British AgricultureAgriculture, one of Britain's most important industries, supplies nearly two-thirds of the country's food. British agriculture is efficient, for it is based on modern technology and research. Nearly 80% of the land is used for agriculture. The total agricultural acreage of Great Britain is about 45,000,000 acres. Soils vary from the poor ones of highland Britain to the rich fertile soils in the eastern and south-eastern parts of England. Britain is self-sufficient in milk, eggs, to a very great extent in meat, potatoes, wheat. However, it needs to import butter, cheese, sugar and some other agricultural products. There are about 55,000 farms in Britain. They are not large. An average sized farm is about 30-40 acres. There are three main types of farming in Great Britain: pastoral, arable, mixed. 60% of farms are developed mainly to dairying or beef cattle and sheep. Sheep and cattle are reared in the hill and moorland areas of Scotland, Wales, Nothern Ireland and south- western England. Milk production is the first importance in the structure of British agriculture. Pig breeding is carried on in most areas but particularly in southern England, north-east Scotland and Nothern Ireland. Arable farms are mainly in the eastern part of the country. The main cereal crops in Great Britain are wheat, barley and oats. Rye is grown in small quantities for use as cattle fodder. Great Britain produces different kinds of fruit: apples, pears, cherries, gooseberries, strawberries, raspberries and others. Potatoes are grown for sale, for fodder and for seed. Modern machines: tractors, combines and other equipment are used on British farms. But today the main tendency in British agriculture is that small traditional farms are gradually disappearing because they cannot compete with big industrial farms. Private forests make up 56% of the total forests area in Great Britain. Woodlands cover nearly 2.2 million hectares. Britain's second major source of food is the surrounding sea. The fishing industry provides about 70% of British fish supplies. Text 2 British Agriculture Agriculture is one of Britain's most important industries. British agriculture is based on modern technology and research. Nearly 80% of the land is used for agriculture. Britain has poor and rich fertile soils. There are about 55,000 farms in Britain. They are not large. An average farm is about 30-40 acres. There are three main types of farming in Great Britain: pastoral, arable, mixed. Most farms in Britain are dairying. Many farms rear beef cattle and sheep, pigs and poultry. Britain’s most important products are milk, eggs, meat, potatoes and wheat. The main cereal crops in Great Britain are wheat, barley and oats. Rye is grown in small quantities for use as cattle fodder. Great Britain produces different kinds of fruit. Potatoes are grown for sale, for fodder and for seed. Modern machines are used on British farms. Most forests are private in Britain. People use the surrounding sea as a source of food. Text 3
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