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Welcome To Peak District Farming ! Over the coming year we aim to be your voice for the farming community in the Peak District. If you have a farm in the area and want to be known about then simply let us know by going to the have your say section and sending us a message . Your farm details or produce information will be posted up and shown to the world to help bring the community of the peak district farming industry together as one online! Any help and advise from any members would be hugely helpful !
Raising livestock and growing crops is the definition of farming which has existed in the Peak District for thousands of years. However, in the last few decades this has been expanded upon with farmers diversifying to make the best possible use of their land and to earn a living in an economic climate which has seen meat and milk prices fluctuate and the demand for leisure pursuits and holiday accommodation increase. For centuries cattle and sheep have been reared on Peak District farms and then sold either for breeding or slaughter by cattle dealers. Farming history is a fascinating subject which includes Cattle Fairs that were held in numerous locations around the country. Animals would be taken by drovers using ancient cross-country routes known as drover’s roads. Even up to the 1950’s it was not unusual for cattle to be ‘walked’ to the local cattle market or transported by train. Nowadays though, livestock transport has changed drastically with articulated cattle trucks capable of conveying many animals around the country and abroad, whilst most farmers have their own smaller cattle wagons or livestock trailers.
The cattle fairs may have ceased and many small cattle markets and auctioneers have disappeared, but the Peak District still has one of the most modern livestock sales facilities in the country – The Bakewell ABC or Agricultural Business Centre holds regular livestock markets as well as being a centre for a range of farming issues and farming events.
Bakewell was granted its market charter back in 1330, so for almost 700 years the town has been an important capital in the Peak District Farming community. Bakewell Market Hall which now houses the local Tourist Information Office was built in the 17th century and was then a place to buy and sell all manner of farm produce from butter, cheese and eggs to locally grown fruit, vegetables and home-made foods. A turnaround in recent years has seen a return to this practice in the form of Farmers Markets, with the Bakewell Farmers Market which is generally held on the last Saturday of the month being one of the most popular farmers markets in the country!
Modern farming methods and standards have improved considerably, especially with the introduction of organic farming. Gone are the days when a smallholder could make a living from raising just a few cattle each year – some farmers now have a headcount of several hundred beasts or sheep. To allow producers to prove that the standard of husbandry and welfare on their farms meet nationally agreed levels of good practice, schemes have been introduced whereby they can be inspected, approved, regulated and provided with a symbol that can then be given to their produce. The FABBL symbol of excellence for British Farm Assured Beef and Lamb was set up in 1992 to provide a farm assurance scheme that would guarantee confidence in British livestock to both retailers and consumers.
Many farmers are becoming ‘greener’ with an interest in plants and environment, waste and resources issues, ‘set aside’ subsidies and grants. Following the CROW (Countryside Rights of Way Act) the Peak District National Park has become more accessible than ever before and the number of visitors is on the increase. It is therefore important for Peak District Farmers to work together with the National Park Authority to preserve their farms for the future but to make the most out of their land whilst remaining a financially viable industry.
To ease the burden of labour intensive farming practices, a vast assortment of farming equipment has been designed and developed to enable farmers to operate without an army of employees. Long gone are the days of the shire horse and the little grey Fergi, now it is the age of the John Deere and the Massey Ferguson, the miniature to the massive, producing as much as 290bhp! There will always be a demand for some employment on Peak District farms however, although farming jobs are often varied and far from a job description of cowhand or shepherd from years ago.
Producing healthy animals and fatstock requires good husbandry and quality animal feed supplies - it reputedly takes 16lb (7kg) or so of animal feed to produce 1lb (0.5kg) of animal flesh. From organic to conventional animal feed supplies, livestock now have a varied diet from grass, hay, silage and standard fodder to grains, supplements, licks and mixes. Vets – medical supplies are an expensive but essential aspect of farming but with good farming practices they can be kept to a minimum.
It was and still is traditional for farms to pass through generations of the same family with farming land and farms for sale or farms to let being as a result of retirement and the end of a family line. Unfortunately, there are now more farms for sale due to financial hardship and lack of enthusiasm for the farming industry. More often than not the farms then become broken up with hobby farmers taking over the farmstead and the land being let as summer grazing or farmed by contractors.
Peak District Farming can be a lonely occupation with days spent working in isolated fields or farm yards and buildings where the company tends to be four-legged or feathered. Market day is a chance to have a chat and socialize, but a farmer loves the opportunity of visiting farming events – if he can spare the time of course! And for the up and coming generation of farmers there is always the Young Farmers Club which provides support, entertainment and friendship.
The Peak District prides itself on still holding annual Farm Shows such as those held at Bakewell, Hope, Ashbourne, Manifold and Ashover. This is a time for farmers to either display their best animals or to wander around and catch up on the latest news in animal feeds, farming equipment and local farming gossip. There was a time when a day out at an Agricultural Show was often considered as good as a holiday to some farmers – a day off from the toil and grind of working on the farm.
Traditional farmers have become more involved in the leisure industry of late, many providing farm holidays with outbuildings converted into holiday cottages or bunk barns and farmhouses offering bed and breakfast accommodation.
It is not unusual to see farm shops dotted around the Peak District selling a range of home-produced meat and home-made goods, often incorporating local crafts and peak district souvenirs. Some farms have even gone a step further with nature trails, an insight into local wildlife and even small breeds farms. There are also the occasional ‘special events days down on the farm’ – the leisure industry market is a lucrative source to be tapped into!
For an insight into life down on the farm and a laptop view of life in the country, our Farming Gallery has a selection of images which hopefully describe Peak District Farming.
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