Two new calves have joined La Societe’s Conservation herd

The two calves were born on in February at different farms – one at Meadow Court and one at Les Fauconnaires Farm.

They will join the main herd in September when they will become a vital part of La Societe’s mission to increase the island's biodiversity.

‘If you cut grass with a mower it’s all at one height, by using steers to manage the grass they leave tussocks in some places and crop close to the ground in others,’ said herd manager Dave Bartram.

‘That way you create multiple habitats for the bees, bugs and birds.

‘They also trample the ground and fertilise it. That can encourage seeds to grow that have laid dormant for years. The steers eat these plants and transport them around the island as they are moved around.’

Despite being less than a week old, the two calves are already sturdy on their feet and full of life.

The calves stayed with their mothers for the first 48 hours getting colostrum and essential milk to give them the antibodies necessary to build their immune systems.

‘The calves will be on milk powder for the next seven weeks and then go off to graze on their own as they are weaned off milk in July before being integrated into the main herd in September,’ said Mr Bartram.

‘They only weigh about 30kg at the moment, but will be 200kg by the time they join the herd, and be able to cope with being with the larger animals. For example "David", one of the original steers who is still with us, weighs 700kg.’

Launched in 2014, the herd has been grazing around the island for almost 10 years and the benefits of this type of land management are now bearing fruit.

‘The botany section of La Societe have monitored the sites and found an increase in wild flowers like deptford pinks growing there.’

The conservation herd pays for itself through sponsorship and the sale of the mature steers for beef.

‘It also saves La Societe, the National Trust and the States money, because they don’t have to mow the land.’