Farmers set to discover how trees can grow their business
An event is being held for farmers to demonstrate how trees can grow their business by improving the health and wellbeing of their livestock.
The productivity of dairy, beef and sheep farming systems can be enhanced by planting trees
An event is being held for farmers to demonstrate how trees can grow their business by improving the health and wellbeing of their livestock.
Experts from the farming industry are set to provide practical advice and discuss how the productivity of dairy, beef and sheep farming systems can be enhanced by planting trees and managing existing small wooded areas on their land.
The event that’s taking place on Thursday 11 September at Harper Adams University will also discuss other topics, such as the latest updates on the agri-environment schemes in England and Wales, medicinal and nutritional benefits of dairy cows browsing native trees, and how tree planting reduces water run-off during heavy rain.
Plus, farmers will be able to find out how to design a tree planting scheme, run effective field trials and hear from farmers who are already benefitting from incorporating trees within their business.
One farmer who has made trees part of his farm business is Alan Morgan of Gadr Farm near Monmouth. He says: “Tree planting has been a very good thing for me as it’s a long-term investment and you can plant in wet areas and field corners that are difficult to access. I cut trees for firewood, so I need to plant more to replace them. I would recommend other farmers to think of planting small areas of woodland too.”
The seminar is part of a three year research project (MRes) on Trees in the Farmed Environment led by Harper Adams and supported by the Woodland Trust. The Trust is keen to help farmers realise the benefits of integrating trees into their farming systems, and also highlight the lessons learnt from a European award-winning farmer-led tree planting project that took place in Pontbren in Wales.
John Tucker, the Woodland Trust’s Woodland Creation Director, said: “The Woodland Trust understands the challenges farmers face to meet the growing demand for food production, whilst ensuring long-term sustainability of their farms. By using the Pontbren scheme as a benchmark, we’re looking forward to demonstrating how tree planting can benefit farmers and inform them about the advice and assistance available from the Trust.”
Jim Waterson MICFor, Senior Lecturer within the Crop and Environment Sciences Dept. at Harper Adams University (HAU), who has been involved with the research project, said: “There is increasing awareness and understanding of the real-world benefits that well-planned and located trees and woodlands can offer to sustainable land and farm management. The seminar will examine all these areas and provide opportunities for information and knowledge exchange.”
To reserve a place at the seminar either email events@woodlandtrust.org.uk or call 08452 935603. Tickets cost £10 and the closing date for booking is Thursday 4 September.
