Grazing on The Downs
How do the cows help out the flora and fauna at Westonbirt?
The grade one listed landscape of Westonbirt is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including around 236 different non-woody plant species, and requires some careful management to ensure we are looking after everything in the best possible way.
A specially tailored sward management plan not only tells our Tree Team which areas of the arboretum to mow but how and when to mow it.
We also have dedicated teams of volunteers who monitor and report on key management species across the site throughout the year.
Cattle play an important part in the management of grass on The Downs. Unlike horses and sheep that tend to nibble grass very close to the ground, cows are selective grazers; tearing clumps of grass to leave a more varied sward height and patches of bare soil. This, in addition to the soil disturbance created by their hooves, means a more diverse habitat for flora and fauna.
Throughout the autumn, winter and spring months we welcome cattle to graze on The Downs. Between late spring and early autumn we have a break from grazing, to allow plants to flower and set seed.
Interesting facts!
250 acres of grass cut
As part of the sward management plan the Tree Team cut around 250 acres of grass each year, several times over!
Organic cow poo is good news!
Some non-organic worming products have a residual effect in cow poo and negatively affect non-target insect populations – so organic cow poo is good news for the insects and other invertebrates here at Westonbirt.
Wildflower protection
Since the 1930s the Cotswolds has seen a 96% decline in wildflower rich grassland, an eye-opening statistic that highlights the importance of The Downs at Westonbirt.
Recent years have seen an increase in some weed species of grass, and a noticeable decline in some of our wildflower species. Managed grazing by cattle occurs on other similar sites with healthy wildflower populations and we should continue to see the benefits of having these lovely animals as a regular feature here at Westonbirt.
If you are out walking on The Downs please remember to keep any dogs on leads and close all gates behind you. We don’t want cows running riot through Silk Wood or the Old Arboretum!
