Revision Notes

Agriculture Case Study – Cheshire Plain

The bullet points below show the main points needed to answer a question similar to that shown. The example of Gilbert Hitchen’s Farm on the Cheshire Plain in the UK has been used.

Question:

“Agricultural Land Use is affected by many factors. Choose a pastoral farm you have studied. Explain how physical and human factors have affected the land use.”

Answer:

Physical factors:

  • Flat land needed
  • Fertile soil
  • Suitable climate with enough rain and sunshine

Human factors:

  • Transport – M6 is nearby
  • Markets – Manchester and Liverpool nearby
  • Government – enforces that 15% of the farm’s land should be set aside.
  • Lack of profits through milk etc… because he does not have the money to invest in quality control therefore he gets a lower price for the milk. This may lead him to diversification. Paint-balling, bike-racing, opening for tourists, caravan sites, bed and breakfasts, or complete conversion of farm land into a golf course for example…