Agriculture

The more fertile lowland landscapes of the eastern and central parts of the county have long supported arable or mixed farming and dairy farming.

There is currently a strong emphasis on arable cropping predominantly of cereals (wheat and barley) and oil seed rape.

The uplands of the west of the county have a long pastoral tradition and support livestock farming, principally of beef cattle and hardy hill sheep - like Swaledales and Scottish Black-face which graze extensive areas of grass and heather moorland.

Much of the upland area of the county is designated as a Less Favoured Area (LFA). The upper dales of Weardale, Rookhope, Teesdale, Baldersdale and Lunedale form part of the Pennine Dales Environmentally Sensitive Area where flower rich upland hay meadows and pastures are managed traditionally to maintain their wildlife and landscape value.

Further Information

• The Draft County Durham Landscape Strategy - Agriculture
• DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs)