Editing Crop rotation (section)

=== Four-field rotations ===

{{main|Norfolk four-course system}}
{{further|Convertible husbandry}}

Farmers in the region of [[Waasland]] (in present-day northern Belgium) pioneered a four-field rotation in the early 16th century, and the [[United Kingdom|British]] agriculturist [[Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend|Charles Townshend]] (1674–1738) popularised this system in the 18th century. The sequence of four crops ([[wheat]], [[turnip]]s, [[barley]] and [[clover]]), included a [[fodder crop]] and a grazing crop, allowing [[livestock]] to be bred year-round. The four-field crop rotation became a key development in the [[British Agricultural Revolution]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Norfolk-four-course-system |title=Norfolk four-course system |website=Encyclopædia Britannica |accessdate=31 May 2017}}</ref>