Norfolk Wildlife-Trust's cattle herd wins national award

Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s (NWT's) Brecks-based grazing animals have been named the "best new herd" at the British White Cattle Society’s annual general meeting in Somerset.

NWT has a long history of using domestic livestock to help manage its sites, and says some of the county's richest nature habitats owe their existence to these "living lawnmowers".

Laura Davey with Norfolk Wildlife Trust's award-winning herd of British White cattle at East Wretham (Image: NWT) It says using the correct species of grazing animal, in the right numbers and at the right time, can manage habitats in a way that is almost impossible to achieve through other means.   

The nature charity has kept British Whites for around ten years, and this year it launched a breeding program to increase the numbers and support future conservation work. 

In addition to its award-winning herd in the Brecks, the trust uses British White cattle on its sites right across the county from helping to restore heathland on Roydon Common to creating ideal conditions for nesting wading birds like lapwings at Upton Broad.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust's award-winning herd of British White cattle grazing at Roydon (Image: Ian Ward) Jon Preston, NWT conservation manager, said: "The way cattle graze is by pulling up tufts of vegetation with their long rough tongue, creating a sward of various heights. The physical action of grazing, trampling of vegetation, dunging and disturbance of the soil create a rich mosaic of habitats that allow a wide range of species of plants, invertebrates, mammals and birds to make their home.    

"British White cattle are very suited to conservation grazing here in Norfolk. These hardy animals can spend all year outside without any supplementary feeding and their white coat means they are able to cope with high temperatures in the summer months. 

"It’s an honour to receive the award. I am incredibly proud of our prize-winning herd, and all the wonderful NWT staff and volunteers who care for them.

"We’re excited to have had a successful first year of breeding our cattle and are looking forward to seeing even more of these beautiful animals across our sites supporting Norfolk’s wildlife in years to come." 

NWT conservation stockperson Laura Davey collected the award at the British White Cattle Society’s meeting, which was also attended by 70 other breeders and farmers.

Laura Davey of Norfolk Wildlife Trust with the award from the British White Cattle Society (Image: Jon Preston)