NSA upland visit highlights need for practical grazing solutions to reduce upland wildfire risk

The National Sheep Association (NSA) Northern Region has highlighted the need for practical, locally informed grazing management to help reduce wildfire risk and support healthier upland landscapes, following a field visit to the South Pennines.

The visit brought together farmers, land managers and policy representatives to examine the impact of reduced grazing, vegetation build up and changing environmental scheme priorities on upland wildfire resilience. It followed a series of significant wildfires in the area, including a major fire in April which burnt more than 400 acres of moorland during the bird nesting season. Fire crews reported flame heights of up to four metres, making direct suppression extremely difficult.

NSA says the purpose of the visit was not to challenge environmental ambition, but to consider whether current approaches to upland management are delivering the best outcomes for nature, climate, wildfire resilience and sustainable food production.

To help share the learning from the visit more widely, NSA has produced a short series of social media films featuring discussions and examples from the South Pennines. The films will be released across NSA digital channels and will highlight how active grazing management can contribute to wildfire resilience, habitat improvement and sustainable upland farming.

During the visit, attendees saw extensive areas of dry, dead Molinia grass and other coarse vegetation that had accumulated over winter. Farmers explained that this material is often unpalatable to livestock, has limited nutritional value and can create a continuous fuel source during dry conditions. Discussions focused on how reduced grazing, shorter grazing periods and the removal of livestock from some upland areas may be contributing to greater fuel loads and increased wildfire intensity once ignition occurs.

The group also discussed the complementary roles of sheep and cattle in managing upland vegetation, with farmers highlighting that the loss of cattle from some grazing systems can reduce vegetation palatability and affect how sheep move across the hill.

A key part of the visit was a comparison between areas with limited active management and Langfield Common near Mankinholes, West Yorkshire, where a mixed grazing system involving both sheep and cattle remains in place. Attendees observed a greener, more varied sward, greater species diversity and noticeably higher levels of insect and bird activity. Langfield Common has also been recognised by Natural England as an improving environment, demonstrating that active grazing can support positive habitat outcomes alongside agricultural production.

NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker says: “This visit was about looking at real examples on the ground and asking whether we are getting the balance right. Grazing livestock are an important management tool in upland landscapes. When grazing is managed appropriately, sheep and cattle can help maintain vegetation structure, support biodiversity, contribute to food production and improve resilience to wildfire.”

NSA Northern Region Chair Graham Wilkinson adds: “What we saw in the South Pennines reinforced the importance of practical, place based management. Every upland area is different, and management needs to reflect local conditions, weather patterns, vegetation growth and the knowledge of the farmers and graziers who understand these landscapes best.”

The visit also raised wider questions around future scheme design, including the need for stronger farmer involvement, better baseline monitoring, more responsive environmental schemes and greater flexibility to adapt grazing levels according to local conditions. NSA believes future land management policy must recognise grazing as a valuable environmental tool, rather than viewing livestock reduction as the default route to environmental improvement.

NSA Northern Region will continue to engage with farmers, land managers, civil servants, policymakers and MPs and wider policy work, ensuring that practical evidence and experience from the ground helps inform future conversations around upland management, grazing and wildfire resilience.