The public estate of Galatzó, in the Majorcan municipality of CalviàThe area is experiencing a new phase marked by the return of traditional farming. The recent arrival of a small herd of Mallorcan cattle has become one of the most visible symbols of this change of direction, which combines agricultural practices, forest management, and nature conservation.
The introduction of these animals aims to restore the property to what it was for generations: a living, productive rural space that is also a caretaker of the landscapeThe City Council, agricultural entities and various social organizations have joined forces to make Galatzó a benchmark in Extense livestock farming and good land management.
Eight Mallorcan breed cows to revive traditional practices
The project has begun with the introduction of eight specimens of Mallorcan breed cow, specifically a bull and seven cowsin the pastures of the Galatzó public estate. These animals form the core of a flock that is destined to grow over the coming years, always with criteria of sustainability and adaptation to the Mediterranean environment.
The cattle come from the Pau Canals' farm in Son Bugadellesalso within the municipality of Calvià. Its arrival has been made possible thanks to an agreement signed between the Calvià City Council and the Association of Pagesos per la Terra, entity that assumes the agricultural management of a large part of the property under a land stewardship model.
With this step, the City Council emphasizes that it intends to make the farm viable from an agricultural point of view and that it becomes a living example of traditional Mallorcan rural practices. The presence of cattle adds to the existing herd of sheep, donkeys and pigsas well as the beehives and the beekeeping activity, which provide significant environmental and productive value.
The responsible municipal department insists that this is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a larger pattern of activity. first step of a phased introduction plan in key of ecological transition in livestock farming of more animals of this native breed. The medium-term goal is to consolidate a large and well-adapted herd that strengthens both the agricultural dimension and the ecological function of the farm.
Juan Thomàs, deputy mayor of CalviàHe emphasized that this initiative aims to "revive agricultural activity in Galatzó and restore the estate to its former glory, as our grandparents remembered it." The intention is for residents of all ages to be able to visit and see it as a model of how the municipality's large estates should be maintained.
A native breed, resilient and adapted to the Serra environment
Not just any livestock has been chosen for this project: the City Council and the Associació de Pagesos per la Terra have opted for the Mallorcan breed cow, a native variety which has historically been linked to the island's agricultural landscapes. Its hardiness and ability to thrive on poor pastures make it a particularly suitable choice for a Mediterranean mountain environment.
The municipal institution highlights that these cows are characterized by their resistance, sobriety and good adaptation to dry and hot climatesThis allows them to graze large areas without the need for intensive infrastructure or high feed inputs, which is key when trying to reconcile livestock farming and habitat conservation.
The flock is made up of animals previously trained for grazing in open spacesIn addition, each copy carries a collar with GPS system which constantly marks the areas where they can move and feed. In this way, the technical staff can guide them through the different parts of the farm, preventing overcrowding in certain areas or entry into particularly sensitive spaces.
This technological control is combined with the traditional knowledge of the land held by the livestock farmers. The location system allows modulate the use of pastures according to the time of yearthe state of the vegetation and the conservation needs of each area, adjusting the presence of livestock to the ecosystem regeneration capacity.
For the Associació de Pagesos per la Terra, the choice of this native breed also has a cultural and genetic interpretation: to help to maintain a livestock variety historically linked to the rural landscape of Mallorca, at a time when many local breeds have been displaced by others with higher intensive yields.
Extensive livestock farming to prevent fires and protect the landscape
Beyond meat production or the revival of traditional uses, the introduction of Mallorcan breed cows in Galatzó has a clear aim to forest management and fire prevention toolThe property occupies a large area within the municipality of Calvià and is located in a mountain and scrubland environment that is highly flammable in summer.
The Calvià council reminds everyone that the Extensive cattle farming in Mediterranean environments It plays an essential role in maintaining the ecosystem. Grazing generates a natural clearing by consuming biomass, scrub and dry grasses that would otherwise accumulate on the ground, increasing the risk of intense forest fires.
In addition, the constant movement of the livestock helps to to keep open the traditional landscapes of agricultural and forest mosaiccreating habitats of interest for numerous species of flora and fauna. The presence of cows also contributes to the natural soil fertilization through their excrement, which returns nutrients to the soil and improves its structure.
The key, the City Council emphasizes, is to guarantee a proportionate and sustainable livestock loadadapted to the vegetation's regeneration capacity. An excess of animals could lead to overgrazing and erosion, while a well-calibrated presence becomes an ally for environmental conservation and the reduction of vegetation fuel.
