Positive Actions for Hay Meadows

Hay MeadowThe introduction of intensive farming techniques has meant that most hay meadows now contain far fewer species than they once did. Many meadows are now cut earlier in the year to make silage rather than hay, or to get two crops from one field. This means many of the wild flowers do not have a chance to grow, flower and set seed so they can re-grow the next year. Encouraging farmers to cut hay meadows after the middle of July will mean that there will be more flowers in hay fields in the future.

Most hay meadows are now agriculturally 'improved' by the addition of inorganic nitrogen fertiliser. This means that fields grow more grass, and wildflowers can't compete with the grasses. The National Park Authority has surveyed hay meadows to find the best remaining ones and is working with farmers to help them manage these fields in a more traditional way. Instead of using inorganic fertiliser, good old-fashioned farmyard manure is spread!