2.4: The Agricultural Revolution--A Paradigm Shift

Introduction to Animal Science · LibreTexts

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    The Agricultural Revolution: A Paradigm Shift

    The British Agricultural Revolution in the 18th century marked a significant turning point. Individuals such as Robert Bakewell (1725-1795) pioneered systematic selective breeding, emphasizing the inheritance of desirable traits, such as increased size and meat yield, in livestock. Bakewell's work shifted animal breeding from purely observational practices to a more purposeful and directed approach, laying the groundwork for the scientific study of animal genetics.

    Oil painting of a man wearing a tan overcoat and a black hat riding a brown horse. A small dog stands in front of the horse with farm animals off in the distance.

    Image: Robert Bakewell by John Boultbee, oil on canvas, circa 1788-1790. National Portrait Gallery, London. NPG 5949.

    The 18th and 19th centuries also witnessed the rise of veterinary medicine as a distinct field focusing on animal health and disease. Establishing veterinary schools and developing disease-control measures were crucial to improving animal productivity and welfare.

    This page titled 2.4: The Agricultural Revolution--A Paradigm Shift was last modified on Sat, 02 May 2026 03:51:22 GMT and is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Deanne Pawlisch.