Enjoy the countryside but be mindful it is a working environment for farmers - Rebecca Wilson

There’s nowhere quite like the great British countryside with its rolling hills, dramatic mountains and luscious green fields.Over the past few years, many thousands of people have become more appreciative of our amazing farmed landscapes including this gorgeous part of North Yorkshire where I farm; visitor numbers are up considerably with walkers, runners and cyclists all determined to make the most of what is on their doorstep by exploring, connecting with nature and enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.
By Rebecca Wilson
Published 10th Apr 2023, 06:00 GMT

Now the weather’s improving and with Spring in the air, the farm here at Grafton looks wonderful with crops emerging and fields full of lambs. And with the Easter holidays, many people are enjoying a gentle ramble to experience some of our fantastic local rural areas.

I love meeting visitors on the farm who always ask lots of questions about what’s happening in the fields or what kind of food we are producing.

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It’s a great opportunity for me to explain the valuable role farmers play in producing your food, creating our iconic landscapes and caring for the environment.

'The countryside is a busy working environment – farms are places of work'. PIC: Tony Johnson'The countryside is a busy working environment – farms are places of work'. PIC: Tony Johnson
'The countryside is a busy working environment – farms are places of work'. PIC: Tony Johnson

One thing I’m always keen to stress to anyone I meet is that the countryside is a busy working environment – farms are places of work.

For example, I am currently lambing, so we need to ensure that everyone who visits the countryside and is on farmland continues to do so responsibly and stays safe.

It’s incredible that visitors are able to use more than 225,000km of public rights of way across England and Wales, which is the equivalent distance of 15 trips around the world to Australia.

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I have several public footpaths running through my own farm and it is really important to keep to these so as not to damage crops and to protect the wildlife, while also enabling visitors’ safe access to our wonderful countryside.

Some other tips to follow from the Countryside Code - if you’re out walking with your dog, then try to keep it under control on a short lead if you encounter farm animals.

The only time you should release it is if you’re threatened or chased by cattle. This will help keep sheep and lambs safe from your dog, and you and your dog safe around cattle.

The UK cost of dog attacks on livestock in 2019 before the Covid lockdowns was £1.2m, by 2022 it was up to £1.8m as more people became dog owners, according to the latest figures from rural insurer, NFU Mutual. Estimates based on claims data from NFU Mutual show that farm animals in the North-East region, which incorporates Yorkshire, worth £169,271 were killed or severely injured by dogs last year.

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And everyone knows how unpleasant dog mess is, but did you know it can be very harmful to farm animals? Even if it’s not on the footpath, please bag it, take it, and bin it, and help keep lambs like the ones on my farm healthy.

As a local young farmer in North Yorkshire, I am extremely proud to have played a small part in shaping and caring for our cherished farmed landscapes, which have benefited the nation for generations. Please enjoy your visit to the great British countryside - have fun and make memories – and remember to do so safely and responsibly.

Becca Wilson is a NFU Student and Young Farmer Ambassador and a family livestock farmer.

Related topics:North YorkshireSpringNFU MutualEnglandAustraliaWales