Green Living

GreenLiving

Farming for

the future

Raising cattle on grass has real benefi ts, 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

The 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.” Order beef, lamb and pork boxes at www.oteley.com

Highland cattle are a native breed

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

Hot on the heels of the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26, a second event took place in Cardiff, looking at its implications for rural landowners and businesses, and how they can respond to the challenges and opportunities. Among the keynote speakers at ‘Rural Wales – an excellent climate for green growth’ was Mared Williams, manager of Rhug Estate’s Low Carbon Project, who gave a presentation on her research into carbon management on the estate.

Mared spoke alongside the Welsh Government minister for climate change, Julie James MS, Caryl Jones from Wales YFC who talked about the expectations and commitment of the next generation, and Dai Jones, chartered forester and managing director of HW Forestry Ltd, who discussed whether growing trees or producing food is the priority for climate proofing Wales.

The aim of Rhug’s Low Carbon Project is to measure and

Mared Williams beside Rhug’s green energy supply monitor the carbon footprint of the whole estate, including the main farms and forestry, green energy, retail, wholesale and skincare businesses. Rhug has taken its first steps and measured the footprint of Rhug Organic Farm, discovering that due to work already

“It’s undertaken, it is fortunate to be in a carbon negative position. It is part of Mared’s remit to create a bespoke action plan to important mitigate emissions and enhance carbon capture on the estate. we create a road Ahead of the curve map for the future” Mared said: “We feel that it is crucially important that we create a clear road map for the future. Climate change is our biggest threat and we owe it to the next generation to do everything we can to mitigate its effects. At Rhug we really care about sustainability in everything we do: organic farming, organic skincare, green energy and caring for the environment. We are investing in monitoring our carbon footprint so we can improve what we do.”