| Farming Farming, in particular hill farming, is an important source of livelyhood for many in the parish. Farming impacts on virtually everyone living in the parish as most of us can count some farmers as friends. Hill farming is in recession at the turn of the 21st century. This is due to a combination of factors. Sheep prices are at an all time low while the cost of lamb to the consumer is high. Supermarkets have 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 are also at a record low. Farming in the UK in general is having 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 wield generous subsidies have together made farming a difficult way for many to earn a living. 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. Elsewhere on this site farmers reveal their experiences, hopes and aspirations at this time. Reading these accounts gives a true indication of the challenges facing farmers and a portrait of the individuals rising to meet these challenges. |
Farming features and events on this
web site and links to related content... Adopt-a-sheep Haymaking - July 2000 New arrivals - July 2000 Gathering - August 2002 Informal interviews with local farmers in which they talk about their work and the issues affecting farming... David Brownrigg John Pratt Martin Dent Malcolm Robinson Look closely - these are not sheep  |
