Information Leaflet
Developing A Grazing Policy
A short guide and checklist for grazing-related issues A conservation grazing policy is a grazing management plan that outlines the aims and objectives for grazing your site(s). It should define: • What management should achieve. • The resources and determine when, how and who should use them. • Who holds what responsibility. • All relevant information required to keep healthy livestock and fulfil legal requirements. The suggestions provided here are only a guide. Use Figure 1 and the Boxes in this leaflet combined with the information in the other GAP leaflets to produce a bespoke policy document that meets your specific requirements. If necessary engage external expert consultants. Circulate the policy widely to all involved with site grazing. Make sure that its contents are fully understood and implemented Box 1. Topics that could be included within your Grazing Policy • Executive Summary. • Introduction. • Policy statement / Working brief. • Grazing impact assessment and potential effect of over- or under-grazing the site. • Infrastructure requirements. • Financial matters. • Livestock health and welfare. • Monitoring the site. • Managerial responsibilities. • Insurance. • References. ©Rare Breeds Survival Trust
Why Bother with a Grazing Policy? • To ensure the desired management can be achieved with the resources available. • To ensure continuity of management over time despite staff turnover, holidays etc. • For the health and welfare of your stock. • To gain support and commitment of colleagues, volunteers and partner organisations. • To demonstrate best practice and transparency to other interested parties. • To enable sites to be managed for multiple uses without conflict (Figure 2). • To ensure legal compliance. • To help secure funding. • To allow continual objective appraisal and improvement of »» Your livestock system performance. »» Cost management. »» Staff skills. Before grazing starts • Ensure resources (political, financial, time / labour, and skills) are in place. • Decide whether you are going to work with graziers or have your own stock. • Undertake a site assessment. This should be done by the registered stock keeper, reserves manager and / or any other competent member of staff. They should »» Estimate best class of stock and stocking density to achieve conservation objectives. »» Complete a risk assessment for the stock. »» Identify >>Any works necessary before grazing can commence. >> Stock checking procedures. >>Anything else relevant for your site!
Grazing Animals Project Original Document 2007; Revised 2019
Page 1 Written and Designed by Pen Rashbass