TRADITIONAL cattle breeds are to be reintroduced on parts of the Yorkshire Dales as part of a new scheme to help farmers manage environmentally sensitive areas.
The Limestone Country project has secured £1.27 million to reintroduce sustainable mixed livestock farming to around 11,000 hectares of upland farms in areas including Ingleborough and Mallam over the next five years.
Dexters, beef shorthorn and Galloway cattle will be grazed on the land in an effort to conserve such rare limestone-living plants as baneberry, soloman's seal and rigid buckler fern.
The grazing patterns of traditional cattle breeds are more conducive to biodiversity than the selective eating habits of sheep and the scheme, backed by the National Beef Association, the YDNPA, English Nature, the National Trust and the European Union, could see up to 20 farms return to traditional methods.
Farmers will be given financial help to meet the costs of buying traditional breeds as well as with the conversion of sheds, transport costs and the like.
Top-ups to agri-environment grants will also help them manage the hardy breeds in remote areas.
Interested farmers in the Ingleborough, Mallam and Arncliffe should call 01756-752748.
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