The ongoing project by Galway City Council, which introduced Dexter cattle to the urban area has been described as “successful”, with the cattle “reviving” biodiversity.
Biodiversity officer with Galway City Council Paula Kearney told Agriland that flora and fauna can be seen now on the grazed land.
The cattle were recently moved from their previous site at the headland east of Ballyloughane Beach, and are now grazing on a coastal headland in Renmore.
The two cows, a heifer, and two calves of about nine months old are now grazing over two paddocks of cumulatively about 2ha.
Kearney said that grassland would be very heavy in that area, but that the cattle are “certainly making their way through it”.
She said that there was some willow growing through the land that the cattle have not touched, leaving “tufts of grass”.
Kearney said that since then she has noticed skylark attempting to nest in those places.
However, the area is known for dog walking, so Kearney said that so far, the birds have been “unsuccessful”.
“We’re hopeful this year that with the fencing there and the cows grazing the land that we can have successful breeding of those ground nesting birds,” she said.
Kearney added that other than the council’s disturbance to the ground by providing facilities, such as shelter, the ground was “unprovoked”.
She said that while the cattle are “reviving biodiversity”, they are also being “embraced” by the public.
Dexter cattle workshops
There have been ongoing workshops for school children in the local areas to meet the cattle and learn more about the project.
From the workshops, children learn how biodiversity and agriculture work together, along with the role of agriculture in regards to climate change.
“It’s lovely to see children from the city come out, who might never have seen farm animals before,” Kearney said.
Kearney said that from speaking with teachers, she feels there is a “disconnect” with children and farm animals today.
“I think it’s a mental health thing. If children are exposed to nature then they will care about it,” Kearney said.
“Because the children have seen them and learned about the job they’re doing, I think they really want to mind them.
“They are making sure that when out for walks with their families that their picking up any rubbish that blows in from the coastline and generally keeping an eye on them for me,” she added.
She said there are also a number of the active retired group that are part of the ambassador programme, helping to spread the word.