wildflower field about to be ploughed HELP!!

[leifus]

We have a field almost next door to our house and it is about to be ploughed. I had a word with the farmer and she is 50/50 at the mo. This year I have monitored the wildlife there and have found over 80 species of wildflower including a greater butterfly orchid, 15 different species of butterfly including a Duke of Burgundy and the skylarks have had plenty of successful nests in the long grass. But now this wildlife haven is about to be ploughed up.... Any tips on how i can talk the farmer out of it??!?!?!

[ron1863]

Have you shown her your findings. She may sway to your thinking if you show her in black and white some of the rarer species. What is she ploughing the field to plant?

[leifus]

Originally Posted by ron1863

Have you shown her your findings. She may sway to your thinking if you show her in black and white some of the rarer species. What is she ploughing the field to plant?

im halfway through writing her a list. I'll explain about the rarity of some of the things as well - thanks. I'm not sure whats going to happen to it afterwards but it'll probs be used for planting crops

thanks for the idea

[tigger]

When you say it was a "wildflower field" do you know whether it was part of "set aside" or was it actually grazed during some or part of the year?

Lots of farmers are now using their set aside land for crops. Usually down to pure economics. Whereas before they used to get paid to set aside fields, now they don't.

Definately think it's worth letting her know what you have found, and try to find out what she is thinking of planting. Unfortunately wildflower meadows take years to mature, and all that good can be ruined by fertilizers and commercial crops.

I think it's great that you care enough to try and do something about it. My local field is under threat of development... I can't stand the thought of it becoming houses instead of lovely untouched fields - it's my "patch" and I know the wildlife on it inside out. I'm fighting to keep it that way!

[leifus]

Thanks for the ideas. The field is just left to grow - no cattle of anything, but the grass is then used as hay. I think i will tell her how much ive enjoyed myself there this year....

[tigger]

Definately show her your list and any photos as well!

Good Luck

Jane

[leifus]

Originally Posted by tigger

Definately show her your list and any photos as well!

Good Luck

Jane

oooh photos - that would be a good idea - thanks

[tigger]

No problem!

It does sound like your field was set-aside... see this article for more information

It's a real shame as set-aside fields were usually full of wildlife!

See if you can work your magic on the farmer!

Jane

[Gill Catton]

I seem to remember something about how a field that has been left un ploughed for a period of time (not sure how long - its probably a long time) requires and ecological appraisal before it can be ploughed up. The folks at the Countryside Agency will know try contacting them.

[leifus]

Thanks Gill and Jane

[KeenTeen17]

ploughing would probably do the field some good - it would kill all the choking grasses such as oat and couch. If this woman left the field to grow next year - the flowers wuold come up.

meadows are mown at this time of year anyway.

[shei111]

Hello no harm in putting your thoughts to the farmer, good luck, let us know how it goes. shei

[leifus]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

the flowers wuold come up.

meadows are mown at this time of year anyway.

it has been mown - but would all 75 flowers come up again as well? Best of which is a greater butterfly orchid

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

ploughing would probably do the field some good - it would kill all the choking grasses such as oat and couch. If this woman left the field to grow next year - the flowers wuold come up.

meadows are mown at this time of year anyway.

both can do some damage - but I believe ploughing can do more damage then pure mowing - which can help as over time, repeated mowing removes nutriants from the soil that would otherwise give coarse grasses a leg - up over wildflowers.

[Adam Cheeseman]

If it has be mown as a hay meadow then that would help improve the quality for wildflowers as the risings will have been removed.

As you are in Wiltshire it might help if you contact the county Wildlife Trust, who are one of the better ones, and they could persuade her to take up one of the Agri-environment schemes to enable her to manage her farm for wildlife.
At the very least they will be in a better postion to explain the consequences ecologicaally speaking.

Cheers,

Adam

[KeenTeen17]

get some yellow rattle seeds as that is a semi parasite of grass and stops it growing extensively - if the field gets damaged, plant some and they will help the competition of other plants by restricting the growth of the grasses.

[JennyS]

Quote:
Originally Posted by KeenTeen17 View Post
ploughing would probably do the field some good - it would kill all the choking grasses such as oat and couch. If this woman left the field to grow next year - the flowers wuold come up.

Originally Posted by Gill Catton:
both can do some damage - but I believe ploughing can do more damage then pure mowing - which can help as over time, repeated mowing removes nutriants from the soil that would otherwise give coarse grasses a leg - up over wildflowers.

A lot of agricultural 'wildflower meadows' with perennial species depend on mowing (or grazing).
Ploughing would change things seriously, and wouldn't kill couch etc as they'll grow from any root fragments left ....

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

get some yellow rattle seeds as that is a semi parasite of grass and stops it growing extensively - if the field gets damaged, plant some and they will help the competition of other plants by restricting the growth of the grasses.

One potential problem with Yellow Rattle is that invasive non-natives can use its hemi-parasitism to piggyback through an area that they might not have if the grasses were still present.

Cheers,

Adam

[leifus]

Thank you everyone!! I am just about to sow yellow rattle in my garden when the long grass is cut and might pop up to the field as well - thanks for the idea

[muldonach]

Originally Posted by leifus

Thank you everyone!! I am just about to sow yellow rattle in my garden when the long grass is cut and might pop up to the field as well - thanks for the idea

Not saying you won't but it might be polite to check with the owner before throwing seeds about

Regards
Mac

[wild flower]

Clearly there are a large number of wild plants in the meadow you speak of and as such it would be classified as semi-natural or uncultivated. This implies little interference by way of ploughing. I suspect the meadow has been historically mown for hay. However ploughing can have a detrimental effect as it can destroy soil fungi and cause the release of nutrients-which you dont want as that benefits undesirable, robust grass species. Traditionally managed hay meadows are not generally ploughed.

If ploughing is a new activity on this meadow (as I suspect it is from the information given) there is a serious risk to the floral diversity- especially if it continues year on year.

I am aware that there are agricultural impact assessment regulations which 'should' protect such meadows from intensification - although many conservationists feel they are something of a blunt instrument. A positive course of action, alongside your informing the landowner of the diversity in the meadow, would be to tell her about the Environmental Stewardship scheme. This scheme pays farmers to manage land in environmentally friendly ways. The farmer may qualify for such support. Just a thought.

In many areas now the Wildlife Trusts are also involved in 'Bring back wildflower meadows' type projects so it could be worth having a chat to them.

On the rattle seed I agree you need to talk to the landowner as yellow rattle is often used as a 'conservation tool' to supress grasses and reduce their vigour - the landowner may not be too keen on this if seeking hay for winter fodder! Suggest you also sow rattle in areas of bare earth and do not cover with soil. It is difficult to sow, so best of luck.

It is not very often such floristically rich meadows are found any longer and I wish you luck with it.

[leifus]

ok, well I've just heard from the farmer that she is now considering not ploughing after I had written a long letter about the nesting skylarks, rare plants etc etc. And on the rattle seeds I was planning to ask and also I asked her if I could plant a buddleia bush in the hedgerow to attract even more insects and butterflies - just a little insentive not to plough

I'll keep you up to date but so far everything is going to plan

[Davy Crockett]

Leifus glad things are changing for the better its been interesting to read everyones comments and well done to you
Regards Crockett