Queendown Warren Special Reserve Lamb
We would like to know what you think of our idea to sell lamb and mutton from the sheep we use to graze our reserves.
What are we planning to do?
As you may know, we use grazing animals such as sheep to help us maintain the rich diversity of wildlife on our reserves.
The income from selling meat from these animals could make this element
of our work more financially sustainable, freeing up funds to pay for
other KWT activities.
This project would also provide a new service to the local community as
well as skills training and volunteering opportunities for local
people. We are keen to hear your thoughts on our idea.
Background and Benefits
Since 1997 we have been developing our own grazing herd to manage wildlife rich habitats such as the chalk grassland of Queendown Warren. The traditional land management technique of grazing creates and maintains the habitat conditions necessary for rare and endangered species to flourish.
Benefits of using grazing animals such as sheep to manage our reserves include:- Highly beneficial to wildlife – grazing at Queendown Warren has enabled us to reintroduce the nationally rare Adonis blue butterfly, previously extinct in the area; other rare orchids such as the early spider orchid are also thriving as a result
- Less labour intensive than using staff, tools and machinery
- A renewable and sustainable resource
- A more natural result is obtained as the removal of vegetation is more gradual and gentle than with tools and machinery
- Quieter and more pleasant for people to see
There are a number of reasons for wanting to sell meat from some of our grazing animals to our members and the general public:
- The income from selling lamb and mutton from our grazing stock will help us pay for countywide livestock management activities
- A younger flock is a healthier flock
- A closed flock, whereby replacements are born within the flock rather than being bought in, is a healthier flock because new diseases are not introduced
- A closed flock is easier to manage – animals born into a flock will instinctively copy their mothers who are used to our methods
- When breeding flock replacements surplus male animals are produced – KWT want to have a useful end life for these animals
- Selling these animals to our members and the general pubic ensures that we have total control over their welfare from beginning to end and can ensure high welfare standards throughout
