Conservation grazing project - berkhamsted common 

Click here to see the current location of the cattle

Background.

Currently The Common is maintained for public access and recreational use by diesel powered machinery, the intention is to replace machinery with grazing cattle to improve the sustainability of land management.

Reasoning

This will boost the Common’s biodiversity and will be very good for the surrounding wildlife.

Partners

Funding is being provided by Chiltern Conservation board and Berkhamsted Golf Club Trustees with support and advice from Natural England And Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust

About the Cattle

Although the Devon Red cattle are a docile breed they are not pets and should be enjoyed from a distance

Please keep dogs under control & Bag and remove their waste

A small herd of cattle (6 initially) will be grazing on The Common from May.

They will boost Land Management sustainability and The Commons biodiversity.

The cattle will be wearing GPS collars to ensure they remain in their virtual field and will be moved periodically to ensure The Common is effectively grazed.

The Cattle are Devon Reds, a native UK breed and have calm temperaments.

The area under grazing will be clearly demarcated with signage.

About the system

Nofence is the world's first virtual fencing system for grazing animals. Our technology consists of a solar-powered GPS collar and a virtual boundary. The collar communicates with our easy-to-use app and web portal via the mobile network. The fencing function only relies on the GPS, but we recommend having mobile coverage in major parts of the pasture for monitoring and control in the app.

With a touch of a fingertip, you'll be able to give your animals access to lush pastures and save time and money by not having to build and maintain fences. Nofence also lets you track your animals' movements in real-time where you will get a notification if anything happens with your animals.

Nofence trains the animals to turn around on audio. When the animal crosses the Nofence boundary, the collar starts playing an audio warning. The audio warning is a scale of tones, which starts at a low pitch and rises gradually as the animal moves through the boundary zone. If the whole scale has been played, a mild, but effective electric pulse will be given. The animal then learns to recognise the audio warning and turns around to avoid the electric pulse.

Why not use Fences?

The reason we can use fences is due to The Law of Property Act 1925 (Section 194)

Under this Section, it is unlawful to construct buildings, erect fences or carry out any other works which prevent access to common land unless the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has given permission, or unless the erection of fences will help to prevent accidents. In deciding whether to give permission, the Secretary of State has to take into account the benefits to the neighbourhood and to any private interests in the land.

If you have any other concerns, please contact Berkhamsted Golf Club

01442 865832 or admin@berkhamstedgc.co.uk