From Dearth to Plenty

During the fifty year period from 1936-1986 the modern agricultural revolution occurred in which for the first time science was properly harnessed to the improvement in agricultural productivity. The authors quantify this improvement and identify the work of UK scientists that was seminal to the scientific and technological advances on which the revolution was founded. The topics covered include the advances in animal nutrition (in which the late Kenneth Blaxter was an acknowledged pioneer) animal and plant breeding soil fertility weed pest and disease control veterinary medicine engineering (including innovations in tractor design by Harry Ferguson) and statistical measurement. This book describes how these innovations were integrated into the practical business of food production in the UK and discusses the importance of the government in setting the scene for scientific advances.