Winter Grazing on the Commons - South Gloucestershire Council Statement

Following on from the recent Commons meeting, SGC have provided the following statement regarding the winter grazing:

To tackle the lack of winter poaching of the two historic ponds around Lance Coppice, SGC are introducing 7 head of Belted Galloways to a limited area from November to March. The number of cattle used is intentional, keeping a very low stocking density to reduce the negatives of winter cattle presence (5.8 Livestock Units over 16Ha for 5 months). The Galloway cattle are being used due to their hardy nature, ability to be wet at foot for the season, and preference for rougher fodder. We hope they will help push back some brambles, eat back the areas of dense rushes, and stir up the mud in the key areas for the Adders Tongue Spearwort, Tassel Stonewort and Fairy Shrimp (our 3 rare species that rely on winter poached, seasonally wet scrapes and ponds. We may move cattle to other target areas to beat back rush & bramble encroachment if there is capacity.

These cattle are being collared with NoFence collars, GPS device that allow the grazier to monitor in real time the locations of the herd. The technology is used widely and by our neighbouring Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust to great effect. We hope this will prevent cattle movement into areas they shouldn't be, but as ever, we must emphasise it is the neighbouring landowner's responsibility to fence OUT the commons. You can read more about the collars at www.NoFence.no .

The areas being grazed by the cattle will be monitored throughout the winter and we are able to change the grazing area at any time should we deem it necessary. The Galloways will be removed at the latest point by March 2026.

SGC have provided a map of the pilot grazing area where they will be introducing the 5 cows and 2 calves this November. See attachment.