Agriculture - Ireland:
Introduction:
1. The region that I have studied is the Greater Dublin Area.
Physical factors and human factors have influenced the
development of agriculture in this region.
2. A region is an area of the earth’s surface that has one or more
characteristics, be they physical or socio-economic, which
distinguish it from other areas.
Physical Factors:
1. The low-lying relief of the GDA has enabled farmers to
create large regular fields suitable for mechanised farming.
2. The GDA has a cool temperate oceanic climate which means
precipitation levels are relatively high, increasing grass
growth, which is very important for pastoral farming.
3. The GDA also has longer hours of sunshine than the West of
Ireland, increasing crop yields and reducing the risk of potato
blight.
4. The risk of late spring frost is lower due to the influence of
the Irish Sea, vital for the growth of fruit and early potatoes.
5. The Northern parts of the GDA, such as Rush and Lusk, have
light, sandy soils, ideal for market gardening.
6. In Kildare, glaciers deposited large quantities of sand and
boulder clay in the last Ice Age, resulting in well-drained
soils and good quality grassland.
7. This grassland is ideal for pastoral farming and Kildare is the
main area in Ireland for the fattening of cattle for the beef
industry.
8. In Meath, the fertile combination of boulder clay and brown
earth soils has resulted in intensive arable farming developing
in the county.
Introduction:
1. The region that I have studied is the Greater Dublin Area.
Physical factors and human factors have influenced the
development of agriculture in this region.
2. A region is an area of the earth’s surface that has one or more
characteristics, be they physical or socio-economic, which
distinguish it from other areas.
Physical Factors:
1. The low-lying relief of the GDA has enabled farmers to
create large regular fields suitable for mechanised farming.
2. The GDA has a cool temperate oceanic climate which means
precipitation levels are relatively high, increasing grass
growth, which is very important for pastoral farming.
3. The GDA also has longer hours of sunshine than the West of
Ireland, increasing crop yields and reducing the risk of potato
blight.
4. The risk of late spring frost is lower due to the influence of
the Irish Sea, vital for the growth of fruit and early potatoes.
5. The Northern parts of the GDA, such as Rush and Lusk, have
light, sandy soils, ideal for market gardening.
6. In Kildare, glaciers deposited large quantities of sand and
boulder clay in the last Ice Age, resulting in well-drained
soils and good quality grassland.
7. This grassland is ideal for pastoral farming and Kildare is the
main area in Ireland for the fattening of cattle for the beef
industry.
8. In Meath, the fertile combination of boulder clay and brown
earth soils has resulted in intensive arable farming developing
in the county.
