21 September 2023
Room to roam
Our beautiful, rare-breed Lincoln Red cattle are key to habitat creation at Wilder Doddington. Their role is to graze vegetation, browse hedgerows, create bare earth patches and defecate on the land spreading seeds and natural fertiliser. This in turn creates a mosaic of habitats...
Our beautiful, rare-breed Lincoln Red cattle are key to habitat creation at Wilder Doddington. Their role is to graze vegetation, browse hedgerows, create bare earth patches and defecate on the land spreading seeds and natural fertiliser. This in turn creates a mosaic of habitats that a multitude of different species, from insects and birds to mammals, will use for feeding, nesting and shelter. To do their job properly the cattle need access across Wilder Doddington.
Throughout the year, this freedom for livestock extends to the areas either side of the Georgie Twigg Track - a permissive track connecting Doddington to the Sustrans cycle track, which runs west from Lincoln city centre and connects to the National Cycle Network.
We need to prevent livestock straying out of our boundaries so we have installed a pedestrian gate, vehicle gate (for farm machinery and emergency services) and a bicycle friendly cattle grid at both the top and bottom of the track. Walkers, runners, pushchairs, mobility scooters and cyclists are able to continue to access the Georgie Twigg Track easily and safely.
Please do not attempt to walk over the cattle grids and please supervise children using the cattle grids on their bikes.
Our cattle already roam across many of our footpaths and bridleways elsewhere on the farm and they are used to people passing through their habitat. It is important to be mindful and respectful that you are entering their home. Never attempt to touch of feed our animals – by doing so you are putting yourself and others at risk. Read more about how to walk near cows:
Please remember to:
- Walk calmly and quietly around the herd
- Close gates behind you
- Keep your dog close, on a short lead at all times, and under effective control
- Pick up dog poo and take the bag with you
- If the cows are in your path it is fine to leave the path and walk around them, making sure not to split a cow from its calf.
Note: The pedestrian gates are 1.5m wide and the cattle grids are 1.25m wide. For more information on the cycle friendly cattle grids please follow this link:
