Rare breeds munching boosts nature reserve biodiversity

Staff at the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) have been raising a glass this Christmas to the eating habits of rare breeds of farm animals.

The agency revealed today that the introduction of rare breeds such as Konik ponies on nature reserves over the past nine years has improved grassland, dune and wetland habitats for wildflowers and wildlife.

NIEA has a selection of Shetland cattle and sheep, Hebridean sheep, Dexter cattle, Exmoor ponies, and the extremely rare Konik pony - a direct descendant from the now extinct European wild horse, the Tarpan.

Each breed has been carefully chosen according to its diet and ability to thrive in 'rough' habitat.

NIEA Nature Reserve Manager Marcus Austin said: “The wildflower-rich grasslands of many of our nature reserves need to be grazed to prevent the invasion of scrub. The soil fertility must also be kept low so that the grasses don’t smother other plant species.

“This presents managers with a dilemma as farmers look for high productivity and fast growth of livestock, so few are interested in putting their animals on NIEA reserves.

“We started grazing our lands with traditional livestock breeds in 1999, when four Exmoor ponies were introduced to Ballymaclary Nature Reserve at Magilligan. The area was facing a scrub invasion which was strangling rare dune plants which we were trying to protect.

“Exmoor ponies were the perfect choice to tackle this as they thrive on a diet of scrub and can stay out all winter because they grow a waterproof, double coat that shields them from the worst of the weather.

“Grazing and breeding has continued and we have introduced more species according to the specific needs of our nature reserves in our efforts to re-create traditional habitat management.

“Whilst Wiltshire Horn sheep munch on a meal of shrubby plants and Dexter cattle enjoy a lunch of scrub, they are playing a crucial part in improving the environment for wildflowers, birds and insects.”

The natural grazing habits of these traditional breeds plays a crucial part in keeping down the areas of scrubland which improves the environment for other birds and insects and creates a mosaic of habitats in our delicate wetlands.

Mr Austin said: “Our multi-cultural species are flourishing in their new homes and we are particularly pleased that NIEA’s grazing programme is helping to increase numbers of these beautiful animals and so protect their bloodlines.

“One of our most recent additions is a Konik pony foal called Tilly which was born in June.

“In the northern area alone the population of Exmoor ponies and Wiltshire Horn sheep has doubled whilst our Dexter cattle population has more than trebled. We hope that our Hebridean and Shetland breeds will be just as successful.

“We are confident that our rare breeds will continue to play a key part in helping NIEA to deliver its conservation goals and enhance the biodiversity of our Nature Reserves. There aren’t many species that can actually improve their natural environment through eating their favourite foods!”

The grazing herds transfer around NIEA Nature Reserves in order to maximise habitat management.

Notes to Editors:

1. NIEA manages around 60 sites as nature reserves.
2. To maintain its grasslands, NIEA now has nine Exmoor ponies, five Konik ponies, 31 Wiltshire Horn sheep, eight Hebridean sheep, eight Shetland sheep, four Jacob’s sheep, 33 Dexter cattle and 13 Shetland cattle.
3. There are an estimated 2,000 Exmoor Ponies left globally with a breeding population of only 300.
4. NIEA introduced the first Shetland cattle in Northern Ireland. These are successfully improving the habitat in the Montiagh’s Moss Nature Reserve in Co Antrim.
5. For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office tel. 028 9054 0014 or out of office hours, contact EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.