Ughill Farm – Over-sowing modified grassland pilot (1)

Works to be completed:

– Over-sow fields with a short-lived ryegrass hybrid to suppress injurious weeds and remaining agricultural plants.
– Enrol fields in the Environmental Land Management scheme as ‘winter bird’ habitat.
– Manage the grassland over a three-year period, allowing natural processes to take effect.
– Harvest green hay from on-site wildflower meadows and acid pastures to inoculate the modified fields with native species.

Overarching aims of the works:

– Restore the fields to a combination of acid grassland pasture and species-rich hay meadow.
– Reduce reliance on chemical treatments by using a natural, staged restoration process.
– Improve biodiversity and create a more resilient habitat for wildlife.
– Develop and trial a novel grassland restoration technique that can be shared with other landowners.

Value to the community and/or environment:

– Enhances local biodiversity by creating high-quality habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife.
– Supports wintering bird populations by allowing ryegrass to seed over winter.
– Demonstrates a sustainable land restoration method that can be replicated elsewhere.
– Contributes to a healthier environment by reducing chemical inputs and improving soil health.