1/6/09

Making the most of hedgerows

Hedgerow construction and management is the topic of an afternoon event at ADAS Pwllpeiran near Cwmystwyth in Ceredigion on Thursday 9 June. It is being organized by Organic Centre Wales as part of the Farming Connect Organic Development Programme and is suitable for all farmers, organic and conventional.

“Hedges are a very important feature on the farm,” said David Frost, senior ADAS consultant who will be speaking at the event. “When stock-proof they make excellent boundaries as well as supporting wildlife. Unfortunately, neglected and unmanaged hedges become defunct and can’t provide either of these important functions. “For organic farmers, well-maintained hedges are essential. They provide shelter for stock and support pollinating insects and pest-predators. They form part of a balanced eco-system which is so important to organic systems.”

Owen Davies, site manager at the ADAS Pwllpeiran Research Centre, will be explaining how hedges are essential to maintain the health of the pedigree Welsh Black suckler cows, by preventing contact with neighbouring herds which could transmit diseases such as bovine TB, BVD and IBR.

ADAS ecologist Chris Forster-Brown will be discussing how to create and manage hedgerow habitat to encourage predatory and beneficial insects and maximize biodiversity generally. He will discuss species, provenances and management requirements The event runs from 1.30 to 4.30pm and the postcode is SY23 4AB.

For more information and to book a place please contact Owen Davies on 01974 or owen.davies@adas.co.uk.

Ends

Further information

Owen Davies, ADAS Pwllpeiran, Cwmystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 4AB 01974 282229 owen.davies@adas.co.uk 

David Frost, Senior Consultant, ADAS Pwllpeiran, Cwmystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 4AB 01974 272567 david.frost@adas.co.uk 

Notes for editors

1. Organic Centre Wales is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government to provide information on organic food and farming to producers, food businesses, consumers and others. It is based at Aberystwyth University and run by a partnership consisting of the ADAS, the Organic Research Centre Elm Farm, and the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences at Aberystwyth University.

2. ADAS is the UK’s largest independent provider of environmental consultancy, rural development services and policy advice. ADAS is a partner in Organic Centre Wales. ADAS Pwllpeiran is a 1346 ha hill farm in the Cambrian Mountains. The organic unit comprises 239 ha of the total farm area.

3. The Organic Conversion Information Service (01970 622100) is funded by WAG to provide information to producers considering conversion – an information pack and up to three free on-farm visits are available.

4. Farming Connect, working closely with its partner organisations, provides one to one support, knowledge, expertise, training and advisory services tailored to the needs of farmers in Wales. Many of these services are fully funded or subsidised and the service is both flexible and accessible. You can register with the Farming Connect Service Centre on 08456 000 813 or contact Farming Connect directly at your nearest WAG Divisional Office. OCW is funded by Farming Connect to deliver the Organic Development Programme.

5. Farming Connect is funded through the Rural Development Plan 2007-2013, which is financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Assembly Government.

Back to press releases page