Grazing for Good in Upland Landscapes
This research project, initiated by local farmers in the Lake District, aims to consider what evidence is used to implement agri-environment schemes in the region, and how these schemes might be improved.
This initiative is a farmer-led, participatory action research project focused on enhancing dialogue and evidence-based agri-environment policies in the Lake District. Led by the Herdwick Sheep Breeders Association (HSBA), the Federation of Cumbria Commoners (FCC), and West Lakeland CIC, this work brings together farmers, researchers, and policymakers to ensure that land management decisions are grounded in robust science, practical farming knowledge, and an understanding of the cultural landscape.
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Initially building on concerns raised by farmers following the publication of Natural England's (NE) Grazing Regimes for Nature Recovery (GRNR) document in 2020, this project examines the scientific basis of current policy frameworks, addressing issues such as ecological baselines, data accuracy, and governance structures in the role of upland farming for delivering environmental public goods. Alongside a multidisciplinary Scientific Committee, the project will also establish structured discussions and collaboration between key stakeholders, including farmers, policymakers, and NE, with the aim to develop more transparent, inclusive, and effective decision-making processes for the future of our uplands.
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In late 2025, the Grazing for Cood consortium, together with administrative and project management support from the National Sheep Association Northern Region, was awarded some funding through Farming in Protected Landscapes to enable the Independent Scientific Panel to commence their more detailed review of the GRNR report. We hope to publish this report in Spring 2026.
2024: Initial Scoping Review
To initiate this process, in 2024 the HSBA, FCC and West Lakeland CIC engaged Prof. Robin Pakeman, a highly regarded upland ecologist with extensive experience working with Natural England and other land management organisations, to conduct an initial independent scoping review of the GRNR report. Their aim was for this review to serve as the starting foundation for a broader collaborative process involving upland farmers, independent natural and social scientists, Natural England, and other local stakeholders. The initial scoping review by Professor Pakeman was generously crowdfunded by a wide variety of small local businesses, including local auction marts, accountants and village shows.
2025: Independent Scientific Panel
One of the key recommendations from Professor Pakeman's initial scoping review was the establishment of an independent scientific panel of scientists to review evidence on environment, economics, and social aspects, to understand the drivers of change and to identify potential directions for upland management that would deliver multiple benefits.
The HSBA and FCC are therefore delighted to be working with an Independent Scientific Committee made up of four world-leading academics, each bringing deep expertise in upland environments, agro-ecological systems, and agri-environment policy. Their guidance will play a vital role in shaping this work, and farmers are extremely grateful for their generous commitment to a more balanced future for farming and nature in the Lake District.​
Plant Ecologist
Prof. Robin Pakeman
The James Hutton Institute
Agro-ecologist
Dr Lisa Norton
UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
Professor of Agricultural Ecology
Prof. Davy McCracken
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)
Professor of Rural Resource Management
Prof. Matt Lobley
University of Exeter
2026: Independent Scientific Review
The review considers the different forms of evidence which are used in determining how grazing stocking rates have been set and applied to support nature recovery on the Lake District fells, and how those decisions affect both ecological outcomes and the viability of traditional upland farming systems.
The first main phase of the review is structured around three overarching questions:
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What is the empirical basis for the 0.5 ewe/ha annual average stocking rate used in Grazing Regimes for Nature Recovery (GRNR), and how well is this figure supported by scientific evidence rather than local convention or policy interpretation?
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How has evidence on stocking rates been generated, interpreted, and applied during Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) rollovers in the Lake District, including the role of monitoring frameworks and indicators?
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What immediate and longer‑term changes to data‑sharing and agreement negotiation processes would most improve confidence, fairness, and effectiveness in decision‑making for the Lake District fells?
To address these questions, the first stage of the review examines a range of evidence, including:
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Scientific literature from the UK uplands and comparable European habitats, covering grazing impacts on heath, grassland, alpine and boreal systems, and evaluating how stocking rates interact with other drivers such as nitrogen deposition, climate, burning, and past management.
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Experimental studies and grazing models, including hill grazing frameworks that emphasise carrying capacity, habitat mosaics, seasonality, and adaptive management rather than fixed stocking thresholds.
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Monitoring and assessment methods used in practice, particularly Common Standards Monitoring (CSM) and Indicators of Success, assessing their strengths, limitations, and suitability for judging progress over time.
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Local observational knowledge drawn from Natural England experience, as presented in GRNR, alongside critical examination of how the evidence in GRNR has been generalised or applied.
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Farm business and socio‑economic evidence, including Farm Business Survey data and analysis of how changes to stocking rates interact with income, agri‑environment payments, and the viability of hefted sheep systems on common land.
Review Webinar
During this webinar in December 2024, Professor Pakeman from the James Hutton Institute shared findings and recommendations from his initial review of the 'Grazing Regimes for Nature Recovery' report from Natural England. This independent review, commissioned by the Herdwick Sheep Breeders Association, Federation of Cumbria Commoners, and West Lakeland CIC, aims to be the first step to catalyse more collaborative and meaningful strategies to enhance farmer agency and integrate their knowledge in approaches to nature recovery in the Lake District Fells. You can watch the initial webinar below:
At the heart of these discussions lies a deep concern among Lake District farming families about the unintended consequences of recommending uniform grazing limits:an annual average threshold of 0.5 ewes per hectare, roughly one ewe per two hectares, across all habitat types. The HSBA warned that such a one‑size‑fits‑all rule undermines their ability to manage the fells, threaten farm profitability, and erode the age‑old hefting system that keeps flocks on unfenced commons. The potential exodus from agri‑environment schemes into full‑production enterprises risked leaving precious upland landscapes unmanaged for nature.
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Meanwhile, escalating lowland agri‑environment payments (for instance, of £515/ha for winter bird seed mixes) have made off-wintering upland flocks downslope to lowland dairy farms even more difficult and prohibitively expensive for hill farmers. This off‑wintering migration is not only increasingly costly, but also disrupts the hardiness of hill flocks and maternal bonding between ewes and lambs, eroding the cultural hefting knowledge passed from mothers to offspring. As flocks mix with lowland livestock, farmers report rising losses to tick‑borne disease and even ‘spill‑over’ of cattle afflictions such as digital dermatitis into their sheep.
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The FCC adds that these continued top‑down stocking mandates have led some fell commons to plummet to 0.05 LU per hectare, with few viable routes to replace phased‑out Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) support. They argue passionately for bespoke stocking rates tailored to the productivity, history, and unique ecological tapestry of each common.