It has been a busy couple of weeks for staff and volunteers involved in Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust nature-based conservation grazing programme. On top of ensuring that the charity’s livestock are well cared for and helping manage and restore vital wildlife habitat across the charity’s 1300 hectare estate, the team have found time to enter sheep, cattle and hay at two local shows.
Wildlife Trust sees resounding success at Melton Mowbray and Collingham livestock shows
Wildlife Trust underlines its commitment to nature-based conservation grazing with success at local livestock shows
Agnes Kiemel with one of the successful Hebrideans at the Traditional and Native Breeds National Show & Sales in Melton Mowbray - Photo © Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
First up was the Traditional and Native Breeds National Show & Sales at Melton Mowbray over the weekend of 8th/9th September where two of the Trust’s rams and two ewes were placed from 1st to 4th in Hebridean Sheep categories. Delighted with its showing in the Hebridean category – the breed with which the Trust launched its nature-based grazing programme almost 25 years ago, the team were over-joyed when the ewe lamb that scooped 1st place was named best female in show and supreme champion – helping the charity bring home 3 rosettes and a cup.
Success in Melton was followed by a great showing at Collingham Show – just a stone’s throw from the Trust’s Besthorpe Nature Reserve in the Trent Vale – one of dozens of sites to benefit from the grazing programme.
At Collingham, the Trust won 3rd prize for a bale of traditional meadow hay from its Ashton’s Meadow Nature Reserve, one of its rams was also awarded a 3rd place whilst one of its Longhorn cattle placed 2nd.
Agnes Kiemel with prize-winning Longhorn - Photo © Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
Speaking about the success Conservation Grazing Officer Agnes Kiemel said:
“As a major landowner we enjoy supporting traditional shows and its rewarding when the care we take in looking after and breeding our sheep and cattle is recognised. It was great to be at Collingham – so close to our Besthorpe Nature Reserve where our livestock help to preserve the wildflowers in the meadows and our success at the Traditional and Native Breed National Show was very pleasing. Grazing with traditional breeds is vital to our ability to care for and restore some of the county’s most important and fragile habitats and local shows help us build links with farmers and other landowners whilst demonstrating our commitment to the highest standards of husbandry.”
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s nature based grazing programme benefits dozens of nature reserves across the county from traditional wildflower meadows to some of the last remaining fragments of Sherwood Forest heathland. The Trust also uses grazing at sites such as its Idle Valley Nature Reserve, where its grazing programme is based, to help prevent invasive trees and scrub from degrading areas of wet grassland and reedbed – helping to keep areas open for ground nesting birds and preventing vital wetlands habitats from drying out.
Get involved
If you’re interested to find out more about the role farmers play in supporting nature, why not join us for an evening with farmer and TV presenter Matt Baker?