GreenLiving Farming for the future
Raising cattle on grass has real benefits, argue the farmers
As all environmental eyes fall on the meat industry, a local farming family is urging Shire readers to keep supporting Shropshire’s farmers, despite the negative press
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he Oteley Estate is home to two herds of native breed British cattle – beef shorthorn and Highland. Earlier this year Ian and Clare Mainwaring, who own and farm the estate, launched a range of premium meat boxes, for sale to local residents and businesses at their own markets and via their website. Despite climate change commentary focusing on the need to turn to plant-based alternatives, the farming family believe their home-grown meat boxes are still a sustainable option. The Mainwarings introduced Highland cattle to Oteley five years ago. The animals stay out all year round, roaming themeres and mosses, eating rough grass and brambles.
Environment at heart
Clare says: “Our farming methods keep the environment’s best interests at heart. All of
the beef we sell direct to customers, particularly our Highland beef, is extensive 100 per cent grass-fed. This means we don’t have to rely on cereals and grains to feed them. We haven’t disturbed the landscape in order to raise them: they are enjoying what’s here already and in doing so they help to protect natural ecosystems and wildlife habitats.” According to the Government’s Committee on Climate Change, greenhouse gas emissions from UK beef are about half the global average. Clare adds: “Much of the land our animals graze on is suited to grass rather than crops. British beef is among the most efficient and sustainable in the world due to our extensive, grass-fed systems Keeping the land in use retains its biodiversity. Managed pastures are a good carbon sink, capturing CO2 in the grassland and storing carbon in the soil. Let’s eat locally produced food, eat in-season produce and waste less food, to be as environmentally friendly as possible.” Highland cattle are a native breed Order beef, lamb and pork boxes at www.oteley.com
Local response to global issue As COP26 ended in Glasgow, another climate conference took place in Wales to look at its findings. One local eco hero was there to share her expertise
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Mared Williams beside Rhug’s green energy supply ot on the heels of the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26, a second event took place in Cardiff, monitor the carbon footprint of the whole estate, including the looking at its implications for rural landowners and businesses, main farms and forestry, green energy, retail, wholesale and skincare and how they can respond to the challenges and opportunities. businesses. Rhug has taken its first steps and measured the footprint Among the keynote speakers at ‘Rural Wales of Rhug Organic Farm, discovering that due to work already – an excellent climate for green growth’ was undertaken, it is fortunate to be in a carbon negative position. “It’s Mared Williams, manager of Rhug Estate’s Low It is part of Mared’s remit to create a bespoke action plan to important mitigate emissions and enhance carbon capture on the estate. Carbon Project, who gave a presentation on her research into carbon management on the estate. we create Mared spoke alongside the Welsh Government Ahead of the curve a road minister for climate change, Julie James MS, Caryl Mared said: “We feel that it is crucially important that we create map for Jones from Wales YFC who talked about the a clear road map for the future. Climate change is our biggest the future” threat and we owe it to the next generation to do everything expectations and commitment of the next generation, and Dai Jones, chartered forester and managing we can to mitigate its effects. At Rhug we really care about director of HW Forestry Ltd, who discussed whether growing trees sustainability in everything we do: organic farming, organic skincare, or producing food is the priority for climate proofing Wales. green energy and caring for the environment. We are investing in The aim of Rhug’s Low Carbon Project is to measure and monitoring our carbon footprint so we can improve what we do.” 72 SHIRE MAGAZINE | January/February 2022
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