Cattle have once again populated the island of Trasnagh, Co Down, for the first time in generations. The 35ac island in Strangford Lough, Co Down, is the new home to 11 Highland cattle, owned by farmer and businessman, John McCann.

He told Irish Farmers Journal that there haven’t been cattle on the island for 70 years.

“My ancestors owned Trasnagh Island and Calf Island for generations. They used to swim the cattle out there using a large 30ft row-boat. There would be four rowers and the cows would be tethered to the boat using a halter around their heads.”

He explained that once the cattle were out of their depth, they could swim the half-mile quite well. “That practice died out because it’s not an easy operation,” said the farmer.

“We chose Highland cattle because they’re quite hardy and don’t need too much attention. They’re easy calving and are suited perfectly to the island,” he said.

McCann also owns Willowbrook Foods, a vegetable processing plant in Newtownards, Co Down, that processes and distributes vegetables throughout the UK and Ireland.

“The islands have been designated as a special area of conservation (SAC) and due to their biodiversity, have also been identified as a special protection area (SPA). The National Trust has encouraged putting the cattle on the land as a way to manage the grasslands,” he said.

The National Trust agreed to transport the cattle to the island using its barge. There were existing farm buildings on the island, but McCann refurbished the freshwater well in 2019, making it viable for large livestock.

Read more

50 firefighters battle blaze on farm

Northern Ireland tops EU R3 heifer price

Brexit quietly approaches