3:28pm Wednesday 30th December 2009
By Daniel Orr
AN ongoing bid to save the uplands and secure the economic future of hill farming in Cumbria is being hailed as a success just months into its ten year programme.
Graziers and Natural England are heralding the scheme to reintroduce hardy traditional cattle to the county’s iconic Orton Fells in order to encourage the rich diversity of flowering plants which should flourish on the fells to return.
In recent times, specialised sheep farming has led to much of the limestone grassland being dominated by blue moor grass because they are selective grazers and leave behind rough vegetation and tough grass.
But because the likes of Galloways, Beef Shorthorns and Blue Greys are ‘less fussy’ about grazing, and as the healthy cattle come off the land for the winter the landscape is feeling the benefit already.
Funding through the Higher Level Stewardship schemes has made the project a reality and it is thought to represent a “significant step forward” for hill farming.
Liz Newton, Natural England’s Northwest Regional Director said: “The reintroduction of traditional cattle will help establish a sustainable balance between food production through mixed grazing in the uplands and a healthy natural environment.”
Little Asby and Crosby Ravensworth Common, which lie on the limestone fells above Orton, Newbiggin-on-Lune and Kirkby Stephen, are seen as rare habitats which support a “mosaic” of wet and dry heathland as well as limestone grassland, and much of the area has been designated as both a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation.
Gordon Bowness, chairman of the Crosby Ravensworth Graziers, said: “This ten year scheme will maintain and enhance the quality of the landscape by the conservation and protection of flora and wildlife that exists across our commons.
“The historic environment, available to all wishing to walk the common, will also benefit from the removal of rank vegetation with less selective grazing whilst annual monitoring of birds, shrubs, other vegetation and farmed animals will ascertain the benefits derived from the overall agreement.”
Andrew Harrison, Little Asby Commoners Association chairman, added: “We are eight months into the HLS scheme and the cattle have just come off the common for the winter. They are looking extremely well and we are all very pleased with the results so far. In the long term, we hope that the cattle will improve the vegetation as well as providing a much needed income for the commoners.”
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