Conservation cattle have returned to Cannock Chase to play an important role in protecting the area’s internationally significant heathland.
With the support of a local farmer, nine Hereford and two Belted Galloway cattle arrived at Moors Gorse last week as part of Staffordshire County Council’s ongoing conservation grazing programme.
The grazing area covers around two per cent of Cannock Chase Country Park, where the cattle will spend the coming months helping to manage the landscape in a natural and sustainable way.
The cattle work by feeding on coarser vegetation across the heathland, helping to prevent bracken and scrub from taking over. This creates space for smaller flowering plants to grow, providing vital food sources for insects and other wildlife.
Their activity also creates small patches of bare ground, which are essential for rare invertebrates such as mining bees and reptiles including adders.
Conservation grazing mimics the role of wild herbivores that would have grazed this land for thousands of years. Cattle grazing was undertaken by local people on the Chase before the First World War and had been a traditional way of managing the heath for centuries.
It is a common practice widely used around the country to manage wildlife habitats using natural processes.
Sarah Bentley, Staffordshire County Council’s Head of Environment and Countryside, said:
“Conservation grazing is a simple but highly effective way of managing this special landscape. By allowing cattle to graze naturally, we can control more dominant vegetation and create the varied habitats that wildlife depends on.
“This approach helps to support a wide range of species while keeping the heathland healthy and resilient for the future. It’s also a continuation of traditional land management practices that have shaped Cannock Chase over many years.”
Signs have been put up at park entrances to make people aware of where the cattle will be grazing.
Visitors remain welcome to the area, and are reminded to keep a safe distance from the cattle and stick to marked paths.
Dog walkers are also asked to keep dogs on leads and to always clear up after them, as dog waste can be harmful to both livestock and wildlife.
Keep up to date with what is happening at Staffordshire's country parks by following the county council's dedicated Facebook page here.
