Less is more: Improving profitability and the natural environment in hill and other marginal farming systems

[Steve Pollard]

A report funded by The RSPB, National Trust and The Wildlife Trusts in November 2019, that proposes that in upland and marginal livestock farms reducing output (and hence stock numbers) to a level where stock are grazed only on the farm’s naturally available grass (i.e. without artificial fertilisers), increases profit (or reduces losses), through significant savings of variable costs. This is turn can generate environmental benefits by reducing some of the environmental pressure on the land, particularly where over-grazing is an issue. The findings challenge the approach often taken by upland farmers that greater profitability automatically ensues from increasing production.