Sheep Farming

Sheep Farming in Cumbria (UK)

What it shows:
An example of extensive, commercial, pastoral farming in a temperate upland environment.

Location

Sheep farming takes place in Cumbria in northwest England. The mountainous upland relief limits crop farming, so most land is used for grazing sheep. Around 3 million sheep are farmed in the area.

Land Use Zones

Sheep farms in Cumbria are usually divided into three main land-use zones:

  1. The fell – upland hills above 300 metres, mainly used for grazing sheep.

  2. The intake – lower slopes divided into fields where sheep are managed more closely.

  3. The inbye – land close to the farm buildings where sheep are brought for lambing and shearing, and where some crops like turnips or hay may be grown for feed.

Inputs (Factors Needed for Farming)

Physical Inputs

  • Climate: Cumbria has high rainfall (over 1500 mm) and a short growing season, making crop farming difficult.

  • Soils: Upland soils are thin and acidic, which limits crop production.

  • Relief: The region has steep slopes and upland areas, making grazing the most suitable land use.

Human Inputs

  • Machinery and buildings: Farmers use quad bikes, sheds and farm buildings, especially for lambing.

  • Labour: Sheep farming requires relatively little labour, often managed by one farmer with occasional help.

  • Feed: Extra feed is needed in winter when snow covers grazing land.

  • Subsidies: Many farms rely on government subsidies to remain financially viable.

Processes

Sheep farming involves several key processes:

  • Monitoring the sheep and managing grazing

  • Lambing, when lambs are born

  • Dipping, which protects sheep from parasites

  • Shearing, where wool is removed

Outputs

  • Lamb – most lambs are sold for meat at 6–8 months old.

  • Mutton – meat from sheep older than one year.

  • Wool – produced during shearing, although the price is often low.

Challenges

Sheep farming in upland areas faces several challenges:

  • Low profitability, meaning farmers often depend on subsidies.

  • Disease outbreaks, such as the 2001 foot-and-mouth disease, when nearly 500,000 sheep were culled.

  • Rising costs for fuel, machinery, and animal feed.

  • Low wool prices, which are often lower than the cost of shearing.

  • Declining number of farmers, as fewer people want to enter the industry.

  • The UK government plans to phase out subsidies, replacing them with environmental payments.

Responses / Adaptations

To remain profitable, many farmers are diversifying their businesses. This includes:

  • Developing campsites or holiday cottages on farm land.

  • Switching to organic farming, which allows farmers to charge higher prices for meat and wool.

  • Taking part-time jobs alongside farming.

  • Changing to sheep breeds that naturally shed their wool, reducing shearing costs.

Structure for a 7–10 Mark Geography Essay

1. Introduction (1–2 sentences)

  • Name the case study

  • State the type of example

Example (sheep farming):

Sheep farming in Cumbria in northwest England is an example of extensive commercial pastoral farming in a temperate upland environment.

2. Factors / Causes (2–3 developed points)

Explain why the activity happens there.

Example:

  • The steep upland relief makes crop farming difficult, so land is mainly used for grazing sheep.

  • The region has high rainfall (over 1500 mm) and a short growing season, which limits crops but allows grass to grow for livestock.

  • Thin acidic soils are unsuitable for arable farming.

3. Processes / Characteristics (1–2 points)

Explain how the farming works.

Example:

  • Farms are divided into three land zones: the fell (upland grazing), the intake (lower slopes divided into fields), and the inbye (land near farm buildings used for lambing and shearing).

  • Farmers carry out processes such as lambing, dipping sheep to prevent parasites, and shearing wool.

4. Outputs / Impacts (2 points)

Explain what the farming produces or its effects.

Example:

  • Lambs are usually sold for meat at around 6–8 months old.

  • Farmers also produce wool and mutton, although wool prices are often very low.

5. Challenges / Responses (1–2 points)

Show evaluation, which helps reach the highest marks.

Example:

  • Hill sheep farming is often not profitable, so farmers rely on government subsidies.

  • Many farmers are diversifying into tourism, campsites, or organic farming to increase income.

Quick Exam Formula

Write in this order:

1⃣ Name + location
2⃣ Physical factors / causes
3⃣ Farming processes / characteristics
4⃣ Outputs / impacts
5⃣ Challenges + responses

That usually gives 6–8 developed sentences, which is exactly what examiners expect.

Example length for a 10-mark answer

About 8–10 sentences total.

Not long paragraphs—just clear developed points.