Farmers' needs and challenges in the UK rangeland areas
A workshop held in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park in Scotland (UK) highlighted the following needs and challenges faced by farmers in these rangeland areas. Regarding how to improve practices and management of extensive ruminant farming activities and systems, the 15 participants (9 farmers – mostly meat sheep and beef cattle producers, 2 agricultural advisors and 3 researchers) said that record keeping was an issue, as well as linking farm data (e.g. disease incidence) to a central database for better informed decisions. They also wished for a lighter regulatory touch, and for farm management software to be able to speak to each other. The second topic discussed was how to facilitate the use and sharing, of rangeland areas with different stakeholders. Participants wished for more education at all levels (and different types of education and communications), better communication between the agencies and farmers, to understand each other’s motivation and issues, with all parties being contactable. They also wished for more consequences for (bad) actions (deterrents), with more rangers or community wardens with specific roles when dealing with Regional or National parks areas. The need for a more balanced view between farmers and wildlife interest was highlighted. Finally, there was a need for better infrastructure (masts, fibre network, etc.). The last topic discussed was how to develop and promote products and services provided by these rangeland systems. Participants highlighted the need to acknowledge that different types of rangelands need different grazing solutions, and that better communication and education about these areas is needed, with people from practical rangeland backgrounds involved. There was also a need for standard metric or scale for each benefit that these systems provide, that all can use and interpret easily.
Additional information
The DIGI-Rangeland project brings together partners from 10 countries, coordinating national networks (France, Romania, Greece, Spain, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Iceland, Norway, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland), and also disseminating its knowledge within the Balkan network with its Croatian partner. Consult our publications and documents on the project website: https://digirangeland.eu
DIGItal innovation and data technology network for RANGELAND livestock farming systems
Ongoing | 2025-2029
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- France, Romania, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Iceland, Norway, United kingdom, Switzerland