Pasture for pollinators

The dwindling population of wild bees and other pollinators in the UK poses a serious threat to the UK food industry. These little insects play a huge role in UK agriculture by pollinating the many vegetables and fruits we eat on a daily basis, as well as some of the food our livestock depend on.

Six dairy farmers who are members of the Calon Wen Milk Co-operative are aiming to boost pollinator numbers on their farms through a 3 year project. More intensive farming and an increase in monocultural grass leys has unfortunately led to habitat loss for UK pollinator species. While there is a great deal of information on enhancing pollinators the majority of these studies have focused on arable or horticultural systems. Little attention has been given to how different farm management options in grass-based livestock farming, which is heavily dominant in Wales, can benefit pollinator populations.

A range of grassland management options will be explored on the six farms located throughout Wales:

Specialised seed mixtures (Herbal Dual Purpose Four Year Ley from Cotswold Seeds):  including bird’s-foot trefoil, clovers (red, white, sweet and alsike), yarrow, and other species which enhance pollinator populations.

Uncut field strips: Farmers will sow 2 seed mixes, one of which will include the ‘new’ mix formulated at the project’s inception in partnership with a seed company. Trial plots will be surveyed prior to first cut in late May, then again in June and July.

Late grazed flower rich/semi improved pastures: Potential sites will be identified in year one and base line data collected. The impact of delaying grazing and/or deferring grazing until the following year will be assessed in terms of pollinator populations.

The farmers, together with representatives from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and RSPB, are hoping to see that simple changes to grassland management without sacrificing farm productivity and profitability can go hand in hand with bee conservation.

Reports, Videos and Articles:

Pasture for pollinators Infographic (December 2019): Benefits of multi species …
 

Pasture for pollinators Infographic (December 2019) : Bee friendly silage harve…
 

Video (December 2019): Pasture For Pollinators project:

Audio (February 2019): (BBC Radio 4) Farming Today - Anna Hobbs, Bumblebee Cons…

(January 2019): Becky Holden (Bwlchwernen Farm) & Tony Little (ADAS): 

Article (December 2018): Organic dairy farmers are “buzzing” to help bumblebees

(August 2018): Sinead Lynch, Bumblebee Conservation Trust:

Technical Publication, Issue 16 (July / August 2018): Pasture for Pollinators

EIP Wales, which is delivered by Menter a Busnes, has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

European Innovation Partnership (EIP) is part of the Co-operation and Supply Chain Development Scheme (CSCDS) delivering under Measure 16 (Article 35 of Regulation (EU) 1305/2013). The CSCDS is an important element of the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. The EIP delivers under sub Measure 16.1 of the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014- 2020.