LOW BECKSIDE FARM

NEWTON RIGG ENTERPRISE

• THE FARM
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• ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES
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• VISITORS

NEWTON RIGG ENTERPRISE(Low Beckside), is run by John Rowland who has been the manager at Low Beckside since 1990. John is helped by contractors and Newton Rigg students. The main responsibility of the farm is to provide vocational training for Newton Rigg students.

HISTORY

The site of the original longhouse dates back to 1589 and the Hodgsons are the family associated with the farm from this time.

There is a list of occupants from 1841-1993; the Mandales were the main occupants throughout the 19th century.

The change of use of farm buildings reflects 400 years of changing economic cultures and agricultural practice.

Newton Rigg Agricultural College bought the farm in 1960 as a working farm for educational purposes. This has now diversified into a range of educational activity: environmental management; forestry; outdoor pursuits.

LOCATION

 

© Copyright 2007

SIZE OF THE FARM

Total: 171 hectares (including 23 ha of woodland)
Grazing rights to Mungrisedale Common (registered for 540 ewes and their followers) since entering environmental schemes this has been reduced to 316 ewes. Mungrisedale Common has entered into a Higher Level Stewardship Scheme.

TERRAIN

• Traditional Lakeland Fell Farm with additional in- bye grazing

• Low Beckside includes 4 SSSI’s :

• 2 Raised peat bogs

• Species rich wildflower meadows, including Greater Butterfly Orchid, Red Clover; Betony; Eyebright; Pignut (in seed).

• The River Glenderamackin

 

LIVESTOCK & NUMBERS

Swaledales: 700 ewes producing 850 lambs.

150 are kept for breeding at Low Beckside; 130  for the lowland farm at Newton Rigg.

GRAZING & CONSERVATION

Use of the commons on a regulated basis under a Higher Level Stewardship scheme.

The inbye fields have been managed within an ESA agreement for last 14 years, using very little fertilizer.