It can be difficult to utilise conservation sites for grazing agricultural stock profitably as it is not always possible to ‘finish’ animals to the required weights within the specified times.

However, these sites can have their uses and provide additional grazing land for graziers whose own holding is a limiting factor. Some sites can offer grazing in winter when it is scarce elsewhere. Ponies and cattle from the New Forest are well suited to grazing conservation sites. Such grazing can provide forage at times of year when it is scarce on the Forest and thus benefit commoners.

Interest in produce linked to environmental benefits is increasing. Stock grazing conservation sites are helping deliver wildlife benefits and resulting meat products can be marketed as such. Some graziers are already marketing their produce as such through Farmers’ Markets and elsewhere.

Stock Health and Welfare
The welfare of stock grazing conservation sites is a paramount consideration for all involved. The animals must have access to sufficient food and water at all times. They should be checked regularly and appropriate action taken promptly in the event of ill-health. Another point in favour of native breeds is their generally greater hardiness and resistance to disease, which helps minimise problems.

Finding the Right Livestock
Finding suitable stock for conservation grazing can be a challenge for site managers. Native hill breeds are usually ideal for conservation grazing. They generally cope well with the low-yield and poorer quality forage found on these areas and with being outside year-round. However, such breeds are sometimes difficult to find. They have largely been replaced within farming by faster-growing continental animals more suitable for today's market requirements. Age, sex and even the background of an animal also have a bearing on how it grazes. Males and females, young and old, all graze differently. Stock used to rich pasture or being housed in winter probably won't do well in a conservation grazing environment.

Sheep
Sheep are typical of the chalk downs of Hampshire. In winter, they also graze lower-lying fields in preparation for hay cutting or cattle grazing in the summer. Sheep can control a variety of undesirable plants and most breeds will also browse some scrub including birch and dogwood. Native hill breeds are hardy and work well on conservation sites. Those currently used in the county include Manx Loghtan, Jacob, Hebridean, Herdwick, Soay and Black Welsh Mountain.

Cattle
Cattle graze lowland grassland, wood pasture, heathland and occasionally chalk downland in Hampshire. Suited to grazing taller swards and taking off rapid grass growth, they will also browse heather and birch and are particularly good for grazing back rank grassland. Highland, Longhorn, Dexter, Hereford cross and Sussex cattle already graze conservation sites in Hampshire while Belted Galloways are commonly associated with the New Forest. Compact breeds like Dexters are useful where damage to the ground is a consideration.

Ponies and Goats
Native ponies such as New Forest and Exmoor deal well with bulky, rough, poor quality forage. They will also browse some scrub such as birch and gorse, especially in winter. Although generally avoiding flowers, they sometimes search out and eat thistle flower heads.

Native goats are the best animals for dealing with scrub. They prefer to browse ash, dogwood, birch, ivy and bramble rather than eat grass or flowers. Goats also cope well with steep slopes. Unfortunately, they have a reputation for escaping and can jump regular height fences, learn to use stiles and even open gates!

The Hampshire Grazing Project is a three-year initiative funded by Hampshire County Council and English Nature. It aims to encourage appropriate grazing on land of conservation value throughout the county and is working to overcome the problems highlighted in this article through:

• Provision of a central contact point for conservation grazing.
• Running the ‘Hampshire Grazing Forum’ – an informal support network for those involved in conservation grazing.
• Supporting existing grazing initiatives and developing new ones.
• Finding appropriate stock for site managers and grazing for graziers.
• Organising training events and seminars (e.g. stock husbandry and welfare).
• Raising awareness of the conservation benefits of grazing among the public, local authorities, conservationists & farmers.

The Project offers free advice and support to site managers and graziers as well as grants for work such as fencing and water provision.

Please contact the Project Officer for further information:-

Damian Offer
Hampshire Grazing Project,
Environment Group
Hampshire County Council,
The Castle,
Winchester,
Hampshire, SO23 8UE.
Tel. 01962 846 521
Fax 01962 846 776

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