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sheep which is great and we ’ ve definitely got healthier sheep .”
Cold , exposed conditions can also lead to an increased risk of ewes developing acute mastitis . This reduces the ability of the ewe to support her lambs increasing the likelihood of lamb mortality or poor growth rates .
As well as providing a haven from the elements , shelterbelts can also be designed to assist natural behaviours of ewes and provide opportunities for isolation during lambing . Isolation increases the chances of early development of a strong bond between the ewe and her lambs , better suckling and colostrum intake , reduced disease risk and greater resistance to the cold .
Planting trees has other benefits for flock health . They can improve soil quality , reducing waterlogged ground conditions associated with causing lameness and liver fluke .
Husband and wife tenant farmers on a 109 hectare site in Yorkshire interviewed by Rachel reported “ We have planted a few wet areas with woodland over the last few years and have
www . farmingmonthly . co . uk seen a noticeable reduction in fluke … there is definitely a link between it on this estate . I didn ’ t have to fluke at all last year .” Rachel said : “ This link between liver fluke and wet boggy areas is very interesting , with the shepherd communicating his certainty surrounding the beneficial impact of fencing off wet areas and therefore restricting livestock access to liver fluke prone areas . A reduction in liver fluke cases and therefore reduced need for medical treatment , has economic and time saving implications , showing the economic and operational cost-benefits of using trees in sheep and beef systems .
“ From the sample of farms involved in the research , a broad range of benefits were experienced through using trees in their farming systems , including increased animal productivity and reductions in liver fluke cases . The costs associated with planting trees and hedgerows were largely covered by grants and farmers felt any additional costs were outweighed by the benefits gained .”
The Woodland Trust offers farmers free advice and support for tree and hedgerow planting on their land , identifying the best trees for the farm and providing valuable grant support where available . To find out more and to request a free site visit , go to www . woodlandtrust . org . uk / plant-trees
Together with the Soil Association and Royal Forestry Society , the Trust is staging an agroforestry conference at Cranfield University on June 22 where farmers can discover the many benefits of planting trees on farms . The conference will showcase some of the UK ’ s leading agroforestry systems and look at the main steps and questions faced in getting them off the ground .
National and international speakers are included in the line-up , along with those currently practicing agroforestry techniques , and Charlotte Smith of BBC Radio 4 will chair the sessions
Tickets are available at www . soilassociation . org / agroforestry /
February 2017 | Farming Monthly | 11