Grazing Land Wanted Near Penrith, Cumbria

I’m looking to rent 20 acres or more of grazing land near Penrith, ideally in one contiguous block, on which to expand a small, growing herd of pedigree Dexter cattle. Larger holdings would be particularly welcome.

Cattle will be checked daily, so land closer to Penrith is especially attractive. I would also consider larger or particularly suitable holdings a little further away.

My preference is for a secure, longer-term arrangement that would allow me to manage the pasture properly and build a good working relationship with the landowner. I am also willing to consider seasonal arrangements where the land and circumstances are particularly suitable.

Why I am looking for land

For nearly 20 years, I have wanted to establish a cattle herd of my own.

Like many new entrants to farming, I have not had a family farm or land waiting for me. I have therefore spent years learning, gaining practical experience and gradually working towards the point where building my own herd is a realistic next step.

I have completed training in conservation grazing, regenerative grazing, pasture management and species recovery. Alongside this, I have gained practical, hands-on experience managing Highland cattle, including daily livestock care, grazing planning, temporary electric fencing and regular cattle moves.

I have now created One Dexter Ltd and secured 20 acres of grazing land on which to establish the first stage of the herd. This gives me the opportunity to begin building One Dexter around a small herd of pedigree Dexter cattle, thoughtful land management that works with nature, and beef with exceptionally clear provenance.

The herd now has somewhere to begin, but I am still looking for suitable grazing opportunities closer to Penrith as One Dexter grows.

I am particularly interested in additional or longer-term grazing that could support the herd as it develops. Rough grazing, species-rich grassland, wood pasture and other land that could benefit from thoughtful cattle grazing would all be of interest.

I am hoping to find landowners who see value in working with a committed new entrant, while knowing that their land will be managed carefully and responsibly in a way that supports nature and biodiversity.

What kind of land am I looking for?

I am primarily looking for a block of at least 20 acres. Larger holdings would be particularly valuable.

I am open to a range of land types, including:

• Permanent pasture
• Rough grazing
• Species-rich or low-input grassland
• Wood pasture
• Land containing a mixture of pasture and more varied vegetation

The land does not need to be highly improved or intensively productive. Dexter cattle are a small, hardy native breed well suited to forage-based systems and more extensive grazing.

Reliable water, stock-proof external boundaries and reasonable vehicle access would all be useful. Internal permanent fencing is not essential because I use temporary electric fencing to manage grazing.

My preference is for a longer-term tenancy or rental arrangement, although I am happy to discuss other possibilities where the land is particularly suitable.

How I manage grazing

The grazing approach behind One Dexter uses temporary electric fencing to divide pasture into smaller grazing areas.

Rather than allowing cattle unrestricted access to an entire field for weeks or months at a time, the approach involves moving them onto fresh grazing, typically every 24 to 48 hours. The precise timing depends on the land, the available forage, the weather and soil conditions.

A short grazing period encourages more even use of the available vegetation and distributes dung and urine more evenly. Plants that are not eaten may still be trampled, which can help prevent coarse or less desirable vegetation from being continually left behind.

Once an area has been grazed, the cattle move on and the pasture receives a long recovery period before they return, usually months later.

High forage utilisation and overgrazing are not the same thing. The aim is to make good use of the available forage during a short grazing event without repeatedly grazing fresh regrowth before the plants have recovered.

I have already used this approach while managing Highland cattle, so it is a system with which I have practical experience rather than something I intend to learn from scratch.

Read more about the One Dexter approach to grazing and land management.

Looking after the land

Every piece of land is different, so there is no rigid grazing formula.

Soil conditions, grass growth, weather and the landowner’s objectives all inform how the land is managed. During wet conditions, the size of each grazing area, the frequency of cattle moves and the overall grazing plan can be adjusted to reduce poaching.

This is actively managed grazing, with regular visits and close observation of both the cattle and the condition of the land. It is not simply a matter of putting cattle in a field and leaving them there.

I believe that land entrusted to me should be treated with the same care I would give land of my own. I would maintain clear communication with the landowner, and responsibilities for fencing, water, access and maintenance would be agreed in writing.

Appropriate insurance would also be in place before cattle arrived.

Where appropriate, I am interested in grazing that can contribute to wider land-management objectives, including maintaining varied vegetation, controlling coarse growth and supporting biodiversity.

Why Dexter cattle?

Dexters are a small, hardy native cattle breed with a natural ability to thrive on pasture and conserved forage.

Their relatively small mature size, hardiness and suitability for extensive grazing make them a good fit for the system behind One Dexter.

The One Dexter approach is based on raising cattle on a 100% pasture and forage diet, without grain-based finishing. Careful grazing management and the use of hardy native cattle help create a resilient, forage-based farming system.

Pedigree Dexter cattle may also be suitable for land being managed towards conservation, environmental or native-breed grazing objectives. I am happy to discuss opportunities where cattle could contribute to a wider land-management plan.

Read more about why I chose Dexter cattle.

What is One Dexter?

One Dexter is a Cumbrian cattle and beef business built around unusually clear provenance.

The business model allows customers to reserve beef from an individual animal and follow its life, management and diet. This creates a direct and honest connection between the cattle, the land on which they graze and the resulting food.

The aim is to produce exceptional, slow-grown beef while giving every animal an excellent life and managing the land beneath it carefully.

One Dexter is intended to become a serious, long-term farming business. I now have land on which to establish the first stage of the herd, but I am still looking for additional and longer-term grazing opportunities, ideally closer to Penrith, where the herd can continue to grow and where a strong relationship with the landowner can develop over many years.

Do you have suitable land?

If you own at least 20 acres within practical travelling distance of Penrith, I would be very interested to hear from you.

Please get in touch even if the land does not meet every point above. Every opportunity is different, and I am happy to discuss anything that may have potential.

Please complete the short form below and tell me a little about the land, including its location, approximate acreage and current use. It is fine if you do not yet know all the details.

I look forward to hearing from you.