What still needs to be done?
Belted Galloway cattleThe Project’s monitoring and research showed that there had been increases in some species in calcareous grassland and in the overall diversity of limestone pavement grazed by cattle. The time period, however, was too short for major differences to occur. The Project partners are looking at ways to continue the research over a longer period to learn how to sustain the positive benefits of cattle grazing.
There is no longer any funding mechanism to cover the initial costs of cattle purchase and infrastructure changes which the Project’s economic research demonstrated was vital if farming traditional cattle breeds was to be economically viable.
Support for the marketing of distinctive premium brands such as Limestone Country Beef is also needed to ensure premium prices.
The future
Erratic boulder on IngleboroughThe Limestone Country Project has successfully raised awareness of the importance of cattle grazing in the management of limestone landscapes, not only within the UK but across Europe.
But will this bring about long-term change? The answer is very clearly ‘yes’ for the following reasons:
At least half of the Limestone Country Project farmers have incorporated the cattle they purchased into their long-term business plan.
We are already seeing other farmers investing in traditional breeds of cattle in other parts of Limestone Country.
Limestone Country Beef Limited is established and looking to grow its business by bringing other farmers with the same environmental standards into the company.
Properly funded, the cattle grazing supplements in the new English Environmental Stewardship Scheme provide a real incentive for the return of cattle to the rest of Limestone Country.
