Available online
Description
What makes farmers adopt a new technique? Is it as a result of a company's publicity campaign? Or, do they adopt after evaluating the success of neighbouring and respected farmers? Whatever the spe...cific reason, studies in diffusion of ideas and techniques indicate there is a general pattern of adoption. In this programme Dr. John Blunden examines the response of individual farmers in North West Devon to a new technique - direct drilling. And attempts to place his findings in a more general context. Note: Direct drilling, at its simplest, is a technique designed to remove the necessity of ploughing. Instead of cultivating, farmers spray the soil with a weed killer and then drill directly into the untilled soil. The farmers taking part in this programme are: Tony Stevens, Dudley Troake, Maurice Fishleigh, Brian Cottle and Lionel Rogers together with David Little of Plant Protection Ltd.
What makes farmers adopt a new technique? Is it as a result of a company's publicity campaign? Or, do they adopt after evaluating the success of neighbouring and respected farmers? Whatever the spe...cific reason, studies in diffusion of ideas and techniques indicate there is a general pattern of adoption. In this programme Dr. John Blunden examines the response of individual farmers in North West Devon to a new technique - direct drilling. And attempts to place his findings in a more general context. Note: Direct drilling, at its simplest, is a technique designed to remove the necessity of ploughing. Instead of cultivating, farmers spray the soil with a weed killer and then drill directly into the untilled soil. The farmers taking part in this programme are: Tony Stevens, Dudley Troake, Maurice Fishleigh, Brian Cottle and Lionel Rogers together with David Little of Plant Protection Ltd.
| Module code and title: | D203, Decision making in Britain |
|---|---|
| Item code: | D203; 05; 1975 |
| First transmission date: | 09-04-1975 |
| Published: | 1975 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:30 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Nigel Houghton |
| Contributors: | John Blunden; David Troake |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Direct drilling; Evaluation; New techniques |
| Footage description: | Blunden introduces the programme which will deal with the introduction of direct drilling techniques. He shows part of the slide show which Plant Protection Ltd. gives, this time in Hatherleig, North Devon. It describes their ideas on direct drilling. Blunden talks to Stevens, the first farmer in the area to start direct drilling. Stevens outlines what he uses it for. Stevens discusses where he heard of the process and how he has developed his use of it. Out in the fields they discuss the advantages for winter feeding. Shots of cows ploughing through the mud. Blunden outlines the characteristics of an innovator. He interviews Little from Plant Protection on how he sells his process to an area, concentrating on the Parish Leader idea. Farmers are shown asking Little questions at one of his demonstrations. Little comments on his promotion techniques and is seen giving advice to Rogers on his farm. Blunden discusses the reactions of various farmers to direct drilling, and the problems for the north Devon area. Cottle outlines why he is unlikely to use direct drilling. Using various graphic representations, Blunden describes the different approaches of farmers to innovations. He sums up on the programme. Credits. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/71725 |
| Production number: | 00525_2266 |
| Videofinder number: | 3401 |
| Available to public: | no |
