Experimental research taking place at Denton Reserve in Yorkshire, being conducted at Bracken Field Lab
In the coming months, the Bracken Field Lab is set to share its latest research findings related to the management of the invasive bracken plant. The event, facilitated by Rob Bunn, the North facilitator for the Bracken Field Lab, will provide an opportunity for farmers, National Landscape officers, estate managers, and farmer advisors to gain insights into the project's progress.
The event, which took place last week at Denton Reserve in Yorkshire, included an overview of the IF & PfL Bracken Field Lab, as well as a tour where attendees learned about mechanical bracken management from Andrew Letten and his horse, Charlie.
Notably, the sharing of reports and findings is not limited to a specific topic or individual. Robin Pakeman, an academic partner from the James Hutton Institute, offered an insight into the bracken plant, while Cumbrian farmer Paul Renison concluded the session by discussing his successful bracken management strategies using Aberdeen Angus cattle. Two of the 8 Field Lab farmers, Julia Horner and Bill Grayson, also shared their experiences during the event.
Mechanical bracken management, a method often employed to control bracken growth, typically involves the use of animals like horses or cattle to graze on the bracken and associated vegetation. This natural approach, which minimises chemical use, can also include mechanical cutting or crushing with animal-drawn equipment as an environmentally friendly alternative to machinery.
For precise and up-to-date details on the IF & PfL Bracken Field Lab's unique mechanical management practices, it is recommended to consult direct resources from the managing institutions or recent official documentation, as available search results do not include this information. The Bracken Field Lab is an ongoing project, and its findings are expected to contribute significantly to the ongoing efforts to manage bracken growth in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner.
In the future, the Bracken Field Lab will extend its sharing of research findings to include solutions for outdoor-living, such as sustainable methods for bracken management, like home-and-garden friendly mechanical bracken management. At the event, attendees learned about these practices, which mimic natural processes involving animals like horses and cattle, and offer an environmentally friendly alternative to machinery.
