CATTLE RETURNS TO STOKE PARK ESTATE

A herd of cattle have grazed at Stoke Park Estate since 2021 and will be returning for a third year. Their grazing provides a more sustainable and natural way to manage the land, which improves biodiversity.

Nine cows have already been welcomed back this past weekend, with more to follow. The cattle are a mixture of heifers (maiden cows) and steers (castrated males). Breeds so far at Stoke Park are Shetland, Hereford, British Blue, and Holstein. Most of them were grazing at the parkland last year but there are some newcomers this year. Breeds were picked for hardiness and being able to thrive well on grass alone.

There will be around 18 there this year, with numbers growing year-on-year.

Cattle’s grazing habits can often get to places that machinery can not and they also help stop the spread of scrub and invasive, more dominant plant species.

This allows other plants, including wildflowers, to thrive, which will encourage insects, which in turn provide food for birds and mammals.

Wildflower grassland is not only a beautiful landscape to enjoy, but a rich habitat for many species including butterfly and bee populations.

A whole host of wildlife will also make a cowpat their home - more than 250 species of insect can be found in or on cattle dung in the UK and these in turn provide food for birds, badgers, foxes and bats.

The public are reminded that fields with cattle in will be clearly signposted and dogs will need to be kept on a lead while walking through these fields. Please ensure gates are closed behind you too. The cows will be coming from a local farm and will be checked daily by the herdsman and park rangers.