An introduction to Conservation Grazing of Meadows Part 2
Conservation grazing is livestock grazing that promotes biodiversity, encouraging wildflowers as well as creating a diversity of habitats for wildlife.
This video comprises three talks:
1. Dr Pen Rashbass outlines animal health & welfare when grazing for nature.
2. Phil Wilson talks about how your dinner can help mitigate climate change.
3. Simon Berry discusses best practice for grazing wetter meadows.
More details below:
Key speaker: Dr Pen Rashbass - The Essential Guide to Animal Health & Welfare when Grazing for Nature
In the UK, grazing animals ‘drive’ the ecology of nearly all grassland, heathland and woodland habitats. When using domesticated stock to perform this task, we need to consider not only the ecological objectives for the site, but also ensure that high animal health and welfare standards are maintained. Pen's talk will cover good grazing management and an appreciation of why some animals are better suited to particular environments.
Phil Wilson, ecologist and grazier - How Your Dinner can help Mitigate Climate Change - Carbon Storage in Species-rich Grasslands.
We are gradually starting to appreciate how the soils of grasslands are as important as woodlands in storing carbon and minimising climate change. The carbon storage potential of different grassland types varies however, and their species-richness and management are critical. More than ten years-worth of soil data from grasslands managed under agri-environment schemes in England have helped Phil to understand these relationships.
Simon Berry, Senior Farm Advisor with the Devon Wildlife Trust - Grazing Wetter Meadows
Wet meadows, Culm and Rhos pastures are types of very damp grassland found throughout Devon but what are the key differences? Find out the best practice to manage them with livestock to create a mosaic of rich wildlife habitat.
The talks are followed by a Q&Asession
Speaker bios:
Dr. Pen Rashbass is a conservation grazier and grazing advisor based in Derbyshire. She is the Peak District Region Facilitator for the Pasture-fed Livestock Association (PFLA) and also sits on two Defra Scientific Advisory Committees – the Animal Welfare Committee and the Farm Animal Genetic Resources Committee.
Simon Berry is senior farm advisor with the Devon Wildlife Trust and is an organic farmer on the river Torridge at Beaford and has been with the Trust nearly 20 years. As part of the Working Wetlands Project Team, Simon also offers a Grazing Links Service and has much experience of grazing culm grassland and associated conservation grazing.He has a pedigree longhorn herd which graze the culm every summer under a CS agreement.
Phil Wilson is an ecologist recently completing a large survey of upland hay-meadows (mainly Yorks/Durham/Cumbria), tracking condition from 1987 to 2020. He is currently writing a paper on carbon storage in grassland in relation to management and condition. Phil lives in East Devon and is also a grazier with a small suckler herd of Red Devon cattle grazing County Wildlife Sites and other areas of species-rich grassland.