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Yorkshire Farmer Cuts Sheep Herd Amid Financial Struggles

3/6/2026

50 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Over the past 20 years, Neil Heseltine reduced Hill Top Farm's sheep from more than 800 to 45 to adapt to financial pressures.
The Heseltine family has farmed Hill Top Farm in the Yorkshire Dales for four generations.
Heseltine says the changes were necessary to prevent the farm's finances from becoming dire.
The shift away from traditional sheep farming is evident across the British farming industry, where profitability is challenging.

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Story summary

Over the past 20 years, Neil Heseltine reduced Hill Top Farm's sheep from more than 800 to 45 to adapt to financial pressures.
The Heseltine family has farmed Hill Top Farm in the Yorkshire Dales for four generations.
Heseltine says the changes were necessary to prevent the farm's finances from becoming dire.
The shift away from traditional sheep farming is evident across the British farming industry, where profitability is challenging.