of farming and ripping out of hedgerows of course.

And they wonder why trust in media is in terminal decline?

Decline of songbirds, blamed on farming and nothing said of the 10.8 million domestic cats.
Over 55 million (2016 figures) birds are killed by domestic cats in the UK alone. In the US it’s over 2.2 Billion birds! Intensive farming gets blamed though

 

[delilah]

It;s like the 60 years til we lose our soils fact. No one‘s ever been able to nail who originally said it.

Clive.

 

[Barleycorn]

Two big estates around us have re-introduced livestock on arable farms, and planted a lot of grass. One has converted to organic, the other probably will. I expect the price of fertiliser will make a few more think about it. A return to mixed farming is a win win.

 

[PSQ]

It;s like the 60 years til we lose our soils fact. No one‘s ever been able to nail who originally said it. And then we wonder why.

IIRC, It came from ‘research’ carried out at Sheffield University, who were probably trying to make a name for themselves in the environmental movement. It’s been widely debunked by proper scientists since.

 

[Bald Rick]

I keep hearing on news reports that one of the main drivers of the reported loss of wildlife in the UK has been "intensification of farming". I've heard it being blamed by news reporters, wildlife experts and environmentalists of all sorts. I've even heard it during pub conversations as a sort of established fact. Yet it is completely at odds with what I've seen in the last 30 years. I've seen miles of hedgerows planted and uncropped margins put in place. Whole fields turned over to bird mixes. Rules on fertiliser and spray use are generally followed and enforced and those chemicals that can be used are far less damaging than those used in the 80's due to numerous bans.

Back in the 80's, I well remember watching large arable neighbours drill, fertilise and spray right up to the very edge (and beyond) of ditches without a thought of what they may be damaging. None of this happens any more. I don't recall seeing any hedgerows pulled up then, but I've certainly not seen any at all in the last 30 years. So when these folk refer to "the intensification of farming", what exactly are they referring to? I don't expect there to be many people on a website for farmers disagreeing with this, but can anyone put down some facts to prove me right or wrong? Are there any farming practises that have only been happening in the last 20 years that are worse for wildlife?

My guess is not ”intensification“ per se but more like “specialisation“ these days.

There is a disconnect these days between arable farmers and livestock farmers, lowland farmers and subsidy drenched upland farmers especially at scale

 

[DaveGrohl]

IIRC, It came from ‘research’ carried out by some pr*ck with an axe to grind at Sheffield University, who was probably trying to make a name for himself in the environmental movement. It’s been widely debunked by proper scientists since.

As if it needed to be……..

 

[No wot]

With the ELMS scheme about to launch and with its very unattractive financial returns I think we will certainly see the farmers that continue to farm , will tell DEFRA where they can stick their subs and ramp up their intensive farming operations even more so , hence having the exact opposite to what Janet and her comrades are expecting , you just couldn't make it up

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

I keep hearing on news reports that one of the main drivers of the reported loss of wildlife in the UK has been "intensification of farming". I've heard it being blamed by news reporters, wildlife experts and environmentalists of all sorts. I've even heard it during pub conversations as a sort of established fact. Yet it is completely at odds with what I've seen in the last 30 years. I've seen miles of hedgerows planted and uncropped margins put in place. Whole fields turned over to bird mixes. Rules on fertiliser and spray use are generally followed and enforced and those chemicals that can be used are far less damaging than those used in the 80's due to numerous bans.

Back in the 80's, I well remember watching large arable neighbours drill, fertilise and spray right up to the very edge (and beyond) of ditches without a thought of what they may be damaging. None of this happens any more. I don't recall seeing any hedgerows pulled up then, but I've certainly not seen any at all in the last 30 years. So when these folk refer to "the intensification of farming", what exactly are they referring to? I don't expect there to be many people on a website for farmers disagreeing with this, but can anyone put down some facts to prove me right or wrong? Are there any farming practises that have only been happening in the last 20 years that are worse for wildlife?

I thought exactly the same when I read that this morning. I CAN remember hedges being pulled out around here in the 70s & 80s but since 2000 I've only seen hedges planted.

Badger numbers have rocketed though.

 

[7610 super q]

Miles of hedgerows, and ancient meadows were grubbed up during and post WW2.
Why ? Because the nation was starving.
The nation has lost sight of what was/ is important.
Lost the plot altogether infact.

 

[topground]

Decline of songbirds, blamed on farming and nothing said of the 10.8 million domestic cats.
Over 55 million (2016 figures) birds are killed by domestic cats in the UK alone. In the US it’s over 2.2 Billion birds! Intensive farming gets blamed though

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which meant control of top end predators was illegal. With the increase in raptors, sparrow hawks etc then there is the increase in Buzzard numbers. What chance do farmland birds have following the removal of sensible management of their predators by country folk who knew how to maintain a balance. The law of unintended consequences.

 

[oil barron]

Media and general public are still living in the 1970s. Farming has been very bad at self promotion the last couple of decades.

people also need reminding why farming was intensified post war. I doubt the average millennial gives it any thought at all.

The average Millenial gets blamed for a lot of things. But retired conts cause a lot more grief to farmers.

 

[76masseyman]

If the worst thing for wildlife is the Intensification of farming, then it was surely brought on by the intensification of the population, that required feeding.

 

[Muddyroads]

There is a rare breed who’s decline has had a big negative impact on wildlife, but who’s demise never gets mentioned by the modern day woke brigade because it doesn’t suit their agenda - the gamekeeper.

 

[Al R]

There is a rare breed who’s decline has had a big negative impact on wildlife, but who’s demise never gets mentioned by the modern day woke brigade because it doesn’t suit their agenda - the gamekeeper.

Local farmer/gamekeeper/country gent next door did more for wildlife in this area than any of the big organisations/charities farming thousands of acres will ever do.

Pheasants, partridge and ducks were all exceptionally rare/unseen for decades until he started rearing and releasing them. He’d rear and release 4,000 mallard, shooting around 50-60 of them. Trapping magpies and other corvids to encourage songbirds etc. Unfortunately he passed away last year.