Information about farming and forestry on Otterburn Ranges.
Farming
Black face sheep
This part of Northumberland is one of the most important sheep farming areas in the country. There are 31 farms on the Ranges all of which raise sheep.
The cold climate and moorland soils and vegetation limit agriculture to grazing for hardy breeds though some forage is grown on improved land. Many of the farms also raise cattle for beef.
Sheep flocks are ‘hefted’ to their ground – meaning they don’t wander from their own area so the land is unfenced. Please keep your dog on a leash when near any livestock.
The flocks are mainly Scottish Blackface or Cheviot sheep. The Blackface has a black or a black and white face. The Cheviot has a white wool free face and long muzzle.
The average size of a farm is 680 hectares. These can support large flocks of hundreds of sheep.
All live firing stops between mid April to mid May for the ‘lambing break’ and the MOD keeps the farmers informed of training activities so that the shepherds can move the flocks to safety.
Further information on farming within this area can be found on the Northumberland National Park's website.
Forestry
The woodlands on the Ranges are managed for timber, but they also provide shelter for troops, and a tactical environment for them to train in and around. For military training purposes they need to be wind-firm, fire resistant and have continuous all year tree cover.
Woodlands also add to the landscape and nature conservation value of the area.
Ancient semi-natural woodlands are those that have had continuous tree cover since 1600. These make up 185 hectares within the Ranges.
Three ancient semi-natural woodlands are SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) – Ramsey’s Burn Wood, Grasslees Wood and Holystone Burn Woods.
Other ancient semi-natural woods can be seen at Barrow Scar and Barrow Burn Woods, Usway Burn and Durtrees Burn Wood.
Since 1970 120 new mixed woodlands – over 170 acres – have been planted to provide military cover and farm shelter. The coniferous woods across the Ranges are also important for military cover so a 20 year felling and restocking programme is being carried out.
Peddlars Wood, Otterburn