Farming, in particular hill farming, is an important source
of livelyhood for many in the parish of Ravenstonedale. Farming impacts on virtually
everyone living in the parish as most of us can count some farmers
as friends.Related links on this website: Haymaking, Gathering, Adopt-a-sheep
Hill Farming in Ravenstonedale at the turn of the century
Hill farming went into recession at the start of the 21st century due to a combination of factors. Sheep prices were at an all time low while the cost of lamb to the consumer was high. Supermarkets used their collective bargaining power to force down prices at source while the collapse of the former USSR economies has abolished the market for fleeces.
Milk prices were also at a record low.
Farming in the UK in general had a hard time in 1999 and 2000. Scares such as the BSE crises and the subsequent ban on beef exports to Europe coupled with a massive rise in bureaucracy and a refusal by the New Labour government to give generous subsidies together made farming a difficult way for many to earn a living.
Meet the farmers in Ravenstonedale
Following the short introduction on this page the real picture of farming in Ravenstonedale and the surrounding area at the turn of the 21st century is left to the farmers themselves. In informal interviews they talk about their work and the issues affecting farming...
David Brownrigg
John Pratt
Martin Dent
Malcolm Robinson