Rush Management Workshop
The rush management workshop was a success and the information covered in the workshop is explained in this pdf document:
Rush Management – picture 1
Photograph of Ian Cairns explaining how deep the soft rush roots grow and that each seed head sheds thousands of seeds. The seeds remain viable in the seed bank for decades.
Rush Management – picture 2
There were demonstrations of cutting machines by Natural England and the RSPB explained why they control rushes at Geltsdale for breeding waders. One of the most effective forms of management to reduce soft rush dominance is to cut the rushes before flowering, leave the rushes in place and weed-wipe the regrowth (with Glyphosate) approximately eight weeks later. In combination with improving drainage, pH and grazing regimes, rushes can be reduced.
HNV farming
For those interested in knowing more about High Nature Value farming, here is the website link:
http://www.efncp.org/projects/united-kingdom/hnv_eng_wales/hnv-farming-northern-upland-chain/
PA1 Safe use of Pesticides
The Farmer Network will be running training courses on the safe use of pesticides this year. If you are interested, perhaps register your interest with The Farmer Network:
CAP reform
There are regular updates to the CAP reform found on the DEFRA website. The most important piece of information for smallholders is that land under 5 hectares will no longer be eligible for agri-environment payments:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cap-reform-december-2014-update
Future Workshops and Events
The North Pennines AONB Partnership will hold an evening meeting in March (date to be confirmed) to learn more about upland hay meadow management, bumblebee-friendly wildflowers to grow in gardens and to have a discussion on what workshops and events should be held this year.