Sustainable farmer Peter Niccolls' Hatchett Herd Dexter cows helping rare species to flourish in New Forest

A UNIQUE herd of pedigree cows owned by a sustainable Beaulieu farmer is proving a hit both for local foodies and conservationists.

The animals are owned by Peter Niccolls (38), a generational New Forest commoner with a wealth of knowledge and experience that has put him at the forefront of sustainable beef farming locally.

Based on the outskirts of Beaulieu, the Hatchett herd can often be seen grazing on the open plains at Balmer Lawn and beyond.

Peter said: “I got my first Dexters as I wanted something a bit different that was my own.

“My grandad bought me my first two Dexters in 1998. It’s now got like a hobby that’s out of control.

“I’ll be out on spring mornings and summer evenings checking on my herd, which to me is the best part of it all.”

Left to graze on the Forest, the Dexters grow naturally, slowly building up fine layers of fat that create the much-desired, succulent marbling effect in the meat.

Although previously thought of years ago as a poor man’s cow, they were somewhat disregarded.

However, a surge in popularity with chefs now mean they can be found across the world.

Known for its quality, ease of cooking and smaller joint and cut sizes, the marbled texture allows the meat to, in effect, self-baste while cooking.

Peter added: “When you buy local you know the producer, you know the quality and the person behind your food, where the animal has grazed and the butcher’s where it ends up.

“The New Forest Marque produce guide always boosts sales. This support shortens the supply chain and helps set me up for the future.

“It means there is a constant stream of income you can rely on.”

His collection of Dexter cows operates under the name of Hatchett Herd, and is part of the New Forest Marque scheme promoting genuinely local produce.

But there is more to the cows than just their place on the menu.

They also play an important part in shaping the landscape where their grazing creates an environment for rare and interesting species to grow and flourish.

Dexters are considered excellent conservation grazers as their size – the smallest breed in the UK – and hardiness means they can graze all year while not damaging the ground.

This creates an environment for rare and interesting species to grow and flourish as cattle ‘poach’ the ground with their hooves, creating an imprint which establishes a small space without competition for some of the Forest’s rarest flora to grow.

The absence of grass in the trodden areas allows rare species to establish themselves, such as the sundew.

A carnivorous plant, the sundew exists in the Forest’s wet heathlands and traps insects buzzing and crawling around the landscape.

The lack of competition and sun-facing embankment left by the animals’ hooves, provide the perfect environment for this unusual plant to exist.

After his cattle have grazed on the New Forest for around one year Peter will move them to back-up conservation grazing areas, such as Roydon Woods and the North Solent Nature Reserve.

Here the Dexters will graze the fields to the perfect conditions and length for ground-nesting birds, such as the in-decline curlew.

Peter comes from a commoning family that stretches back further than he can remember.

The three acres of land that he and his family now call home was acquired long ago by his grandad, Jack Humby, when he traded six cows for the land.

It is doubtful many people know the land between Brockenhurst and Beaulieu better than the Niccolls family.

The wealth of knowledge on how to farm and manage the land in the New Forest has passed down from generation to generation, something that Peter hopes to pass on to his young children Florence and Evie.

Hatchett Herd beef, which carries the New Forest Marque, can be found in Beaulieu Farm Shop, Pilley Community Shop and is sold to a Hale-based butcher that supplies the local area.

For more information on the New Forest Marque visit www.newforestmarque.co.uk