Ian Bell is tenant farmer at RSPB Geltsdale in the wet and windy North Pennines where he grazes sheep and cattle. Here he talks about his experience of farming on the reserve. Two years in to taking on the farm tenancy at RSPB Geltsdale and I’m still relishing the challenges of farming a large upland nature reserve.
Ian Bell, tenant farmer at Geltsdale. Image: Steve Westerberg Over the past few months, I don't think it has stopped raining for more than four days in a row which makes everything in farming much more challenging to say the least. The sheep were late getting clipped, as trying to organise contract clippers to coincide with the sheep’s fleeces being dry isn't easy. I only just managed to make enough silage to get through the winter and the wet weather has meant it’s been very difficult to get on with topping rushes. On a more positive note, the stock have done really well over the summer months and I'm looking forward to getting the cows in soon and the sheep off the hills ready to be tupped.
Cattle grazing at Geltsdale. Image: Ian Ryding Grazing cattle on the moorland edge has been a new experience for me. The areas are remote, the weather harsh and the grazing rough but I’m pleasantly surprised how well the animals have fared. A suitable breed is essential and I brought in a herd of hardy shorthorn highlands and sim-luing cattle for that are bred for extreme conditions. The RSPB are keen to increase the cattle numbers on the hill to help create a new patchwork of habitats for a range of birds and other wildlife, and now we have around 100 cows in several herds grazing up to an altitude of 500 metres from June through to November. I can see the effects they’re having, breaking up stands of bracken, trampling rushes and knocking back the rough grasses.
Geltsdale cattle. Image: Ian Ryding Seeing them out on the fellside on a fine day is a joy and one of my favourite parts of the job. The birdlife here is tremendous and I regularly see black grouse, short eared owls and curlews when I’m out checking the livestock. The presence of an osprey around the tarn this summer has been a real treat as I remember having to travel to the Highlands to see them as boy. Hopefully the bird will return next year with a beautiful young wife. Find out more about how we are helping nature through farming at Geltsdale here.