PASTURE-FED CATTLE HELP PRESERVE ANCIENT MEADOWS Encouraging greater biodiversity is one of the main drivers for farmers joining the Pasture-Fed Livestock Association, including some of the nation’s Wildlife Trusts. Sara Gregson went to meet Joe Ryder of Gwent Wildlife Trust to find out more…
Traditional Hereford cattle and rare breed sheep are encouraging a rich diversity of wildflowers and wildlife across meadow sites owned and run by Gwent Wildlife Trust (GWT). GWT has been protecting wildlife and working to educate, influence and empower people to understand and care about the wildlife where they live. Established more than 50 years ago, the Trust has 9,000 members and looks after 33 nature reserves across the county. Pentwyn Farm, close to Monmouth and the River Wye, has one of the largest areas of flower-rich hay meadows remaining in Gwent. It was purchased by the Trust in 1991 and is designated a Site of Scientific Special Interest (SSSI). Running to a total of 11.5 hectares, it is also in a Welsh organic whole farm land
Joe Ryder with one of the Pasture for Life steers
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management scheme. In 2008, the Trust bought the neighbouring 40-hectare dairy farm and now manage the grass fields there in a way to encourage a richer biodiversity, linked to the Pentwyn Farm hay meadows. “The cattle are an integral part of the grazing management,” says GWT Conservation Grazing Officer, Joe Ryder. “We keep them for their positive impact – offering a natural solution to wildflower regeneration and bracken control. The animals are the grassland managers here – working 24 hours a day.” Joe buys organic, Pasture for Life steers, which have been reared purely on grass and forage, from local farmers at 12 months of age and keeps them for up to 36 months of age. There are
The cattle are clearing bracken encroaching from the hedge-line – natural solutions to weed control
usually ten to 18 in total on the farm at any one time. The ancient hay meadows are shut up from early February until August, allowing all the flowers to set and drop seed. Wildflowers include early purple, green-winged and more than ten thousand common spotted orchids, along with knapweed, eyebright, milkworts, cat’s ear, rough hawkbit and yellow rattle, that all thrive on the nutrient-poor, clay soils. The hay is mown and made into small bales by a local contractor and used to feed the cattle during the winter out on the farm. The cattle also graze the hay aftermath lightly for four weeks, treading the fallen seeds into the ground to ensure germination and flowering the following year. The 50 or so Hebridean and Hill Radnor sheep follow the cattle, grazing the swards down even tighter to allow the light in for plant regeneration. ISSUE 15 | OCTOBER 2021
