AN UPLAND farm that switched from dairying to a spring-calving suckler herd is opening its doors to other farmers on Thursday.

David and Pauline Brown, of Longside Farm, Ramsgill, near Harrogate, decided to switch to a lower input system in 2014.

The herd now consists of dairy crosses, some pure Lincoln Red and other native breed cattle, served by a Longhorn bull, and grazes on rough upland pastures.

The farm is 74 hectares of SDA land below the moorland line in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Changes have been made to the land management system, making the most of over-seeding, carrying out subsoiling and growing an arable crop.

They are one of ten farms in the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbria where The Farmer Network has been monitoring grass quality and cattle growth rates over the past season.

This has been done as part of the Farm Trials Project, funded by The Prince’s Countryside Fund and supported by the British Simmental Society, the Federation of Cumbria Commoners, Natural England, Rumenco and the Upper Nidderdale Landscape Partnership.

Kate Gascoyne, project manager with the Farmer Network, said: “This will be an interesting event, reporting headline findings from our trials and focusing on how the Browns manage their native breed suckler herd for finished and store cattle systems, and how they have adapted to a lower input system.

“Bishopton Veterinary Group will be on hand to discuss how the farm is now working towards a high health status herd.”

The event runs from 3.30pm to 7pm. Visitors can look at the Browns’ cattle and discuss what has been found in the grass and cattle monitoring trials.

A hot beef roll supper will be provided, but places will be limited so booking is essential. Call 01768 868615, text 07967 971299 or email claire@thefarmernetwork.co.uk for more information or to book.