EVENT PLANNED TO HELP LANDOWNERS MANAGE DIFFICULT SITES

Wet Culm Grassland habitats can be difficult to maintain, especially tussocky, scrubby areas which are often dominated by purple moor-grass. Devon Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) and Devon Wildlife Trust’s (DWT) Working Wetlands Project are hosting a joint event next month to look at effective methods of managing these difficult sites.

The event will take place at Deptford Farm, Hartland on the 9 March 2010 from 10am until 3pm. Host farmer and keen FWAG member, Brian Heard was 2009’s runner up in the FWAG’s Devon Bronze Otter trophy.

On the day Simon Berry, DWT’s Grazing Links Officer, will talk about suitable stock for grazing difficult sites and demonstrate mobile stock handling facilities along with the breeds of cattle and, in some cases, ponies that are often deployed on Culm sites.

Becky Aston DWT Working Wetlands Project Officer said: ”Many dairy farms have found that their Culm Grasslands do not suit Holstein or Friesians. Instead the local breeds are now making a comeback with the crucial advantage of being good converters of poorer quality forage.”

“When sites are left un-grazed scrub quickly develops and the wildlife value of Culm sites declines. At the same time the land’s agricultural value falls, while the cost of restoration steadily becomes more expensive. Soft rush can out-compete flowering plants and reduce structure in the grass sward. This reduces the value of the grassland in both conservation and cattle fodder terms.”

Along with a look at some of the cattle options there will be demonstrations of machinery suitable for tackling problems on wetter ground such as flail mowers and low ground pressure tractors.

Craig Hodgson, Devon FWAG Adviser, will cover topics such as the financial support available through Environmental Stewardship to enable sympathetic management of farm environmental features. This grant scheme is administered by Natural England (NE) and a local NE adviser will also be present to discuss any concerns.

FWAG offers farm and nature conservation advice, NVZ training; cross compliance advice; water audits; and all environmental stewardship applications. DWT’s Working Wetlands Project can assist with a variety of farming issues within the Culm Measures such as general advice, ELS/HLS applications, grants, stock and machinery. Advisers from both organisations will be present at the event.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided. To book on to this event please contact Angela White at FWAG on (01392) 364392 or email devon@fwag.org.uk