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Report
T012 *****
Problem:
Spear thistle, Docks, Ragwort in newly seeded wildflower
meadow
Where: High Farm, Menethorpe, N. Yorkshire
When: March 2003 (32 man-hours)
Status: Countryside Stewardship
Area: 5.66 hectares (14 acres)
Detail: Costs just £12 per acre
The
site was divided into tramlines using the wheelings of a
van, before a workforce of four started work. The ‘general
purpose’ attachment to the L-D tool was used, and each of
the above weeds was extracted as the work progressed. Docks
(Common & Broad leaved), Ragwort were bagged, and Spear
thistle left on the ground. A collection cart made unloading
the docks & Ragwort easy. The whole site was walked
and cleared in 8 hrs, despite interruptions from a CLA photographer/journalist.
The Ryedale District Council Ecologist (Martin Hammond),
who had commissioned the work, also visited and oversaw
the job.
Assessment
of the work in May showed that it was a major success. None
of the extracted weeds were visible in a very clean growing
crop of hay (that was going to be cut in July, and fed to
horses).
Cost
: £260 + vat. (just £17. per acre).
See
also photos, before & after.
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