The use of Native and Non-native grazing animals
A GAP Executive discussion paper

At a meeting in November 2003 the GAP Executive considered issues surrounding the ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ of using ‘native’ or ‘non-native’ species and breeds of grazing livestock for the management of nature conservation sites in the British Isles. This document pulls together a selection of viewpoints on this issue arising from this meeting.

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Report on Shepherded Heathland study tour to Holland
May / June 2006

This extensive 60 page report contains details of a study tour to Holland organised by Jim Swanson (GAP) in 2006. It includes analyses of sites, landscapes, grazing animals and the people who look after them. Due to the size of the report copies are available on CD from Jim Swanson. You can contact Jim on 01531 631 344 or email: jim.swanson@grazinganimalsproject.org.uk

Report from Stiperstones grazing seminar
Stiperstones NNR, Shropshire 16/06/2007

Held in partnership between GAP, English Nature, Shropshire Local Grazing Scheme and Shropshire Wildlife Trust at Stiperstones NNR, this meeting looked at developing grazing partnerships and moorland restoration work involving Hebridean sheep and Exmoor ponies.

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Report from GAP/DPHT Dartmoor Pony Workshop
Brimpts Farm, Dartmoor 09/06/2007

Hosted by the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust and Positive Horsemanship this report includes handling and management of ‘wild’ Dartmoor ponies, moorland management, the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust, farm diversification at Brimpts Farm and managing land for fritillary butterflies.

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Report from GAP workshop in the Forest of Dean
Cowshill Farm, Forest of Dean 14/09/2007

This workshop was held at Cowshill Farm,a farm selling rare breed pork and beef direct in a box scheme and at markets, whilst conservation grazing cattle to help Lesser Horseshoe Bats and managing the Parish Grassland Project (PGP) machinery ring The report also contains information on the PGP and similar partnership projects such as the Woolhope Dome project in Herefordshire.

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Marketing meat from conservation grazing schemes GAP/LEAF/WWT Workshop Report
Blakehill Farm, Wiltshire 23/02/2006

Report from a visit to Blakehill Farm, a grassland restoration project run by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust including the marketing of finished animals through a box scheme and involving the farming community in collaborative grazing and marketing work (to demonstrate that this is an economically and environmentally viable option for them).

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Impact of the 2001 Outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease on Conservation Grazing Schemes

A summary of the main findings from a questionnaire survey designed by the Grazing Animals Project (GAP) to determine the impacts of foot and mouth disease (FMD) on conservation grazing schemes. The results of the survey allow conclusions to be reached about the likely short and long-term impacts of FMD for conservation grazing throughout the UK, although clearly the main impacts were in the areas worst affected by the 2001 outbreak of FMD. The report complements English Nature’s interim assessment of the effects of FMD (Robertson et al., 2001) which dealt only with England and concentrated on a series of case studies

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GAP Woodland Grazing Workshop Report
Neroche Project, Blackdown Hills 08/11/2005

The report looks at establishing and running grazing projects in wooded areas. It includes a guide to research and literature on woodland grazing as well as a list of key contacts for woodland grazing projects around the UK. Click on the link to download a pdf copy of the report.

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GAP RSPB field meeting at Pulborough Brooks
Pulborough Brooks, West Sussex 06/02/2006

Report from a workshop organised by GAP and the RSPB at Pulborough Brooks in Feb 2006. Contains information on managing wet grassland for birds, dealing with grazing and other forms of land management.

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GAP Leicestershire Field Meeting Report
Beacon Hill & Ulverscroft Valley, Leicestershire 14/06/2007

Both Beacon Hill Country Park and nearby Ulverscroft Valley use grazing systems with Longhorn and Shetland cattle as part of ongoing site management work and habitat creation. This report contains details of this looking grazing different types of grassland, heathland restoration, new pre-movement testing for bTB and more.

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GAP Information Pack
Complete Pack

Provides an iintroduction to the Grazing Animals Project, with a brief outline of the aims and principles of GAP, the resources provided, a case study of a Local Grazing Scheme, a list of available publications, contact details and a membership form.

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Field to Fork GAP Workshop Report
Lincolnshire 21/01/2004

Illustrated report of the 2004 GAP field visits to Lincolnshire, focussing on production of meat and marketing. Part 1 looks at beef production from the producer's perspective integrating production and wildlife management and husbandry issues while Part 2 takes the butcher's view: considerations at slaughter, what makes a good quality carcase, marketing approaches to sell cheaper cuts of meat.

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A4 GAP Information Flyer

Provides a concise introduction to the background, aims and guiding principles of the Grazing Animals Project in an A4 'handout' format.

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