D-block GB-592000-222000

  With cold winters and summer rainfall
 maxima,the farming on the low plateau 
 of glacial deposits are predominately 
 arable. The fields are large to       
 accomodate the machines used in this  
 highly mechanised,commercial          
 operation. There are high input costs 
 with application of chemical          
 fertilisers,herbicide sprays and      
 irrigation.The main crops are spring  
 barley and winter wheat with potatoes,
 legumes and industrial crops like     
 sugar beet and oil seed rape also     
 playing a part in the rotations.      
  On the S.W. side of Colchester,      
 within easy reach of London commuter  
 routes, the suburbs form desirable    
 residential areas. New estates have   
 been built and land prices are high.  
 To compete farmers must try to farm   
 their land intensively.