News: August 2008
Galloway cattle
A small herd of 30 Galloway steers was brought on to the Common in 2006 and 2007 to help improve the quality of the grassland. The cattle come from the hills of Dumfries and are a hardy native breed with thick coats that protect them whatever the weather.
This initiative has been taken by the Board of Conservators, under the guidance of Natural England. Michael Bates, the Board Chairman, says, “It’s most important to choose the right breed of cattle for the job. Galloways are native to the UK and live out on the Scottish hills year round. I imagine that Cleeve Hill will seem positively cushy by comparison. They will eat the tougher grasses and so help promote the growth of a wider range of grass types and wild flowers.”
During the winter months, the Galloway cattle are contained in large fenced paddocks in order to focus the grazing on the areas that most need it. They have also been successful in grazing the steep slopes of Padcombe Bottom. During the summer, they are allowed to roam free over the whole Common, integrated with seasonal cattle belonging to a local farmer.
The results from the first 2 years are very encouraging. Natural England inspectors are pleased with the cattle's effectivness in keeping down coarse grass, allowing a more diverse range of grasses and wildflowers to flourish. And they are very good natured - positively cuddly-looking!