Question

How did Bakewell contribute to the Agricultural Revolution?
•He created the four-course field
rotation.
He used enclosures to help grow bigger herds.
He introduced cross-breeding for stronger and better animals.
He fed his sheep turnips in the winter for better wool.

Answer 1

Correct answer: He introduced cross-breeding (selective breeding) for stronger and better animals.

Brief explanation:
- Robert Bakewell pioneered systematic selective breeding (and controlled inbreeding) to improve meat and wool — e.g., the New Leicester sheep and improved Longhorn cattle.
- He did not create the four-course rotation (that’s associated with Charles “Turnip” Townshend).
- He did use enclosed paddocks and controlled mating to manage herds, but the wider enclosure movement was separate and predated/ran alongside his work.
- Feeding sheep turnips in winter to improve fodder/wool is linked to the turnip revolution rather than Bakewell’s main contribution.