Duration: Nine monthsPlacement host: Gay’s Farm, Branscombe
Location: Devon (South Coast)
Landholding: 180 acres
Main grazing: Coastal grassland, cliffs and saltmarsh.
Livestock: Breeding herd of 80 pedigree Red Devon Cattle and small number of
free range rare breed pigs.
The project: An independent commercial farm and ecological consultancy that
provides grazing for National Trust land. It is now looking to
expand the conservation grazing as a service to nature reserve
managers and landowners in receipt of Higher Level Stewardship as
part of the land-management services provided by the ecological
consultancy. This may include the development of a conservation
grazing sheep flock. All the cattle are out-wintered at the farm but
fed with hay and haylage. The previous year’s calves graze the LNR
saltmarsh in the Axe Estuary whilst the previous generation (2yrs
plus) are grazed on the cliffs and associated National Trust fields.
Beef is marketed directly or some steers are sent to market from 28
months onward. Heifers are either kept for breeding or sold as
pedigree breeding stock.
The work: The successful candidate will work with the owner in managing
livestock and all aspects of site-management. There will also be an
opportunity for the right candidate to become involved in site-
monitoring and ecological recording. The trainees project will
involve the use of British lop pigs in bracken management
Website: http://www.naturalbranscombemeat.co.uk/index.php
Pleaseclick here to download an application form. Application closing date 20th January
