New bracken control breakthrough demonstrated on Dartmoor

The steep hillsides in the uplands of the UK present access problems when it comes to the control of one particularly difficult to manage plant – bracken. The difficulties associated with operating on steep bracken infested land, particularly for the management of livestock, and the difficulties faced by walkers and other land users increase significantly as it spreads. Bracken spread also causes significant problems for the preservation of important archaeological sites.

Chemical control through specialist application is not always possible or viable for small farmers and steep ground presents dangerous conditions for tractors, making effective bracken management virtually impossible in some upland areas.

Now, there is another option. This September the Dartmoor Hill Farm Project and Oakland Biofuels will be showcasing new and innovative equipment to cut rush, gorse and bracken specifically in upland areas. The highly innovative equipment being brought to Dartmoor for a series of demonstrations normally operates on the challenging terrain of the high Alps and provides a proven safe and effective harvesting capability.

Sandra Dodd from the Dartmoor Hill Farm Project said: ‘Being able to manage and control bracken and other soft biomass throughout the UK will have far reaching benefits to rural areas not only from an employment and sustainability point of view but in being able to produce renewable energy and biofuel and reduce the reliance on agrochemicals. This series of demonstrations will show that there are now efficient and viable alternatives to leaving hard to reach areas of bracken to spread unchecked.’

Demonstrations will be held on the following dates. Farmers, landowners and land managers are welcome to come along to see the potential benefits that this innovative equipment presents for upland bracken control.

1 Sept 2016, 10.00am – 4.00pm– Bracken cutting and baling demonstration, Shapley Common, TQ13 8RL, Dartmoor

2 Sept 2016, 10.00am – 4.00pm – Rush & gorse cutting demonstration, AM - Tor Royal Farm, PL20 6SL.  PM – Whitchurch Down, PL19 9DZ

For more information or to register your interest in attending please call 01822 890913