Cathy Cassie
Contract Shepherd & Stockperson
Ecological grazing specialist based in Cumbria
Tel: 07979 602847
Mail: cathy@ronasvoe.com
I’m Cathy Cassie, a seasoned shepherd and stockperson based in Cumbria. I offer my services on short-term and long-term contracts and even on just a simple relief basis, working as a self-employed professional with an exceptional team of trial-standard dogs.
My rates are fully negotiable, and depending on the distance, travel charges may apply.
I take immense pride in my reputation and work hard to maintain it. If you’re looking for a reliable, experienced, adaptable, and hardworking farm worker, or need assistance with lambing, don’t hesitate to contact me today!
Years of experience
Profile
I’m Cathy Cassie, a highly skilled and reliable livestock manager with over 20 years of experience across a diverse range of farming environments in the UK. Specializing in conservation grazing, sheep management, lambing, and shearing. I’ve built a reputation for upholding exceptional animal welfare standards and demonstrating meticulous attention to detail.
I am well versed in modern farming systems, including statutory livestock recording, farm assurance, and cross-compliance standards. With more than a decade of experience in conservation land management, I am also an accomplished sheep breeder, an award-winning showman, and a skilled sheepdog handler at national trial standards.
Currently, I am self-employed working across several mixed farms and estates in Cumbria and beyond, with a strong emphasis on sustainable and regenerative practices.
My adaptable approach allows me to effectively engage in any farming opportunities. In return, I offer a wealth of experience, genuine enthusiasm, and an unwavering commitment to excel in every role I undertake.
Education & Experience
Various
Additional Certifications & Courses
- Sheep shearing to BWMB silver seal standard
- Tractor driving certificate (NPTC)
- Side-arm flail (hedgecutter) (NPTC)
- ATV certificate (LANTRA)
- Safe use of veterinary medicines certificate. (LANTRA)
- Animal Transport certificate
- Clean Driving licence (incl. trailer, 7,500kg C1)
- Instructional Techniques (LANTRA)
- Clearing Saw up to and over 50mm (LANTRA)
- Chainsaw -cross cutting & small trees(NPTC)
- Wet grassland management (RSPB)
- Conservation Grazing seminars (GAP)
- First Aid at Work – First Responder
- PA1 & PA6 Pesticides (NPTC)
1985-87
FORMAL TRAINING
Cumbria College of Agriculture & Forestry (Newton Rigg)
Diploma in Hill & Marginal Farming
2004-2020
Wildlife Trust for Beds., Cambs. and Northants. – Conservation Grazing Manager
- Management and day to day care of all livestock incl. movements, TB testing and other routine health tasks.
- Preparation and delivery of annual animal health and management plans and annual conservation grazing plans to achieve biodiversity targets.
- Statutory farm record keeping, H&S and general admin.
- Liaison with external graziers and local farmers, administration of annual grass keep licences.
- Marketing of livestock end products incl. pedigree breeding stock.
- Trust ambassador incl. liaison with members of the public and corporate donors.
- Management of staff and volunteer assistants and participation in team tasks.
- Estate maintenance incl. external contractor liaison and project delivery.
- Delivery of livestock training courses to a wide audience.
In 2004 an opportunity to lead on an exciting new conservation grazing project with the Wildlife Trust allowed me to return to my chosen vocation, managing farm livestock to the highest welfare standards in an environment that allowed me to develop my conservation knowledge and skills.
Initially I wrote the grazing policy for the Trust and the went on to develop the sheep flock from 20 to over 250 head and established a herd of Highland cattle to deliver that policy.
As the livestock numbers expanded my role evolved from primarily dealing with external graziers to more traditional Livestock Manager role where I was responsible for planning and delivering annual animal health plans, grazing plans, statutory livestock and medicine recording, stewardship schemes, a key role in the annual Single Payment Scheme application and line management responsibility for a Livestock Assistant.
2020
Heart of England Forest, Stratford-upon-Avon. – Conservation Farmer
- Day to day care and management of MV accredited, organic pedigree Lleyn flock. Currently 250 breeding ewes and increasing.
- Assisting Stockman with management and healthcare of cattle herd, currently 200 head, Hereford and English Longhorn.
- Delivery of organic farm grazing management, crop rotation, farm biosecurity and animal welfare plans.
- Various tractor operations including topping, haymaking and hedge cutting.
- Planning and delivery of conservation grazing management within a wide variety of habitats, to deliver ecological and biodiversity targets.
- Statutory farm, organic, farm assurance, health and safety and general record keeping.
Having maximized my contributions at the Wildlife Trust, I sought a new challenge and found an exciting opportunity as a Conservation Farmer with a dynamic and youthful charity. In this role, I was once again in a position to play a substantial role in shaping and influencing conservation outcomes.
The role was responsible for the development, management and coordination of the Heart of England Forest’s livestock grazing programme to ensure that animals are available for grazing on a wide range of habitats throughout the Forest. I work with Heart of England Forest staff to aim for, within the capacity of the farm team and subject to availability of livestock, sites will be grazed to a high standard to deliver their nature conservation objectives.
A major part of the charity’s aim is to develop innovative ways to switch to less intensive, more ecologically beneficial agriculture systems by developing the charity’s farm to demonstrate farming systems which significantly enhance biodiversity.
2021-2024
Barrockend Farm, Armathwaite, CUMBRIA – Shepherd.
- Day to day management of 1200-ewe commercial flock
- Maintaining high welfare standards, including all routine veterinary treatments
- Selection of fat lambs to supermarket specification
I took on this role at the end of 2020 whilst the World was still in the grip of the Covid pandemic, having a desire to return to greater engagement with sustainable food production and to make a move back to the North of England.