Write a summary of this article on medieval agricultural systems for an academic audience.
Summary generated by Grammarly: During the Middle Ages in Europe, from the fall of the Western Roman Empire to around 1500, farming practices, crops, technology, and the agricultural economy and society are discussed in this article. The population of Europe decreased due to epidemics, climatic cooling, and frequent crop failures. Peasant farmers and serfs grew crops for themselves in the feudal system that began around 1000. The most important crops in most European regions were barley and wheat, as well as oats and rye. Oxen and horses were used as draft animals, and sheep were raised for wool and pigs for meat.
The medieval system of agriculture began to break down in the 14th century with the development of more intensive agricultural methods, and after the population losses of the Black Death in 1347–1351, more land was made ailable to a diminished number of farmers. To summarize, the article provides an overview of the farming practices, crops, technology, and agricultural society and economy of Europe during the Middle Ages.
*This summary came from an article titled “Agriculture in the Middle Ages.”