The 1937 Agriculture Act anticipated the need to increase self-sufficiency, and the Second World War witnessed a 60% rise in productivity, the result of the growth in livestock numbers, increasing scientific and government control and guidance, more specialised systems of management and the conversion to arable of permanent pasture. The intensification and increased specialisation of farming in the post war period has been accompanied by the introduction of wide-span multi-purpose sheds in concrete, steel and asbestos which meet increasing requirements for machinery and the environmental control of livestock and on-farm production, particularly of milk. The Government provided grants to cover the capital cost of new building under the Farm Improvement Scheme (introduced 1957).
The national stock of farm buildings grew by a quarter between 1945 and 1960 alone. Modern farmstead buildings either replaced earlier structures or were built on the edge of older steadings close to access points.
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