Richard Betton

NFU Uplands Forum, North East representative

Richard farms in partnership with his wife Dodge in Teesdale, County Durham. A tenant of Raby Estate, the area is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation.

A flock of 280 registered Swaledale ewes and 24 pedigree Aberdeen Angus suckler cows are run on 726 acres of mainly moorland.

The very high-lying farm has an annual rainfall in excess of 70 inches which contributes to nutrient leaching and exacerbates a major heavy metal pollution problem from old mine workings.

Richard is also on the Council of the NFU, Northern Regional Director of FCN and represents upland farming on many other local and regional bodies.