A new woodland restoration scheme will see cattle used to restore a 1,200ac nature reserve, Franchises Lodge, located in the north of the New Forest in southwest England.
The scheme is using cattle to graze the reserve’s woodlands with the aim of building a mutually beneficial relationship between commoners, the land and the animals grazing there.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) described the site as a “secret forest” when it was purchased back in 2018 with contributions of £200,000 from the National Park Authority and £50,000 from the Friends of the New Forest.
The site has been untouched for almost 100 years and had not seen natural grazing livestock in that time, until RSPB site manager, Richard Snelling and New Forest commoners Andrew and Sarah Parry-Norton introduced then restoration scheme.
The presence of the cattle in the reserve aims to maintain a healthy woodland, keep invasive species at bay, eliminate competition for growth on the forest floor and allow the forest’s flora to flourish.
“The grazing habits of the cows will play a vital part in the RSPB’s hope to restore the woodlands back to mostly broadleaf trees, helping spread the seeds and keeping back the growth of invasive plants such as rhododendron and conifers which aren’t as good for wildlife,” said Snelling.
When cattle graze
Andrew Parry-Norton, who is a member of the New Forest Marque local produce scheme, said it would not be “just the land that benefits” from this free-roaming grazing.
“The more natural diet leads to healthier cows, in turn producing higher quality beef,” he said.
“The beef produced by the Devons grazing at Franchises Lodge will have a fine texture and marbling in the meat thanks to more natural growth.
“This beef will then be sold stamped with the New Forest Marque which is awarded to produce which has been grown, reared, caught, brewed, produced or processed within the New Forest.”
Paul Walton, head of environment and rural economy at the New Forest National Park Authority, added: “Franchises Lodge is a key area for wildlife, linking the open forest habitats with a nature reserve on the edge of the National Park.
“This scheme is a fantastic example of the collaborative work around the New Forest, ensuring our precious habitats are bigger, better and more joined-up, extra back up grazing for the commoner’s livestock and supporting local food production.”
