BEEF, COUNTY FERMANAGH, NORTHERN IRELAND: From the age of six, Peter Gallagher was driving tractors and proudly tending his first cow on the family farm in West Fermanagh. Every spare minute of his childhood was spent in the yard among cattle or out on the land, learning the ways of farming life. That early passion has never left him. Today, Peter runs around 80 beef cattle on his 150-acre (60-hectare) hill farm on the rushy slopes of Belmore Mountain.

The land is a patchwork of habitats from rough pastures to wet meadows and species-rich margins, as well as approximately 30 acres (12 hectares) of native mixed ash woodland. The woodland, designated an Area of Special Scientific Interest, is considered one of the most valuable remnants of broadleaf habitat in the region, rich in plants, wildlife, and striking geological features. Early summer brings orchids, ragged robin and marsh marigold, while late summer is painted purple with devil’s-bit scabious, the food plant of the endangered marsh fritillary butterfly. The farm’s hedges, pastures and wooded fringes also shelter mammals such as red deer, badgers, hares, pine martens and red squirrels, and its skies are alive with warblers, swallows, meadow pipits and snipe.

Peter’s herd is made up of around 30 breeding females crossed with continental bulls. Calving takes place in spring, with weanlings sold at around nine months old. To keep cows grazing outdoors for as long as the weather allows, Peter uses mob grazing which entails moving cattle to new pasture daily so grass can rest and recover. Fields are not grazed again for at least 60 days, giving roots time to strengthen and improving the resilience of the grass.

A keen breeder, Peter values the genetic gains that artificial insemination brings and has a particular eye for improving his herd.

Although Peter studied Quantity Surveying at university and later worked in construction, he found himself drawn back to livestock and the land. He ran his own agri-business for several years before returning to full-time farming on the family holding. Today, he combines running the farm with working for Ulster Wildlife as a High Nature Value farm advisor, guiding other farmers in managing land in ways that are sensitive to habitats and species.

On his own farm, Peter is keen to foster the biodiversity of its varied habitats. “This is a family farm built on cattle, but it’s also a place that’s rich in wildlife and heritage,” he says. “I see my role as producing good stock while looking after the land and the wildlife who also call it home, so that it will remain a place that my children can be proud of.”

Peter’s role with Ulster Wildlife gives him the people contact and mental stimulation that solo farming sometimes lacks. He knows the challenges of isolation in farming and helped establish a local farmers’ group to keep ideas flowing and ensure no one feels left on their own.