Energy in UK agriculture

An investigation into the energy input/output ratios was carried out on 44 farms in England and Wales. The total energy input per hectare on the general cropping farms was similar to that of the national average; but on dairy farms it was double. Arable crops achieved a ratio of food energy output to fossil energy input greater than 1:1; while the ratio for ruminants was less than 1:1. The application of fertiliser increased energy input per hectare but substantially increased output. The return to less intensive systems of agricultural production in the UK will only save energy if other components of the standard of living also decline.