The Voice of British Farming

CFE advice for Grassland Conservation Management 7 Simple Steps for Grassland Farmers.

Start with

Identifying the important habitats on your farm

And then look at how you can:

Enhance water and soil quality

Provide a year-round food supply for wildlife.

On any farm, the steps below complement best practice in soil management, nutrient management (fertilisers and manures) and pesticide use to improve the environment, and most are supported by agrienvironment schemes. There is no blueprint for how to deliver improved environmental management on lowland livestock farms. It needs a tailored approach based on your own soils, landscape and environmental features. Addressing local environmental priorities can improve the benefits of these measures further, e.g. focussing on local populations of declining species or checking if you are within a priority water catchment.

Generally, wildlife benefits from livestock systems that provide a diverse range of habitats with a variety of vegetation and heights through the season. The ideal includes a mix of long-term permanent grassland and arable crops rotated with temporary grass leys.

Read the rest here:
The Voice of British Farming