Innovative approaches to managing the uplands with livestock

Date published: 20 September 2019

The study tour will visit upland farms in the Peak District, England.

This two day study tour will focus on farming systems which include moorland management and grazing livestock to help maintain this range of unique habitats.

This study tour is part of the Farm Innovation Visits Scheme which is being delivered by DAERA’s College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE). The tour will include visits to several progressive upland farms where grazing is fundamental to the management of the uplands. The areas of innovation studied will include:

• Managing uplands primarily with grazing livestock;
• Benefits of mixed grazing;
• Re-introduction of winter grazing onto upland areas;
• Different heather management techniques followed by grazing to maintain habitat condition;
• Innovative approach to increasing wildfire resilience using livestock
• The use of virtual fencing to assist with the management of large upland areas.

The group will leave from Northern Ireland on Tuesday morning 15 October 2019 and return on Wednesday evening 16 October 2019. The tour will be led by CAFRE beef and sheep technologist Graeme Campbell and CAFRE sheep technologist Dr Eileen McCloskey.

Applications are invited from one member or employee of the farm business who is actively farming SDA land with at least 150 breeding females (including ewe lambs) or 20 beef bred suckler cows, who is over 18 years old on the application closing date and not in full-time education. To increase the benefits arising from the study tour all applicants must identify a group of farmers to share their findings with upon their return. Sixteen places are available and these will be allocated on a competitive basis.

The Farm Innovation Visit Scheme, which is part of the NI Rural Development Programme and part funded by the EU, will cover the costs associated with setting up the visit, accommodation, travel outside of Northern Ireland, and meals when in Great Britain. Participants will be expected to meet any additional costs, including farm relief and travel insurance.

Upland farmers who are interested in participating in this study tour can find out more details and complete an online application.

Applications open on Wednesday 18 September 2019 and close at 4.00pm on Tuesday 1 October 2019.