29 July 2008

Welsh Black Cattle hope to grow at Botanic Garden

Already home to a vast display of plants and trees, the National Botanic Garden of Wales has welcomed a new species - Welsh Black Cattle.

Wales ' native breed of cattle is to become an integral part of the landscape around the Gardens at Llanarthne in Carmarthenshire when a herd is established this month (July) on the 300 acres of grazing land which are part of the 500 acre site.

The cattle are being introduced as a way of managing the meadow pastures and semi-improved land, to which the hardy Welsh Black cattle are ideally suited.

Farm Manager, Tim Bevan who farms at Pantwgan on the eastern side of the Garden, will start the herd off with 35 pedigree Welsh Blacks comprising of cows and calves, a bull, maiden heifers and steers.

Apart from the bull all of the cattle have been organically reared and sourced from three Welsh Black Cattle Society (WBCS) members in South Wales - the Brynonnen Herd, Cennen Herd and Cwmiar Herd.

Tim Bevan said, "Welsh Black cattle are fantastic animals to manage. They are docile and will be handled by students and viewed closely by the public.  They will graze species rich pasture which in turn will convert them to top quality beef.  In the future we hope to market Organic Welsh Black beef direct from the Gardens'.

Said WBCS Chief Executive, "This exciting project has been under discussion for some time.

"The partnership involves the National Botanic Garden of Wales, the Countryside Council of Wales, Coleg Sir Gar - whose agricultural training in farming is based at the campus at Gelli Aur near Llandeilo - and the Welsh Black Cattle Society which has ensured that all parties benefit from the project and promotes farming, conservation and wildlife."

The cattle will be seen by daily visitors to the Gardens, and in so doing will create awareness of the excellent eating quality of Welsh Black beef.  While agricultural students attending Gelli Aur College will have an excellent opportunity to work with and learn about suckler beef cows and beef production with a hands-on approach.

Future plans are to involve students in animal husbandry and preparing animals for both summer and winter livestock shows. 

Senior Lecturer at Gelli Aur, Lyn Richards said "I am extremely pleased to see this exciting new project develop and that several educational, livestock and grassland issues could be addressed due to the link with the four partners. 

"Students at Gelli Aur have not, to date, trained with beef cattle directly as the college farm is predominately dairy and sheep production with beef only reared from the dairy herd."

A delighted Andrew James added "The new opportunities will help promote the breed and the Society to students at the College and to the general public who visit this magnificent Garden."

Ends.

Notes to Editors

Photos of the cattle at the National Botanic Garden are available on request from:

Arvid Parry Jones Tel: 01970 832423

For further information contact:

Andrew James, Chief Executive Welsh Black Cattle Society

Tel: 01982 551111

Lyn Richards ARAgS, Coleg Sir Gar

Tel: 01554 748000

National Botanic Garden of Wales

Tel: Tim Bevan 01558 668725