On the Farm

No doubt that the presence of cattle (and sheep) completely changes the character of a place. The absence of any livestock for most of last year and some of this has given us a break during which we enjoyed the unreal expectation that this was how it might be for the future. And why should we not feel that -after all it's the natural thing. Incidentally I now remember that in 2009 cattle did come on the moor though it was not until July after we had been told April. The notices in 2009, mentioned in the post Being Bothered, were put up early and then many weeks went past with no cattle appearing. The same complaint applies for notices staying in place well beyond the time when livestock have been removed. Similar misleading notices have been left around on gates on the grazing enclosure relating to cattle staying there for months on end. The whole thing is a farce and comparable with the worst highway cone examples. But what can we expect from those who care for the place about as much as a highway maintenance firm does for a stretch of motorway?



The present notices tell us on the heading that 'Highland cattle are now grazing the heathland of Blacka'. This skates close to inaccuracy another of SWT's traits. There are 16 of the beasts, 3 are highlands, and the others are a mixed bunch including some crosses highland/shorthorn. The point about having highlands was certainly that they would have visual appeal for some visitors, especially those who had not had the fortune to see the red deer in the landscape. And they took the opportunity then to try to 'sell' the idea in this way to local people. I like the use of the word 'heathland' which I always take to be land covered with heather, although I know people define heathland in other ways. My observation in previous years has been that the cattle very rarely go into large stands of heather but spend lots of time a) on the paths, and b) anywhere that's grassy. In this they are quite different to deer who can often be found in heather and also in dense, tall bracken and have no particular preference for footpaths.
The mention of build up of nutrients always fascinates me not being an ecologist. It's as if we are being told that there is something almost polluting about grasses being left to grow uneaten by livestock. That's the kind of messy explanation you get into when you try to justify the perpetuation of an artificial landscape.