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During the Middle Ages, there were many factors contributing to an increased food supply.

  • The development of new agricultural implements increased production. Some important examples were the horse collar, which made it possible for a horse to plow about twice as much land with about the same effort, the horse shoe, which kept horses working closer to full time, and the deep plow, which increased productivity.
  • The introduction of the three field system of crop rotation increased the portion of agricultural land that was in production at any given time, and at the same time increased productivity of the land.
  • The feudal system organized the serfs better than they had been organized in ancient times.
  • New crops were introduced to Europe, mainly from the Middle East and Africa.
  • New types of vegetables were bred. For example, Brussels sprouts are thought to have originated in the 13th century.
  • Breeding improved livestock.
  • Better nutrition, such as by ensuring a good supply of winter feed, made animals stronger and larger.
  • Irrigation was improved from what it had been at the beginning of the Middle Ages. Part of this was due to the introduction of new kinds of pumps.
  • Also, after the beginning of the Middle Ages there were a number of improvements in transportation, making it possible for farmers to move crops farther.
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