Ed Lautard

Ed Lautard’s 1977 Nuffield report documents his agricultural study tour of the United Kingdom with the aim of identifying farming practices, production systems, and policy frameworks that could inform and benefit Canadian agriculture. Through visits across England, Scotland, and Wales, he examined hog production, beef cattle systems, cropping and crop rotations, vegetable and commercial carrot production, machinery use, and the role of government policy in supporting agricultural efficiency. 

A strong emphasis is placed on practical observations, including intensive livestock housing, precision vegetable production, fertilizer and trace-element management, labour efficiency, and the integration of research into farm practice. Lautard highlights the UK’s ability to achieve high levels of food self-sufficiency despite limited land, attributing this success to disciplined crop protection, efficient fertilizer use, mechanization, and supportive policy, while consistently reflecting on which methods could be realistically adapted to Canadian conditions.