SAC Research

The Derbyshire Focus Group is centred on the Hope Valley in the High Peak area with 15 to 20 participating farmers predominantly located in the valleys radiating out from there.

Most have extensive heather moor grazing, some of which are commons but some fenced.  Much of the moor grazing is severe, and rises up to 636 m altitude.

The Group as a whole is typical of the Derbyshire High Peak area. The whole area is included in the Peak District National Park as well as the North Peak Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA).

Two of the major landowners in the area include are the National Trust and Severn Trent Water Authority. Flock size varies from 160 ewes to 3,000 ewes with the Swaledale and Derbyshire Gritstone breeds predominant but cross breeds (Mules) also a feature on most of the farms. 

Most farmers lamb all or a portion of their flocks on in-bye or moor land. However a significant number of farms lamb some or all their ewes in doors because of the limited grazing and severity of the environment.

Only few of them sell more than 50% store lambs, the remainder selling more than 50% finished.

Breeding stock is sold by few of the farms. Only 2 of the farms have no cattle of any type.

Most have a herd of sucklers (between 10 & 25 cows).

Most suckler herds are spring calving with calves sold as stores – only 1 farm produces finished cattle.

Contact:
Mark Topliff
ADAS
Tel: 01522 521298
Mark.topliff@adas.co.uk