Operation Bumblebee mix blooms after close shave

Somerset Farm Manager, Bill Douglas, came within a whisker of ripping up half of his Pollen & Nectar mix environmental area established under the Syngenta Operation Bumblebee initiative last autumn. But advice from the Operation Bumblebee technical helpline to give the clover, trefoil and fescue grass mix a hard cut in April has had amazing results, he reports.

Although Mr Douglas had adhered the establishment guidelines - to create a firm fine seedbed in late August, broadcast seed on the surface and roll in - it was the Black-grass and broad-leaved weeds that proliferated, with the flowering legumes seedlings apparently few and far between.

Yet with one well timed close shave in the spring and a single application of a clover-safe selective herbicide to tackle the broad-leaved weeds, the sown fescue grasses have driven out the weeds. By the end of the summer the flowering legumes have blossomed into a riot of colour and there is a hive of insect activity.

Mr Douglas reports the decision at Castle Farm, Farleigh Hungerford was to concentrate on actively managing two areas, totaling around one hectare, to deliver the maximum biodiversity boost, rather than less intensive management across a wider area - which he argues delivers neither profitable farming nor environmental benefit.

New habitats

“We have always looked to manage the farm sympathetically for the environment, but it is still a commercial operation that has to make money. We have been able to create the new habitats without impinging on the farm’s productivity by utilising relatively poor agricultural areas; one alongside a hedge that always suffered rabbit damage and another on a steep sided valley.”

Although the 250-hectare Castle Farm has not entered into the ELS scheme, Mr Douglas is aware the Pollen & Nectar mix will count for 85 points per hectare, should they choose to enter at a later date.

Already bumblebees are highly visible in the Pollen & Nectar mix, with the clover, vetch and trefoil mix providing differing food sources for clearly distinct short and long tongued bumblebee species. Furthermore, Mr Douglas has noted a significant increase in butterfly activity, as well as other insects - hopefully including carabid beetles and other beneficial predators that will keep down pests in the field edge of adjoining crops.

“There is certainly far more life compared to simple grass margins, the natural regeneration set-aside or the fallow fields being left in the rotation to help with the control of Black-grass. We do suffer a horrendous Black-grass problem, and were keen not to exacerbate the situation.” The management options with the Pollen & Nectar mix appear to have mitigated any issues.

The flower species, including Alsike and Red Clover, Trefoil and Vetch, have been mixed with Crested Dogstail, Slender Red and Chewings Fescue and Smooth Meadow Grass. The grass species have been selected as tolerant to Fusilade Max herbicide applications where required in autumn and spring, to control competitive volunteer cereals, brome and other grass weeds.

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