Cattle to be 'let loose' as part of 'natural care plan' on Worcester meadows
The around 20 animals are about to be released on Ronkswood Hill Meadows
A herd of cattle are to be 'let loose' as part of what's described as a 'natural care plan' on some meadows in Worcester.
The around 20 animals are about to be released on Ronkswood Hill Meadows, as part of an annual conservation exercise by Worcester City Council.
The cattle will be allowed free rein on the local nature reserve, to help preserve grassland and wildflowers.
It's designed to act as a natural and cost-effective way of keeping the grass short enough to allow the vast array of wildflowers in the area to get sunlight to grow and hopefully thrive.
Warwick Neale, Worcester City Council Green Space Manager, said: “The cattle will graze at Ronkswood Hill Meadows for around six months to manage the grassland, protecting the landscape and promoting good conditions for wildflowers and associated wildlife to thrive. This also maintains some of the traditional benefits of natural stewardship of the land.”
The meadows are home to a wide range of wildflowers including black knapweed, cowslips and bird’s-foot-trefoil, but if grass grows too high these flowers will not flourish.
The cattle will play a pivotal role in boosting these flora, as well as producing other positive spin-offs such as an increase in butterflies and improvements to the natural soil environment.
Warwick said: “The sudden re-appearance of cattle may take a few people by surprise, but the animals will be too busy chewing the cud to take notice of any passers-by.”