Laura Davey, Conservation Stockperson for Norfolk Wildlife Trust, collected the award for best new herd at the British White Cattle Society’s annual general meeting, held in Somerset. 

The wildlife charity’s Brecks-based cows were recognised for the honour in front of 70 other breeders and farmers, raising the national profile of this handsome herd.   

The competition saw judge Mark Kennett from West Wales travelling the length and breadth of the country judging herds of various sizes.  

We have kept British Whites for around ten years and this year has launched a breeding program to increase the size of its herd to support future conservation work across the county. 

Some of Norfolk’s iconic landscapes and richest wildlife habitats owe their existence to the presence of these living lawnmowers and we have a long history of using domestic livestock to help manage its sites. Using the correct species of animal, in the right numbers and at the right time can manage habitats in a way that is almost impossible to achieve through other means.   

In addition to its herd in the Brecks, we use British White cattle on sites right across the county from helping to restore heathland on Roydon Common to creating ideal conditions for nesting wading birds such as lapwing at Upton Broad. 

Jon Preston, Conservation Manager, said: ‘The way cattle graze is by pulling up tufts of vegetation with their long rough tongue, creating a sward of various heights. The physical action of grazing, trampling of vegetation, dunging and disturbance of the soil create a rich mosaic of habitats that allow a wide range of species of plants, invertebrates, mammals and birds to make their home.    

‘British White cattle are very suited to conservation grazing here in Norfolk. These hardy animals can spend all year outside without any supplementary feeding and their white coat means they are able to cope with high temperatures in the summer months – it also allows them to be spotted from a distance, something our volunteer checkers are very grateful for! 

‘It’s an honour to receive the award. I am incredibly proud of our prize-winning herd, and all the wonderful NWT staff and volunteers who care for them. We’re excited to have had a successful first year of breeding our cattle and are looking forward to seeing even more of these beautiful animals across our sites supporting Norfolk’s wildlife in years to come.’