This approach aligns with European strategies that focus on Extensive livestock farming as a land management toolespecially in mountain areas and protected natural spaces. Galatzó thus positions itself as a local example of how to integrate agricultural production, fire prevention and biodiversity objectives.
Agrarian custody and role of the Association of Pagesos per la Terra
The management of the Galatzó public estate is structured through a agricultural custody agreement between the Calvià Town Council and the Association of Pagesos per la Terra, based in the municipality itself. This model is based on voluntary agreements between landowners and non-profit entities, who assume commitments to conservation and sustainable use.
In the specific case of Galatzó, the association is responsible for manage dryland crops and livestock which is developed on the farm, now including Mallorcan breed cows. This approach allows for combining technical knowledge with the experience of local producers, ensuring that decisions regarding pastures, planting, and forest management are made using both ecological and agronomic criteria.
The president of the entity, Pau CanalsHe explained that the intention is to continue increasing the number of animals gradually. The expectation is that the specimens already released in the Ses Sínies viewpoint reproduce and, over time, a herd of nearly one hundred head can be achieved, provided that the terrain conditions and planning allow it.
This controlled growth is part of a long-term introduction planThe project aims not only to increase the number of cattle but also to consolidate an exemplary extensive livestock farming model in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains. GPS tracking and constant coordination between the City Council and Pagesos per la Terra (Farmers for the Land) will be key to adjusting the livestock volume to the farm's actual conditions.
Agricultural custody, as defined by the council itself, is a Environmental conservation tool based on collaborationIt allows public administrations to share responsibility with associations and foundations, generating a management that is closer to the territory and to those who work there on a daily basis.
Forestry plan, social activity and conservation of protected species
The Mallorcan breed cow project fits within a broader vision for Galatzó, where the agricultural recovery, forest management and the social dimension of the property. The City Council's Environment Department is working on the tendering process for a specific forestry plan for the property.
This document should specify the strategy for reclaim farmland, enhance the value of centuries-old olive trees and restore the traditional marges Dry stone walls are elements that define the classic agricultural landscape of the Serra. The presence of livestock, including the new Mallorcan cows, will be integrated into this system as a fundamental part of the management of the mountain and pastures.
The farm also fulfills an important social function thanks to the participation of Amadip-Esment, the entity that manages the social aspect of the space, the gardens and the irrigated orchard with fruit treesThese activities allow people with different abilities to participate in agricultural and maintenance tasks, strengthening the link between the community and the territory.
During the current legislature, Galatzó has reinforced his role as meeting place for the citizens of CalviàIt hosts summer camps for local children, workshops, health activities, and municipal events, including the traditional Pancaritat. In this way, the estate opens to the public and becomes a space that combines leisure, environmental education, and rural heritage.
Meanwhile, Galatzó has established himself as protected wildlife sanctuaryIn coordination with the Balearic Government and the Consortium for the Recovery of Fauna of the Balearic Islands (COFIB), the site houses a Moorish Tortoise Rescue Center, as well as reintroduction projects for this species and specimens of Bonelli's eagle, known on the island as the barred coa eagleReconciling these initiatives with extensive livestock farming is one of the challenges of space management.
A key public property in the municipality of Calvià
La The public estate of Galatzó was acquired by the Calvià City Council in 2006 And since then, its role within the municipality has been defined. With almost 2.000 cuarteradas—some 14 million square meters—it represents around the 10% of the total area of the municipality, which makes it a first-rate territorial asset.
The property borders the municipalities of Puigpunyent, Estellencs and Andratx It forms part of the distinctive landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the cultural landscape category. Its combination of forested areas, ancient agricultural terraces, and traditional buildings makes it especially valuable from a historical, environmental, and scenic point of view.
In addition to its agricultural and livestock aspects, Galatzó is notable for its architectural ensemble of the houses of Galatzó, currently in the process of restoration and modernizationThe goal is to restore this complex as a functional and accessible space, maintaining its heritage essence while adapting it to new cultural, educational, and management uses.
The introduction of Mallorcan breed cows is therefore part of a global strategy that aims to make the farm a model of comprehensive territorial management: production compatible with conservation, opening to the public without losing the character of an agricultural operation and protection of unique species and heritage elements.
With the Mallorcan breed flock grazing on its slopes, Galatzó reinforces its image as a great Mediterranean estate where the Extensive livestock farming, planned forest management and agricultural stewardship They join hands. What are today just eight geolocated and carefully managed animals are emerging as the seed of a larger project, in which rural tradition, innovation and landscape conservation combine to keep alive one of Calvià's most emblematic public estates.
