Beef Enterprise in Harmony with the Environment

Specialist beef producers Brian Atkinson and his father Brendan have been able to enhance their farm's environmental benefits while maintaining a sound commercial enterprise in shape for post 2012 without a Single Farm Payment.

The Atkinsons farm 600 acres at Scratchmere Scar and Scar Foot, near Plumpton, Penrith.

And with the help of investment from the NWDA funded Farming Connect Cumbria Programme they have been able to achieve greater management efficiencies in their spring calving suckler herd as well as in land management to improve the environment.

The farm is now in both Entry Level and Higher Level Stewardship because the farm lends itself well to it and there is little conflict in managing the beef enterprise in harmony with the environment.