Grazing in Epping Forest
History
Cattle have been grazed in Epping Forest for more than a thousand years. They have played a vital role in creating and maintaining the varied mosaic of grassland, heath, and wood-pasture habitats, that the 1878 Epping Forest Act sought to protect.
Did you know the right of Commoners to graze their animals freely provided the legal basis for the City of London Corporation to challenge enclosure and prevent the destruction of the Forest? The cows deserve their fair share of credit for saving Epping Forest!
Grazing declined in the 20th Century with herd sizes decreasing and pressures increasing on the ability to graze the Forest caused by an increase in car traffic and human development around Forest Land.
As a result of the 1996 BSE crises cattle grazing survived in just one small heathland area. The future was uncertain and the Forest risked being without cows for perhaps the first time in a millennium.
Value to wildlife
Traditional grazing enriches biodiversity. Cows eat the growth of vigorously growing plants creating space for other species.
Unlike a lawn mower, grazing leaves behind vegetation of various heights. Birds require areas of short grass to land. The insect and mammals that some birds eat require longer grass to breed and hide from predators. Seed eating birds need the seed heads that mowing would cut. Plants need their seeds to ripen and disperse.
The cows also make cow pats, crucial food sources for beetles and flies. Their hooves create scrapes of bare earth for butterflies and reptiles to use as basking spots and for wildflowers to use as seedbeds.
Grazing is an essential force driving the richness of this natural system and the Forest is a poorer place without it as many insects rely on the flowers grazing encourages.
Grazing in the 21st century
Studies at Long Running heath had shown grazing benefited key plants including heather and creeping willow. This helped lead the way to the re-establishment of a conservation herd in 2002.
By 2006 consultation with the public revealed broad support, with 87% of respondents wishing to see grazing in more areas of the Forest.
It is not just the plains and heathland that benefit from the cows’ attention. The management of the important wood-pasture habitat in Epping Forest is enhanced.
During this period Epping Forest championed the use of pioneering ‘No Fence’ technology. This enables cows to roam key areas of our ancient woodland, without the need for barriers, once again.
Humans and cows
We work hard to minimise hazards to both people and cows as a result of the reintroduction of grazing.
What we do
Breed choice: Our cows are English Longhorns, a heritage breed, well known for their easy-going natures.
Calving: Our cows are led to sites away from the public to give birth in privacy. There the newborn calves mature until they are partially weaned. This ensures that when they first visit the forest to graze, their mums no longer feel extra protective.
Breeding: We manage our own herd. This means our cows can spend their whole lives getting used to the forest. It also lets us selectively breed for desirable characteristics like placid temperaments.
Individual selection: We get to know our cows. Rigorously assessing how they react to people and dogs to rate their temperament. Only the best suited are selected to graze sites with large numbers of visitors.
Group selection: We carefully choose our grazing teams to ensure excellent herd dynamics. In busy areas of the Forest an experienced matriarch leads a mixed age group of adult cows ensuring they defer to the older, more experienced, animals.
Husbandry: Our cattle are checked regularly by a skilled herdsperson to ensure health and happiness. The sophisticated GPS system we use provides instant notifications to multiple members of staff should issues be reported.
Out of hours: Our call-out team is ready to respond 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Signage: To inform visitors that cows are present we erect signs at the major entrances to grazing sites. The open and accessible nature of the forest means it is not feasible to have signs along all our borders. When we re-introduce cattle, to areas they have been absent from for many years, we use large triangle signs to further help alert people to their presence.
Communication: We regularly update people on where our cows will be.
Infrastructure: Wooden fencing and cattle grids prevent animals straying onto major roads.
Education: We run ‘meet the cattle’ days so members of the public can talk with our forest grazing experts to learn how cows benefit the forest and how to act responsibly around them.
Our comprehensive risk mitigation measures do not change the fact that grazing cows are living breathing creatures with their own minds. Epping Forest is their home. We therefore ask all visitors to extend them the same respect and consideration they would to any animal they meet in the Forest.
What you can do
Give space: Pass the cows as widely and quietly as possible. There are over 6000 acres of Epping Forest to explore so please respect the personal space of our cows.
Be attentive: Epping Forest welcomes responsible dog walkers. We ask that visitors always have effective control of dogs. This is particularly important around grazing herds. If there is any chance that your dog may be reactive to the cows, please put them on a lead.
Don’t stress: Like any prey animals, when scared, cows may react with a flight or fight response. Avoid loud noises and fast or unexpected movements.
Be tidy: Please take all rubbish home with you to avoid hurting the animals. This includes dog poo which can contain diseases harmful to Forest animals, including cows.
Get in touch: Should you have any concerns or questions while in Epping Forest please telephone us at 0208 532 1010 to speak with a representative 24/7. If an emergency response is required, please always dial 999 first.
These simple steps will help allow our cattle herd to go about their important business; enriching the Forest and brightening the day of those who meet them. Thank you for your help and cooperation.