Nearly 100 commoners who turn out cattle in the New Forest gathered for a specialist talk with vet Alex Crook.
The event at Lyndhurst Community Centre, which was put on by the New Forest Land Advice Service (NFLAS), covered topics including cattle breeding and fertility, what makes a good cow for the Forest and native breeds and their suitability for grazing in the Forest.
The event on Friday, February 7 was funded by the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme, which is managed by the Verderers of the New Forest in partnership with Forestry England and the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA), with support from the Commoners Defence Association and Natural England.
A second cattle-related talk is scheduled to take place at the end of March, while further evening events on ponies and pigs will also be taking place later in the year.
The HLS scheme supports commoning and helps to restore the internationally-important New Forest habitats through a variety of projects.
NFLAS provides independent land management advice across the New Forest and Avon Valley and is a partnership of the NPA with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
Organiser Rhys Morgan, farmland advisor for NFLAS, said: ‘It was great to see such a good turn-out for the event.
‘Alex’s talk was really informative and provided some excellent advice to those commoners who look after cattle in the Forest.
‘We hope everyone who did attend enjoyed the evening and went away with something to think about.’