Fermanagh - first class hay meadows

Fermanagh is one of the last remaining areas in Northern Ireland where traditional hay meadows have a stronghold. Approximately 1,000 hectares of hay meadows are currently managed under Northern Ireland's agri-environment schemes, with over 90 percent of the meadows in County Fermanagh.

Hay meadows are an important habitat because they support a wide variety of plants including black medick, knapweed, common spotted orchids and yellow rattle. The marsh fritillary butterfly may also be found in such areas.

Hay meadows are a rare and declining habitat in Fermanagh with the main concentration found in the Belcoo-Garrison area, in the west of the county. One such farm is that of Gordon Carson from Slattinagh, Garrison, where the traditional practice of haymaking continues.

Gordon runs a Charolais-cross suckler herd and has been a participant in the Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) Scheme for the past 10 years. He is well aware of the importance of conserving this valuable habitat and does so by adhering to the management prescriptions of the scheme.

These include restricted fertiliser use, a later cutting date which allows plants to flower and set seed, no chemical control of weeds and pests and grazing of the after grass to prevent grasses becoming too lush.

With financial incentives for positive management under current agri-environment schemes such as the ESA Scheme and Countryside Management Scheme, the species diversity found within our hay meadows will continue to be maintained and enhanced.

For further information on the management of traditional hay meadows and agri-environment schemes, contact Countryside Management Branch at your local Department of Agriculture and Rural Development office.