A CENTURY OF GROWING NFU NORFOLK MARKS ITS FIRST 100 YEARS NORFOLK 100 The changing face of Norfolk farming HECTARES PEOPLE WORKING HORSES AND TRACTORS FARMED ON THE LAND ON FARMS 529,403 41,000 59, 7 03 IN 1916 IN 1950 HORSES IN 1915 515,218 12,500 3,000(est) IN 2016 IN 2016 TRACTORS IN 2018 THE LANDSCAPE FOR LIVESTOCK TOP OF THE CROPS 1915 2016 1915 2016 (IN HECTARES) (IN HECTARES) PERMANENT GRASS WHEAT 129,081 74,130 115,304 96,599 CATTLE CATTLE BARLEY BARLEY 65,315 74,686 CLOVER AND GRASS PERMANENT GRASS UNDER ROTATION 53,435 351,991 116,715 60,455 OILSEED RAPE SHEEP SHEEP WHEAT 30,962 58,448 SUGAR BEET OATS 27,640 38,607 117,427 539,201 POTATOES PIGS PIGS TURNIPS AND SWEDES 14,455 38,039 TEMPORARY GRASS MANGOLDS 11,962 22,154 15.5 MAIZE NO FIGURE POTATOES FOR POULTRY 11,163 MILLION 6,634 POULTRY FIELD BEANS BEANS 10,003 4,269 OTHER VEG SMALL FRUIT AND SALAD 3,204 7, 5 5 4 (Figures taken from the Government’s agricultural surveys 1915, 1950 and 2016) 2 NORFOLK 100 Celebrating the past, looking to the future s the guns of the First World War fell silent, it became apparent that all was not in harmony in rural Britain. In the immediate post-war period the Agriculture ActA 1920, which was supposed to guarantee minimum cereal prices, was reviewed and eventually repealed. This left farming in a perilous position, with rural Norfolk plunging into recession. It was against this turbulent backdrop that the National Farmers’ Union came to the fore in Norfolk. Branches sprung up in most market towns with the purpose of supporting and lobbying for the interests of farmers. A century on and there is another Agriculture Bill moving through Parliament, as we prepare for Brexit, and the need for the NFU is as relevant as ever. Despite the increase in farm size over the century, farming is still very much a fragmented industry and, as individuals, our voice is weak and easily ignored. We are all busy people, growing our crops and tending livestock, and our businesses seldom have the resources to the population is influenced, by a generation rewarded fairly and are able to work within a actively lobby, to bring together the relevant far removed from the land. We need to explain regulatory and fiscal framework that will allow facts and disciplines to represent our industry to them how farmers manage the land and us to thrive in the years ahead. and our businesses successfully. This is where habitats, while growing food for an ever- As we look back on the great works of the the NFU has been so beneficial and effective increasing population. NFU, and the people and farmers of Norfolk There are many challenges, especially climate who achieved so many benefits for the farmers "A CENTURY ON AND THERE change which seems to manifest itself in of the day, we can also take heart that Norfolk IS ANOTHER AGRICULTURE extreme weather events, and we, as farmers, farming has a resilient future. BILL MOVING THROUGH will be called upon to help mitigate the effects Despite the changes and challenges we face, PARLIAMENT, AS WE of climate change. The move to the digital it is a comforting thought that farming will PREPARE FOR BREXIT, AND age and the unrelenting march of technology continue in our wonderful county. Here’s to the THE NEED FOR THE NFU IS will provide many challenges and great next 100 years of NFU Norfolk. AS RELEVANT AS EVER" opportunities for our industry. The need for a strong NFU will continue, Tony Bambridge, NFU Norfolk County over the past ten decades, fulfilling this role on to ensure farmers are not disadvantaged, are Chairman 2017 and 2018 our behalf. Great success was achieved with the marketing boards for milk, wool, and potatoes, Produced by: NFU, Agriculture House, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh, which brought the country out of food Warwickshire, CV8 2TZ rationing. The NFU assisted farmers and Editor: Brian Finnerty provided the political will to support farming, Research: Michael Pollitt with capital grants in order to compete through Designer: John Cottle the 1960s and 1970s. With grateful thanks to: Michael Pollitt, Ken Leggett, Norfolk Record Office, The NFU lobbied hard to ensure the the Eastern Daily Press (Archant), Archant librarian Rosemary Dixon, Rachel entrance to the European Economic Warner and our NFU Norfolk Centenary sponsors Barclays, Brown & Co, Ben Community was as beneficial as it could be for Burgess, Hewitsons, Lovewell Blake, and the Norfolk Farmers Trust. British farmers and is now working tirelessly on Photo credits: Adam Fradgley, Alamy, Archant, Clemmie Gleeson, George behalf of agriculture following the vote to leave Plunkett, Getty Images, IWM, Jim