Curious sheep gather round the photographer, probably hoping to be fed. Unfortunately although the sheep look picturesque, sheep farming is not an easy option in the Yorkshire Dales. Early in 2000, snow on the hills caught many sheep just before lambing time or with newborn lambs. Many died before they could be rescued from the snow. Later in the year, sheep in the valley bottoms were washed away by flood water after heavy rain. Even if they survived all the other usual perils, the price received by the farmer at market this year hardly covered the costs, let alone the hard work. The same was true of dairy and beef cattle, where the price of milk has dropped and the beef market has suffered catastrophe because of the BSE disease and the restrictions imposed on it. Many farmers have been driven to despair and been forced to sell up. Younger family members are often reluctant to go into farming. |
