Bracken Control Without Chemicals: Techniques to balance farming and wildlife

Bracken can be a serious problem on hill grazings and marginal land. Without careful management, large areas can easily be overrun, which is bad news for everything from livestock to wild birds. Uncertainty about the future use of the traditional herbicidal spray Asulam has prompted people to look again at bracken control techniques, to strike a balance between productive agricultural land and the bird and insect species which depend upon bracken habitats.

• Come along to Drumstinchall hill farm to find out more about practical bracken control techniques such as cutting, bruising and trampling to improve grazing
• Learn about the bracken lifecycle and identify seasonal opportunities to control the plant with consultant Ian Cairns of 5Agri
• See how practical, affordable management techniques can break up dense stands of bracken and improve wildlife habitats for nightjars and butterflies
• Hear from farmer Mark Parry, who has been working hard to break up bracken and achieve a better balance at Drumstinchall for several years.

FREE and open to all. Lunch is included. Booking is essential. Book online. Any problems call Jane on 0131 370 8150.