Climate, Conservation and Cows: Farming on Salisbury Plain Training Area

Originally written for the 2022 Heart of Warminster brochure

What comes to mind when you picture a cattle farm? Whether or not you eat beef, you probably

have an idea of how it would look (and smell!). However, some local farmers do things a bit…

differently. 

Many of you will know Salisbury Plain Training Area as, well, a training area. Also, no doubt, as a

fabulous spot for a walk. But it’s much more than that. We Warminster residents are lucky enough

to live next to the largest area of unimproved chalk grassland in Europe. In the middle sits a Site of

Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), covering almost 20,000 hectares.

While the Plain is famous for military training, it is also rented out to tenant farmers. At East Hill

Farm, where I live with my family, we farm a slice of around 600 hectares. With half our land inside

the SSSI zone, the environment - alongside animal welfare - is at the heart of what we do.

Farming, particularly cattle farming, is currently under the climate change spotlight – and it’s true

that some cattle production methods are problematic. In our system, however, we farm the closest

thing you can find to environmentally-friendly beef.

We design our grazing around enhancing habitat for the Plain’s rare flora and fauna. The specific way

that cows graze (nibbling down, but not too far!) creates ideal conditions for delicate chalk grassland

plants and the wildlife that depends on them. For bonus points, our grazing style helps protect and

increase the carbon sequestered in the soil and grass. We’re also organic, so we use no artificial

chemicals on the grassland.

The cattle’s lives are as close to “natural” as possible. They stay outside year-round and only receive

medication if there is an individual issue. We have hardy, native breeds who suit the landscape and -

if I say so myself - they’re absolute stunners. I love spending time with them — they all have

distinctive personalities, and some even enjoy a cuddle. There are several families in the herd, many

of them with names, and our breeding cows have long, healthy lives with us. Our eldest is

seventeen!

We also control scrub (small bushes e.g. hawthorn) on the Plain. The cows browse it first, then we

use machinery to remove it. Without scrub management, both the grassland and its historic

monuments would soon become damaged. Of course, we don’t remove it all - it’s an important part

of the habitat mosaic - but we keep it to a level that ensures the best outcome for nature.

Meanwhile, we manage our arable fields to support wildlife through the seasons. Next year, we’ll be

taking a break from cereals and filling the fields with pollinator-friendly plots and winter bird food

areas. If you’re walking the Imber Range Perimeter Path this winter and see a woman scattering bird

seed on the stubbles, say hello!