THE FARMING SYSTEM

Farming is an industry and operates like other industries. It is a system with:

INPUTS:INPUTS:

These are what go into a farm and can be divided into physical, human and

economic inputs.

PROCESSES:PROCESSES: These are the

activities on the farm which turn the inputs into

outputs.

OUTPUTS:OUTPUTS: These are the products of

the farm. If the farm is to make a profit the value of the

outputs should be greater than that of

the inputs.

Farming systemFarming system

Inputs

labour

capital

seeds

animals

fertilisers

pesticides

Processes

ploughing

sowing

spraying

adding fertiliser

harvesting

grazing

milking

Outputs

wheat

potatoes

barley

seeds

crop waste

milk

hides

wool

eggsprofit

The Farmer is very important and is the The Farmer is very important and is the DECISION-MAKER.DECISION-MAKER.

Each individual farmers decision on what crops to grow or animals to rear, and which methods to use to maximise output, depends on an UNDERSTANDING of the most favourable physical and economic conditions for the farm.

Sometimes, the farmer may have several choices and so the decision may depend upon individual likes and expertise. On other occasions the choice may be limited by extreme physical conditions or economic or political pressures.

What are the different types of farming?What are the different types of farming?

ArablePastoral

CommercialSubsistence

Concentrates on rearing of animals.

Only grows crops e.g. arable farms in East Anglia.

Mixed Mixed Farming:Farming:

Grows crops and rears animals

Producing food only to feed themselves and their families. In LEDC’s most farming is subsistence.

Farmers grow crops and rear animals to sell in order to make a profit. In MEDC’s most farming is commercial.

Extensive Intensive

Where the farm size is very large compared

with either the amount of money spent on it

or the number of people working there.

Where the farm is small in size compared to the numbers working there or the amount of money spent on it, ie have high inputs of labour or capital (money) in order to achieve high outputs per hectare or yield.

SEDENTARY: Settlement is permanent and the landscape is farmed every year.

NOMADICNOMADIC

Nomadic farmers move around to find fresh pasture for animals or new plots of land to cultivate.

Climate

Relief (shape of the land)

Soil type

Accessibility to the market and labour supply

The main factors affecting the distribution of farming in the UK are:

What effects the distribution of farming in the UK?

CASE STUDY : PRIMARY

INDUSTRY IN UK (MEDC)

VINE HOUSE FARM,

LINCOLNSHIRE.

CASE STUDY : VINE HOUSE FARM,

EAST ANGLIA(an arable farm)

•Where is it ? •What are the inputs, outputs, processes ?

(systems diagram)•How has it changed ?

CASE STUDY : VINE HOUSE FARM,

EAST ANGLIA(an arable farm) Don’t forget to include

KEYWORDS !!

Include simple FACTS !!

Remember to describe its LOCATION.

Summarise-You can’t learn it all

Answer the following Answer the following questions in your booklets;questions in your booklets;

1. Where is it ? 1. Where is it ? 2. What are the inputs, 2. What are the inputs, outputs, processes ? outputs, processes ? (systems diagram)(systems diagram)3. How has it changed ?3. How has it changed ?