Trust and commoners team up to bring new cattle breed to Forest

A pioneering partnership between New Forest commoners and the National Trust has introduced a new breed of Scottish cattle to the New Forest, with the long term aims of improving the health of the commons and offering commoners a chance to diversify.

The hardy Luing beef cattle have arrived in Hampshire in order to establish a breeding herd on National Trust land at Mottisfont.

Nine in-calf heifers, four heifers and two bulls are the nucleus of the new herd. The heifers and eight steers have been bought by New Forest commoners Richard Manley and Colin Moore, while the National Trust own the bulls. 

Luings, the last officially recognised beef breed, originate from crossing Beef Shorthorn with Highland cattle. They were developed by the Cadzow brothers on the Isle of Luing, in Argyll off the West Coast of Scotland.

Project officer Doug England, with the New Forest team, is responsible for the health of the 2400 hectares of common land owned by the Trust and, while he has allowed much natural regeneration of the land by grubbing out alien species and clearing watercourses, he is anxious to address the small areas of over-grazing. “What everyone aims for is a breed of cattle that is hardy, does well on grass, has a good flavour and makes commercial sense for the commoners,” he said.  “We think these cattle are the ideal breed. We are establishing a settled breeding herd at Mottisfont before slowly introducing the young cattle to our commons.”

Factfile
The National Trust is the second largest landowner in the New Forest, with 2400 hectares on five different sites on the western and eastern edges.
The properties within the established New Forest boundary are Hale Purlieu, Bramshaw Commons, Rockford, Ibsley and Hightown Commons.
Foxbury Plantation, Copythorne, is just outside this boundary, but within the National Park.
All five areas support the New Forest’s historic method of farming, known as ‘commoning’ and all are being managed to restore habitat in a sustainable environment.
 
 
 
 
 

Much of the research on the project, which has looked at many breeds and types, has been done working closely with veterinary cattle expert, David Coombes, whose practice is in Ringwood.

Richard Manley is confident the cattle will be a success.
“This is a commoner-led project,” he said. “It is aimed primarily at National Trust graziers who want voluntarily to become involved. But we’re trying to lead by example. We’re offering commoners the opportunity to have access to animals that do well, don’t over-graze and make a good weight with well-flavoured meat for a developing market place.”

 “This is pioneering work in that there are very few Luing herds south of the border,” said Doug. “But we’re confident that these cattle will do very well in the New Forest.”