5. Characteristics of a Hill Sheep Farm There are three zones of land use: The fell: the tops of the hills over 300m altitude – sheep graze on this open land in the summer; The intake or lower slopes: divided into fields by dry stone walls, some pasture is improved by adding drainage and fertilisers; The inbye: the small area of land on the valley floor close to the farm buildings – more fertile soils and sheltered. Used for lambing, shearing etc. and for growing some winter fodder crops, e.g. turnips, hay.
6. Problems with Hill Sheep Farming -Hill sheep farming is not always profitable – the land is marginal. -The threat of removal of subsidies from the EU. -EU Quotas (limits) on the number of sheep that can be kept. -Foot and mouth disease has restricted sheep movement and sales. -Radioactive fall-out from the Chernobyl accident (1986) affected mountain grazing land. Restrictions on sheep sales is still in force in some areas. -Costs, e.g. fuel, machinery, fodder, have all risen. Lamb prices in the late 1990s collapsed. -Fewer young people want to carry on sheep farming. -Conflicts with tourists and National Park Authorities.
8. Changes and Improvements - Farmers are continuing to leave the land or take part-time jobs in nearby towns, if available -New breeding stock to improve quality and quantity of meat and wool. -Greater use of fertilisers to improve quality of pasture. -Grants for new farm buildings so lambing can be done indoors. -EU subsidies and grants to encourage continuation of livestock farming in upland areas. -EU grants to protect and improve the farm environment e.g. conservation of dry stonewalls, natural pastures, stone barns, and hedgerows. -EU grants to encourage diversification of farms, either farm-based, e.g. organic farming, rearing other animals (deer, goats), or non-farm based, e.g. campsites, sporting activities, forestry, arts and crafts, rural tourism. -EU grants to conserve and enhancement the landscape for wildlife. Areas designated as Environmentally Sensitive (ESAs) qualify for grants to reduce the --use of fertilisers, restore heather moorland and wetlands. -Some farms could not survive and have been sold – often as second homes.
