Lincoln Red – a Breed for All Seasons

Within a month or two of a brief visit from the Reds, a rich carpet of green grass will appear. Having the Reds out on the land throughout the winter helps boost biodiversity all-year round. Fresh dung brings beetles, and beetles bring and sustain birds. The cattle are a link in our food-chain, benefitting all manner of creatures from microfauna in the soil to red kites and buzzards riding the thermals overhead. Throughout last spring and summer, this thick sward did wonders for our biodiversity, attracting bugs, butterflies, moths, small mammals, birds and bats in abundance.

The soil is much improved by this two-year cycle. The standing hay grows deeper roots in its fallow year, improving water retention and preventing water run-off. The roots also build up sugars in the soil, nourishing the bacteria and fungi that will fuel future plant growth and help us avoid petrochemical fertilisers.

As a rare and native breed adapted over many generations to our landscape and climate, the Lincoln Red thrives outdoors in all weathers. In winter, their coats grow thick and they remain more healthy outdoors than indoors with far fewer colds and sniffles. We’re planning to upgrade our fencing and gateways and ensure frost-free water supplies to allow our herd to make the most of winter outdoors in future.

South Ormsby Estate’s Lincoln Red herd is helping us both improve biodiversity and mitigate climate-change. By minimising or eliminating the use of diesel-powered vehicles, bale wrap, fertiliser, non-grass feed and other synthetic products, we’re whittling down our carbon footprint. Methane emitted by our cattle is on a par with that generated by vegetation left to rot. In our pastures, methane from grazing cattle is a useful fertiliser for our grass, which grows back more abundantly than it would if cut mechanically.

We look forward to bringing you more good news from our pastures and, as ever, thank you for supporting us in our endeavours.

Last autumn, we took a detailed look at the Lincoln Red story so far. Click HERE for everything you ever wanted to know about this charismatic heritage breed, the keystone of our regenerative approach.

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