Herbal leys are gathering increasing attention from farmers, environmentalists and policy makers for their potential to provide both high quality forage and diverse environmental benefits.

This free event on March 27 2018 will take place at Maundrils Farm in West Huntspill Highbridge, Somerset. It will focus on how herbal leys can be built into livestock and mixed farming businesses in order to build soil fertility, benefit livestock health and support healthy populations of pollinators. Consideration will also be given to general management to enhance pollinator populations.

Ian Wilkinson from Cotswold Seeds will give a detailed introduction to herbal leys and their place in livestock and mixed farming systems, looking at costs, outputs, mineral content, anthelmintic properties and their place within rotational systems.

Mark Smith from CFE South West will discuss delivering environmental benefits through voluntary management, options for pollinators, making the most of greening, cross compliance soil management requirements and the new ‘Farming Rules for Water’.

There will also be a farm walk looking at herbal leys, hedgerow management, orchards and ponds for environmental benefits by kind permission of Rachel and Joe Horler, Maundrils Farm, an organic dairy farm growing a variety of forage crops including herbal leys.

Booking is essential, call 01823 660684 or email info@fwagsw.org.uk.