Conservation on the hoof
Cattle are currently grazing the lower section of The Downs as part of an important conservation project to help protect and enhance this increasingly rare wildflower habitat.
Please help us by:
- Keeping dogs under close control at all times.
- Sticking to the designated paths when walking through the area.
Why are cattle grazing here?
As autumn turns to winter, the cattle play a vital role in maintaining the health and diversity of the grassland. Their grazing helps to create the ideal conditions for a rich variety of wildflowers and wildlife to thrive.
Benefits of conservation grazing include:
- Supporting wildflower diversity by preventing vigorous grass species from dominating the habitat.
- Improving seed germination as the cattle's movement naturally disturbs and opens up patches of soil.
- Spreading seeds across the landscape, helping a wider range of plants establish and flourish.
- Creating varied habitats that benefit insects, birds and other wildlife.
The cattle will remain on site throughout the winter before moving on in spring.
Is that a cowbell?
Around their necks are Nofence GPS collars. This innovative technology allows us to manage and move the cattle without the need for permanent electric fencing. The system helps us graze different areas more effectively, maximising the biodiversity benefits across the site while allowing the cattle to roam naturally.
As the cattle approach the virtual boundary, their collars give an audio cue, which they are trained to recognise and respond to by turning back.
You’ll be able to see the cows location at grazingmap.nofence.no
Working in Partnership
This conservation grazing project is delivered through a partnership between Monmouthshire Meadows Group and Grazing Management Ltd, with support from the Wye Valley National Landscape Sustainable Development Fund, funded by the Welsh Government.