Pauline Blair, owner of Miller Place Farm, explains the traditional farming practices she has followed for over 40 years on this hill sheep farm situated on the slopes of Whiteside in the Lorton valley. Pauline has started to write us a regular Blog feature based on the farming calendar, exploring farming practices and the seasonal workload required to maintain this Lakeland farm
In my last blog I was concerned that the sheep would be gathered into the species rich fields for clipping in mid-July before the flowers had set seed, because the heat and drought had delayed growth, but that didn’t happen. Read more
The high fell farming year begins in November with tip-time (when the rams are put in with the ewes). The old saying is “You can’t have a good lambing time if you don’t have a good tip-time.” Read more
Farming here employs the traditional system which has played a fundamental role in creating and maintaining the World Heritage Site pastoral landscape we treasure today. It also sustainably produces high quality meat from native breed animals, which in optimum numbers and managed by skilled shepherds, are the ideal land management tool for the future. Read more