History of Agricultural Education in Wiltshire - Lackham Countryside ...

THE AGRICULTURAL ACT OF 1947
The Agricultural Act of 1947 offered many concessions to farmers in the way of
subsidies, deficiency payments, grants etc., as an alternative to import tariffs.
The Minister of Agriculture, Mr T Williams, had already agreed with the N.F.U.
on the procedure for conducting annual price reviews. The farmers were well
satisfied, which paved the way for the A.E.G. to implement the Act and establish
the industry on a new basis, by promoting efficiency and increased productivity.
The target set by the Minister in his expansion programme was an increase in
the net agricultural output in the United Kingdom by 100 million pounds by 1952.
This, he explained, could be accomplished by greater all-round efficiency in farm
practice, increased mechanisation, improving the yield per cow and hen, ley
farming, the better use of grass and conservation, and by an increase in tillage
crops for winter fodder and home consumption. He also called for an increase in
pig meat by 300 per cent and beef by 20 per cent. [i]
THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY SERVICE
The National Agricultural Advisory Service was set up by the Ministry of
Agriculture in 1946 with headquarters in London. A number of provincial centres
were arranged, together with teams of Agricultural and Horticultural advisors in
each County. The main function of the N.A.A.S. was to provide free advice to
farmers and commercial horticulturalists and to arrange demonstrations and
conferences. Agricultural education and advice for domestic producers became
the responsibility of Local Authorities.
The County N.A.A.S. worked in conjunction with the County Agricultural
Executive and Technical Development Committees and was available at all times
to advise, to attend meetings and report progress in connection with the
expansion programme etc
.
The majority of officials at one time responsible for Agricultural Education
in the Counties joined the Service and became Civil Servants and were no
longer employees of the Local Authorities.
In Wiltshire, Mr Price left in 1946 to become Provincial Advisory Officer for
the South-West region at Bristol and Mr W J Brimacombe was appointed
Wiltshire County Agricultural Advisory Officer. His staff consisted of five
district advisors and a specialist in Horticulture, Farm Buildings and Dairying.
Mr G Bishop was appointed Executive Officer and dealt with the payment to the
farmer of subsidies etc. approved by the Executive Committee.