About us

Maydencroft Farm offers conservation grazing services to land managers and local authorities interested in improving or conserving the natural environment. Our more formal approach to grazing land to an agreed specification enables us to provide clients with a unique conservation grazing service.

The Farm is set in the countryside of North Hertfordshire just beyond the northern boundary of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). English Longhorn cattle first arrived here over two decades ago and have become a much loved asset to the local landscape.

Why choose our English Longhorns?

The ability these animals have to turn rough and extensively managed pasture into the finest quality beef is well known. This coupled with a high take up of Environmental Stewardship Higher Level Schemes (HLS) has led to a resurgence of the breed.

With first-hand experience of delivering Environmental Stewardship through Higher Level Schemes (HLS) at Maydencroft and other sites, our team have the expertise to work to the Natural England (NE) specification for habitat enhancement of grassland and historic parkland.

There is more to successful working partnerships than just managing the grassland. A comprehensive service that includes positive interaction with the public is often essential. We pride ourselves in providing a friendly, approachable and informative service. We are happy to provide walks and talks on behalf of clients and partners explaining to the public the virtues of managing sites with traditional cattle breeds.

Using traditional and rare breeds of cattle, such as English Longhorn, can maximise the type of extensive grazing system necessary in HLS and historic parkland sites. The old breeds eat a much wider range of plants and grasses than modern commercial breeds, without losing condition. In fact, it's generally agreed that a mixed diet adds to the flavour of the meat! Another added benefit to grazing these old breeds in public parks, is that they are noted for being particularly docile and relaxed with people and importantly dogs.

The animals share a historical relationship with our landscape too. Our traditional cattle breeds have grazed across the country for hundreds of years. For this reason, the animals are particularly well suited to our environment. They have been bred over the centuries to make best use of native grasses and wildflowers without the need for intensive grassland management through fertilisers and pesticides.