Birds, bees and many weeds on the hills

SINCE the EU introduced regulations leading to a huge reduction of sheep on the hills we’ve been hearing complaints about uncontrolled vegetation that can result in fires that sometimes get out of control. At certain times of the year, farmers set fires to burn off scrub to allow fresh grass grow.

In times past, grazing sheep did a lot of that scrub-control work and some breeds of cattle can do the same.

The practice is called ‘’conservation grazing’’ and native cattle such as Dexters and Kerries, which are light and hardy, are ideal, according to scientist Kilian Kelly.