About the North East
Covering more than a million hectares stretching from Sheffield to the Scottish Borders, the NFU's North East region is one of the most diverse both in terms of landscape and agricultural production. As a result, farmers across the region produce everything from superb meat and dairy products to cereals, salads, fruit and vegetables.
Grazing livestock are a major feature of farming across the region, with the sheep flocks and 'suckler' herds of the uplands at the heart of a sector worth more than £200m to the local economy. With more than 4 million sheep across the region, the North East is home to more sheep than anywhere else in England. The rich pastures of the lowlands are also superb for livestock - not just sheep and cattle but pigs and poultry too. Despite difficult times, dairy herds are also well represented.
As far as arable crops are concerned, wheat, barley and oilseed rape are very widely grown, with eastern parts of the region providing some of the most fertile soils to be found anywhere in the country. Thanks to the emerging biofuels industry, North East farmers are also growing a range of crops such as willow and miscanthus to help power everything from cars to power stations.
Although not known for its fruit production, the region is also home to a thriving horticultural sector that provides a wealth of produce from potatoes and peas to asparagus and beetroot – plus of course a summer bounty of soft fruits and that real Yorkshire speciality: rhubarb.
The north banks of the Humber are also home to a significant number of glasshouse growers producing a wealth of what the industry calls protected edibles – that’s salad to the rest of us! Other growers produce all manner of plants for the nursery trade – everything from hanging basket favourites to your Christmas Poinsettia.
Environment
The region’s world-famous landscapes are recognised as a national treasure. With four national parks, four areas of outstanding natural beauty and 126 miles of heritage coast, the region attracts millions of visitors every year.
But none of this is there by chance and keeping it looking the way it does relies on careful, experienced management by generations of farmers.
Some of this work is funded through agri-environment schemes designed to recognise and reward farmers for the work they do. As a result, more than 1.8 million hectares of countryside across the region are now managed specifically with the environment in mind.
This allows farmers to undertake a variety of projects including looking after the region’s distinctive dry-stone walls. These stretch for more than 4,500 miles – that’s 500 miles longer than the Great Wall of China.
Food
Meat is a real speciality from York hams and Northumbrian hill lamb to Yorkshire beef, but it's not the only thing on the menu.
Nowhere else in the world, for example, can compete with the Yorkshire Rhubarb Triangle for its shocking pink crop that emerges every January.
Lush grass also produces great dairy products from the famous Wensleydale and Mrs Bell's Blue to specialities such as 'Newcastle Brown' ice cream.
For a more detailed look at why farming matters in the region download the booklet 'So you think you know about farming?' by clicking on the link at the top right of this page.
For our members...
North East Fodder Bank: The NFU runs an online Fodder Bank to help farmers deal with shortages and surpluses of cattle feed and bedding. To see the North East listing please click here.
North East RDPE Guide: Click here to see an online guide to grants avaialable for North East farmers through the Rural Development Programme for England.
On the menu....
Find local food producers: Looking for your nearest farm shop, farmers' market or specialist producer? Look no further than our online listing
Recipes: For the story behind our regional produce and a wealth of great recipe ideas including Roast Asparagus and York Ham with Velouté download our 'Tastes Great' recipe bookletby clicking on the link at the top right of this page.