The public estate of Galatzó, in the Mallorcan municipality of Calvià , 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 uses, forest management, and nature conservation.
The introduction of these animals aims to restore the estate to what it was for generations: a vibrant, productive rural space that also safeguards the landscape . The town council, agricultural associations, and various social organizations have joined forces to make Galatzó a benchmark for extensive livestock farming and sound land management.
Eight Mallorcan breed cows to revive traditional practices
The project has begun with the introduction of eight Mallorcan cattle , specifically one bull and seven cows , to the pastures of the Galatzó public estate. These animals form the core of a herd that is expected to grow over the coming years, always adhering to sustainability criteria and adaptation to the Mediterranean environment.
The cattle come from Pau Canals' farm in Son Bugadelles , also within the municipality of Calvià. Their arrival was made possible through an agreement signed between the Calvià Town Council and the Associació de Pagesos per la Terra (Farmers for the Land Association ), an organization that manages a large part of the land under a land stewardship model.
With this step, the City Council emphasizes its aim to make the farm agriculturally viable and a living example of traditional Mallorcan farming practices. The addition of cattle complements the existing flock of sheep, donkeys, and pigs , as well as the beehives and beekeeping activities , which contribute significant environmental and productive value.
The responsible municipal department emphasizes that this is not an isolated action, but rather the first step in a plan for the gradual introduction of more animals of this native breed , as part of an ecological transition in livestock farming . The medium-term goal is to establish a large and well-adapted herd that will strengthen both the agricultural aspect and the ecological function of the farm.
Juan Thomàs, deputy mayor of Calvià , 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 (Farmers for the Land Association) have opted for the Mallorcan breed of cow, a native variety historically 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 hardiness, frugality, and good adaptation to the hot, dry climate . This allows them to graze large areas without the need for intensive infrastructure or high feed requirements, a key factor when the aim is to reconcile livestock farming with habitat conservation.
The herd consists of animals previously trained for grazing in open spaces . In addition, each animal wears a GPS collar that tracks the areas where they can move and feed. This allows the technical staff to guide them through different parts of the property, preventing overgrazing in certain areas or entry into particularly sensitive spaces.
This technological control is combined with the traditional knowledge of the land held by livestock farmers. The location system allows for modulating pasture use according to the time of year , the state of the vegetation, and the conservation needs of each area, adjusting the presence of livestock to the ecosystem's 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 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 cattle in Galatzó has a clear purpose as a forest management and fire prevention tool . The farm covers a large area within the municipality of Calvià and is located in a scrubland and garrigue environment that is highly flammable in summer.
The Calvià Town Council points out that extensive cattle farming in Mediterranean environments plays a vital role in maintaining the ecosystem. Grazing generates natural vegetation clearing by consuming biomass , scrubland, and dry grasses that would otherwise accumulate on the ground, increasing the risk of intense forest fires.
Furthermore, the constant movement of livestock helps maintain the traditional mosaic of agricultural and forest landscapes , favoring habitats of interest to numerous species of flora and fauna. The presence of cows also contributes to the natural fertilization of the soil through their manure, which returns nutrients to the land and improves its structure.
The key, the City Council emphasizes, is to ensure a proportionate and sustainable livestock population , adapted 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 promote extensive livestock farming as a land management tool , especially 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 an agricultural stewardship agreement between the Calvià Town Council and the Associació de Pagesos per la Terra (Farmers for the Land Association) , based in the municipality. This model relies on voluntary agreements between landowners and non-profit organizations, who commit to conservation and sustainable use.
In the specific case of Galatzó, the association manages the dryland crops and livestock farming on the farm, now including Mallorcan breed cows. This approach combines 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 organization's president, Pau Canals , explained that the intention is to continue increasing the number of animals gradually. The plan is for the animals already released at the Ses Sínies viewpoint to reproduce and, over time, reach a herd of nearly one hundred, provided that terrain conditions and planning allow it.
This controlled growth is part of a long-term introduction plan that aims not only to increase the number of cattle but also to consolidate an exemplary extensive livestock farming model in the Serra de Tramuntana. GPS tracking and constant coordination between the City Council and Pagesos per la Terra will be key to adjusting the livestock volume to the farm's actual needs.
Agricultural stewardship, as defined by the city council itself, is an environmental conservation tool based on collaboration . It allows public administrations to share responsibility with associations and foundations, generating a management approach that is closer to the land and those who work it daily.
Forestry plan, social activity and conservation of protected species
The project involving Mallorcan breed cattle fits within a broader vision for Galatzó, which combines agricultural restoration, forest management, and the social dimension of the estate. The City Council's Environment Department is currently working on the tender process for a specific forestry plan for the property.
This document must outline the strategy for recovering farmland, showcasing centuries-old olive trees , and restoring the traditional dry-stone walls , elements that define the classic agricultural landscape of the Serra. The presence of livestock, including the new Mallorcan cattle, will be integrated into this plan as a fundamental component of forest and pasture management.
The farm also fulfills an important social function thanks to the involvement of Amadip-Esment , an organization that manages the social aspects of the space, including the gardens and the irrigated orchard with fruit trees . These activities allow people with different abilities to participate in agricultural and maintenance tasks, strengthening the bond between the community and the land.
During the current legislative term, Galatzó has strengthened its role as a meeting place for the residents of Calvià : it hosts summer camps for local children, workshops, health activities, and municipal events, including the traditional pancaritat (a local bread festival). In this way, the estate is open to the public and has become a space that combines leisure, environmental education, and rural heritage.
Meanwhile, Galatzó has established itself as a protected wildlife sanctuary . In coordination with the Balearic Government and the Consortium for the Recovery of Wildlife of the Balearic Islands (COFIB), the site houses a Moorish Tortoise Rescue Center, as well as reintroduction projects for this species and for Bonelli's eagles, known locally as the barred eagle . Reconciling these initiatives with extensive livestock farming is one of the challenges in managing the area.
A key public property in the municipality of Calvià
The Galatzó public estate was acquired by the Calvià Town Council in 2006 , and since then its role within the municipality has been defined. With almost 2.000 cuarteradas—approximately 14 million square meters—it represents around 10% of the total area of the municipality , making it a key territorial asset.
The property borders the municipalities of Puigpunyent, Estellencs, and Andratx and forms part of the distinctive landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the cultural landscape category. Its combination of forested areas, old agricultural terraces, and traditional buildings makes it especially valuable from a historical, environmental, and scenic perspective.
In addition to its agricultural and livestock aspects, Galatzó is notable for the architectural complex of the Galatzó houses , currently undergoing restoration and modernization . The aim is to recover this complex as a functional and accessible space, preserving its heritage essence while adapting it to new cultural, educational, and administrative uses.
The incorporation of Mallorcan breed cows is therefore part of a global strategy that aims for the farm to be a model of comprehensive land management : production compatible with conservation, openness to the public without losing the character of an agricultural operation and protection of unique species and heritage elements.
With its flock of Mallorcan sheep grazing on its slopes, Galatzó reinforces its image as a grand Mediterranean estate where extensive livestock farming, planned forest management, and agricultural stewardship go hand in hand. What are currently 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.