Varney, Keith Whitmore, Martin Hayward the European Union. Smith, Mary Evans, Museum of English Rural Life, University of Reading, Norfolk So what of the future? I believe the NFU still Record Office, Pagepix Ltd has a vital role to play. We are governed, and 3 NORFOLK 100 Happy birthday to NFU Norfolk The NFU in Norfolk has been a strong voice for farming as long as I can remember. I was always grateful to them for the advice and support I received as MP for South West Norfolk. County Secretary Ken Leggett was tireless in arranging meetings and briefings. He subsequently became my adviser, when I became MAFF Minister, so the information flow continued! I congratulate the NFU on their work so far and know it will continue, for the benefit of us all. Baroness Shephard of Northwold On behalf of the Norfolk County Farms Estate I am delighted to congratulate NFU Norfolk on its The NFU is the respected voice of centenary. Throughout all this time, the estate has farming. When it comes to fundraising, worked alongside NFU Norfolk and its members we can always rely on the NFU network and that relationship has endured through some to help us in any way they can, from incredible changes in the farming industry. We wish promoting events to providing stand all at NFU the best for the future and look forward to space at shows. Such loyal support, meeting future challenges together. both here in Norfolk and across the rest Duncan Slade, Rural Estates Surveyor, of the UK, is greatly valued. Thanks to Norfolk County Farms the NFU, we can reach more people and expand our work. Lucy Bellefontaine, R.A.B.I Regional Manager, East of England Happy 100th birthday to NFU Norfolk. I would like to offer my support to the You matter to the city of Norwich, just NFU in Norfolk and to congratulate as you do in the Norfolk countryside. you on your centenary. Throughout Norwich excels in science and research, my time as an MP, I have met with Congratulations to NFU Norfolk on 100 with employers who support supply the NFU. I have learnt a lot as a result years of looking after the interests of chain technology, all central to modern and have appreciated really good the farming community, in a century agriculture. And as our city grows, engagement on key issues. The NFU in that has seen unprecedented change. families are loving farms like White Norfolk performs a very important role, That care, in the past and now, has a House Farm’s cafe, small businesses particularly given the significance of huge impact on the welfare of Norfolk and PYOs. Here’s to another century. agriculture in our county. as a whole and on its future. Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North Norman Lamb, MP for North Norfolk Keith Simpson, MP for Broadland 4 NORFOLK 100 Our rich natural resources and NEWS FROM heritage have made food THE ARCHIVES and farming one of the – 1940S cornerstones of the local 27 MAY 1940 economy, Advice on how to deal with injured punching animals in the event of air raids above its was discussed by the NFU Norfolk weight in terms executive. A scheme developed by of jobs, productivity and exports. But the NFU in Cambridgeshire and the this is also a vibrant growth sector, Isle of Ely involved co-operation with our region at the forefront of between veterinary surgeons and innovation. For the past century the butchers, the exceptionally large NFU has been a focal point and a attendance was told in Norwich. champion for food and farming in Norfolk. I’m confident that will continue 8 DECEMBER 1944 for years to come. I am delighted as a Norfolk resident A motion supporting a national Doug Field, chair, New Anglia Local and as the Member of Parliament for agricultural marketing scheme and Enterprise Partnership South Norfolk to congratulate NFU control of imports was agreed by Norfolk on reaching its centenary. Harleston NFU. County Secretary In these challenging times for Jim Wright thought that the present agriculture, the support that the NFU world food shortage would be gives the farming industry in Norfolk overcome once peace is vital. I will continue to support and was restored. lobby the government on behalf of the NFU to ensure the best for the farmers 10 AUGUST 1946 of Norfolk. On holiday at Cromer, NFU President Richard Bacon, MP for South Norfolk James Turner said, during a visit to Norwich, that the growing number of dairy cows in the county “strikes Farming has one immediately” but that sheep shaped much numbers were declining. He told of the Norfolk an EDP reporter that “the cry for countryside cheap food regardless of its real and the cost, is inconsistent with a flourishing culture of countryside”.